| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08684911B2 |
Self-propelled endoscopic device
An endoscopic device for autonomous locomotion through a selected body cavity in a predetermined direction, the device comprising a hollowed, cylindrical body that extends between two, preferably, the front and rear, end portions, respectively. The body is made of a relatively elastic material and includes an anchor for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall portion of the body cavity in synch with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the body. The body incorporates a reinforcement structure distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in a radial direction and yields in an axial direction, the structure specifically comprising either a plurality of relatively rigid rings or at least one helical spring. |
| US08684906B2 |
Cardiovascular device
A cardiovascular device (11), adapted to be fitted into a cardiac ventricular cavity (2) having a volume with blood flowing therethrough, which is bounded by walls (8) and has a larger longitudinal dimension (D1) and a smaller transverse dimension (D2). The device includes a diaphragm (16) that can be disposed in the ventricular cavity (2) substantially transverse to the larger longitudinal dimension (D1), in such an arrangement as to reduce ventricular volume, the diaphragm (16) having a peripheral edge (15) which can be sealingly engaged with the ventricle walls (8) and being adapted to be alternately driven between an active blood pushing displacement and an inactive return displacement. |
| US08684905B2 |
Intra-aortic balloon pump assembly for ventricular assist device
Devices and methods are disclosed for implanting, positioning, removing, replacing and operating intra-aortic balloon pumps. |
| US08684904B2 |
Blood pump with expandable cannula
A blood pump includes an impeller having a plurality of foldable blades and a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller can reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula has a collapsed condition for percutaneous delivery to a desired location within the body, and an expanded condition in which the impeller can rotate to pump blood. A flexible drive shaft can extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body. |
| US08684898B2 |
Ionizing-radiation-responsive compositions, methods, and systems
A method composition and system respond to ionizing, radiation to adjust biological activity. In some approaches the ionizing radiation is X-ray or extreme ultraviolet radiation that produces luminescent responses that induce biologically active responses. |
| US08684892B1 |
Jump ropes and method of assembling jump ropes
A jump rope has a flexible rope interconnected between left and right handles. Each handle includes two elongate half-pipe members that are held together by a sleeved collar at one end and a sleeved end cap at the other end. On each handle, a rope holder includes a rotor portion rotatably retained within the handle, and a clamping portion configured to releasably clamp a cross-section of the rope. Tubular elastomeric hand grips are preferably sleeved onto intermediate portions of respective handles. |
| US08684891B1 |
Waist-mounted parachute deployment and retracting system
A waist-mounted parachute deployment and retracting system for training runners and other athletes that provides a user a method for selectively deploying and retracting the parachute during training without stopping or breaking stride. The parachute provides drag to increase resistance to improve performance by overloading the muscles. The user selectively deploys the parachute by pressing a button to release and open the parachute. Air flow created by the user's forward motion flows through a pair of ports on the side of a case holding the parachute. The air flow expands the parachute, causing the cords attaching the parachute to the case to extend and wind a recoil mechanism. The user selectively retracts the parachute by pressing a button to close the parachute and the recoil mechanism rewinds the cords, pulling the parachute into the case, ready to be deployed again when desired. |
| US08684878B2 |
Speed reducer
A speed reducer having rollers axially longer than its cage, includes coaxial input and output shafts with mutualy facing ends covered by a housing that supports an internal gear. An eccentric disk is mounted on an end of the input shaft to be located radially inwardly of, and rotatable relative to, the internal gear. A cage at the end of the output shaft is between the internal gear and a bearing fitted on the disk. The cage has pockets unequal in number to internal teeth of the internal gear. A roller in each pocket is rollable along the radially outer surface of the bearing outer race. The input shaft rotation is transmitted to the shaft at a reduced speed ratio determined by the number of the internal teeth. An annular recess is formed along the corner between the closed end and radially inner surfaces of the cage. |
| US08684877B2 |
Gear transmission
A gear transmission comprises an internal gear, an external gear, a first gear, a crankshaft, a two-stage gear and a second gear. The first gear is affixed to an end of the crankshaft, which eccentrically rotates one of the internal gear and the external gear. The two-stage gear comprises a center gear and an outer-toothed ring gear. The center gear meshes with the first gear. The outer-toothed ring gear surrounds the first gear. The second gear meshes with the outer-toothed ring gear and transmits torque from a motor to the two-stage gear. The two-stage gear is configured such that the center gear and the outer-toothed ring gear are each at least partially disposed in a common plane that crosses the rotational axis of the gear transmission. |
| US08684876B2 |
Differential assembly with features for improved lubrication
A power transmitting component includes a housing having an interior cavity with a sump, a lubricant disposed in the sump, and a component mounted in the housing assembly for rotation about a first axis. The component rotates through the lubricant in the sump to generate a stream of lubricant that is slung from the component as it rotates at a speed in excess of a predetermined speed. The housing includes a deflector that extends into the interior cavity and has a first face having an impingement portion and a first edge adjacent the impingement portion. The impingement portion extends into the stream and deflects a portion of the stream towards the first edge. The first edge disperses the portion of the stream toward selected areas in the interior cavity. |
| US08684875B2 |
Device for a drivetrain of a hybrid vehicle, drivetrain, and method for operating same
A device for a drive-train of a hybrid vehicle comprising a planetary gearset having three elements which comprise a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear. A first elements serves as a fixed connection of a first input shaft of a first partial transmission of a transmission. A second of the elements serves as a fixed connection of a hybrid drive electric machine. A first shifting element connects, in a first position thereof, a third of the elements to a second input shaft of a second partial transmission, to which a hybrid drive combustion engine can be coupled. The first shifting element, when in a second position, connects the third of the elements to the housing or the stator. A second shifting element, when engaged, couples the two input shafts of the two partial transmissions with one another and, when disengaged, separates the two input shafts from one another. |
| US08684873B2 |
Drive system and method for operating such a drive system, in particular for a motor vehicle
A drive system (1) for a motor vehicle has a double clutch transmission (2), with two component transmissions (3, 4), a double clutch (5) and an output shaft (6). An internal combustion engine (7) optionally can be connected operatively to one of the component transmissions (3, 4) via the double clutch (5) to drive the output shaft (6). A gear drive (8) is arranged rotatably on the output shaft (6). An electric machine (9) can be connected operatively via the gear drive (8) to at least one fixed gear (16, 17, 21) of one of the component transmissions (3, 4) to drive the output shaft (6) and/or to recover kinetic energy from the drive system (1). |
| US08684870B2 |
Ball
A ball includes a ball body having a spherical surface, and at least one projection extending from the surface of the ball body. The projection extends in such a manner that the projection forcibly separates a laminar boundary layer generated on the surface of the ball body, and transitions the laminar boundary layer to a turbulent boundary layer. |
| US08684869B1 |
Arrowhead mechanical blade retention system
An arrowhead mechanical blade retention system incorporates retention bumps directly on a pair of opposed deployable blades. When closing or opening the mechanical blades in a broadhead, the retention bumps are forced to pass each other prior to the mechanical blades deploying. This necessarily puts tension on each blade, tending to hold them into position without any additional components. With sufficient force, the blades will simultaneously cross from a closed flight position with a pivot point on one side of the broadhead body to an open and deployed position on the other side of the broadhead body. Once the retention bumps pass each other to release the blades, there is a significantly reduced force required to completely deploy the blades. |
| US08684865B1 |
Fairway wood type golf club head
A fairway wood type golf club head and method for forming is disclosed herein. The golf club head preferably has a cast body, a compression molded crown, and weight pads. The weight pads can be manipulated to create different mass property configurations for the golf club head using the same body and crown. |
| US08684864B2 |
Golf club head and face insert
A face insert for golf club head in one embodiment can comprise a substrate comprising a score line groove-free front surface. A cover layer is provided at least on the front surface of the substrate. The cover layer can alternatively overlay at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the substrate. The cover layer comprises a ball-striking surface spaced by the cover layer from the substrate. Plural elongated score line grooves can extend into the polymer layer from the ball-striking surface. In addition, visible markings are interposed between the cover layer and the front surface of the substrate, the visible markings being visible through the cover layer. In one form the visible markings comprise elongated score line markings and target markings in a central portion of the substrate. The visible markings can be screen-printed markings, which are then protected by the cover layer from wear. The cover layer can be molded and can be a polymer layer. The score line grooves can be formed, for example, by molding during molding of the polymer layer. |
| US08684863B2 |
Golf club having removable weight
A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a weight member secured to a weight mount. The weight member is preferably constructed so that it has a low profile and so that it interacts with an angled abutment portion of the weight mount to locate the weight member in the golf club head. |
| US08684861B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head has a striking face with a plurality of scorelines including a first scoreline and a second scoreline adjacent thereto. The striking face also has a plurality of auxiliary grooves each spaced from the scorelines. In a first imaginary vertical plane, a first path is formed by a first intersection between the first imaginary vertical plane and the striking face, and the auxiliary grooves have a first concentration no less than 0.17 measured between the first and second scorelines. A second imaginary vertical plane is horizontally spaced from the first imaginary plane. A second path is formed in the second imaginary vertical plane by a second intersection between the second imaginary vertical plane and the striking face. The auxiliary grooves in the second imaginary vertical plane have a second concentration that is different from the first concentration measured between the first and second scorelines. |
| US08684858B2 |
Putting training aid
A putting training aid including an elongated golf stroke training device, a reflective mechanism a mounting mechanism. The elongated golf stroke training device has a first alignment line. The reflective mechanism has a second alignment line. The mounting mechanism holds the reflective mechanism with respect to the elongated golf stroke training device. |
| US08684857B2 |
Ten pin bowling method and apparatus
A method for bowling a ball typically in ten pin bowling using apparatus (10) in which a ball (15) is supported to movable support means typically a roller (23) which is rotatably driven by a motor (26) whilst the ball is restrained in a substantially fixed position with the apparatus (10) including a stop (29) which may be actuated to release the rotating ball (15) to allow said ball to travel in a desired direction of travel along an elongated guide member or barrel (11). |
| US08684854B2 |
Suspended flying rig system
A flying rig system includes a load guidance apparatus and at least two first positioning devices operatively connected to the load guidance apparatus to control the areal position of the load guidance apparatus within an upper portion of a working space. A second positioning device is operatively connected to the load guidance apparatus to permit selective vertical positioning of a load suspended from the load guidance apparatus substantially beneath the upper portion of the working space. |
| US08684853B2 |
Recreational dock swing
An apparatus includes a substantially vertical elongated mast and a substantially horizontal elongated boom which is supported by the mast proximate an upper end thereof. The boom can pivot independently about a substantially vertical first axis and a substantially horizontal second axis. The boom has a first end proximate the mast and a distal opposite second end. A gripping element, for gripping by a user of the apparatus while the user is supported thereby, depends from the boom proximate the second end thereof. An elastic biasing member operatively attached to the mast and the boom provides a biasing force to bias the boom toward a rest position and against downward movement of the second end of the mast. The biasing member allows a temporary downward movement of the second end of the boom due to sudden application of weight of a user's body when the user grasps the gripping element. |
| US08684851B2 |
Floating sub tool
An axially-floating sub tool for axial load compensation in conjunction with a top drive comprises cylindrical upper and lower members, with the upper member being coaxially disposed within a cylindrical housing. The upper member has an upper section slidably disposed within an opening in the upper end of the housing, plus a middle section that slidably and sealingly engages the housing bore. The lower-member bore has a splined upper interval, and a coaxial stinger extending upward from an annular shoulder medially located in the lower-member bore. The lower member is connected to the lower end of the housing with the stinger slidingly and sealingly disposed within the upper-member bore, and with the lower-member splines slidingly engaging the upper-member splines, thus defining upper, middle, and lower annular chambers, with the middle and lower chambers in fluid communication, and with a regulator/check valve regulating pressure in the middle and lower chambers. |
| US08684847B2 |
Gaming machine user interfaces
A device such as a gaming console comprises a display screen and a game controller arranged to allow a player to play a game and awarding a prize or feature if a winning combination results. A mechanical display filter is configured to visually distinguish at least two portions of the display screen from one another. The mechanical display screen may have buttons, including buttons which actuate a touch screen. The display screen can be used to illuminate portions of the mechanical display screen to produce visual effects, including using complex lighting patterns. The display screen may be used to illuminate buttons forming part of a user interface, or a separate screen may be used to illuminate the buttons from behind the buttons. |
| US08684846B2 |
Dynamic display systems for gaming machines
Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided. Separate dynamic display controllers can be provided to control dynamic displays directly to alleviate processing burdens on the master gaming controller. |
| US08684845B2 |
Storage medium storing game program and game apparatus
A game system includes a game apparatus and a controller. For example, whether an operation of waving the controller has been performed is determined based on at least one of a pointed position on a display screen by the controller and acceleration. A wind object is generated and moved in virtual game space according to the waving operation. When it is determined that the wind object has collided with a windmill object disposed in the virtual game space, the windmill object is influenced by the wind and its rotation speed is changed. |
| US08684843B2 |
Handheld wagering game system and methods for conducting wagering games thereupon
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device. |
| US08684842B2 |
Display device, game system, and game process method
A game system includes a home-console type game device, a controller device, and a portable display device. The portable display device includes an infrared light-emitting portion capable of emitting infrared light. The controller device wirelessly transmits to the game device operation date including data representing a detection result by an image-capturing section, data representing a detection result by an inertia sensor, and data representing an operation performed on an operation button. The game device receives the operation data from the controller device, and performs a game process based on the operation data. |
| US08684839B2 |
Control of wager-based game using gesture recognition
Various techniques are described for controlling a wager-based game played at a gaming system. In one embodiment the gaming system may include a gesture input interface device operable to detect movements gestures associated with one or more persons, and a gesture interpretation component operable to identify selected movements or gestures detected by the gesture input interface device. In at least one embodiment, the gesture interpretation component may also be operable to generate gesture interpretation information relating to interpretation of the selected movements or gestures. In at least one embodiment, the gaming system may be operable to automatically detect a gesture by a player participating in a game session at the gaming system; interpret the gesture with respect to a set of criteria; generate gesture interpretation information relating to the interpretation of the gesture; and advance a state of the game session using at least a portion of the gesture interpretation information. In at least one embodiment, the system may include a handheld device which is operable to perform one or more of the functions relating to gesture recognition and/or interpretation. |
| US08684834B2 |
Game device
In a game device, a loading processor loads save data on which user ID information is attached from a storage device 80; an application executing unit executes a game program while using the loaded save data; a game requirement achievement determining unit determines whether or not a predetermined requirement of gameplay is achieved based on a progress status of the game; and item ID acquiring unit acquires an item ID associated with achieved requirement of gameplay; an item acquisition processing unit has a function for generating item acquisition information while using the acquired item ID; and a function limiting unit limits the function of an item acquisition processing unit in accordance with user ID information attached to the save data. |
| US08684832B2 |
Multi-player bingo game with optional progressive jackpot wager
The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may optionally participate and be eligible to win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the player may be eligible for the progressive jackpot by wagering at least a minimum wager amount, and perhaps the maximum bet for the wagering game. In another embodiment, the player may affirmatively elect to be eligible for the progressive jackpot by placing a wager or fee in addition to a wager on the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot. |
| US08684829B2 |
Side betting for enriched game play environment (single and/or multiplayer) for casino applications
Methods and systems for making a side bet in a hybrid game having a gambling game portion and an entertainment game portion are provided. The side bet is made in regards to the play of the entertainment portion of the hybrid game and can be made using a real world credit, a game world credit or a game world element. If the side bet is made using a real world credit, the real world credits used by the gambling game portion of the hybrid game and credited to a player are incremented or decremented. If the side bet is made using a game world element, the entertainment game portion of the hybrid game is updated based on the outcome of the side bet. |
| US08684827B2 |
Exchange of entries corresponding to participants in a sports competition
Entries in one or more sports competitions are determined and distributed to a plurality of users. The entries may be traded among the users. The one or more sports competitions have one or more stages. In some implementations relating to a first sports competition, the entries include entries in which each of the entries corresponds to a respective team of a set of teams participating in the first sports competition. In some implementations relating to a second sports competition, the entries include entries in which each of the entries corresponds to a respective individual of a set of individuals participating in the second sports competition. |
| US08684824B2 |
Side betting on gaming and related non gaming items
A gaming device including an interface unit configured to accept game play data from a player, and a controller coupled to the interface unit. The controller includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores player tracking data and wherein the processor is configured to receive, via the interface unit, game play data for the player playing a primary game, initiate a play of a secondary game if a triggering event occurs, enable a player to select at least one of a plurality of different loyalty awards associated with the secondary game, determine an outcome of the secondary game, and issue a loyalty award based on the determined outcome of the secondary game. |
| US08684815B2 |
Gaming machine and gaming method thereof
A gaming environment is described. In a base game, one or more paylines to be activated and a bet number for the activated paylines are set. If a combination of displayed symbols on the activated payline is a winning combination, an outcome amount is calculated by multiplying a payout number corresponding to the realized winning combination by the bet number, and the calculated outcome amount will be provided to the player. Also, a payout number corresponding to the number of the activated paylines will be additionally provided to the player. |
| US08684814B2 |
System and method for slot machine game associated with financial market indicators
System and methods related to wagering, such as slot machines and/or other electronic games. Some wagering may relate to market indicators, market lines, and/or stop commands. |
| US08684812B2 |
Detection device capable of accurately reading dots on dice
A detection device is used in a gaming machine that detects numbers of dots on a plurality of dice having wireless tags. The detection device reads the wireless tags which are embedded on each face of the dice by a reader having an antenna. The antenna of the reader includes a first antenna portion disposed substantially in a central portion of a field that supports the dice, and formed in a substantially circular shape, and a plurality of second antenna portions disposed so as to superimpose a detection area of the first antenna portion, and having a detection area larger than the first antenna portion. The first antenna portion and the plurality of the second antenna portions are disposed so as to have a portion of detection areas mutually superimposed on a playing board. |
| US08684810B2 |
Gaming device display and method of use
A display device comprising a plurality of activatable display segments, a player input device and a controller. The plurality of activatable display segments are positioned to be viewed by a player, each display segment being configured to be individually activated and to communicate a potential outcome of a game. The player input device is positioned to be activated by the player, the player input device being configured to transmit a signal when the player activates the input device. The controller is in communication with each display segment and the player input device. The controller is configured to cause the display segments to be randomly and sequentially activated and deactivated; randomly determine an outcome of the game; determine at least one display segment that can communicate the outcome of the game; receive the signal produced by input device, when the player activates the input device; cause the display segments to stop being randomly and sequentially activated and deactivated; and cause the display segment that can communicate the outcome of the game to be activated, wherein the outcome of the game is communicated to the player and it appears that the outcome of the game was at least partially influenced by when the player activated the player input device. |
| US08684804B2 |
Photographing device having game function, and method of executing game
A photographing device having a game function which determines win/loss of photographing devices based on information regarding image files, is provided with a first parameter obtaining unit configured to obtain a first parameter regarding a first image file which was generated by the photographing device, a second parameter obtaining unit configured to obtain a second parameter regarding a second image file which is stored in another photographing device, a score calculating unit configured to calculate scores regarding the first image file and the second image file based on the first parameter and the second parameter, respectively, a win/loss determining unit configured to determine win/loss of the photographing device and the other photographing device, and generate win/loss information, a recording unit configured to store the win/loss information, in accumulated manner, as intrinsic information which is intrinsic to the photographing device, and a notifying unit configured to output the accumulated win/loss information. |
| US08684801B2 |
Vent for a grain bin
A grain bin assembly wherein the grain bin has a corrugated cylindrical wall and a roof structure having a plurality of triangular roof panels. The plurality of roof panels have rib junctions which form a gap. A vent assembly is positioned between the corrugated cylindrical wall and the roof structure. The vent assembly has a plurality of louvers positioned within the vent assembly. The vent assembly provides improved venting of the grain bin assembly. |
| US08684800B2 |
Vehicle air distribution system with universal vent attachment
A body armor cooling system for law enforcement officers or military or security personnel having a hook-shaped nozzle attached to one end of a flexible hose member and a bellows assembly attached to the other end of the flexible hose member. The end of the hook-shaped nozzle is tucked beneath the protective armor that the law enforcement officer is wearing in order to provide a cooling effect. The bellows assembly is connected to the air conditioner vent opening on the dash of the vehicle. The bellows assembly makes an air tight seal with the dash of the vehicle and it can easily be attached and detached. A universal vent attachment system makes the present invention usable in any vehicle. |
| US08684795B2 |
Eyeglass lens processing apparatus
An eyeglass lens processing apparatus is provided with: a lens chuck shaft that holds an eyeglass lens; and a beveling tool for forming a bevel on the periphery of the lens. The beveling tool includes a first processing part for forming a rear bevel on the lens rear side; and a second processing part for forming a bevel foot coupled to the rear bevel. In the second processing part, the distance from a line parallel to the lens chuck shafts and passing through a point of border with the first processing part gradually increases from the point of border as the starting point to the endpoint of the second processing surface and the increase rate of the distance gradually increases at least in two steps toward the endpoint. |
| US08684793B2 |
Oxidizing particles based slurry for nobel metal including ruthenium chemical mechanical planarization
A method for chemical mechanical planarization of ruthenium is provided. A semiconductor substrate comprising ruthenium is contacted with a chemical mechanical polishing system comprising an oxidizing particle, an abrasive, a polishing pad and a liquid carrier. The pH of the polishing composition is about 8 to 12. A high ruthenium removal rate for the inventive slurry was observed. The disclosed oxidizing particle advantageously improves the polishing speed of ruthenium under low polishing pressure and decreases the scratches generated on low-k material. |
| US08684788B2 |
Three-dimensional bra underwire
The utility model relates to the field of women's underwear. The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a three-dimensional bra underwire which is matched with the cup shape, has good supporting effects and is comfortable to use. The three-dimensional bra underwire comprises the middle part and two ends of the underwire, wherein the underwire is a inclined-type underwire with a certain inclination angle, at least one end of the underwire is a flat section, while the other parts are inclined section, and the inclined section is connected with the flat section by a transition section. In the utility model, the traditional flat underwire is changed into a three-dimensional underwire with a certain torsional stress so as to ensure that the underwire is matched with the cup shape well and has good supporting effects, bringing the shaping functions of the underwire into full play as well. Meanwhile, due to the better fit between the underwire and the human body, traces of the underwire can not be left on the body of the users, so that the three-dimensional bra underwire can improve the wearing comfort. |
| US08684785B2 |
Repositionable infant entertainment device
An infant gym includes a first support member having opposite ends engageable with a support surface, a hub located between the ends of the first support member, and a second support member having a first end pivotally coupled to a rear portion of the hub and a second end engageable with the support surface. The second end of the second support member is movable toward and away from the ends of the first support member, thereby changing the orientation of the hub relative to the support surface. |
| US08684784B2 |
Photo-chromic and phosphorescent toys
In one embodiment of the invention, photo-chromic and phosphorescent toys are disclosed. A photo-chromic and phosphorescent toy includes both photo-chromic and phosphorescent materials applied to the toy such as through an ink, paint, plastic, or dye. The photo-chromic and phosphorescent materials may be supplied within a material of the toy or applied-to a surface of the toy at the factory. The photo-chromic and phosphorescent materials may be activated in various ways with various light activating devices that can generate an activating light with appropriate wavelengths. |
| US08684783B2 |
Magnetically coupled mannequin joint
The present invention is directed to a mannequin having one or more articulated joints capable of exhibiting a full range of motion and of supporting substantial weight. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for movably joining two parts of a mannequin. The apparatus includes a first element having an arcuate surface and a second element having a convex surface and a magnetic portion. The second element is movably engageable with the first element. |
| US08684782B2 |
Convertible flower doll
A convertible flower doll has garment including a skirt with layers that may be raised or lowered to convert the doll between a figure resembling a flower and a figure resembling a character. In flower form, the doll sits within a container resembling a flower pot. The doll has legs that wrap together and attach at the ankles to resemble a flower stem. The skirt has features resembling flower petals, and elastic in the lowest layer of the skirt bunches up the skirt layers when raised to resemble a flower. |
| US08684778B1 |
Paddle
A paddle device. First and second paddle assemblies each have a paddle blade extending from a paddle end of a paddle arm so that the paddle structures each have a paddle blade end and a paddle arm end. A hand crankable crank shaft arrangement have a center and first and second ends and having handle segments. The paddle arm end of the first paddle structure is coupled to the first end of the crank shaft arrangement and the paddle arm end of the second paddle structure is coupled to the second end of the crank shaft arrangement. First and second handle grips are rotatably coupled to the crank shaft arrangement so as to permit the crank shaft arrangement to rotate with respect to the first and second handle grips when the crankshaft arrangement is cranked. This abstract is not to be considered limiting. |
| US08684776B2 |
Outboard motor
A single switch unit having a pair of switches is provided in the vicinity of a throttle grip which is provided in a distal end of a tiller handle. The single switch unit is provided with a function of performing the operation for changing a tilt angle of an outboard motor body with respect to a hull and a function of performing the operation for adjusting a rotational speed of an engine of the outboard motor at the time of trolling operation. Upon simultaneous pressing of a pair of the switches, these two functions of the switch unit are switched. |
| US08684772B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing having a number of passageways and a number of dividing walls extending from a rear side of the passageways; and a number of contact modules received in the insulating housing and arranged along a first direction. Each contact module includes an insulator and a number of conductive contacts received in the insulator. Each insulator includes a first section and a second section. The dimension of the first section along the first direction is larger than the dimension of the second section. When the contact modules are assembled to the insulating housing, the second sections are received in corresponding dividing walls, respectively. |
| US08684770B2 |
Cable end connector and cable connector assembly having the same
A cable connector assembly has a first connector, a second connector and a ribbon cable connecting the first and the second connectors. The first connector includes a first insulating housing, a number of first contacts and a first shielding covering the first insulating housing. Each first contact includes a first contacting portion, a first retaining portion and a first connection portion. The first shielding has a first grounding section. The second connector includes a second insulating housing, a number of second contacts and a second shielding. Each second contact includes a second contacting portion, a second retaining portion and a second connection portion. The second shielding has a second ground section. The ribbon cable includes a number of wires, each wire having one end electrically connecting with the first connection portions and the first grounding section and having the other end electrically connecting the second connection portions and the second ground section. |
| US08684768B2 |
Digital visual interface dual-stack connector
A digital visual interface dual-stack connector includes a holder base and a first connector and a second connector mounted in the holder base at different elevations, the second connector having multiple second terminal pins arranged in three sets and mounted in a slotted mating body portion of a housing thereof, each second terminal pin defining a vertical rear bonding portion, a horizontal front contact portion, an oblique support arm portion and two curved portions respectively connected between the vertical rear bonding portion and horizontal front contact portion and the two ends of the support arm portion. By means of controlling the bending angles of the two curved portions of the second terminal pins and the pitch between each two adjacent second terminal pins, the invention accurately achieves impedance matching to reduce high frequency signal reflection, enhancing signal transmission stability and reliability. |
| US08684763B2 |
Connector with slideable retention feature and patch cord having the same
A patch cord including a connector attached to an end of an electrical cable. The connector includes a boot member that slides over a portion of a wire manager to actuate a retention arrangement of the connector. Certain types of retention arrangements are actuated by deflecting flexible tabs of the wire manager inwardly to bite into at least an outer jacket of the electrical cable. |
| US08684762B2 |
Junction box, particularly for lighting lines for tunnels
A junction box particularly for lighting lines for tunnels includes a casing body provided with a cover; the casing body includes an electrical socket; a junction device inside the casing body connects the electrical socket to a pair of power supply wires of a power supply line that is affected by the junction box; the junction device includes one or more insulation displacement contacts; each insulation displacement contact engages a respective power supply wire without cutting it. |
| US08684761B2 |
Solar insulation displacement connector
In one embodiment, a solar insulation displacement connector (IDC) is described. The example solar IDC includes a base configured with at least one pathway. The pathway may include a plurality of ridges. At least one pathway is configured with at least one conductive cutter. The conductive cutter is formed from a conductive material (e.g., copper, silver, gold, nickel, brass). The example solar IDC includes a cover configured to hold a wire in the at least one pathway when the cover is affixed to the base of the solar IDC. The solar IDC is configured to be mechanically connected to a conductor of the wire by the at least one conductive cutter. The at least one conductive cutter is configured to cut an insulation of the wire. An inverter is operably connected to the solar IDC. The example solar IDC and the inverter are fabricated as a unit. |
| US08684754B1 |
Plug and socket convertible electrical connector assembly
A plug and socket convertible electrical connector assembly including a connector body and a slide cover is disclosed. The connector body includes a housing defining an oblong insertion opening and multiple insertion slots at two adjacent walls thereof, a rack mounted in the housing, an electrical socket mounted in the rack and aimed at the insertion opening. The slide cover carrying multiple metal conducting blades is mounted in the housing and movable between a received position where the insertion opening is opened for allowing insertion of an external power adapter cable into the electrical socket, and an extended position where the slide cover blocks the insertion opening and the metal conducting blades are extended out of the insertion slots for connection to a city power supply outlet. |
| US08684750B1 |
Contact type of electric connection building block and electric connection unit disposed therein
A contact type of electric connection building block includes an electric connection unit, which has an electronic device and electronic connection posts mounted on a circuit board of the electronic device. The electric connection unit is modularized, and the first and second electrodes of the electric connection post are provided with the contact portions to be connected with the circuit board of the electronic device. Thus, it does not need soldering and reduces environmental contamination. Moreover, when the first and second electrodes of a building block are respectively connected with the first and second electrodes of another building block, the first and second insertion portions could provide stable and accurate contact effect. Furthermore, the electric connection post only needs the post member and the first and second electrodes to assemble. It greatly reduces the numbers of components, simplifies assembling processes and reduces assembling time. |
| US08684748B1 |
System and method for playing web-based training content on a client computer system
A method and system for playing web-based training content on a client computer system are provided. The method includes accessing previously downloaded web-based training content stored in a first memory coupled to the client computer system and playing a portion of the web-based training content on the client computer system while the client computer system is offline. The method further includes storing results associated with playing the portion of the web-based training content in a second memory coupled to the client computer system. The method further includes, in response to detecting the client is online, synchronizing results of the playing with a host computer system. |
| US08684738B2 |
Method and tool for firearm sight training
The present invention is a firearm sight training tool, and, more specifically, relates to a method and tool for training a shooter to properly align a firearm's sights relative to a target, which through its implementation and use may provide for a more efficient and low cost means of training a firearm user to properly align a firearm's sights relative to the firearm user's target of interest. |
| US08684736B2 |
Artificial teeth
The invention enables to arrange teeth at appropriate positions depending on the oral cavity environment of each patient without requiring advanced techniques or experiments. In artificial molar teeth to be arranged on bases which are mounted in an oral cavity as a dental prosthetic appliance, an occlusal surfaces of the teeth are provided with side grooves extending toward a buccal side or lingual side, and intersecting portions (tops) of the side grooves with the outer circumference of the occlusal surface, and a contact point are formed on a plane parallel to the mesial distal direction. Or the teeth are configured such that the bottom ends of fossae on the occlusal surface and the contact point are formed on a plane parallel to the mesial distal direction. Alternatively, mutually parallel flat frictional contact portions are provided around cusps mutually contacting with the maxillary molar teeth and the mandibular molar teeth, respectively. |
| US08684735B2 |
Abutment inlay
An inlay for connection to a dental implant, including implant connection geometry, for connecting the inlay to the implant and, coronal of the implant connection geometry, a post portion extending along a longitudinal axis, the post portion having a circular symmetric external surface and including at least one protrusion extending radially beyond said external surface, wherein the post portion further includes longitudinally extending grooves which extend radially inward of said external surface and are located directly adjacent to and on either side of the at least one protrusion such that the proximal end of said at least one protrusion is located radially inward of said external surface. The inlay is used in combination with an overlay including an accommodation cavity for housing the post portion of the inlay, the accommodation cavity having a circular symmetric cavity wall and at least one groove dimensioned such that the one or more protrusion of the inlay can be housed in the one or more groove of the overlay in order to inhibit relative rotation between the components. |
| US08684733B2 |
Polyaxial dental implant system
A dental implant system is described, including a lower implant body configured to be implanted in bone, and an upper implant body that couples to the lower body, thereby forming a cavity between upper and lower bodies. The system can further include a rotatable, swivelable anchor having a base at least partially disposed within the cavity. The anchor may have a shaft coupled to the base and extending through an opening in the upper body. The system may also include an abutment that couples to the shaft of the anchor and serves as a mounting area for a crown. The anchor's rotatability and swivelability allow the lower implant body to be implanted at an angle in bone while permitting the crown to be positioned in a natural tooth orientation. |
| US08684726B2 |
Device for producing plastic molded parts having a locking ring with a wear resistant material
A device for producing plastic moldings has an extruder and a molding tool arranged downstream of an extruder discharge opening. A screw is rotatably guided in the extruder and is axially displaceable to transfer liquid polymers, prepolymers or monomers present in the extruder into the molding tool. A nonreturn valve adjacent to a free end of the screw has a locking ring in contact with the inner circumferential wall of the extruder that includes a seal, which is applied to at least part of its outer circumference and which seals the locking ring against the circumferential wall of the extruder. The sealing material of the seal is selected from the group of the polymers, copolymers and polymer blends with a hardness lower than that of the circumferential wall of the extruder. A nonreturn valve and method of processing liquid prepolymers or monomers into plastic moldings is provided. |
| US08684724B2 |
Plant for blow-moulding plastic containers, particularly bottles
A plant for blow-molding plastic containers (2), particularly bottles, from respective parisons (3) is equipped with a plurality of molding units (15), each having at least two respective cavities (19) for blow-molding respective containers (2), and with a transfer device (39) for transferring the parisons (3) from a flexible feed conveyor (41) to the respective molding cavities (19). The transfer device (39) is connected to the flexible feed conveyor (41) at a transfer station (40), where the spacing (P1) of the parisons (3) is equal to the distance (D2) between the longitudinal axes (19a) of the molding cavities (19) of one molding unit (15). |
| US08684723B2 |
Blow nozzle to control liquid flow with pre-stretch rod assembly and metal seat seal pin
An apparatus for forming a container from a container preform. The apparatus includes a housing, a mold cavity, and a nozzle system disposed in the housing and operably connectable to the mold cavity. The nozzle system is positionable between a first position engaging the housing along an interface of contact preventing pressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform and a second position spaced apart from the housing permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the container preform. The nozzle system further includes in some embodiments a seal portion having a first surface—the first surface engaging a second surface extending from the housing in the first position. |
| US08684722B1 |
Thermoplastic pultrusion die system and method
A thermoplastic pultrusion die system for pultruding a thermoplastic composite includes a first pultrusion die member; a second pultrusion die member; a die cavity gap formed between the first pultrusion die member and the second pultrusion die member; and a die cavity gap adjustment mechanism that imparts movement to at least one of the first pultrusion die member and the second pultrusion die member to vary the die cavity gap within a very tight die cavity gap tolerance. |
| US08684717B2 |
Apparatus for constructing floor
Provided is a floor construction apparatus that includes a guide unit that is disposed on surface of a floor to be constructed, and a flattening unit that is guided by the guide unit, to then be transferred to flatten the surface of the floor to be constructed, and to thereby reduce a construction time and expense for flattening of the construction surface of the floor. |
| US08684713B2 |
Rotor type pump
A rotor type pump is provided. A rotor rotates and closely contacts an inner surface of a chamber, and a cam controls a sealing part, so that during a compression procedure, the sealing part, a convex surface of the rotor, and an inner surface of the chamber form a substantially hermetic space, and when a gas in the chamber is compressed to a set pressure, the compressed gas is guided out. Therefore, a smooth surface of the rotor closely contacts the inner surface of the chamber, and the gas in the chamber is compressed in a rotational manner, in which the to-and-fro movement of a piston is not required, and a dead point is prevented, so that operation is smooth and noise is not easily generated. Further, the rotor type pump does not need to use a lubricating fluid and offers extremely large compression capacity and excellent efficiency. |
| US08684711B2 |
Powder metal scroll hub joint
A scroll component including a spiral scroll wrap, a baseplate having a first major surface coupled to the scroll wrap and a second opposing major surface comprising a protruding pilot extending a distance from the baseplate, and a hub fastened to the baseplate adjacent to the protruding pilot. A method of forming a scroll compressor element is also provided. |
| US08684710B2 |
Distributor assembly for two-speed gerotor device
A distributor assembly (12) includes a distributor housing (102) and a valve selector plate (104). The distributor housing (102) includes an axial bore (106) extending in an axial direction through the distributor housing. The valve selector plate (104) is disposed in the axial bore (106) and is rotatable around a rotational axis (130) parallel to the axial direction between a first orientation and a second orientation. The valve selector plate (104) includes a first substantially planar face (132), a second substantially planar face (134), axial passages (136) radially offset from the rotational axis (130) and extending through the valve selector plate (104) from the first face (132) to the second face (134), and at least one fluid blocking section (138) configured to block axial flow through the distributor assembly. Each fluid blocking section (138) is interposed between and radially aligned with the axial passages (136) with respect to the rotational axis (130). A two-speed gerotor motor is also disclosed. |
| US08684706B2 |
Connecting rod for a linear compressor
A linear compressor has a hollow piston with crown and sidewall. The piston reciprocates in a cylinder. A piston rod connects the piston to a spring. A connection between the piston rod and the piston transmits axial forces directly to the piston crown. The connection transmits lateral forces to the piston at an axial location away from the piston crown. The connection allows rotational flexibility between the piston and the piston rod transverse to and uniformly around the piston reciprocation axis.Other improvements in or relating to linear compressors are disclosed and claimed. |
| US08684705B2 |
Method and system for controlling operation of a pump based on filter information in a filter information tag
The disclosure describes systems and methods relating generally to filtration. Even more particularly, this disclosure relates to controlling the operation of a pump using filter information. A removable filter can include an electronically readable tag storing filter information. The filter information can be read by a tag reader and rules applied to the filter information to determine whether or how to operate a pump. |
| US08684704B2 |
Radial cam-driven compressor and radial cam-driven compressor assemblies
A first aspect of the invention includes a multi-stage gas compressor having a central cam with a plurality of pistons operably connected to and radially extending from the central cam. The cam follower assemblies each include a roller element connected to a roller bracket which rides within and along a guide channel defines by facing grooves formed in housing end plates. |
| US08684703B2 |
Reciprocating compressor
A compressor includes a cylinder block including cylinder bores and pistons within the cylinder bores. A front housing opposes a first cylinder block end face to form a crank chamber accommodating a piston driving mechanism. A valve plate opposes a second cylinder block end face and includes suction and discharge holes. A rear housing includes suction and discharge chambers and opposes the second cylinder block end face with the valve plate there between. Strap-shaped suction valves on the valve plate end face oppose the cylinder block, thereby opening and closing the suction holes at tip portions. Discharge valves on the valve plate end face oppose the rear housing to open and close the discharge holes. Through-bolts join the front housing, the crank chamber, the cylinder block, the valve plate, and the rear housing. The valve plate includes grooves extending from holes accommodating the through-bolts to portions abutting the suction valves. |
| US08684700B2 |
Method and apparatus for waste water level indication
Disclosed is a liquid level indicator suitable for use with an electrical power source comprises: a liquid level indication rod at least partially immersed in the liquid, the liquid level indication rod including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a surface of a non-conductive material; a level indicator transmitter in electrical communication with the liquid level indication rod and with the electrical power source, the level indicator transmitter functioning to measure current flow from each of the plurality of contacts to a ground in the liquid so as to determine which of said plurality of electrical contacts lie beneath a surface of the liquid. |
| US08684696B2 |
Gas turbine engine and main engine rotor assembly and disassembly
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine main engine rotor. Still another embodiment is a unique method for assembling a gas turbine engine main engine rotor. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and gas turbine rotors. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. |
| US08684695B2 |
Damper coverplate and sealing arrangement for turbine bucket shank
A bucket pair in a turbomachine includes a first bucket having an airfoil and a shank; a second adjacent bucket having a second airfoil and a second shank adjacent the first shank; a first axial slot in the first shank; and an elongated, straight damper pin adapted to seat in the first axial slot, the damper pin formed with slanted forward and aft end faces. |
| US08684691B2 |
Turbine blade with chamfered squealer tip and convective cooling holes
A squealer tip formed from a pressure side rib and a suction side rib extending radially outward from a tip of the turbine blade is disclosed. The pressure and suction side ribs may be positioned along the pressure side and the suction side of the turbine blade, respectively. The pressure and suction side ribs may include chamfered leading edges with film cooling holes having exhaust outlets positioned therein. The film cooling holes may be configured to be diffusion cooling holes with one or more tapered sections for reducing the velocity of cooling fluids and increasing the size of the convective surfaces. |
| US08684689B2 |
Turbomachine shroud
An example turbomachine shroud assembly includes an annular shroud configured to receive a rotating component. A radially outer surface of the annular shroud establishes positioning slots and relief slots. The positioning slots are configured to receive a support finger that limits radial movement of the annular shroud. The relief slots are different than the positioning slots. |
| US08684685B2 |
Rotary machine having grooves for control of fluid dynamics
A system includes a rotary machine including, a stator, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator, a plurality of axial grooves disposed along a circumference of the stator or the rotor, a plurality of blade segments disposed along the circumference, wherein each blade segment of the plurality of blade segments comprises a blade coupled to a mounting base supported in a respective axial groove of the plurality of axial grooves, and the plurality of blades has a non-uniform blade spacing about the circumference. |
| US08684677B1 |
Turbocharger
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a variable geometry turbine comprising: a turbine wheel mounted on a turbine shaft within a housing assembly for rotation about a turbine axis, the housing assembly defining a gas flow inlet passage upstream of the turbine wheel; an annular wall member defining a wall of the inlet passage and which is displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis to control gas flow through the inlet passage; at least one moveable rod operably connected via a first end of the rod to the annular wall member, the rod being moveable to control displacement of the annular wall member, the rod extending in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis; wherein the rod is provided with a region of reduced radius which extends only partly around the rod, the region of reduced radius being remote from a second end of the rod to which a component of an actuator assembly for moving the rod is connectable. |
| US08684673B2 |
Static seal for turbine engine
A seal structure for a gas turbine engine, the seal structure including first and second components located adjacent to each other and forming a barrier between high and low pressure zones. A seal cavity is defined in the first and second components, the seal cavity extending to either side of an elongated gap extending generally in a first direction between the first and second components. A seal member is positioned within the seal cavity and spans across the elongated gap. The seal member includes first and second side edges extending into each of the components in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and opposing longitudinal edges extending between the side edges generally parallel to the first direction. The side edges include a groove formed therein for effecting a reduction of gas flow around the seal member at the side edges. |
| US08684667B2 |
Low pressure steam turbine
A low-pressure steam turbine includes an inner casing, an outer casing arranged outside the inner casing so as to cover the inner casing, a heat carrier heating channel between the inner casing and the outer casing so that a heat carrier flows therethrough, a heat carrier inlet passage for introducing the heat carrier into the heat carrier heating channel, and a heat carrier chamber in the inside of at least one of stationary blades to receive the heat carrier that has passed through the heat carrier heating channel. The at least one of stationary blades is heated by the heat carrier which has been heated by passing through the heat carrier heating channel. |
| US08684664B2 |
Apparatus and methods for cooling platform regions of turbine rotor blades
A platform cooling configuration in a turbine rotor blade that includes platform slot formed through at least one of the pressure side slashface and the suction side slashface; a removably-engaged impingement insert that separates the platform into two radially stacked plenums, a first plenum that resides inboard of a second plenum; a high-pressure connector that connects the first plenum to the high-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage; a low-pressure connector that connects the second plenum to the low-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage. |
| US08684663B2 |
Steam turbine with relief groove on the rotor
A steam turbine is provided having a relief groove which is arranged in the region of the equalizing piston and extends in the circumferential direction of the rotor. The relief groove, with regard to an inlet passage, is arranged in the axial upstream direction so that it is arranged on the rotor outside a region in which the steam flow enters the bladed flow path via the inlet passage. The relief groove, with regard to the first blade row, is arranged in a region in which the greatest thermal stresses can arise in the rotor. As an option, the relief groove has a cover for reducing vortex flows, and also devices for reducing heating of the groove or devices for active cooling. The steam turbine allows an increased number of risk-free running up and running down operations of the steam turbine with minimum detriment to the turbine performance. |
| US08684662B2 |
Ring segment with impingement and convective cooling
A ring segment for a gas turbine engine includes an outer panel defining a structural body for the ring segment. An outer side of an inner panel is attached to an inner side of the outer panel at an interface, and an inner side of the inner panel defines a portion of a hot gas path through the gas turbine engine. An outer side of the outer panel, opposite from the interface, is in communication with a source of cooling air. A plurality of impingement holes extend through the outer panel from the outer side to the inner side of the outer panel for directing impingement air to the outer side of the inner panel. The outer and inner panels define a plurality of flow channels at the interface for effecting convective cooling of the outer panel along the flow channels between the outer and inner panels. |
| US08684658B2 |
Apparatus and method for aligning stack of flexible sheets on transport substrate
The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning an item that can be deformed easily, at least in the region of the outer lower edge. The apparatus has at least one aligning device that can be displaced in the direction of the item, and the transport substrate upon which the item is resting, in order to align the item on the transport substrate. For damage-free alignment of the item projecting laterally from the transport substrate contour, the subregion of the aligning device which comes into contact with the lower region of the item projecting laterally includes a stabilizing device. The stabilizing device prevents the item from being deflected, during the alignment process, in the direction of the transport substrate or, respectively, in a downward direction from the lower region of the item projecting laterally beyond the outer contour of the transport substrate. |
| US08684656B2 |
Loader mast-to-mounting frame pin retaining arrangement
A loader mast-to-mounting frame pin arrangement is provided. The pin arrangement has stops added to a shaft that allow the pin to be held in two positions: the locked position and the parked position. In the locked position, a unique slot cut in the mast plate retains the pin by not allowing an eccentric protrusion on the shaft from passing through the slot when the pin is rotated to place the shaft in the top of the slot. When the pin is rotated so the shaft is towards the bottom of the slot, the eccentric protrusion is allowed to pass through the mast plate and the pin can be pulled out until it hits another protrusion on the shaft. At this point, the pin will stay in the mast but the loader can be removed from the tractor. To prevent the pin from rotating by itself, when in the locked position, and the loader coming unlatched, a spring loaded knob engages in the slot which prevents the shaft from being able to rotate to the unlocked position. To operate, the knob is pulled back away from the mast and then the shaft can be rotated. |
| US08684653B2 |
Swing-away refuse receptacle lift
A swing-away lift is provided. The swing-away lift may allow for mechanized dumping of the contents of a refuse receptacle into a refuse container. Further, the swing-away lift may allow unobstructed access to the refuse container for a refuse-gathering vehicle. The swing-away lift may include a pivot leg, a swing arm, and a lift unit, and may be utilized in conjunction with a refuse container and a refuse receptacle. The swing arm may be pivotably connected to the pivot leg, and may pivot between a first closed position and a second open position. The lift unit may provide mechanized lifting and dumping of a refuse receptacle into a refuse container. |
| US08684650B2 |
Methods for introduction of a reactive material into a vacuum chamber
A vacuum chamber assembly includes a vacuum chamber containing a reactive material, an inlet fill tube fixedly attached to the vacuum chamber, and an outlet fill tube fixedly attached to the vacuum chamber. The inlet fill tube has a first vacuum tight seal and the outlet fill tube has a second vacuum tight seal. |
| US08684648B2 |
Fastening system for assembling panels of dissimilar materials
A fastening system for attaching cladding panels to a carrier panel and allowing for differential thermal expansion. The system fastens the two panels together at points in the direction perpendicular to the panel planes. A combination of different carrier panel hole sizes and slots fix the panels together at one point and allow the panels to expand and contract relative to each other while maintaining rectangular alignment. Wall panels and buildings constructed using the fastener are disclosed. |
| US08684644B2 |
Locking device for containers
A locking device (1) for locking a container (2) onto a loading surface, in particular for road vehicles or railway container wagons, with a first locking lever (11) which is arranged pivotably about an shaft (13) oriented perpendicularly to the loading and unloading direction (Z) and which is preloaded in the direction of a basic position of a spring (14), wherein the shaft of the first locking lever (11) is guided displaceably in the loading and unloading direction (Z), and a toggle lever (117) is provided, the toggle lever being coupled pivotably at one end to the first locking lever (11) and at the opposite end pivotably to a fixing point (102) in the housing (10) such that the shaft (13) of the first locking lever (11), in the loading position of said shaft, is displaced towards the corner fitting (20) and, in the basic position of said shaft, is displaced in the opposite direction. |
| US08684643B2 |
Shaft cooler for a tool motor spindle
A shaft cooler (1) for a tool motor spindle (2), which has a rotating shaft (3), a static lance (4), and at least one coolant loop (7), which comprises a coolant inlet (5) and a coolant outlet (6), said shaft cooler being implemented such that the flow of the coolant from the static lance (4) into the rotating shaft (3) is performed via a flow path that includes radially-extending cooling holes (31) to cause the coolant to flow from a radially inside location to a radially outside location. |
| US08684640B2 |
Reaming tool as well as a head and a cutting insert therefor
Reaming tool includes a head and a detachable cutting insert fixed in a seat. The seat includes radial, tangential, and axial support surfaces, while the cutting insert has a mirror-symmetrical polyhedron shape comprising six limiting surfaces, viz. two chip surfaces and at least two clearance surfaces, a number of alternately usable, identical cutting edges formed in transitions between the chip and clearance surfaces. A female- or male-like securing means co-operates with a complementary, male- or female-like securing means in the seat, more precisely in an inactive, contactless state as long as the cutting insert is held pressed by the cutting forces against the axial support surface. The securing means is activatable when the cutting insert is unintentionally distanced from the axial support surface against the action of a clamping member. Tool head and reaming insert for the tool are disclosed. |
| US08684639B2 |
Device for limiting the advance during a drilling operation
In a device for limiting the advance during a drilling operation, which can be used in conjunction with a hand drill or with an automatic manufacturing machine, the device comprising a housing with a stop cage and a spindle mounted rotatably and axially displaceably in the housing, and a stop which is adjustable in the axial direction being arranged for limiting the advance, the invention consists in that the stop cage (2a) comprises a pin fixed to the housing for breaking the chips, with a housing-side end and a free end, in such a way that it extends approximately parallel and directly adjacent to the workpiece surface and approximately radially from the outside towards the drilling tool in such a way that its free end almost touches the countersink. Damage to the surface of workpieces is prevented by the invention, so that corresponding refinishing is avoided. Moreover, the removal of the coiled chips from the drilling tool previously necessary after each drilling cycle is dispensed with. |
| US08684638B2 |
Precision turning tool
A precision turning tool has a rotatingly drivable tool body. A tool slide and corresponding compensating slide are displaceably mounted in the tool body. The tool slide is displaceable along an axis of adjustment aligned at right angles to an axis of rotation of the tool body. The compensating slide is automatically displaceable along an axis of compensation aligned parallel to the axis of adjustment contrary to the movement of the tool slide to compensate for any imbalance. At an end projecting out of the tool body in the direction of adjustment the tool slide has a mounting surface, on which a cutting plate carrier can be mounted. An electronic distance measuring system is provided with a display unit and an energy supply device, wherein the distance of adjustment of the tool slide can be detected by means of the distance measuring system and displayed. |
| US08684636B2 |
Air seeder venting system
An air seeder venting system comprising a filter screen mounted in a distribution head of an air seeder for separating seeds from air fed from a supply conduit, the distribution head having an inlet in communication with the supply conduit, a plurality of seed outlets in communication with seeding lines, and an air exhaust, wherein the filter screen is located so as to have at an upstream side the inlet and the plurality of seed outlets, and at a downstream side the air exhaust. |
| US08684632B2 |
Systems and methods for laying out and installing a solar panel array
A system for installing an array of pilings for an array of solar panels is highly accurate and efficient. The system includes a horizontal laser and a rotating vertical laser that are mounted on a first piling and aligned with a target on a second piling on the opposite side of the array. An alignment template is placed against a piling and aligned with the vertical rotating laser. The aligned template provides a designated location where the next piling is driven. A hammer target on the pile driver allows the installer to precisely install the next piling. After installation, the next piling is measured for accuracy and if errors are found, an alignment bracket is used to correct the error. The process is repeated until the array of pilings is complete. |
| US08684631B2 |
Concrete form elevated site (CFES)
A method for creating an elevated containment structure at a site for providing telecommunications services. The elevated containment structure defines a containment field that is substantially surrounded by at least one wall of the elevated containment structure. The creation of the elevated containment structure further comprises forming the at least one wall, disposing a fill material within the containment field, positioning an equipment pad on the fill material, positioning telecommunications equipment on the equipment pad, receiving a signal at the telecommunications equipment from either end user and a service provider, communicating the signal from the equipment to the other of the end user and the service provider. Forming the at least one wall comprises positioning a plurality of forms to create a gap between at least two of the forms and disposing a second fill material in the gap. |
| US08684628B2 |
Winding apparatus
The winding apparatus has a forming frame which goes inside an underground damaged pipe, and a rail which regulates the circumference track of a forming frame as the joint mechanism interlocks adjacent portions of a plastic strips. The forming frame has a plurality of guides that are connected extend along with a rail. Each guide contains a guide roller which can rotate freely about an end of the corresponding roller shaft. Each guide roller has an outside large diameter part and an inside small diameter part. The rail has a guide groove portion for the large diameter part of a guide roller at each edge of a course in a width direction. |
| US08684621B2 |
Ball joint
A ball joint includes a joint housing having a recess, a ball stud having a ball head, a sealing bellows having a sealing seat on the housing side and a sealing seat on the stud side in the form of a bellows mouth which is adapted to be brought into contact with the ball stud, a bellows body of the sealing bellows extending between the sealing seat on the housing side and the bellows mouth, and further includes a joint socket, the ball head being accommodated for swiveling motion within the joint socket, and the joint socket being inserted in the recess of the joint housing. |
| US08684618B2 |
Two side writing fountain pen
The two-side writing fountain pen of the present invention comprises an ink output means and a holding means which is provided for fastening the ink output means, and said ink output means includes a pen nib member and a feed member. The pen nib member includes a pen nib flake and a pen tip granulation element formed at the tip of the pen nib flake, wherein the pen tip granulation element is formed with a pen tip front contact section, a pen tip back contact section and an ink output passage communicating with the pen tip front contact section and the pen tip back contact section, and then the pen nib flake is provided with an ink guiding passage communicating with the ink output passage. The feed member includes an ink input section and an ink output section, said ink input section is provided within the holding means, and the ink output section connects with the ink guiding passage of the pen nib flake. |
| US08684612B2 |
Optical frame attached with alignment features microfabricated in die
A photonic device assembly including a photonic device fabricated on a chip substrate, the chip substrate having a physical alignment feature fabricated therein, and a frame to couple an external optical lens or interconnect to the photonic device. The frame has a frame facet abutted to a complementary facet of the physical alignment feature. An adhesive permanently affixes the frame to the photonic device as aligned by the abutted facets. A method of forming a photonic device assembly includes microfabricating a physical alignment feature in a chip substrate of a photonic device and joining a frame to the chip substrate by abutting a facet of the coupling to a complementary facet of the fabricated physical alignment feature. |
| US08684606B2 |
Hydrodynamic bearing with adaptive displacement control
A hydrodynamic bearing includes a housing defining a central axis, a pad slidable relative to the housing in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis, a cylinder defined in one of the housing and the pad, a lubricant port in fluid communication with the cylinder, and a piston at least partially positioned in the cylinder. The piston is movable within the cylinder between a retracted position and an extended position in response to a flow of lubricant through the lubricant port to vary an axial spacing between the pad and the housing. |
| US08684601B2 |
Storage apparatus with a breachable flow conduit for discharging a fluid stored therein
Apparatus 10 has breachable flow conduit 12 for discharging stored fluid 12F contained in storage chamber 10C out to the ambient. Chamber access region 10R is positioned proximate perimeter 10P of the apparatus. The breachable flow conduit is within the access region, and has an inner end 12C proximate the storage chamber and an outer end 12P proximate the perimeter of the apparatus. The flow conduit has outer pressed seal 14P between the outer end of the flow conduit and the perimeter of the apparatus. The flow conduit also has inner pressed seal 14C between the inner end of the flow conduit and the edge of the storage chamber. The flow conduit expands towards the perimeter of the apparatus under external pressure, typically applied by the consumer. The pressure causes the flow conduit to breach at the perimeter of the apparatus. The flow conduit also expands towards the storage chamber. The pressure causes the flow conduit to breach at the edge of the storage chamber. Breached flow conduit 13B establishes fluid communication between the storage chamber and the ambient for discharge of the stored fluid. |
| US08684600B2 |
Temperature controlled fluid bath food holding device
A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared. |
| US08684597B2 |
Thermal sensor having toggle control
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for thermal sensor power savings using a toggle control. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit (e.g., a memory device) includes an on-die thermal sensor, a storage element (e.g., a register), and toggle logic. The toggle logic may transition the thermal sensor from a first power consumption level to a second power consumption level responsive, at least in part, to a toggle indication. |
| US08684595B2 |
Systems and methods for structural sensing
Systems and methods related to the determination of one or more mechanical characteristics of a structural element are generally described. In some embodiments, a mechanical characteristic (e.g., a crack, a deformation, an inclusion, etc.) can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of a temperature generated, for example, by passing a current through a network of structures within the structural element. For example, in some embodiments, the structural element can comprise a network of electrically conductive nanostructures and, in some cases, a primary structural material that is not substantially electrically conductive. An electrical current can be passed through the network of electrically conductive nanostructures (e.g., by passing current through an electrical circuit comprising the network of electrically conductive nanostructures). This may result in resistive heating (also known as Joule-effect heating) of the nanostructure network. In some embodiments, a first temperature of the network and/or structural elements can be determined (e.g., via a sensor associated with the electrical circuit). This first temperature can be, in some cases, indicative of a mechanical characteristic of the structural element. In some embodiments, one or more mechanical characteristics of the structural element can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of the first temperature of the structural element. |
| US08684594B2 |
Magnetically insensitive, highly hard and constant-modulus alloy, and its production method, as well as hair spring, mechanical driving apparatus and watch and clock
A constant-modulus alloy, which has a low saturation magnetic flux density to provide weakly magnetic properties, a high Young's modulus, a low temperature coefficient of Young's modulus, and high hardness, is provided. A hairspring, a mechanical driving apparatus and a watch and clock, in which the alloy is used, are provided. The alloy consists of Co, Ni, Cr, Mo. and Fe. The alloy is healed and cooled before being subjected to repeated wiredrawing and intermediate annealing, forming a wire with a fiber structure having a <111> fiber axis. The wire is then cold rolled into a sheet and heated to obtain optimal magnetic insensitivity and hardness. |
| US08684592B2 |
Magnetically coupled system for mixing
The invention provides a mixing system comprising a magnetically coupled drive system and a foil for cultivating algae, or cyanobacteria, in an open or enclosed vessel. The invention provides effective mixing, low energy usage, low capital expenditure, and ease of drive system component maintenance while maintaining the integrity of a sealed mixing vessel. |
| US08684588B2 |
Light guide elements for display device
A light guide element includes a light-emitting section including a light-emitting surface, a light guide section, and a diffusing device provided in at least part of a region extending from a boundary surface between the light-emitting section and the light guide section, to point halfway between the boundary surface and an end of the light guide section closer to the light source. The light guide element might be used to form a backlight for a liquid crystal display device. |
| US08684582B2 |
Solar simulator
Xenon light emitted from a xenon light source heads for a wavelength-selecting mirror through a taper coupler and an air mass filter. The wavelength-selecting mirror reflects a short wavelength component of the xenon light and emits the short wavelength component to a taper member. Halogen light emitted from a halogen light source heads for a wavelength-selecting mirror through a taper coupler and a reflecting mirror. The wavelength-selecting mirror transmits a long wavelength component of the halogen light and emits the long wavelength component to the taper member. The taper member has width gradually decreasing from an entrance plane for light to an exit plane for the light. The light emitted from the taper member is changed so that a radiation directivity of a component originating from the xenon light becomes similar to a radiation directivity of a component originating from the halogen light. This makes it possible to provide a solar simulator performing irradiation of artificial sunlight having uniform illumination distribution onto an irradiation-target surface. |
| US08684579B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a display module, a base and a keyboard module. The display module is pivoted on the base. The keyboard module is disposed on the base. The keyboard module has a plurality of keys. Each of the keys includes a main body and an imprinted structure. The main body has a top surface. The imprinted structure is disposed on the top surface of the main body and includes a light guiding portion and a light scattering portion. A light emitted by the display module illuminates the keyboard module. The light is guided towards a specific direction when the light passes through the light guiding portion, and the light is scattered in other directions when the light passes through the light scattering portion. |
| US08684578B2 |
Lighting device comprising a light guide and a support
A lighting device (30) comprises a side-light light guide 1′ located in a support (2) that has an elongate opening for the passage of light emitted by the light guide. The support (20) is shaped to provide contact edges (24) and the only physical engagement between the support and the light guide is along those contact edges. The support also has planar surfaces internal positioned adjacent, and parallel to, planar surfaces (15) in the light guide to retain the light guide in the required orientation in the support. To enhance the flexibility of the support, in some embodiments only part of the support is continuous along the whole length of the support (FIGS. 14 to 19). |
| US08684576B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor
The present invention provides a solid electrolytic capacitor having a low ESR, excellent heat resistance, and reliability used under a high temperature condition. On the dielectric layer of the capacitor element, 2-alkyl-2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxine monomer is subject to oxidation polymerization to provide a first conductive polymer layer. Then, 2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxine or a monomer mixture of 2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxine and 2-alkyl-2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxine is subject to oxidation polymerization to provide a second conductive polymer layer. The formation of the first conductive polymer layer and the second conductive polymer layer is alternatively repeated. The first conductive polymer and the second conductive polymer serve as a solid electrolyte to provide a solid electrolytic. |
| US08684574B2 |
Gear screw adjuster
A headlamp assembly includes a simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aim of a headlamp. The mechanism includes a gear screw that is snap fit into the headlamp housing, a grommet that positioned around the gear screw and snap-fit into the headlamp reflector, and an O-ring to ensure a good seal. |
| US08684572B2 |
LED connector assembly
An LED connector assembly includes a housing having a cavity formed therein. A connector interface is positioned on the housing to receive electrical wiring from a power source. An LED package is provided having at least one LED die coupled thereto. The LED package is removably received in the cavity of the housing and retained using features in the LED package and housing. The LED package is electrically coupled to the connector interface to provide power to the at least one LED die. |
| US08684570B1 |
Light fixture with movable support for a removable electronic component
A light fixture includes an illumination aperture and a normal illumination axis passing through a center of the illumination aperture perpendicular to a plane of the illumination aperture. The light fixture further includes a service space having a cross-section corresponding to a shape of the illumination aperture and extending along the illumination axis between on a support structure facing side of the illumination aperture. The light fixture has a movable support movably coupled to the light fixture. The movable support includes a mounting portion. An electronic component is removably mounted to the mounting portion. The movable support is movable between an operation position and a service position. When the movable support is in the service position, the mounting portion and electronic component are closer to the illumination axis than when in the operation position, and are preferably located wholly or partially within service space. |
| US08684568B2 |
LED unit and illumination apparatus using same
An LED unit includes a plate-shaped base; a light-emitting device placed on a surface of the base and having one or more LED chips; and a cover mounted to the base at a location above a front side of the light-emitting device and having a function to transmit light emitted from the light-emitting device. The base has on the surface thereof an annular groove for receiving a seal therein, and the cover has on a surface thereof directed to the base an annular protruding part, the annular protruding part being inserted into the annular groove to seal the base and the cover through the seal. A distance between the protruding part and the groove in a width direction of the groove is shorter in a section of the groove than the other sections of the groove. |
| US08684563B2 |
Heat dissipating structure of LED lamp cup made of porous material
A heat dissipating structure of a lightweight lamp cup 10 made of a porous material includes a containing cavity 11 at an end of the lamp cup 10, a lamp holder 30 at another end of the containing cavity 11, a metal hood 60 sheathed with the lamp holder 30 and covered onto an external side of the lamp cup 10, a heat conduction medium 50 between the lamp cup 10 and the metal hood 60, and a light emitting unit 20 contained in the containing cavity 11 of the lamp cup 10, such that the heat produced by the light emitting unit 20 can be conducted form the lamp cup 10 to the metal hood 60 and dissipated from the metal hood 60 to the outside. |
| US08684560B2 |
Semiconductor light source apparatus and lighting unit
A semiconductor light source apparatus can adjust a color tone of white light. The semiconductor light source apparatus can include a phosphor wheel, a motor rotating the phosphor wheel, a light source and a moving module. The phosphor wheel can include at least one phosphor layer configured to emit excited light. The phosphor wheel can vary a mixing ration of white light that is created by light emitted from the light source and the light excited by the at least one phosphor layer in accordance with a position of the phosphor wheel emitted by the light source. The moving module that is connected to the motor can adjust the position of light emitted from the light source. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a semiconductor light source apparatus that can adjust a color tone of white light and a lighting unit using the light source apparatus, which can be used for a projector, lamp, etc. |
| US08684559B2 |
Solid state light source emitting warm light with high CRI
Solid state light sources, lighting devices and lamps arranged to provide emission with a warm temperature and high CRI. One embodiment of a solid state lighting device according to the present invention comprises a light emitting diode (LED) device capable of emitting light in an emission spectrum. A filter arranged so that at least some light from the LED light source passes through it, with the filter filtering at least some of one or more portions of the light source emission spectrum. The resulting light source light has a different temperature but substantially the same CRI after passing through the filter. |
| US08684554B2 |
Solar assembly having removable solar panel
A solar assembly includes a base and at least one LED coupled to the base. An illumination panel having a first end and a second end is provided. The first end is coupled to the base. The illumination panel extends from the base between the first end and the second. The illumination panel reflects light emitted from the at least one LED. A solar panel receptacle is positioned at the second end of the illumination panel. A solar panel housing is removably attached to the solar panel receptacle. The solar panel housing has a solar panel to power the at least one LED. |
| US08684551B2 |
Lighting assembly in the form of a palm tree
A lighting assembly in the form of a palm tree as a decorative and ornamental street light includes an upwardly extending shaft, a base and a mechanism for fixing and anchoring the shaft in a selected location. The base includes a plurality of downwardly extending rods and a mass of concrete around and in between the rods to anchor the assembly. The upwardly extending shaft also includes a bark like outer cover and a plurality of outwardly extending limbs in the form of a palm tree. A plurality of lights illuminating an area around the assembly, the tree limbs including fronds. |
| US08684545B2 |
Light concentration apparatus, systems and methods
An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture which is rotationally symmetric about an optic axis; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about the optic axis. |
| US08684544B2 |
Retroreflective member producing iridescent reflected light
An object of the present invention is to provide a retroreflective member that can improve the visibility further. The retroreflective member includes a reflective layer and transparent microscopic beads 13. The retroreflective member gives a phase difference corresponding to a visible light wavelength to at least a part of incident light and recombines, emphasizes a light component having the visible light wavelength by interference, and returns coherent light having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle in the traveling direction of the incident light. The reflective layer includes a light-transmissive interference layer 14, and the interference layer 14 each has an optical layer thickness of 100 to 600 nm so as to generate an interference color having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle of light. |
| US08684539B2 |
Semiconductor light source device, semiconductor light source control method, and projection apparatus
There is provided a semiconductor light source device including a plurality of semiconductor light source elements connected in series, a drive circuit configured to drive the semiconductor light source elements, a plurality of resistors, each of which is connected in parallel with one of the semiconductor light source elements, respectively, and a determination unit configured to determine the number of elements short-circuited in the semiconductor light source elements based on voltages applied to the resistors when driving of each of the semiconductor light source elements is being stopped. |
| US08684537B2 |
Light source unit and projector for controlling illumination cycles of respective light sources and rotation of a luminescent wheel
To provide a light source unit enabling a stable projection without a luminescent material heating and a projector, a projector of the invention including a light source unit, a display device, a light guiding optical system, a projection side optical system and a light source control device. The light source unit includes an excitation light shining device, a luminescent wheel emitting a luminescent ray of a green wavelength band and a light source optical system collecting rays from the luminescent wheel and respective light sources on a predetermined plane. The light source control device controls the excitation light shining device, each light source device of red and blue so that a period of time required for turning-on once of the excitation light shining device, and each light source device of red and blue becomes a non-integral multiple of a period of time required for one rotation of the luminescent wheel. |
| US08684536B2 |
Apparatus for cooling heat generating spot of electronic device, cooling method therefore, and liquid crystal projector apparatus
A cooling apparatus for a liquid crystal image display having a liquid crystal unit includes an incident-side polarizing plate, a liquid crystal panel and an exit-side polarizing plate. The incident-side polarizing plate, the liquid crystal panel and the exit-side polarizing plate are disposed side by side with a gap therebetween to have the same in-plane direction. A first cooling unit feeds an air stream in an orientation of the in-plane direction, and a second air cooling unit feeds an air stream in the in-plane direction in a different orientation from the air stream by the first air cooling unit. The first air cooling unit and the second air cooling unit are set such that the first and second air stream collide with each other between the incident-side polarizing plate and the liquid crystal panel and/or between the liquid crystal panel and the exit-side polarizing plate. |
| US08684535B2 |
Cooling unit including base plates each having a radiating fins that has an extending portion to extend over an adjacent base plate, and projector
A cooling unit is provided which cools effectively a plurality of heat sources which are accommodated within small-sized electronic equipment such as a projector. There is provided a cooling unit in which a plurality of base plates 81a, 130a are disposed adjacent closely to each other, each of the base plates 81a, 130a has flat plate-shaped radiating fin 81b, 130b which is erected on rear sides thereof, each of the radiating fin 81b, 130b erected on the base plates 81a, 130a has extending portions 81d, 130d which extends over the rear sides of the base plates 81a, 130a which are adjacent to each other, and one or a plurality of heat sources are heat connected to front sides of the base plates 81a, 130a. |
| US08684534B2 |
Cooling system for cooling a heat source and projection apparatus having the same
A cooling system for cooling a heat source and a projection apparatus having the same are disclosed. The cooling system includes a heat dissipating device and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC). The heat source is disposed on the side of the heat dissipating device. The TEC is disposed on the other side of the heat dissipating device corresponding to the heat source. The TEC is initiated as the temperature of the heat source is greater than the first value, while the TEC is shut off as the temperature of the heat source is lower than the second value. Therefore, the cooling system economizes the energy by controlling the operation of the TEC according to the temperature of the heat source. |
| US08684524B2 |
Photochromic optical article comprising a saturated photochromic coating and a film absorbing UV radiation
The invention relates to a photochromic optical article with reduced thermal dependency, comprising: (a) a transparent substrate, (b) a saturated photochromic layer having, in the activated state and at a temperature of 20° C. or greater, a relative transmission factor of less than 1% in the visible range, and (c) an anti-UV coating of plastic material at least partially covering the saturated photochromic layer, the said anti-UV coating containing at least one agent which absorbs UV radiation (anti-UV agent) and is distributed in a pattern consisting of a multitude of points, each having a surface area of less than 0.15 mm 2, the average distance between two neighboring points lying between 0.5 and 2 mm and the ratio of the overall surface area of all the points to the total surface area of the anti-UV coating being such that the relative transmission factor of the optical article in the visible range in the activated state and at 20° C. or greater is at least equal to 5%. The invention also relates to two methods for manufacturing such an optical article. |
| US08684519B2 |
Dual eyeglasses
Embodiments herein provide dual eyeglasses including a first set of eyeglasses and a second set of eyeglasses rigidly coupled to each other at the earpieces. The first and second sets of eyeglasses may be coupled together in an opposing arrangement, so that when one set of eyeglasses is worn on the face of a user, the other set is disposed behind the user's head. Some embodiments may include an eyeglass connector that may be used to rigidly couple two sets of eyeglasses together. Other embodiments may include a set of eyeglasses having a coupling mechanism integrated into the earpieces for rigidly coupling the eyeglasses to another set of eyeglasses. In yet other embodiments, the two sets of eyeglasses may be permanently coupled together. For example, the two sets of eyeglasses may be of a single construction. |
| US08684517B2 |
Inkjet printer
The invention provides, as an aspect thereof, an inkjet printer that connects a vacuum fan on the printer case side and a vacuum platen on the cover side through a short vacuum path. The platen moves in conjunction with the cover of the roll paper compartment. The platen is a vacuum platen having vacuum regions, suction holes, and a platen-side air path on the platen side, and a vacuum fan and a vacuum duct that connects the vacuum fan to the suction unit of the platen on the printer case side. The vacuum duct is disconnected from the suction unit of the platen when the platen moves in conjunction with the cover, and the length of the vacuum duct can therefore be short, corresponding to the distance between the intake opening of the vacuum fan and the suction unit of the platen when the cover is closed. |
| US08684516B2 |
Table for a printer
A substrate support apparatus for a printer is described. The apparatus includes a table having a support surface for supporting a substrate during printing, the support surface including a plurality of substrate apertures. A negative pressure can be applied to the substrate apertures to hold the substrate to the table during printing.The apparatus further includes a plurality of mask apertures, and a negative pressure can be applied to the mask apertures to hold a mask to the support surface.By arranging for the pressure to be applied to the substrate apertures and mask apertures independently, the mask can be held to the table during loading and unloading of the substrate. |
| US08684513B2 |
Recording method
A recording method is for recording on a recording medium with a photocuring liquid substance by discharging droplets from a discharge head onto the recording medium while displacing the discharge head and the recording medium relative to each other. While the discharge head and the recording medium are displaced relative to each other, a droplet discharge step of discharging the droplets from the discharge head toward a predetermined section of the recording medium, and a radiation step of radiating the light toward the droplets discharged on the recording medium, are performed n (n being an integer of 2 or greater) times on the predetermined section to complete recording on the predetermined section, and the recording rate in the nth discharge step is lowered below 100%/n. |
| US08684512B2 |
Ink drying apparatus and ink-jet printing apparatus
An ink drying apparatus is provided with a gas passage through which a printed material to which ink is attached passes. Further, a flow applying unit configured to create a flow of gas in the gas passage in a predetermined direction, a heating unit configured to heat the gas in the gas passage, and a solvent removing unit configured to remove a solvent in the ink from the gas passage are provided. In the ink drying apparatus, the heating unit and the solvent removing unit are associated with each other such that heat can transfer from the solvent removing unit to the heating unit by a heat transmission unit. |
| US08684501B2 |
Fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device includes a thin film heater resistor portion having a heater resistor, and a two-layer structure disposed over the heater resistor. The two-layer structure includes a top layer and a bottom layer, with the top layer having a hardness that is at least 1.5 times greater than the hardness of the bottom layer. |
| US08684500B2 |
Diaphragm for an electrostatic actuator in an ink jet printer
Diaphragms for electrostatic actuators for inkjet printers and methods for manufacturing are provided. The method includes electroplating a first layer on a mandrel, and applying a photoresist to the first layer. The method also includes electroplating a second layer on the first layer adjacent the photoresist, such that the first and second layers form a substantially homogenous structure, and separating the photoresist from the first and second layers to expose one or more flexure recesses where the photoresist was positioned, with the diaphragm having a reduced stiffness proximal the flexure recess. |
| US08684498B2 |
Liquid ejection head and image forming apparatus including same
A liquid ejection head including a nozzle plate having a nozzle array constructed of multiple nozzles from which liquid droplets are ejectable; a channel plate in which grooves that form part of multiple pressure chambers respectively communicating with the multiple nozzles are provided with partition walls interposed therebetween, a wall member that covers the grooves to form part of walls of the pressure chambers, and multiple first through-holes formed in the channel plate to connect the nozzles and the pressure chambers, respectively. The multiple first through-holes are provided with partition walls interposed therebetween, and each of the multiple first through-holes has a first opening and a second opening. The second opening is offset from the first opening in a direction in which the nozzle arrays extend. Each of the multiple first through-holes further has a portion between the first and second openings to change a direction of flow of liquid. |
| US08684493B2 |
Droplet-discharging-head manufacturing apparatus, droplet-discharging-head manufacturing method, droplet discharging head, droplet discharging device, and printing apparatus
A droplet-discharging-head manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a droplet discharging head that includes a piezoelectric element formed by a laminated body of ferroelectric layers includes: a film forming unit that forms a ferroelectric precursor film on a silicon wafer having a conductive layer; a heating unit that heats and bakes the ferroelectric precursor layer to form the ferroelectric layer; a cooling unit that cools the ferroelectric layer; a conveying unit that conveys the silicon wafers one by one; and a control unit that controls the film forming unit, the heating unit, the cooling unit, and the conveying unit so as to repeat a series of processes including formation of the ferroelectric precursor layers by the film forming unit, heating of the ferroelectric precursor layers by the heating unit, and cooling of the ferroelectric layers by the cooling unit, for a predetermined number of times for each of the silicon wafers. |
| US08684489B2 |
System and method for facilitating cutting of media having a phase change ink image
A system cuts media printed with phase change ink in a manner that reduces the ink debris produced by cutting solidified ink. The system includes a heater configured to heat phase change ink on the media moving through the heater to a temperature at which the ink is malleable, the temperature being above room temperature and below a temperature at which phase change ink melts, and a cutter configured to receive the media after the media has been heated by the heater and to cut the media. The blade of the cutter may also be heated to facilitate media cutting with a reduced likelihood of solid ink debris being generated. |
| US08684488B2 |
Liquid ejecting device
A liquid ejecting device is provided. The liquid ejecting device includes a conveyer, liquid ejecting heads with nozzles to eject droplets of liquid, an liquid purging unit to purge the liquid out of the nozzles, a detector unit to detect presence of a recording medium, a storage unit to store length of the recording medium, a judging unit to judge whether the recording medium is jammed in a conveyer path, a head identifier unit to identify an overlapping liquid ejecting head assumedly facing the jammed recording medium based on the detected result obtained by the detector unit and the length of the recording medium, and an purge controller unit to control an amount of the liquid to be ejected from the nozzles in the remaining liquid ejecting heads to be smaller than an amount of the liquid to be ejected from the nozzles in the identified overlapping liquid ejecting head. |
| US08684487B2 |
Conveying apparatus, liquid applying apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A disclosed conveying apparatus includes plural conveyance paths arranged in parallel and configured to receive plural conveyance objects fed from an upstream side of the plural conveyance paths and convey the received plural conveyance objects to a conveyance destination situated at a downstream side of the plural conveyance paths. The plural conveyance paths are configured to convey the plural conveyance objects in the order in which the plural conveyance objects are received. |
| US08684483B2 |
Drop formation with reduced stimulation crosstalk
A liquid stream is caused to jet from a nozzle. A small or large drop waveform applied to a drop forming mechanism causes the liquid stream to break up into a small or large volume drop, respectively. The small drop waveform includes a pulse having a width wS, and a period x, where x≈1/fR, where fR is the Rayleigh frequency of the liquid. The large drop waveform includes a period Nx, with the large volume drop being N times the small volume drop. The large drop waveform includes a first pulse having a pulse width wL1, where wL1≧wS, and a second pulse occurring within a period of (fR/fC)x of an initial pulse of a subsequent small or large drop waveform, where fC is the cut off frequency of the liquid. The second pulse includes a pulse width wL2, where wL2 |
| US08684480B2 |
Posture detecting device, recording apparatus including the same, lenticular sheet, and method for detecting posture of medium
There is provided a posture detecting device including: a detecting mechanism movable in a scanning direction relatively to a medium to detect a detection target; and a posture determining mechanism determining a tilt of the medium from a reference posture based on a detection result of the detection target, wherein as the detection target, the medium has a plurality of first detection targets each extending in an intersecting direction intersecting with the scanning direction at a predetermined angle and arranged at equal intervals in the scanning direction; and a plurality of second detection targets each extending in the scanning direction and arranged at equal intervals in the intersecting direction, under a condition that the medium is in the reference posture. |
| US08684478B2 |
Food container and refrigerator including the same
A food container and a refrigerator including a food container capable of simultaneously separating fixing members of a cover according to sliding of a handle and of taking out of food kept therein by opening an auxiliary cover even with a main cover being closed. The food container includes a main body having an entrance formed on a topside thereof, a cover opening and closing the entrance, a plurality of fixing members including one end rotatably secured to a side surface of the main body and the other end detachably connected with an edge part of the cover, to secure the cover to the main body selectively, and a handle sliding-movable on a top surface of the cover and contactable with the plurality of the fixing members, to push the plurality of the fixing members according to the sliding to unlock the securing between the cover and the main body. |
| US08684477B1 |
Cabinet door with retractable panel
A cabinet door assembly is moveably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The cabinet door has a substantially planar first panel and a substantially planar second panel in a planar parallel configuration. The second panel may retract relative to the first panel upon application of an impact force to the second panel. A stop member may be incorporated to limit the downward movement of the second panel. Ramp surfaces and a guide member cooperate to facilitate upward and/or inward directional movement of the second panel relative to the first panel upon application of an impact force to the second panel. |
| US08684474B2 |
Lubricating oil monitoring and maintenance caps for rollers of a tracked vehicle
A roller of a tracked vehicle includes a lubricating oil reservoir having an open end closed by a sealing body having an outer face and an opposed inner face facing the reservoir, and which is transparent to provide visual access into the reservoir through the open end for lubricating oil level and quality monitoring purposes. A depression with a raised rim is formed in the outer face of the sealing body, and a port is formed in the sealing body, which extends through the sealing body at the depression from the outer face to the inner face of the sealing body. A removable plug is applied to and closes the port, and is positioned in the depression and extends outwardly from the outer face of the sealing body no further than the raised rim isolating the plug from shearing forces across the outer face of the sealing body. |
| US08684472B2 |
Braking systems, and more particularly hydraulic braking systems for farm vehicles
This invention discloses a hydraulic braking system (1) for a vehicle comprising: two pressure supply means (2, 3), two rear braking means (4, 5) and one front braking means (6), said hydraulic system (1) being characterised in that it comprises a rear inlet distributor (12), a front inlet distributor (13), a first brake distributor (10) and a second brake distributor (11), defining a standby configuration, three braking configurations pressurising: a first rear brake, a second rear brake, the two rear brakes and the front brake respectively, pressure for the front axle braking means (6) being applied through the front inlet distributor (13), the first brake distributor (10) and the second brake distributor (11). |
| US08684466B2 |
Modular knock-down upholstered furniture
A knock-down, modular furniture frame including a plurality of panels having interlocking sides and at least one tensioning device having a band that girds the plurality of panels to secure the plurality of panels together under tension into an interlocking relationship. |
| US08684465B2 |
Longitudinally displaceable headrest
The headrest has a carrier element, which has joining means for fixing to a backrest of a motor vehicle seat and an upper base, and having a cushion part which has a supporting member and is displaceable with respect to the carrier element in a direction of displacement. The carrier element features a latching strip having several latching elements, and the supporting member has a locking means which in a locking position engages with one of the latching elements and in a release position is disengaged from the latching elements. The supporting member further forms at least one oblong hole surrounding the upper base. The supporting member also has a spring-loaded strip which extends along a lower edge of the oblong hole and abuts against the upper base and pushes the same into contact with the upper edge of the oblong hole. |
| US08684463B2 |
Apparatus and method for selectively reclining a vehicle seat back
An apparatus for selectively moving a seat back of a motor vehicle seat relative to a seat bottom includes an armrest movably mounted to the vehicle seat, a seat back actuator and mechanical linkage engaged with and between the armrest and the seat back actuator. The armrest has a first position that supports an arm of an occupant of the motor vehicle seat, and is movable from the first position to a second position. The seat back actuator is responsive to actuation to allow the seat back of the vehicle seat to be moved relative to the seat bottom, and is responsive to release thereof to block movement of the seat back relative to the seat bottom. The mechanical linkage is responsive to movement of the armrest from the first position to the second position to actuate the seat back actuator and to otherwise release the seat back actuator. |
| US08684462B2 |
Front tilt motor gear assembly and mechanism for a power seat adjuster
An adjuster mechanism (14) includes a tilt bracket (52), a sector (54), and a motor and transmission assembly (56) and has minimal mass. The adjuster mechanism (14) is useful hi providing adjustability to a vehicle seat (12) for adjusting the front portion of a seat base cushion (16) between a plurality of positions. |
| US08684461B2 |
Horizontal seat adjustment means
The invention relates to a seat for a vehicle, in particular for all-terrain vehicles, with at least one seat area extending in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and in the width-wise direction (Y) of the vehicle for receiving a person, a backrest for supporting the back of the person and a holding device connected in the vertical direction (Z) under the seat area and to the latter for keeping the seat area at a distance from a coupling region for coupling the seat to the vehicle, wherein the holding device has at least one spring device for the movable arrangement at least for a time of at least the seat area with respect to the coupling region in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and/or in the width-wise direction (Y) of the vehicle. |
| US08684460B2 |
Backrest structure for a seat with lumbar support and curving element comprising a pre-tensioning connecting element
A backrest structure for a seat comprising a backrest frame which has a support structure and a front side facing the back of a seat user, a backrest cushion at the backrest frame a lumbar support mounted on the front side of the backrest frame for supporting the back of a seat user, an adjusting device for adjusting the position of the lumbar support perpendicular to the extension plane of the backrest frame and a curving element arranged on the front side of the backrest frame between the lumbar support and the backrest cushion. The curving element is secured to the support structure and the adjusting device acts on the curving element in order to adjust a curvature of the curving element. Furthermore, the backrest structure comprises at least one connecting element being connected to the curving element and the support structure, which connecting element applies a pre-tensioning force to the curving element in order to maintain the curving element in contact with the support structure. |
| US08684457B2 |
Chair and multimedia player comprising sound transmission apparatus performing human body communications
There is provided a chair and multimedia player comprising a sound transmission apparatus performing human-body communications. The chair and multimedia player comprise at least one sound transmission apparatus, wherein the sound transmission apparatus is disposed in a surface of the chair and multimedia player to allow a user to hear a sound signal when the user is in contact with or adjacent to the surface, and the sound transmission apparatus generates a composite signal including a sound signal and a demodulation signal restoring only the sound signal from the composite signal and outputs the generated composite signal and demodulation signal into a human body in order to restore the sound signal within the vicinity of the ears of the user. |
| US08684456B2 |
Child safety seat for vehicle
The object of the invention to improve significantly the safety of a child sitting in a safety seat in a vehicle in case of a side impact will be solved by a child safety seat for a vehicle according to the invention comprising an outer shell with a seating area for a child and side wings located on both sides of the seating area, whereas at least one side wing comprises at least one side-impact-pusher-element. |
| US08684453B2 |
Portable picnic table and hitch
Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a device for transporting picnic tables. A transporting apparatus that connects to a hitch of a vehicle that is specifically designed to hold a foldable picnic table. The picnic table further comprising condiment shelves, wheels and side tables. |
| US08684447B2 |
Devices and methods for reducing vehicle drag
In certain embodiments of the present invention, a vehicle trailer is described that further includes a shelf component. The shelf component is separate from the rain gutter component. The shelf component extends from the rear wall of the trailer and includes a sloped surface. |
| US08684444B2 |
Instant car cover
The present invention provides a compact covering for automobiles. This device is configured to be located on a windshield of vehicles, where it is anchored to the necks of side mirrors by elastic straps. The device has four rolls of cover-sheets and a housing which is constructed of two halves inserted fitly into each other. It is easily placed onto its working position by way of a wheel and suction-cups. Cover-sheets will be pulled out via apertures on the housing and stretched over the vehicle. To help pulling easily, each of the cover-sheets will have a pipe-shaped stopper attached at its outer end. Each of the pipe-shaped stoppers will have hooks which hooks onto the edge of the chassis of the vehicle. The axes of cover-sheets rolls are mounted with the constant springs, so they can rewind after each use. Brushes above the apertures will swipe off dust, tree leaves, etc. from cover-sheets when they are rewound. |
| US08684437B1 |
Portable mobile recycling center
A portable mobile recycling center having a drop deck semi-trailer with an enclosed storefront section for office and storage with a bulk recycling section comprising an articulated boom mounted thereto providing means for handling and weighing recyclables and a roll-off recyclables receptacle at the rear of the trailer providing for bulk storage of recyclables. The mobile unit provides recycling opportunities for residential areas that have no means of recycling their large and small unwanted materials. |
| US08684430B1 |
Adjustab cup holder
An adjustable cup holder which consists of a flexible wrap, a handle, a first adjustable strap, and second adjustable strap and a ring which may be used to safely hold a beverage container or cup. The handle is attached to the flexible wrap as are the first and second adjustable straps. The flexible wrap is placed around a beverage container and the end of the first and second adjustable strap are inserted through the rings, tightened and affixed to the flexible wrap. The handle is now securely affixed to the beverage container allowing the consumer to safely and conveniently handle the beverage container. |
| US08684423B2 |
Push catch
The invention relates to a push catch (2) for a container (1) with a lower part (11) and a cover (12), the push catch including a push element (21) which corresponds to a locking bolt (4). The locking bolt (4) is at least partially surrounded by a spring (43) which acts on a bushing (44) when the cover is in the closed state. The bushing (44) can be moved along the longitudinal center line of the locking bolt (4) and is supported on the lower part (11). |
| US08684420B2 |
Brunnian link making device and kit
A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. The example kit provides for the successful creation of unique wearable articles using Brunnian link assembly techniques and includes several pin bars that are supported in a desired special orientation by at least one base. The desired special orientation is dependent on the desired linked configuration of the completed article. The pins may be assembled in various combination and orientations to provide endless variation of completed link orientations. |
| US08684416B2 |
Label for receiving indicia having variable spectral emissivity values
Labels that are conducive to the detection of bar-codes and other indicia having varying spectral emissivity values are provided. The labels include a substrate, a background layer, a thermally conductive layer and an adhesive layer. The background layer is preferably similar in visual appearance to the indicium that the label is to receive. Meanwhile, the thermally conductive layer is made from a material with high thermal conductivity that is used to substantially equalize the temperature across the label surface, thereby enabling a faster and cheaper detection of transitions of differential emissivity on the indicium surface. The adhesive layer is used for attaching the label to a document or other product. |
| US08684415B2 |
Substrates
The present invention relates to improvements in security devices that can be used in varying shapes and sizes for various authenticating or security applications, particularly an optically variable security device utilizing liquid crystal materials. The security device includes a liquid crystal layer (11), an at least partially absorbing layer (12) adjacent at least a part of one side of the liquid crystal layer (11), and at least one customizing region (13) which is adjacent at least a part of an opposite side of the liquid crystal layer (11) to the absorbing layer (12) in selected regions. The at least one customizing region (13) modifies the color shifting properties of the liquid crystal layer (11) such that at least two contrasting optically variable regions are provided by the regions covered by the at least one customizing region and regions not covered by the at least one customizing region. |
| US08684412B2 |
Collapsible trailer
A Collapsible Trailer. The trailer is lightweight, but durable, and includes a set of detachable deck segments that can be assembled into a deck. The trailer further includes a suspension assembly that attaches to the deck once the deck is assembled or, alternatively, is permanently attached to one deck segment. Intra-deck segment support is provided by slidable rods that are extendable to bridge between a pair of adjacent segments. Each deck segment has a male edge to be inserted into a female edge to create an exceedingly strong, interlocking hinge-like structure. The deck and trailer can be assembled without the need for any tools. The deck segments, when disassembled, are stackable into a condensed deck stack. A foldable suspension facilitates the stackable storage and transportation of the trailer. The trailer is convertible into a cargo platform that can be attached directly to a conventional trailer hitch receiver on a vehicle. |
| US08684410B2 |
Roll-over protective structure for multi-purpose utility vehicle and vehicle body having the same
A roll-over protective structure includes a left side frame assembly including two vertical members, which are spaced in a vehicle length direction and have a width that allows a passenger to get in or out of the vehicle, and a connecting member which connects upper ends of the vertical members to each other, a right side frame assembly which has the same configuration as the left side frame assembly and is spaced a predetermined distance from the left side frame assembly in a vehicle width direction, a plurality of link members which connect the left side frame assembly and the right side frame assembly to each other, and a cross member which connects lower ends of the left and right vertical members, which are located at the rear side of the vehicle, to each other among the plurality of vertical members. |
| US08684409B2 |
Airbag having a single-piece rebound strap defining two inflation stages
An airbag module having an airbag and an inflation device, wherein at least one rebound strap for controlling the inflation of the airbag is disposed in the airbag and attached to portions of the airbag that move away from each other when the airbag is inflated. A first, shorter rebound strip segment breaks after a first inflation stage and subsequently the airbag regions separate from each other until the second, longer segment of the rebound strap is tensioned and the inflation stage of the airbag is predefined by the second, longer segment of the rebound strap. The rebound strap thereof is formed from a uniform textile segment, the first, shorter segment of the rebound strap is formed as a tab cut out of the second, longer segment the tab being narrower and shorter than the second, longer segment of the rebound strap. |
| US08684408B2 |
Side impact airbag cushion
A side impact airbag cushion for mounting on a seat in a motor vehicle includes an occupant facing panel and a panel opposite the occupant facing panel, and a mounting portion mounted on the seat back. A cushion upper half portion is positioned near the occupant head, and a cushion lower half lower portion is positioned adjacent the occupant torso and has a central unfilled region surrounded by a tubular inflated ring that extends toward the occupant from the central unfilled region. The cushion upper half portion has a tubular inflated pillow region that extends toward the occupant further than the tubular inflated ring surrounding the central unfilled region, to thereby provide an enlarged pillow surface for supporting the occupant head. An upper tether attached to the cushion is shorter in length than the cushion so that the tether rotates the cushion upper half portion toward the occupant head. |
| US08684406B2 |
Airbag and method for producing such an airbag
An airbag with a valve device for a gaseous medium includes at least one textile layer and at least one foil that at least partially covers the textile layer such that due to the valve device at least one area of the airbag permeable by the medium can be at least partially opened when the valve device is in an open position and can be at least substantially sealed when the valve device is in a closed position. |
| US08684403B2 |
Active airbag venting system
An airbag assembly including an airbag inflatable from a housing in operation with an occupant classification system is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The occupant classification system is incorporated into a vehicle seat and is in communication with the airbag. A selectively actuatable vent formed in the airbag is opened during deployment of the airbag based on a determination from the occupant classification system. |
| US08684400B2 |
Apparatus for protecting the knee region of a vehicle occupant
A knee airbag (100) which is deployed between the vehicle occupants and a vehicle structure (2) and a gas generator (4) for filling the knee airbag (100) with inflating gas, wherein the knee airbag (100) has a base chamber (10) which is filled first with inflating gas, and at least one further upper chamber (20, 30) which receives the inflating gas conducted through the base chamber (10). A flow obstacle (12, 23) for the inflating gas is arranged between the base chamber (10) and the one or more upper chambers (20, 30). The one or more upper chambers (20, 30) is rolled up or collapsed and is secured in the rolled-up or collapsed state, the securing (21, 22) being designed in such a manner that it fails when a predetermined degree of filling of the base chamber (10) is reached. |
| US08684399B2 |
Gas generator and airbag apparatus
A gas generator includes an inflator and a retainer. The retainer includes a holding portion, which partially covers the inflator. The inflator has an attaching protrusion for determining the position relative to the retainer. The retainer includes an engagement base and a tongue piece. The tongue piece extends in an axial direction of the inflator and from a position separated from the engagement base in the circumferential direction of the holding portion. The engagement base and the tongue piece each have an engagement portion. The engagement portions face each other to form an engagement space therebetween, into which the attaching protrusion enters. The engagement space has an inlet the width of which is less than the size of the positioning protrusion. When the inflator causes the positioning protrusion to increase the width of the inlet, the tongue piece is elastically deformed about a basal end of the tongue piece. |
| US08684387B1 |
Cargo cycle steering system
A steering system for a cycle that facilitates the placement of a horizontal cargo platform above and in close proximity to the front wheel. The steering system may be applied to numerous types of cycles including bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, three wheeled vehicles, etc. The steering system comprises a fork assembly that is rotatably mounted to the frame near the top of said fork. The fork is supported in its lower portion by pushrods that both steer and structurally support the fork assembly. |
| US08684383B1 |
Adjustable suspension system and method for suspending a vehicle
A suspension apparatus for a vehicle has a frame with a first portion and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the first portion. A swing arm is pivotably connected to the frame allowing movement of the swing arm. A striker contacts the first portion of the frame. A travel stop connects to the frame to limit the movement of the swing arm. A spindle and a hub connect to the spindle for connecting a wheel. |
| US08684382B2 |
Axle bracket for motor vehicles
The invention relates to an axle support for motor vehicles, for receiving components of the chassis of the motor vehicle. The axle support comprises frame side members (2, 3) running substantially in the driving direction, each having at least one cast connection point (5, 6), and a pipe section (7) that adjoins the cast connection point. The pipe section has an at least half-shell form in the region of the connection to the cast connection point. |
| US08684381B2 |
Stabilizer for a utility vehicle
A stabilizer bar for a commercial vehicle which comprises an elongate torsion spring (5), two suspension arms (6, 7) which are securely connected to and extend away from the torsion spring (5) and, between which the torsion spring (5) extends. An actuator (12) is connected in parallel with the torsion spring (5) and is connected to the torsion spring (5) or the suspension arms (6, 7) with the intermediate connection of hinge joints (23, 25) or leaf springs (17, 19). |
| US08684379B2 |
Cast steering knuckle for a vehicle and vehicle comprising a cast steering knuckle
A cast steering knuckle for a vehicle such as a truck includes a knuckle body. One or more pipes, each including a pipe body, are molded into the knuckle body providing a duct for a fluid and/or one or more electrical harnesses. |
| US08684378B2 |
Frame folding and adjustment mechanism and foldable motorized vehicle having same
A frame folding and adjustment mechanism for a foldable motorized vehicle, comprising: a hollow adjusting and fixing member, a hollow mounting member, an elastic element, a restricting member, and a cable assembly having a fixing cylinder, and a cable, wherein the fixing cylinder is fixed between the front rack and the hollow mounting member, the upper end of the cable freely passes through the fixing cylinder, the lower end of the cable fixedly passes through the restricting member and is connected to a lower end of the elastic element, the upper end of the elastic element is fixed to the hollow mounting member, the restricting member detaches from the hollow adjusting and fixing member when the upper end of the cable is pulled, and the restricting member engages with the edges of the hollow adjusting and fixing member when the upper end of the cable is released. |
| US08684374B2 |
Cart accessory handle for lifting and dumping
A dual handled liftable wheelbarrow with a bin and a wheel assembly has a fixed handle mounted on a rear wall thereof. A bracket is mounted on an outside of the front wall for mounting an adjustable handle with an elongated resilient grip having end arms swiveling about and mounted on said forwardly extending members of the bracket, so that the handle is rotatable between a parked position flush downwardly against the outside of said front wall, and an upwardly extending deployed position with said resilient grip above the open top of said bin. The fixed and adjustable handles are mounted at substantially equal heights on the rear and front walls, respectively, of the bin to allow two users working together to unload debris from the bin over a side wall of the bin into a collection box. |
| US08684373B2 |
Cart moving machine
A cart moving machine including a body portion, a movement assembly positioned on the body and including a power source coupled to a drive mechanism, the movement assembly being adapted to translate the machine relative to a surface, a hitch positioned on the body and adapted to engage a cart, a mast extending from the body and including a beacon positioned thereon, and a mast positioning mechanism, the mechanism adapted to allow the mast to be selectively positionable relative to the body between a protected position and an exposed position. |
| US08684372B2 |
Modular dolly kit
A modular kit for constructing a dolly comprising of at least one strut having a first and second end, and a first, second, and third through hole; at least one first connector; at least one second connector, each first connector removably attaches to each second connector, hereinafter referred to as a connector assembly, after at least two struts have been modularly assembled, each connector assembly is threaded through either the first, second, or third through holes of each respective strut; and at least one caster assembly, each caster assembly removably attaches to each connector assembly. |
| US08684367B2 |
Methods and apparatus for suspension lock out and signal generation
Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond. |
| US08684366B2 |
Vehicle height adjustment device in vehicle
A vehicle height adjustment device affords better footing by ensuring that a vehicle height is lowered upon vehicle stop.A vehicle height adjustment device 100 in a vehicle has means (ECU) for predicting a vehicle stopping predicted time, and when a predicted vehicle stopping predicted time is not more than a predefined reference vehicle stopping time, implementing a vehicle height lowering control mode, and enabling a vehicle height lowering operation through switching of a switching valve. |
| US08684365B2 |
Stabilizer system
A stabilizer system is provided with a stabilizer bar configured to connect a left wheel and a right wheel of a vehicle to each other and suppress a roll of the vehicle by torsional reaction force, an actuator configured to control a relative torsional amount between a side of the left wheel and a side of the right wheel of the stabilizer bar, and a control device configured to control the actuator. The actuator can selectively operate in a permitting mode in which increase and decrease in the torsional amount is permitted or in a regulating mode in which the increase and decrease in the torsional amount is regulated. |
| US08684360B2 |
Customizable gaming table apparatus for displaying preset game layouts using illumination devices
A gaming table including a plurality of illumination devices mounted therein and a controller configured for receiving a selection of a preset game layout configuration from one or more preset game layout configurations stored in memory and actuating the illumination of a portion of the plurality of illumination devices corresponding with the selected preset game layout configuration. |
| US08684358B2 |
Gaming system and a reel assembly for a gaming system
A reel assembly for a gaming system is disclosed. The reel assembly comprises a spinnable reel drum having a ring member, at least one support strut extending from the ring member and serving to mount the ring member such that the ring member is spinnable during use, and a reel strip. The ring member and the reel strip are arranged such that at least part of the reel strip is engageable with the ring member so as to retain the reel strip relative to the ring member during spinning of the reel drum. |
| US08684357B2 |
Air hockey table
Air hockey tables are disclosed herein. An embodiment of an air hockey table comprises an air hockey table comprising a playing surface that is at least partially curved; and a plurality of air paths extending through the playing surface, wherein air is emittable by the plurality of air paths, and wherein the puck is at least partially floatable on air that is emittable by the plurality of air paths. |
| US08684355B2 |
Sheet conveyance apparatus and printing apparatus
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes: a guide unit for guiding the side end of the sheet; a first roller pair arranged on the downstream side of the guide unit for conveying the sheet, including a driven roller held in contact with a whole sheet in a sheet width direction; and a second roller pair having a conveyance roller arranged on the downstream side of the roller and adapted to convey the sheet, and a plurality of pinch rollers pinching the sheet in cooperation with the conveyance roller, wherein each of the plurality of pinch rollers applies to the sheet a conveyance force inclined toward a conveyance path side end, which is nearer to the pinch roller, and wherein the smaller the distance between the pinch roller and the conveyance path side end, the greater the inclination of the conveyance force thereof. |
| US08684354B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device includes a sheet conveyor, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyor, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a guide member including upper and lower conveyance members, a regulation member that regulates a position of the sheet, a conveyer roller set that conveys the sheet therebetween, an urger that urges a pinch roller toward a driving roller, and a roller holder disposed above the upper conveyance member. The upper conveyance member has ends which are secured independently to the lower conveyance member. The roller holder secures the pinch roller overlaps the upper conveyance member in a vertical direction, and secures the pinch roller, such that the pinch roller contacts the sheet through the upper conveyance member. |
| US08684352B2 |
Sheet inverter and method for inverting a sheet
Sheet inverters and methods for inverting sheets are provided that guide longer length receivers through a 180 degree turn while the receivers are being transported along a transport path while reducing the possibility of jams, the extent of sheet stress experienced during inversion and reducing the risk of creating print artifacts. |
| US08684351B2 |
Document holding device for an image processing system
A first rack of a pair of document guides slides in pressing contact against a pinion due to contact with a protrusion. As a result, the first rack is subjected to a larger sliding resistance than when the protrusion is not provided. When one of the document guides is operated, the operating force transmits directly to the first rack. Therefore, if a large force corresponding to the sliding resistance increased by the protrusion is applied, the first rack can be slid. When the other document guide is operated, the operating force transmits to the first rack through the pinion. Therefore, the sliding resistance increased by the protrusion increases due to the gear efficiency of the pinion. |
| US08684350B2 |
Sheet adjusting device, sheet holding receptacle incorporating same, and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet adjusting device, applicable to a sheet holding receptacle and an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet setting plate to place a sheet thereon, first and second regulating member to slidably move in a given direction, a drive transmission mechanism to transmit a driving power generated by a driving power source to at least one of the first and second regulating members and move the first regulating member in the given direction, and a stopping unit to stop the first regulating member moving toward the sheet on the setting, plate either when a load exceeding a given threshold is given to either the driving power source or the drive transmission mechanism or when a pressure exceeding a given threshold is given to at least one of the first and second regulating members. |
| US08684348B2 |
Sheet supplying device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet supplying device includes a recording media container to accommodate a stack of recording media therein, a sheet feeding unit to feed a recording medium from the stack of recording media in the recording media container, a frame to support the recording media container and the sheet feeding unit, a holder to hold the recording media container by surrounding the outer circumference of the recording media container, and a locking mechanism to engage the frame and the holder with each other. The recording media container is detachably attachable to the frame in a first detaching and attaching operation and a second detaching and attaching operation. The locking mechanism causes the frame and the holder to engage at removal of the recording media container in the first detaching and attaching operation. |
| US08684347B2 |
Sheet amount indicator and image forming apparatus with amplifying mechanism
Example embodiments relate to a sheet amount indicator for use in a sheet-feeding tray. The sheet-feeding tray includes a sheet stacking part having a base plate where sheets are stacked, and the base plate is configured to rise up for feeding of a topmost sheet stacked. The sheet amount indicator includes a viewing part disposed on an outer surface of the sheet stacking part, an indicator member configured to move as seen through the viewing part, a cooperative mechanism configured to move in accordance with a vertical movement of the base plate, and an amplifying mechanism disposed outside the sheet stacking part and connected to the cooperative mechanism so as to amplify the movement of the cooperative mechanism to transmit the amplified movement to the indicator member. |
| US08684342B2 |
Coil spring
A coil spring has a spring wire wound in a coil shape having an outer diameter side portion and an inner diameter side portion on a peripheral shape in a cross section thereof, one of the outer diameter side portion and inner diameter side portion formed in a semi-circular shape expressed by x2+y2=b2, the other thereof formed in a non-circular shape with a long diameter “a” and a short diameter “b” expressed by (x/a)α+(y/b)α=1, and value of the “α” set in a range of 1.85 to 2.45, and contact faces provided between the inner diameter side portion and the outer diameter side portion on the peripheral shape in the cross section such that each contact face comes into contact with a contact face of an adjacent coil in an axial direction along an axis line of the coil spring. |
| US08684340B2 |
Variable stiffness liquid inertia vibration eliminator
A variable stiffness liquid inertia vibration isolation device includes a liquid inertia vibration elimination isolator and a variable stiffness spring operably associated with the liquid inertia vibration elimination isolator for varying the stiffness of the liquid inertia vibration isolator. The variable stiffness spring may include an elastomeric pad exhibiting a first stiffness along a first axis and a second stiffness, significantly greater than the first stiffness, along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. |
| US08684339B2 |
Control device to reduce vibration movement on a device vibrating under spring force
A control device is shown to reduce a vibration movement of a device vibrating under spring force with at least two mobile parts vibrating in relation to each other, wherein the parts are connected together by means of mobile connecting arms, at least one of the connecting arms is connected with a first spring element end of at least one spring element and between the parts is arranged at least one damping element. |
| US08684338B2 |
Active control of torsional vibration from an engine driven generator set
An active torque cancellation system is provided. The system includes a generator set having a combustion engine and mounted to an application structure. The system also includes an active power management module coupled to the engine which actively reduces vibrations in the application structure. |
| US08684335B2 |
Portable hoist for hand trucks
A portable hoist adapted for attachment to a hand truck nose plate is disclosed. The hoist comprises an adapter that sandwiches the nose plate and a hole or holes may be fabricated in the nose plate for securing hardware to be installed, such as a bolt, bolts, strap, etc. Receivers on the hoist hold removable, load supportive legs securely in place. Casters may be attached to legs to improve mobility. A jib assembly capable of several height settings remains reasonably level at all times when in use, making it ideal for tight spaces. The pivot point of the arm is at the end of the mast opposite the adapter assembly, the other end attaching to the handle of the hand truck and securing with a latch. A winch attached to the arm provides a cable extending to and about a sheave or sheaves, terminating beyond the sheave carried at the free end of the jib boom. A brace on the mast allows the arm latch to secure when the arm is collapsed. The jib assembly folds downward with a brake to hold the boom reasonably parallel to the mast. A cable securing hook is attached to the mast, and with slight tension on the cable, the latch brace and cable hook enable the hoist to be carried about easily, utilizing the boom as a handle. |
| US08684328B2 |
Universal trolling motor mount
One trolling motor mount includes a mounting base having a cavity extending therethrough and a motor receiving portion configured to clamp a trolling motor thereon, a bracket, and a lock operably coupled to the base for removably fastening the base to a watercraft. The bracket is pivotably coupled to the base for rotation generally perpendicular to the cavity, and selectively defines a lower edge of the cavity. The bracket is also slidable relative to the base. Another trolling motor mount includes a mounting base having a cavity extending therethrough and a motor receiving portion configured to clamp a trolling motor thereon, a bracket pivotably coupled to the base, and a lock operably coupled to the base for removably fastening the base to a watercraft. The bracket has front and two side surfaces, and at least one channel for allowing the bracket to slide relative to the base. |
| US08684325B1 |
Concealable TV mount extends and rotates
This mounting system can be used to house a television or other appliance against, or in, a wall, ceiling, floor or table. A user may manipulate the position and orientation of the housed appliance from its storage position to an operational position. The entire system can be completely concealed from view by a decorative cover while providing ready access to the appliance. To operate the appliance, the mount provides for extension and/or rotation to a desired position without removal of the concealing cover. A mounting bracket is attached to a fixed structure, and an appliance interface bracket is adapted for attachment to the appliance. A system of linkage arms couples the two brackets. Multiple linkage arm systems accommodate various lengths of extension and degrees of rotation including 180°. In all cases provision is made for concealed containment of all power and control cables necessary for operation of the appliance. |
| US08684322B2 |
Device for supporting in-ground sprinkler heads
A sprinkler support for the in-ground sprinkler heads includes a base at the lower position, a sidewall extending vertically ascending from the base, a clamping structure disposed at the sidewall of the sprinkler support to secure the sprinkler head, a cushioning structure capable to absorb physical stresses, and anchoring structures holding the sprinkler support with respect to the soil. The sprinkler support accommodates a variety of different size of sprinkler heads by having an adapter, by cantilever fingers extended from the sidewall upwardly or by constructing with two halves, wherein each half comprises the base and sidewall. |
| US08684321B2 |
Vibration isolating vehicle attachment assembly
A stud retainer is configured to securely retain a fastening stud. The stud retainer includes a base integrally connected to beams that are in turn integrally connected to a wall opposite the base. A stud retainer chamber is defined between the base, the beams, and the wall. A vibration-damping interface extends outwardly from the beams. The vibration-damping interface may include a plurality of fingers. The stud retainer may also include at least one flexible brace extending from said wall toward said base. |
| US08684319B2 |
Cable tray cable routing system
The present invention is directed to a wall mount bracket that supports a cable tray in a cable routing system. The wall mount bracket includes a back wall and a sidewall. The back wall has a top, a bottom, sides and mounting holes positioned therebetween. The sidewall extends outwardly from one side of the back wall. The longitudinal wires of the cable tray are positioned on the sidewall of the wall mount bracket. The sidewall also has a distal end with an engaging member that receives a bottom longitudinal wire of the sidewall of the cable tray. |
| US08684318B2 |
Mechanical lock
A mechanical lock for railway points comprising an outer tube and a linear arrangement of interlinked components arranged in a core of the outer tube, the interlinked components comprising five coaxially arranged, separately manufactured, elements, including a central tie and two link-rods, the two link rods being respectively interlinked at first ends thereof to opposing ends of the central tie by expandable components. |
| US08684313B2 |
Inflatable kite with leading edge swept forwards at wingtip
An inflatable kite has a continuous leading edge tube that is swept forward at its left and right wingtip ends so that bridle lines attaching the canopy to the user are forward of the center of effort of the kite. |
| US08684312B2 |
Method and system for checking the formation of ice on an aircraft in flight
The invention relates to a method for checking the formation of ice on an aircraft in flight, characterized in that the method comprises: the estimation (S4) in real time of a quantity of ice (SWC) forming on at least one zone of the aircraft according to flight conditions and the comparison (S5) between the estimated quantity of ice (SWC) and a predetermined quantity of ice (SWCmax; SWCTHR). |
| US08684307B2 |
Door structure of aircraft restroom
There is provided a space-saving and compact swing type door structure of an aircraft restroom, in which a door is automatically closed and which is easy to use for a passenger using the restroom. The swing type door (40) is slidably hung at its upper end edge (44) from a rail disposed at an upper portion of a door frame by a guide structure including a slide pin (46) and is turnably connected in a predetermined position different from the hung position to the door frame by a linkage (60). Swinging operation in opening the door (40) deforms a spring provided in an automatic closing device (50). When a hand is released from the door (40), the door (40) is constantly biased in a closing direction by spring resilience through the linkage (60) and automatically returns to a closed position. Therefore, the restroom becomes easy to use, an aisle in front of the restroom can be used in an emergency, and it is possible to avoid contingencies caused by false recognition of an escape hatch. |
| US08684306B2 |
Steering collar locking mechanism for retractable aircraft nose landing gear
A retractable nose landing gear assembly for an aircraft is disclosed, which includes an elongated strut cylinder defining a longitudinal axis, an elongated strut piston mounted for reciprocal movement relative to the strut cylinder between a shrunk condition when the landing gear is retracted into a wheel well of an aircraft and a fully extended condition when the landing gear is deployed from the wheel well for landing the aircraft, and wherein the strut piston is mounted for rotation about the axis of the strut cylinder for steering the aircraft while taxiing on the ground, and a locking mechanism operatively associated with the strut cylinder for preventing rotation of the strut piston about the axis of the strut cylinder when the landing gear is in a shrunk condition retracted within the wheel well of the aircraft during flight. |
| US08684301B2 |
Wave attenuation panel inserted between the motor and air inlet of an aircraft nacelle
An aircraft nacelle includes a wave attenuation panel which limits or prevents the propagation of at least one wave produced during the pumping of the power plant and includes a layer that is in contact with the air flow that can allow passage of the at least one wave, at least one alveolar structure, and a reflective or impermeable layer, wherein the wave attenuation panel is inserted between the air intake and the power plant, and the layer that is in contact with the air flow ensures the continuity of the aerodynamic surfaces that are arranged downstream and upstream and the wave attenuation panel includes inserts that can be inserted between the air intake and the power plant so as not to crush the wave attenuation panel. |
| US08684297B2 |
Multi-setting dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material
A method of grounding a dispenser. A low impedance path is connected to elements internal to the dispenser. The low impedance path is also connected to a surface contact spring which is adapted to contact an external mounting surface when the dispenser is affixed thereto. Static electrical charge accumulated on the elements is discharged through the low impedance path and the surface contact spring to the external mounting surface. |
| US08684296B2 |
Rolling system for rolling strip-shaped rolling stock
A rolling installation for the rolling of in-process stock in the form of strip having a first reel, a second reel, with at least one stand between the reels, and with assigned coil transport trucks. Each reel is designed as a reversing reel, namely as an uncoiling and coiling reel. |
| US08684293B2 |
Apparatus for starting moving items into a processing machine
Apparatus, system and methods of using the apparatus and system to manipulate fiber(s) into a chopper, winder or other fiber(s) processing equipment. By using the apparatus the operator(s) are freed up for pressing duties that will increase productivity and also create a safer workplace. The apparatus supports and constrains slowly or rapidly running fiber(s) and moves through a sequence of movements that reposition the fiber(s) into a path that places the running fiber(s) in the proper location for processing in the chopper, winder or other processing equipment and also places the running fiber(s) into a desired groove or valley on a separator roll or guide. |
| US08684285B2 |
Fuel injection valve
A movable core includes a through-hole, which receives a main body of a needle therethrough, and a receiving recess, which is axially recessed in a stationary core side end surface of the movable core. The receiving recess is configured into an annular form and radially outwardly extends from the through-hole to receive a flange of the needle. A movable plate is placed on an axial side of the movable core, which is opposite from the nozzle. An axial length of the flange is smaller than an axial distance between a contact surface of the movable plate, which is contactable with the needle, and a bottom wall of the receiving recess in a contact state where the movable core and the movable plate contact with each other. |
| US08684284B2 |
Injector for large amount of aerosol powder for synthesis of carbon nanotubes
Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the large scale synthesis of carbon nanostructures are provided. The apparatus for continuous large scale production of SWNTs includes a chamber. Positioned in one end of the chamber is a piston and at the other end is a tangential vortex created by gases forced into the chamber from opposite sides of the chamber walls. The chamber can be heated to reduce or eliminate agglomeration of small particles. The piston is used to push the catalyst towards the vortex, and the injection rate is controlled by the speed of the piston and the gas flow rate to create the vortex that also act as the transport gas. Thus, greater than 1 kg/h of an aerosolized, deagglomerated dry powder catalyst can be delivered to the reactor at a constant flow rate. |
| US08684283B2 |
Variable range sprinkler apparatus and variable range sprinkler pattern method
A variable range sprinkler apparatus includes a sprinkler portion, a bypass unit housing a plurality of valves, and a water inlet portion. The sprinkler portion of the apparatus, which may be a rotary sprinkler unit, is attached to the bypass unit, and the bypass unit is coupled to the water inlet portion. Inside the bypass unit is a plurality of valves, at least one of which is adjustable, that are designed to open a water passage in the bypass unit. |
| US08684282B2 |
Adjustable spray pattern atomizer
An atomizer delivery manifold or spray head with an adjustable spray pattern tip is provided. The adjustable spray pattern atomizer is especially useful for delivery of fibrin glues, and enables a fluid admixture to be applied precisely to a specific site in a wide range of spray patterns. |
| US08684281B2 |
Spray device having removable hard coated tip
In accordance with certain embodiments, a spray system is provided with a spray tip including a core tip structure having a first material, wherein the core tip structure includes a liquid passage extending to a liquid exit orifice. The spray tip also includes a wear resistant coating disposed about the core tip structure, wherein the wear resistant coating has a second material relatively harder than the first material. |
| US08684280B2 |
Fastening railway rails
A concrete railway rail foundation wherein an uppermost face of the foundation comprises a rail seat area for supporting a railway rail extending in a first direction across the rail seat area, two anchoring device seating regions located on either side of the rail seat area for accommodating respective anchoring devices, and, on each side of an anchoring device seating region, an upstanding portion having a height substantially the same as or higher than that of an anchoring device and a depth, in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, which is substantially the same as or deeper than that of the anchoring device is disclosed. |
| US08684279B1 |
Railroad alignment system
A railroad alignment system for easily and efficiently lifting and aligning railroad tracks during installation. The railroad alignment system generally includes first vertical support and a second vertical support with a horizontal support extending therebetween. The vertical supports are vertically adjustable through use of a pair of adjustment members. A clamp assembly extends downwardly from the horizontal support at a position midway between the first vertical support and second vertical support. Through use of a pair of adjustment members, the clamp assembly may be closed to secure a track in place for alignment and lifting. |
| US08684277B2 |
Multi-layer build-up system for floor coverings when using floor heating systems
A multi-layer build-up system for floor coverings when using floor heating systems, particularly for laying ceramic floor coverings using the thin-bed method, has, on the underside, an essentially plate-shaped component for planar laying and for the accommodation of pipelines of a floor heating system. Component accommodation spaces for the pipelines are formed in the plate-shaped component and an uncoupling mat is disposed on the surface of the plate-shaped component. The uncoupling mat has an uncoupling layer on top of which an anchoring layer is disposed. The anchoring layer forms a structure element for a filler mass to be introduced in the top of the build-up system. The mass is plastic during processing and hardens afterwards. A reinforcement layer is disposed on top of and rigidly connected with the anchoring layer, at least in sections. |
| US08684266B2 |
Forecast and demand based price calculation
An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity. |
| US08684264B2 |
Mobile communication device and data verification system comprising smart card having double chips
A mobile communication device and a data verification system applying a smart card having double chips are applicable to data verification processing when the mobile communication device drives the smart chip to perform transaction with a front end access device. The mobile communication device includes a wireless communication unit, a processing unit and a smart chip. When the processing unit receives a transaction request sent by the front end access device or the processing unit executes a transaction procedure, the processing unit performs data verification processing during transaction through the smart chip. |
| US08684263B1 |
Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records
A system and method for dispensing documents of value from an automated transaction machine that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader, cash dispenser, and display device. The machine can display data representative of selectable documents of value, such as a ticket that provides access to an entertainment event. After appropriate user selection and payment, the machine produces an electronic document corresponding to user selection. The machine can wirelessly dispense the electronic document to a mobile phone of the machine user. Information in the document corresponds to a description of value associated with the document. Unique information in the document enables the document to be authenticated with a validating device at a location where the document is to be redeemed. |
| US08684262B1 |
Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine is operative to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine is operative to cause a determination to be made that read card data corresponds to stored data for an account authorized to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The automated banking machine is further operative to provide users with a receipt for transactions conducted. The automated banking machine is operative to cause the value of cash dispensed or received to be assessed or credited to the financial accounts corresponding to card data. |
| US08684260B2 |
Paperboard plate with corner walls
Paperboard plate includes a base having a substantially smooth flat surface, a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of corner walls. Each side wall and each corner wall has a substantially straight upper edge. Each corner wall is disposed between a pair of adjacent side walls. The length of the upper edge of each corner wall is less than the length of the upper edge of each side wall. Furthermore, each side wall can include a lower portion and an upper portion at different angles relative each other. |
| US08684259B2 |
Pocket folder and blank for making same
The pocket folder is made from a single sheet blank and has a pair of pockets and reinforced side edges. The pockets may be open pockets or one of the pockets may be closed while the other is open. |
| US08684257B2 |
Rotor for electric motor and brazing process
A plurality of conductor bars are positioned within slots of a laminated electric steel disc stack, and the ends of the conductor bars are brazed to end rings to manufacture a rotor. The method includes inserting the conductor bars into the slots of the disc stack, providing the end rings with slots for receiving the ends of the conductor bars; positioning spacers of braze material adjacent each end of each of the conductor bars to create a gap between the end rings and the steel disc stack; and applying heat to melt the braze material of the spacers whereby braze material is furnished by the spacers of braze material to braze the first and second ends of the conductor bars to the first and second end rings. Channels are provided in the face of the end rings facing the steel disc stack to drain away excess braze material. |
| US08684255B2 |
Method of manufacturing an elongate insert made of a metal matrix composite
A method of manufacturing an elongate insert configured to be integrated by CIC in a metal container, including coated yarns bonded together, the coated yarns being formed from metal-coated ceramic fibers. The method includes placing the coated yarns side by side in a bundle and pulling the fiber bundle through a shaping element so as to compact the fiber bundle transversely while forming the fiber bundle so as to have a defined cross section. A metal part incorporating a fibrous insert can be manufactured by the CIC technique. |
| US08684254B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus with curved cartridge and anvil assemblies
A surgical instrument is designed for clamping, cutting, and/or joining tissue. This surgical instrument includes a handle portion, an elongate portion extending distally from the handle portion, first and second jaw members disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, a shaft movable upon actuation of the handle portion, and a knife bar operatively coupled to the shaft. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The knife bar has a curved profile and moves along at least one of the jaw members upon movement of the shaft. |
| US08684250B2 |
Annular adhesive structure
An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a circular surgical stapler having an anvil assembly with an anvil shaft and an anvil, the circular surgical stapler further having a tubular body portion with an annular knife and a body portion shaft selectively attachable to the anvil shaft; and a seal structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue including a hub configured to engage attachment structure on at least one of the anvil shaft and the body portion shaft. The attachment structure is positioned so that the seal structure is located between the intestinal sections of tissue when the circular surgical stapler is disposed within the intestinal sections of tissue. |
| US08684244B2 |
Vehicle-mounted equipment carrier with one-piece, fixed position frame construction
A vehicle-mounted equipment carrier includes a single-piece frame member. The vehicle-engaging and equipment-engaging members extend outward from a central portion. Optionally, the equipment carrier may be mounted in at least a first and second operational orientation. The interior of each equipment support is hollow such that one equipment support may be stacked within another. Straps pass through and are secured to the frame member. The straps are further connected to a vehicle to secure the frame member to the vehicle. |
| US08684243B1 |
Chalk holding devices for bicycles, scooters and skateboards
Chalk holding devices for bicycles, scooters, skateboards and other wheeled apparatuses are provided. One exemplary embodiment includes a chalk holding device for attachment to a bicycle having a wheel and an axle with a first end and a second end. The chalk holding device has a chalk-receiving member for receiving chalk therein. The chalk holding devices also has first and second arms that extend from the chalk-receiving member towards the axle. The first arm has a first axle cup for receiving a first end of the axle and the second arm has a second axle cup for receiving a second end of the axle. |
| US08684242B2 |
Holster with interchangeable cowlings
A holster with interchangeable cowling members for reconfiguring the holster pocket to accommodate pistols of varying sizes including pistols with add-on attachments including a frame member forming at least a first portion of a holster pocket, a cowling member cooperatively associated with the frame member forming a second portion of the holster pocket, at least one slide member associated with one of the frame member and cowling member, at least one groove associated with the other of the frame member and cowling member, the groove being adaptable to receive the slide member for selective longitudinal movement therealong, and a latch device having a first portion cooperating with the frame member and a second portion cooperating with the cowling member and operable to selectively prevent relative movement therebetween. The groove, slide member and latch device releasably mount the cowling member to the frame member. |
| US08684240B2 |
Pressure reducing and regulating valve comprising a tapping mechanism for a pressure cartridge that can be attached underneath a receptacle cover
The invention relates to a valve unit (26) comprising a cartridge and valve holder (1), which has means (6) for connecting the same to a cartridge protective housing (3), means (7; 36, 49) for sealingly fastening the same in a hole (10) that is provided for this purpose in a liquid receptacle (11) as well as a lateral, continuous hole (20), an internal housing (4), which is mounted in the cartridge and valve holder (1), in which a tapping tip (8) and a pressure-reducing valve unit (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are located at the end of the internal housing (4) facing the cartridge protective housing (3), wherein the pressure-reducing valve unit has a pressure-regulating chamber (13), wherein the pressure-regulating chamber (13) encompasses a connection to the interior of the liquid receptacle (11) via a continuous hole (19) in the internal housing (4) and the lateral, continuous hole (20) in the cartridge and valve holder (1), which [connection] is protected or can be blocked by a non-return valve. The unit forms a valve along with the cartridge protective housing and a cartridge that is located therein, which [valve] can be incorporated into a liquid receptacle, e.g., a 5-L keg of beer, in order to maintain a pressure level in the receptacle which ensures tapping of a fresh tasting, highly carbonated beverage even at a low filling level while using little space outside the receptacle. |
| US08684235B2 |
Trigger-type liquid sprayer
A trigger-type liquid sprayer of the present invention is provided with a liquid sprayer body 2 having a nozzle 21 and a trigger lever 22 and a shroud 3 covering the liquid sprayer body 2 and sprays a liquid from a spray hole 211 in the nozzle 21 by a pulling operation of the trigger lever 22. The nozzle 21 is rotatable with respect to the liquid sprayer body 2 and provided so as to open/close a flow passage for the liquid according to a rotational position of the nozzle 21 when an operation lever 24 mounted on the nozzle 21 is rotationally moved, and an abutment portion 31 for positioning the nozzle 21 at a position where the flow passage is opened through abutment of the operation lever 24 is provided at the shroud 3. |
| US08684234B2 |
Apparatus and method for delivery of a dry mixture
A method of measuring or dosing dry mixture ingredients includes providing separate flow channels for ingredients. The flow channels including at least a first flow channel and a second flow channel configured such that the first flow channel is at least partially disposed around the second flow channel. The first flow channel may include an outer concentric metering screw and the second flow channel may include an inner concentric metering screw. The method further including providing a first material to the first flow channel and a second material to a second flow channel, wherein one of the first and second materials comprises a single dry ingredient and the other of the first and second material comprises multiple dry ingredients. The materials are advanced through the channels to a shared exit where a mixing zone is provided. |
| US08684233B2 |
Fluid container unit and method for injecting different kinds of fluids into fluid usage equipment
A fluid container unit including: a container coupling for coupling a supply/discharge port of a first container with a supply/discharge port of a second container; a single nozzle member having a nozzle tube; a connection cap having a first end for holding a base portion of the nozzle member and a second end for covering one side of the container coupling by fitting around an outer periphery thereof; an intermediate adaptor having a pair of pusher elements facing the first and the second supply/discharge ports, respectively; and a supply/discharge port opening mechanism for moving the intermediate adaptor toward the container coupling and opening the supply/discharge ports by the pusher elements. The pusher elements are movably held in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle tube in the connection cap. |
| US08684232B2 |
Colorant fluid dispensing device for dispensing multiple colorant fluids
Colorant fluid dispensing device (1) for dispensing multiple colorant fluids, comprising more than one fluid container (2) at least one dispenser outlet (3), wherein the fluid containers are in fluid connection with the at least one dispenser outlet via pumping means (4) the pumping means comprises more than one piston pump (5), each piston pump comprises a central pump tube (15) in which a piston (20) is provided with a piston rod (21) for moving the piston inside the central pump tube, the colorant fluid dispensing device further comprises driving means (36) for moving the piston rods of said piston pumps, control means (38) for controlling the driving means, and the driving means comprises a movable selector (37) configured to engage the piston rods of a selection. |
| US08684231B2 |
Drink additive delivery lid system
A drink additive lid system (10) is provided for selectively introducing a drink additive (12) to a beverage container (14) closed by the lid system (10). The system (10) includes a plurality of additive compartments (20), each compartment (20) containing a drink additive (12), and a lid (22) attachable to a beverage container (14) to close a fill opening (16) of the beverage container (14). The lid (22) carries the compartments (20) and includes a drinking port (67) to allow beverage to pass from inside of the container (14) to the mouth of a user, and an actuator (24) mounted to be sequentially positioned adjacent each additive compartment (20) to allow a user to sequentially dispense the additive (12) from each additive compartment (20) into the beverage container (14) by engaging the actuator (24) with the compartment (20). |
| US08684228B2 |
Sanitizing wipe dispensing system
The present invention provides for a mobile and self-contained sanitizing wipe dispensing system that dispenses discreet sheets of sanitizing wipes for hand or surface sanitization. The system is configured to facilitate the consistent dispensing of individual wipes, preferably from a roll of perforated but attached wipes, such that each wipe is separated at the point of perforation and the leading edge of the following sheet for easy access of each successive wipe. Means are provided to dispense wipes from a wall that is incorporated into the system, a plurality of walls forming an enclosure. The enclosure functions as a storage device for its own wipe refills and provides an integrated receptacle for used wipes. One embodiment comprises walls that are like-configured for ease in production and assembly and for reducing the cost of production. |
| US08684216B2 |
Closing member for opening
An object is to provide a closing member for an opening, the closing member capable of more reliably maintaining a lightning-protective function. In addition to a first insulator 63, a second insulator 65 is provided between a door body 30 and a wing inner surface 11b around an opening 12. When the first insulator 63 falls off, the second insulator 65 becomes interposed between an inner peripheral planar part 64 and the wing inner surface 11b. With the first insulator 63 being tightly interposed between an outer peripheral planar part 62 and the wing inner surface 11b, the second insulator 65 faces the wing inner surface 11b with a predetermined clearance C therebetween. The outer peripheral planar part 62 is formed at a position further away from the wing inner surface 11b than an apical surface 65a of the second insulator 65 mounted on the inner peripheral planar part 64. |
| US08684210B2 |
Water cooler display apparatus for positioning, storing and displaying items thereon
A water cooler display apparatus for positioning, storing and/or displaying items thereon is disclosed. The apparatus is positioned on and around a water cooler bottle on a water dispensing device thereby enabling use of typically unusable space around the water dispensing device. The apparatus includes a first housing member, a positioning member adjacent to and/or on an interior surface of the first housing member for positioning the apparatus on and around the water cooler bottle, and one or more securing members which hold or secure any suitable number of items on the apparatus. The apparatus may also include a second housing member on the first housing member. |
| US08684200B2 |
Dual chambered bottle with weight distribution mechanism and method of manufacturing the same
A bottle assembly is presented including a body portion having a dividing wall extending therein; a first chamber for holding a first liquid, the first chamber configured to connect to a first orifice; a second chamber for holding a second liquid, the second chamber configured to connect to a second orifice; and a weight distribution mechanism configured to be placed entirely within the body portion of the bottle assembly for counterbalancing the first liquid against the second liquid, the weight distribution mechanism having a plurality of spheres therein. |
| US08684198B2 |
Working machine
A working machine includes a base machine and a working attachment. The working attachment has a base-end boom, a lead-end boom, and an arm. The working machine is collapsible into a triple-folded state, with the base-end boom being located on the upper side and the arm being located on the lower side with respect to the lead-end boom, as a posture of the working machine for transport. The working machine further includes a lead-end boom cylinder for moving the lead-end boom, and an arm cylinder for moving the arm. The lead-end boom has a first lead-end boom cylinder attachment portion for mounting the lead-end boom cylinder, and a first arm cylinder attachment portion for mounting the arm cylinder. The first lead-end boom cylinder attachment portion is disposed at a position different from the first arm cylinder attachment portion in a widthwise direction of the working attachment, and lower than the first arm cylinder attachment portion in the transport posture. |
| US08684197B2 |
Crane with boom raising assist structure
A lift crane includes a carbody; ground engaging members elevating the carbody off the ground; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody; a boom pivotally mounted at a first end to the rotating bed with a load hoist line extending adjacent a second end of the boom; a boom hoist mechanism that can be used to change the angle of the boom relative to the rotating bed during crane operation; and a boom raising assist structure connected to the boom. The boom raising assist structure preferably includes at least one ground engaging member in contact with the ground; and a boom elevating member extending between the assist structure ground engaging member and the boom. The boom elevating member supports at least a part of the weight of the boom. |
| US08684196B2 |
Peg board hook
A peg board hook, for insertion into a peg board, the peg board hook includes two tangs, each tang configured complementary, such that tangs from adjacent peg board hooks can be inserted into the same hole. |
| US08684192B1 |
Caddy for holding and draining washing tools
A holder suspending utensils alongside a sink having a rim and a bowl, resting freely on the rim of the sink, and draining liquid from the utensils guidingly into the bowl of the sink. The holder includes a base, a wall, and a chute. The base rests freely above, and across, the rim of the sink. The wall extends upwardly from one end of the base, and suspends the utensils. The chute extends generally coplanarly from an opposite end of the base, and drains the liquid from the utensils guidingly into the bowl of the sink. |
| US08684190B2 |
Multi-position solar panel rack
The present racking system uses space frame technology to minimize materials while maximizing strength. The rack has multi-position racking capability, using a simple swing arm and pin system to move the solar array into an optimum position for the appropriate time of the year. |
| US08684187B2 |
Semipermeable polymers and method for producing same
A polyamide membrane including reaction product of an anhydrous solution comprising an anhydrous solvent, at least one polyfunctional secondary amine and a pre-polymer deposition catalyst, and an anhydrous, organic solvent solution comprising a polyfunctional aromatic amine-reactive reactant having one ring. A composite semipermeable membrane including the polyamide membrane on a porous support. |
| US08684186B2 |
Sifting implement and methods of using the same
A sifting implement for use with a container, such as a wheelbarrow or bucket. The sifting implement includes a frame having an opening through which compost, dirt, rocks, sand, or other material is sifted. A primary screen is supported in the opening to catch larger items in the material being sifted. Other screens are used for separating different size materials. A bracket is attached to the implement and engages an edge of the container, which allows the implement to be tilted in order to dump the larger items. The sifting implement also includes a containment border disposed around the opening to direct the separated items toward the front of the implement when the implement is tilted to dump the items. |
| US08684182B2 |
Package standing feature utilizing blister and paperboard
A package is disclosed including a blister and a folded paperboard card, and having features that provide for the package to be displayed in a self-standing configuration. |
| US08684178B1 |
Storage and dispensing system
A bi-directional storage and dispensing system is for accommodating cables, cords, tubes, hoses, and other similar mediums. The system includes a hollow container; a smaller diameter tube positioned within the container; and a pair of covers at either end of the container for holding the tube within the container while being removable. |
| US08684173B2 |
Before-use mixing container
The present invention provides a before-use mixing container in which it is possible to easily perform a mixing operation for two types of medicinal solutions and it is not until a mixing operation is performed that a medicinal solution is extracted for use from inside a container. |
| US08684171B1 |
Modular conveyor
A modular conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of substantially identical conveyor segments. Each conveyor segment has a pair of laterally spaced protrusions or hooks extending from one end thereof. Each conveyor segment has a plurality of spaced openings or slots along at least one of its side walls, so that two like conveyor segments can be connected together perpendicularly with the hooks of a first segment received in the side wall slots of a second segment. Thus the perpendicular connection between two conveyor segments may be made at any selected one of a plurality of locations along the length of each conveyor. Provision may also be made for end to end connection of the conveyor segments. |
| US08684168B2 |
Handler for electronic components, in particular IC'S, comprising a pneumatic cylinder displacement unit for moving plungers
A handler for electronic components, in particular IC's, comprising a feed unit for plungers with a pneumatic cylinder unit that can be displaced and that is coupled to a pneumatic cylinder displacement unit, which moves said cylinder unit back and forth in the axial direction of the plungers. |
| US08684167B2 |
Load pallet sleeve dispensing apparatus
An apparatus for dispensing a pallet sleeve beneath a load comprises a conveyor component including conveyor elements configured to convey the load thereon in a first direction, one or more stations spaced apart along the first direction and a mechanism for changing the relative vertical positions of the conveyor elements and the stations. The apparatus further includes a pallet sleeve dispenser adjacent the conveyor component and configured for storing pallet sleeves in spaced apart sections aligned with a corresponding station. A drive element associated with each of the stations is configured to engage a pallet sleeve to drive the pallet sleeve from the dispenser to the conveyor component in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A retention mechanism is provided to support a stack of pallet sleeves above a lowermost sleeve being driven from the dispenser to the position underneath the load on the conveyor component. |
| US08684165B2 |
Infeed collation system
The present device is a collator and an infeed conveyor wherein the collator receives product from the infeed conveyor at an infeed point of the infeed conveyor. The product includes a flat side and an edge side and the collator and infeed conveyor are adapted to select between delivery of the product to the collator at an on flat load position and delivery of the product to the collator at an on edge load position. Preferably the collator includes an adjustment mechanism for urging the collator between a left position and a right position and the conveyor includes an height adjustment mechanism for urging the conveyor between a raised position and a lowered position. |
| US08684162B2 |
Method for weighing containers which are supplied along a conveying line and a device for actuating the method
The invention relates to a device and a method for weighing containers (2) supplied along a conveying line (L). The device comprises: first weighing means (MP1) arranged on a first side (L1) of a stretch (T) of the conveying line (L) of containers (2) in a proximal position thereto; second weighing means (MP2) arranged at a side of the stretch (T) of the conveying line (L) of containers (2) in a distal position thereto; a supporting member (8) activatable between a first position (P1) in which it is arranged at the stretch (T) of the conveying line (L) for receiving the containers (2), a second position (P2) in which it engages with the first weighing means (MP1), and a third position (P3) in which it engages with the second weighing means (MP2); and first guide means (9) activatable between a guide configuration (C1), in which they are arranged at the stretch (T) in order to guide the containers (2) along the conveying line (L), and a disengaged position (C2). The method comprises steps of: activating the support member (8) in order to bring the containers (2) received from the conveying line (L) into the third position (P3); activating the second weighing means (MP2) order to weigh the containers (2); activating the first guide means (9) in order to reach the guide configuration (C1) in phase relation with the movement of the support member (8). |
| US08684156B1 |
Bill acceptor with bill passage anti-light pollution arrangement
A bill acceptor capable of reducing light pollution, avoiding errors and faults and enhancing detection accuracy and reliability is disclosed to include a housing defining a bill slot in a face panel thereof, a bill-receiving unit accommodated in the housing and including a holder base defining therein a bill passage in communication with the bill slot, a control module, a transmission mechanism and a recognition circuit assembly, the recognition circuit assembly including a sampling and validating module consisting of a plurality of light emitters and light sensors and controllable by the control module to validate the authenticity and face value of an inserted bill, and privacy filters mounted in a light path in the bill-receiving unit between the bill passage and the light sensors to filtrate external light sources and to let the light emitted by the light emitters pass toward the light sensors. |
| US08684155B2 |
Document handler for table games
A document handler is provided that comprises: a casing 1 disposed adjacent to a gaming table 9, a deposit chamber 11 formed on an external side of casing 1 for receiving bills, an escrow chamber 14 formed on the external side of casing 1 for, visibly to players and removably from outside of casing 1 and temporarily, receiving genuine bills sent from deposit chamber 11, an escrow carrier 15 for transporting documents from deposit chamber 11 to escrow chamber 14, and a drive device 2 for driving escrow carrier 15. |
| US08684154B2 |
Banknote handling apparatus and banknote managing method
A banknote handling apparatus stores a code list in which codes of banknotes stored in a storage unit are arranged in order in which the banknotes are stored. The banknote handling apparatus reads the codes when the banknotes are sequentially fed from the storage unit, and checks a target group of the codes of N successive banknotes including the last fed banknote (N is a natural number not less than 2) against the code list. When the target group and a reference group of the codes of N successive banknotes in the code list match each other, the banknotes remaining in the storage unit after the feeding of the banknotes are identified by regarding one of the codes of the reference group in the code list as a boundary. |
| US08684152B2 |
Bunch media processing system
A bunch sheet media processing system for an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) having improved reliability. A bunch sheet media in-feed device and a validation device are interconnected by a sheet media transport system such that sheet media can be transported between the bunch sheet media in-feed device and the validation device without passing through a bunch media processing device. |
| US08684149B2 |
Brake disk
A brake disk includes a disk chamber and a one-piece component made up of a friction ring having connecting links, a supporting ring and extensions developed on the supporting ring. In order to prevent cracking caused by tensile stresses, which may occur during the temperature increase in response to braking, recesses are developed at the transition between the supporting ring and the disk chamber. |
| US08684147B2 |
Combined vehicle brake with electromechanically actuable parking brake
A combined vehicle brake which has a hydraulically actuable service brake and an electromechanically actuable parking brake device, a hydraulic service pressure space being delimited in a brake housing by a brake piston which can be acted upon by hydraulic pressure medium in order to execute service braking operations, so that the brake piston can be actuated along a piston longitudinal axis in order to achieve a braking action, and the parking brake device acting on the brake piston by a gear, in that the gear converts the rotational movement of an electromechanical actuator into a translational movement and causes an actuation of the brake piston in order to execute parking braking operations and holds the said brake piston in the actuated position, the gear having a threaded spindle and a threaded nut which are in contact with one another via a plurality of rolling bodies. |
| US08684144B2 |
Shaft brake disc, in particular for a rail vehicle
A shaft brake disc, in particular for a rail vehicle, including a friction ring fastened to a hub by way of screws that are passed through a clamp ring at the inner periphery of the friction ring that sits against support flanges, the clamp ring forming a backing support for the screws, is adapted so that the clamp ring and the hub engage one another in a form-fitted manner. |
| US08684142B2 |
Using a position detection device with an elevator system
Using a position detection device, a position of a person in a building area outside of an elevator system is detected. It is determined that the person has not actuated a destination call for the elevator system within a preset period of time. As a result of the determination, a security measure is activated. |
| US08684141B2 |
Lifting platform for vehicles and other objects
A device for lifting vehicles and other objects may include a first tubular body and a second tubular body. The second tubular body is mobile in relation to the first tubular body in a longitudinal direction of the first tubular body. A first receiving chamber for a first fluid medium is provided in the interior of the first tubular body. A second receiving chamber is provided for the first fluid medium and a line connection provides fluid communication between the first receiving chamber and the second receiving chamber. The line connection extends through at least a portion of the first receiving chamber. According to various aspects, the device includes a supply line configured to supply a second fluid medium, different from the first fluid medium, to the first receiving chamber. |
| US08684137B2 |
Roof jack apparatus
A roof jack apparatus that includes a rail having first and second end portions and a slide connector slidably received by the rail and capable of being fixed at a position along the rail. The slide connector is configured to releasably receive a jack support for at least partially supporting the rail above a roof. The roof jack apparatus also includes a fascia rest disposed on the second end portion of the rail for resting against a fascia of the roof. The slide connector can move along the rail with respect to the fascia rest. A plank support disposed on the second end portion of the rail can receive and support at least one plank. |
| US08684133B2 |
Acoustically damped component
Acoustically damped component for a vehicle, an engine, a transmission or a vehicle trim panel, includes a flat basic body provided on at least one side with a rib structure. The ribs of the rib structure form chambers which are arranged irregularly on at least one region of the component, which has a resonant frequency of from 200 to 1000 Hz. The chambers are configured irregularly in such a way that chambers of the component have different dimensioning and/or geometry in comparison with adjoining chambers, such that emitted airborne sound can be reduced and/or eradicated. A response to a transient excitation of at least two part areas of that surface of the component which is provided with the chambers having a correlation of from 0.5 to 0.85, preferably of from 0.6 to 0.7. |
| US08684131B1 |
Dual muffler
A dual muffler is provided which includes an inlet pipe, an end of which an exhaust gas is introduced from an engine. Additionally, an outlet pipe, an end of which is connected to an opposite end of the inlet pipe, branched at the opposite end of the inlet pipe running toward a side and the opposite side such that the exhaust gas from the inlet pipe is discharged through an opposite end is also provided. A housing covers the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe to expose the end of the inlet pipe and the opposite end of the outlet pipe to an outside environment; and a sound-absorbing material fills the interior space of the housing except for the remaining space where the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. |
| US08684129B2 |
Electric power steering system
A controller applies slight rotational torque to a drive gear of a reduction mechanism also in a predetermined range in which a motor does not produce any steering operation assist force. That is, the motor is caused to produce slight rotational torque not enough to drive a driven gear, and the rotational torque direction is reversed under a given condition. Accordingly, a backlash between the drive gear and the driven gear is eliminated. |
| US08684125B2 |
Load-carrying vehicle
An articulated steering load-carrying vehicle (1) with a front portion (2), which by a steering joint (10) is connected to a rear portion (3), and in which the front portion (2) includes a first power engine (12) and at least one forward driven wheel pair (5, 5′), and in which, the rear portion (3) includes a load receiving device (6) and at least two driven wheel pairs (7, 7′; 8, 8′). A second wheel pair (8, 8′) of the at least two driven wheel pairs (7, 7′; 8, 8′) on the rear portion a second wheel pair (8, 8′) is steeringly connected to the rear portion. A system for driving of such a load-carrying vehicle is also provided. |
| US08684124B2 |
Monoshock gas suspension system
A suspension system for use with a motorcycle includes a device for producing a supply of pressurized air. The suspension system is operably disposed between a frame member and a wheel frame member of the motorcycle. The suspension system comprises at least one double-acting pneumatic cylinder. |
| US08684120B2 |
Cab for construction machine
In a cab for construction machine, a support structure for a front console is provided with a first fixed member supporting a cover member and a second fixed member supporting the first fixed member from below the first fixed member. The first fixed member is fixed to a front plate at two locations directly below both ends of a front window. The second fixed member is fixed to a floor plate. |
| US08684118B2 |
Cooling structure for electricity storage device
A cooling structure having a sufficient cooling efficiency in cooling an electricity storage device while securing a living space in a vehicle cabin when installed in a compact vehicle having a short distance from a rear seat to the rear end of the vehicle. A battery is contained in an IPU installed in the vehicle. The cooling structure for the battery has an air inlet opened into the vehicle cabin, an air intake duct extending from the air inlet to the IPU and a cover disposed to cover the air inlet and having a hole communicating the air intake duct with the inner side of the vehicle cabin. The air inlet has an opening inclined toward the inner side of the vehicle cabin in one side section of a rear portion of the vehicle cabin near a C-pillar located obliquely posterior to a rear seat. |
| US08684115B2 |
Vehicle and a modular drive apparatus for the vehicle
A vehicle and a modular drive apparatus for the vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheel assembly rotatable about a central axis in first and second directions. The wheel assembly is also pivotable about a pivot axis transverse to the central axis in third and fourth directions. The apparatus includes an electric motor coupled to the wheel assembly for rotating the wheel assembly in the first and second directions. The apparatus includes a braking device coupled to the wheel assembly for braking the wheel assembly. The apparatus includes a steering mechanism coupled to the wheel assembly for pivoting the wheel assembly in the third and fourth directions. The apparatus includes a housing receiving the wheel assembly, the electric motor, the braking device, and the steering mechanism to define a self-contained unit for attaching to and detaching from the vehicle to provide interchangeability of the self-contained unit. |
| US08684114B2 |
Thermoelectric device with make-before-break high frequency converter
An improved circular multi-element semiconductor thermoelectric hybrid utilizes a make-before-break high frequency switching output component to provide nominal alternating current voltage outputs. Overall efficiency of heat conversion is improved by coupling a chiller to the thermoelectric generator where exhaust heat produces chilled liquid or air that is conveyed to the cold side of the thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric generator is used in a variety of transportation vehicles including manufactured vehicles, retrofitted vehicles and vehicle power combinations. |
| US08684113B1 |
Attachable, powered drive apparatus for wheelchairs
A device for adapting a manual wheelchair to drive with a powered wheel is disclosed. The device attached to the wheelchair provides means for raising the wheelchair front caster wheels and simultaneously having the powered wheel contact the driving surface. The disclosed device may be rotated so that the powered wheel lifts from the surface as the front caster wheels are lowered to contact the driving surface enabling manual operation of the wheelchair. The disclosed device includes a mechanism for steering the powered wheel, controls for varying the forward or backward speeds and braking. The device may be detached from the chair and is adaptable to fit a large variety of wheelchairs with capability for ergonomically adjusting the steering column for the comfort of the user. Optional human interface devices may be incorporated so the chair occupant may control speed and steering by operating a joystick, head array or other such devices. |
| US08684108B2 |
System and method for monitoring and controlling underground drilling
A system and method for monitoring underground drilling in which vibration is monitored by creating a model of the drill string using finite element techniques or finite difference techniques and (i) predicting vibration by inputting real time values of operating parameters into the model, and then adjusting the model to agree with measured vibration data, (ii) predicting the weight on bit and drill string and mud motor speeds at which resonance will occur, as well as when stick-slip will occur, so that the operator can avoid operating regimes that will result in high vibration, (iii) determining vibration and torque levels along the length of the drill string based on the measured vibration and torque at one or more locations, (iv) determining the remaining life of critical components of the drill string based on the history of the vibration to which the components have been subjected, and (v) determining the optimum drilling parameters that will avoid excessive vibration of the drill string. |
| US08684107B2 |
System and method for densely packing wells using magnetic ranging while drilling
Systems and methods for drilling a plurality of densely packed wells to efficiently utilize available drilling space. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of drilling densely packed wells may include drilling a second well using magnetic ranging while drilling to control a distance between the second well and a first well (the first well being either existing or drilled immediately prior to starting to drill the second well), and drilling a third well using magnetic ranging while drilling to control a distance between the third well and the first and second wells. |
| US08684104B1 |
Detachable pipe ramming head with efficient lubrication dispersal
A detachable head for ramming a pipe casing including an external ring having a first diameter, wherein the first diameter is operatively sized to enable the external ring to engage with an outer surface of the pipe casing, a reaction ring having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter, and operatively sized to enable the reaction ring to engage with a front surface of the pipe casing, an internal ring having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is smaller than both the first and second diameters, and operatively sized to enable the external ring to engage with an inner surface of the pipe casing, and wherein the reaction ring is secured between the internal and external rings. |
| US08684103B2 |
Universal sweep plow attachment
A universal sweep plow configured to mate securely and be attached to a seed boot. The universal sweep plow includes sweep plow attachment formed from a single unit of metal and an anchor. The attachment includes a central portion configured to mate with a seed boot and right and left central portion openings configured to align with an anchor hole in the seed boot. The right and left wing portions extend outward and rearward from the central portion. The anchor is configured to attach the sweep plow to the seed boot by passing through the right and left central portion openings and the anchor hole in the seed boot. |
| US08684102B2 |
Seeding implement depth adjustment mechanism
A seeding implement is provided that includes a depth adjustment mechanism configured to facilitate rapid reconfiguration of a ground engaging tool for varying penetration depths. In an exemplary embodiment, the seeding implement includes a ground engaging tool and a packer arm pivotally coupled to a packer support structure. The seeding implement also includes a packer wheel rotatably coupled to the packer arm, and configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool into the soil. The seeding implement further includes a depth adjustment assembly including a slot within the packer support structure, a corresponding slot within the packer arm, and a fastener disposed through the slots. In this configuration, the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool is varied by adjusting a position of the fastener within the slots. |
| US08684100B2 |
Electrically engaged, hydraulically set downhole devices
A method of performing a wellbore operation is disclosed. A device is provided that includes a material that expands from an original shape to an expanded shape when a selected charge is applied to material. The device is placed in the wellbore in the original shape. The selected charge is applied to the material to expand the material, causing a pressure differential across the device in the wellbore. A fluid is supplied into the device to set the device in the wellbore. |
| US08684096B2 |
Anchor assembly and method of installing anchors
Anchor assemblies for installation within an existing conduit. The anchor assemblies have a nondeformable mandrel, an expandable metal sleeve, and a swage. The expandable metal sleeve is carried on the outer surface of the mandrel. The swage is supported for axial movement across the mandrel outer surface from a first position axially proximate to the sleeve to a second position under the sleeve. The movement of the swage from the first position to the second position expands the sleeve radially outward into contact with the existing conduit. |
| US08684094B2 |
Preventing flow of undesired fluid through a variable flow resistance system in a well
A flow control system for use with a subterranean well can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows, and a closure device which is biased toward a closed position in which the closure device prevents flow through the flow chamber. The closure device can be displaced to the closed position in response to an increase in a ratio of undesired fluid to desired fluid in the fluid composition. A structure can prevent the closure device from being displaced to the closed position. The fluid composition can flow through the structure to an outlet of the flow chamber. |
| US08684086B2 |
Downhole mixing tool
A downhole mixing tool and method for removing sand and other debris from a wellbore which combines the sand with a treatment fluid so that the sand is lifted to the surface of the well for removal. The tool includes a chamber into which the sand laden fluid is drawn and the treatment fluid is introduced. Ports into the chamber are arranged to provide a pressure drop to draw the sand laden fluid into the chamber and a mixing time within the chamber before sand laden fluid of lower viscosity exits the chamber to travel to the surface. Additional features include blades on the tool for breaking up obstructions prior to being drawn into the chamber and a lubricating line through the tool to introduce lubricating fluid to the blades. |
| US08684082B2 |
Radiation-induced thickening for set-on-command sealant compositions and methods of use
The present invention includes methods relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore by preparing a sealant composition comprising a fluid component and a polymeric additive component, placing the sealant composition into a wellbore and subjecting the sealant composition to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive components and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition. |
| US08684081B2 |
Zero-leakoff gel
A silicate gel composition that is useful for sealing the face of a fracture of a formation. A method of sealing a face of a fracture of a formation with the silicate gel composition and diverting an acid treatment fluid. |
| US08684080B2 |
Use of surfactant mixtures of polycarboxylates for microemulsion flooding
The present invention relates to processes for tertiary mineral oil production with the aid of a surfactant mixture and to the use of a surfactant mixture for tertiary mineral oil production by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, by injecting a surfactant mixture through at least one aqueous injection borehole into a mineral oil deposit, and withdrawing crude oil from the deposit through at least one production borehole, wherein the surfactant mixture, for the purpose of lowering the interfacial tension between oil and water to <0.1 mN/m, comprises at least the following components: (a) one or more polycarboxylate(s) comprising at least 50 mol % of acrylic acid units and/or methacrylic acid units and/or maleic acid units and/or itaconic acid units or salts thereof, and (b) one or more anionic and/or nonionic surfactant(s). |
| US08684078B2 |
System and method for controlling fluid pumps to achieve desired levels
A system for attaining and maintaining a pre-determined fluid level in a petroleum-producing well having a pump, such as a progressive-cavity pump, and a pump motor having a variable-frequency drive control using two sensors: a pump pressure sensor located at the pump depth and a casing pressure sensor located at the casinghead of the well. A programmable computer is connected to the first and second pressure sensors and the motor speed control so that the programmable computer controls the operation of the pump motor to attain and maintain a target fluid level in the well over a predetermined time interval for reaching the target fluid level in the well. The programmable computer computes an error signal to control a variable frequency drive motor, where the error signal is computed periodically from the difference between in the actual fluid level in the well and the target fluid level in the well according to a rate reference curve. In general, the rate reference curve is generated according to an exponential or hyperbolic function. |
| US08684075B2 |
Sand screen, expandable screen and method of making
An expandable screen includes, a body constructed of one or more strands of a shape memory material randomly distributed in a mat structure, the body is stable at a first volume and expandable to a second volume upon a change in environment. |
| US08684072B2 |
Downhole gas generator
A gas generator has an elongate combustion housing shaped to fit within a borehole for generating gasses in the borehole for use in the recovery of petroleum products. The gas generator includes a plurality of annular cooling jacket segments that surround the elongate combustion housing, each of the annular cooling jacket segments having an inlet port and an outlet port for allowing water to flow therethrough. A plurality of apertures through the elongate combustion housing allow water to flow from the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments into the elongate combustion chamber. |
| US08684066B2 |
Overhead garage door
An overhead garage door has an apparatus for pinch resistant operation. The garage door may include horizontal sections and the door may be formed from a plurality of these sections, arranged in a stack, and pivotally connected to adjacent sections. The apparatus, such as meeting rails, may be attached to adjacent horizontal sections to mask the appearance of a seam created as adjacent sections are joined or provide pinch resistant operation. |
| US08684063B2 |
Window covering having cord shrouds
A window covering includes a plurality of cord shrouds for enclosing or covering lift cords. Each of the cord shrouds may be continuously attached to the window covering material via a continuous attachment mechanism that includes one or more columns of stitching, beads of adhesive or welding. The cord shrouds may prevent the lift cords from being pulled away from the window covering material to form loops that could pose a danger to a young child. Embodiments of the window covering may be configured as top down bottom up shades or other types of shades. The window covering material may be composed of any of a number of different materials. For example, the window covering material could include pleated material, or could be comprised of a sheet of material consisting of woven wood, interconnected fabric segments, non woven fabric or woven fabric. |
| US08684062B2 |
Roller blind control mechanism
Here is disclosed a stopper for stopping the upward movement of a bottom bar attached to a fabric blind wound on a roller tube mounted within an elongated chamber of an elongated housing having a vertical wall. The stopper includes an elongated member having a head portion, a toe portion and a neck portion between the head and toe portion. The head portion is mountable within a mounting cavity positioned on the elongated housing adjacent the vertical wall. The mounting cavity, head portion and neck portion are dimensioned and configured to position the toe portion between the vertical wall and the roller tube when the stopper is mounted to the housing. The toe portion has a multi-position spacer element for selectively positioning the toe portion between proximate and distal positions relative to the vertical wall. |
| US08684056B2 |
Printing systems and methods
Systems and associated methods of printing using ink-jet technology and offset printing capabilities are provided. The method can comprise jetting an ink onto a printing blanket, where the ink comprises a carrier and a pigment colorant, and where the carrier substantially free of polymers. Additional steps include developing the ink to create a print image on the printing blanket; applying a layer of wetting fluid to a surface of a print medium, where the surface includes a coating comprising a polymer; heating the surface to a print-receptive temperature that is lower than the softening temperature of the polymer, causing softening of the polymer; and transferring the print image from the printing blanket to the surface. |
| US08684055B2 |
Burst-proof safety tyre of vehicle
The present invention relates to an explosion-proof security tire for vehicles. The tire includes an outer tire, a split rim, a L-shaped sealing ring, a combined support loop and a valve core. The combined support loop includes a plurality layers of support rings they are sleeved by layer on layer and fixed with the rim. The size of the tire can increased by the combined support loop so as to furthest shorten the distance between the inner wall of the outer tire and the outer wall of the combined support loop at a normal pressure of tire. At the moment that the tire is burst, the combined support loop can support the outer tire quickly and effectively, and control the change of acting radius of the tire in a minimum range so as to ensure the basic performance of the tire and to prevent accidents caused by sudden control loss of running direction and avoid potential security risks. Moreover, the split rim is benefit for mounting the combined support loop by layering, and is easy to be assembled and disassembled so that the tire can be maintained and replaced by normal tools. |
| US08684051B2 |
Set of cutters for a canter head
The present invention relates to a cutting device for a fast canter head (20) comprising a knife holder (22) directed at an angle, a counter knife (30) with an elbow and a dorsal support (37) which positions a cutting knife (50) having a cutting angle (54). The cutting knife has a pair of adjustment recesses (52) containing an adjustment device (58). The adjustment device comprises an end of support (64) which leans against the dorsal support and works like a compensator to take into account any wear of the cutting angle of the knife for a constant distance grinding operation, in an adjustable position, making it possible to preserve a same rotation distance. The adjustment device has a railing guide (70) which slips into the adjustment recess (52) and which comprises an elastic wall (72) which pushes against the sides of the recess by the action of a tightening conical element (76) activated by a conical set screw (78). In the event of shock, the guide slips. |
| US08684050B2 |
Spill proof drink dispensing system, kit and method
Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed towards a leak-proof drink dispensing system. The drink dispenser uses a container, a spigot that may be mated to a lid adapted to fit a corresponding cup. The spigot extends from an outside portion of the container, and has a lever, cylindrical nozzle, and threaded cylindrical locking collar. The lid has a threaded cylindrical spout that may be mated to the spigot, such that rotation of the lever causes the threads of the collar to engage the threads of the spot. This causes the lid to become releasably affixed to the spigot for purposes of leak-free dispensing of the liquid from the container. The drink dispenser may also employ a mixing rake, cooling tray, spill catching tray, and cup dispenser. |
| US08684048B2 |
Standalone packaging manipulation apparatus
A standalone packaging manipulation apparatus performing predetermined packaging manipulation operations on bags being transported along an arcuate transportation path of a rotary-type bag transportation apparatus, the standalone packaging manipulation apparatus including a main arm that pivots and also extends and retracts in a horizontal plane, a sub-arm provided at a distal end portion of the main arm so as to ascend and descend and to rotate in the horizontal plane, and filling nozzle provided on the sub-arm with a predetermined spacing therebetween and simultaneously filling a plurality of bags with liquid. The operation of these elements is performed by mutually independent servomotors. |
| US08684047B2 |
Self-cleaning drain for food preparation apparatus
A drain system for a food preparation machine includes a preparation area drain tray; a rinsing station including a water source; a water collection tray disposed below the rinsing station so as to collect water supplied from the water source; and, a passage from the rinsing station to the preparation area drain tray directing water to flush the preparation area drain tray with water supplied from the water source. |
| US08684046B2 |
Puncture repair kit
A puncture repair kit has a bottle unit positioned with greater stability. A puncture repair kit includes a compressor device, and a bottle unit in which a cap is attached to an opening in a bottle container which houses a puncture sealing agent. The compressor device includes a compressed air discharge port. The cap includes an air intake port for feeding compressed air from the compressed air discharge port into the bottle container, and a sealing agent/compressed air removal port for removing puncture sealing agent and compressed air in succession from the bottle container by feeding in compressed air. When the cap of the bottle unit is oriented downwards, the air intake port is directly connected with the compressed air discharge port. When this direct connection is made, the basal plane of the cap and the basal plane of the compressor device are flush with each other. |
| US08684045B1 |
System for filling resealable bags
A means for retaining a resealable bag in an open position for filling purposes is described which includes a surround having an interior dimension less than a nominal width of one side of an unfilled and sealed bag. A pair of cut-outs formed into the surround are shaped and sized to guide edges of a bag during insertion into the surround, retain the upper corners of the bag to prevent axial movement of the bag once inserted, and bias the mouth of the bag in a open position to receive contents. |
| US08684043B2 |
Textile substrate with water and water vapor dissipating properties
A textile substrate includes warp and weft, wherein the warp includes a plurality of warp threads and the weft includes a plurality of weft threads. At least one of the weft threads may include a first yarn and at least one of the weft threads may include a second yarn. The first yarn may be a yarn which includes fibers made of wool and regenerated cellulose and at least one third fiber in the form of a continuous fiber made of a synthetic material. The second yarn may contain regenerated cellulose fibers, wherein the proportion by mass of the regenerated cellulose fibers respectively contained in the second yarn as a proportion of the total mass of the second yarn is greater than the proportion by mass of the respective second regenerated cellulose fibers contained in the first yarn as a proportion of the total mass of the first yarn. |
| US08684037B2 |
Proportional poppet valve with integral check valve
A poppet valve assembly includes a body having a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion. The first axial end portion includes a tapered surface adapted for sealing engagement with a valve seat. The second axial end portion defines a metering orifice. The body defines a passage that includes an opening in the first axial end portion and is in fluid communication with the metering orifice. The passage includes a check valve seat. A check valve is disposed in the passage. The check valve is adapted to sealingly engage the check valve seat. |
| US08684032B2 |
Container having a discharge line for an operating liquid of a motor vehicle, method for producing the container and motor vehicle having the container
A container for an operating liquid or fluid for a motor vehicle includes a container wall which delimits an interior space or chamber of the container. The container has a first wall section, a second wall section and at least one discharge line for discharging the operating liquid out of the container. The discharge line extends from the first wall section to the second wall section and can be adjusted in its length to a distance between the first wall section and the second wall section. A method for producing the container and a motor vehicle having the container are also provided. |
| US08684030B2 |
Inflatable device with fluid controller and self-sealing valve
A self-sealing valve comprises a valve housing having a fluid conduit, a valve seat, and a retaining member, the valve housing being configured to pass fluid through the fluid conduit, and a flexible diaphragm comprising a flexible material having resiliency, wherein the retaining member and the flexible diaphragm are configured so that the retaining member retains a portion of the flexible diaphragm so as to use the resiliency of the flexible material to bias the flexible diaphragm against the valve seat to a closed position of the self-sealing valve to provide a self-seal of the fluid conduit, and to facilitate movement of the flexible diaphragm under a fluid bias against a first side of the flexible diaphragm in a first direction away from the valve seat to an open position, and wherein the retaining member and the flexible diaphragm are configured so that the self-sealing valve can be contacted to move a portion of the flexible diaphragm away from the valve seat to the open position. |
| US08684028B2 |
Fuel quality traceable and remote system
A fuel quality traceable and remote system for monitoring and controlling fuel characteristics during transport from a fuel supply to a supplied device is provided. The system includes one or more subsystems that include at least one sensor monitoring the characteristics of the fuel. The sensor operably sends the data relating to the characteristics to a data register-transmitter which sends the data to a base station that uploads the data to a remote server. The remote server is remotely accessible by a user. The system can also generate warning messages to warn a user when the characteristics are outside a tolerable range. Further, the system can automatically or manually interrupt fuel transport when the characteristics are outside a tolerable range. |
| US08684027B2 |
Protective cover for wall-mounted faucet
A protective cover of the present invention is adapted to be disposed on a wall-mounted faucet. The protective cover includes a cover plate. Two protruding posts, two abutting posts, and two extension posts vertically extend from one surface of the cover plate. Each distal end of the protruding posts is formed with a location hole. Each distal end of the extension posts is formed with a hook portion. Therefore, the protruding posts and the abutting posts can abut against the wall-mounted faucet so as to make the location hole receive the location shafts of the faucet and make the hook portions abut against the faucet. Thereby, the present invention can be firmly disposed on wall-mounted faucets to provide a protective effect. |
| US08684022B1 |
Condensate drain clearing device and method
A device to clear a blockage from an HVACR condensate drain line. A piston connected to a rod with a handle is inserted directly into the distal or outlet end of a condensate drain pipe and then rapidly withdrawn to create a vacuum or suction within the drain line. When sufficient suction pressure is created, it will dislodge a blockage in the drain line. Typically the piston has a proximal end with a diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the condensate drain pipe. Upon removal of the device from the drain pipe, the proximal end is caused to expand to its full diameter, creating an airtight and fluid tight seal with the inner diameter of the drain pipe, allowing for the creation of negative pressure and/or suction upstream to dislodge the blockage. |
| US08684012B1 |
Remote control rollers
A hair roller system that comprises a hair roller having a heating element, a battery, and a signal receiver is described. In one embodiment, the hair roller system also comprises a signal output device that allows a user to activate a hair roller to heat after being placed in their hair. Activating a heating element in a hair roller after it is placed in a person's hair avoids burns and discomfort from handling excessively hot rollers. In some embodiments, a hair roller may comprise an on/off switch, a temperature set point feature, and/or a heat duration set point feature. |
| US08684009B2 |
System for determining relative distance(s) and/or angle(s) between at least two points
Systems and method utilizing microelectronic devices for determining relative positions such as distances and/or angles between at least two points is described. The points may be locations of parts of the body such as the fingers on a person's hand. A first microelectronic device is adapted to emit magnetic signals and at least a second microelectronic device is adapted to receive the magnetic signals, wherein a controller is adapted to communicate with the first and second microelectronic devices. The second microelectronic device and/or the controller are adapted to determine a distance and angle between the first and the second microelectronic devices based on the strength of the magnetic signals received by the second microelectronic device. |
| US08684007B2 |
Oral appliance for the treatment of sleep apnea
The oral appliance for the treatment of sleep apnea provides greater comfort to the user and maintains an open air passage through the mouth by preventing the tongue from blocking the windpipe during sleep. The appliance has a mouthpiece including a frame of hard material and a tooth tray of softer material that conforms closely to the tooth pattern of the user. A spoon-like tongue depressor extends adjustably from the forward center of the device, the tongue depressor having a downward convex bowl that holds the tongue away from the windpipe of the user. The tongue depressor has a stein captured by and rotating in the adjuster, so that the tongue depressor may be prevented from rotating as the adjuster is threaded inwardly or outwardly in the front of the device. An air passage is preferably provided to each side of the tongue depressor adjuster. |
| US08684002B2 |
Device for flow rate limitation at low differential pressures
A device for the flow rate limitation at low differential pressures, in particular for the limitation of the inhalation volume flow during the inhalation of therapeutic aerosols, comprising a housing with at least an inlet opening, at least an outlet opening and a flow channel arranged therebetween, wherein the flow channel is restricted by a flexible wall extending along the flow channel, characterized in that the flexible wall has a control area of less than 100 mm2. |
| US08684000B2 |
Administration of CPAP treatment pressure in presence of apnea
CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed having a controllable flow generator (34, 38, 40) operable to produce breathable gas at a treatment pressure elevated above atmosphere to a patient by a delivery tube (32) coupled to a mask (30) having connection with a patient's airway. A sensor (44, 50, 56, 58) generates a signal representative of patient respiratory flow, that is provided to a controller (54, 62, 64). The controller (54, pressure. In one preferred form the increase in pressure is zero if the treatment pressure before the apnea exceeds a pressure threshold. Below the pressure threshold the increase in pressure is an increasing function of the duration of the apnea multiplied by the difference between the pressure threshold and the current treatment pressure. |
| US08683994B2 |
Solar heat collection element with glass-ceramic central tube
A solar heat collection element includes: a central tube (102) formed from glass-ceramic material; and an outer tube (104) formed from glass material disposed coaxially with respect to the central tube (102) to form a volume therebetween (106). |
| US08683990B2 |
Projectile launcher having upper receiver pivotally coupled to lower receiver
A projectile launcher having an upper receiver capable of swinging away from a lower receiver is disclosed. In one aspect, the lower receiver having a first end and a second end contains a firing control chamber. While the second end is located closer to barrel of the launcher, the first end of launcher is located closer to a buttstock. The firing control chamber includes a gas channel, wherein one end of gas channel is coupled to a valve and another end of gas channel reaches to the top of external wall of the chamber. The upper receiver having a first end and a second end contains a bolt chamber. The second end of upper receiver and the second end of lower receiver are pivotally coupled whereby allowing the first end of upper receiver to be pivotally swung away from the first end of lower receiver. |
| US08683989B1 |
Archery bow cam
In at least one embodiment, an archery bow includes a rotatable member comprising a cam track, a capstan and a terminal. A drawstring extends from the first rotatable member. A power cable is attached to the terminal and extends away from the rotatable member. The power cable comprises an elongate straight portion located near the rotatable member, a capstan portion in contact with said capstan and a terminal portion in contact with said terminal. In a brace condition, the power cable wraps around the capstan in a first rotational direction as the power cable is traversed from the elongate straight portion to the terminal portion. When the bow is drawn from the brace condition, the rotatable member rotates in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction. |
| US08683983B2 |
Method for regulating a stationary gas engine
The invention relates to a method for regulating a stationary gas motor (1). In said method, a deviation of the regulated speed is calculated from a desired speed and an actual speed, a desired moment is determined as an adjustable variable from the deviation of the regulated speed by means of a speed governor, said desired moment being limited to an air ratio-limiting moment by limiting the moment, and a desired volume flow (VSL) is determined from the limited desired moment in order to define an angle (DKW1, DKW2) of the mixture throttle valve and an angle of the gas throttle valve. |
| US08683982B2 |
Programmable diesel fuel injector
A programmable diesel fuel injector that increases frequency response and control precision over desired fuel flow rates throughout each injection event. All valve frequency and motional requirements are met by a compensated direct drive, which is enabled by the durable capability of a rare earth alloy to lengthen in a magnetic field. A continuously variable electrical input waveform is predetermined to result in the desired fuel injection rate shape. A magnetostrictive transducer converts voltage and current into continuously variable force and displacement of a master piston acting upon fuel within a closed chamber. A slave piston responds to the fuel pressure changes within the closed chamber and acts upon the spool of a spool valve to eject fuel. |
| US08683980B2 |
Genset engine with an electronic fuel injection system integrating electrical sensing and crank position sensing
An open or closed loop EFI system, integrated on a genset engine or any internal combustion engine, with an electrical sensor and crank position sensor is described. Since a genset engine's exhaust emissions and general performance are a function of spark timing, integration of electrical and crank position sensors on a genset engine provides optimal engine performance and efficiency when the electrical draws fluctuate. The electrical sensor and crank position sensor send data to the electronic control unit (ECU), and this data is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) and optimal spark timing. The ECU varies the spark timing in accordance with the speed and load of the engine and actuates the fuel injector to send the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted allowing the engine to meet performance. |
| US08683978B2 |
Fuel injection system
A fuel injection system is described, and which has an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion includes a source of fuel, the fuel inlet of a fuel injection servo or flow regulator, and a first fuel flow line connected in fuel flowing relation relative to the source of fuel and to the fuel inlet of the fuel injection servo. The downstream portion includes a flow divider, at least one fuel outlet of the fuel injection servo, and a second fuel flow line connected in fuel flowing relation relative to the flow divider and the fuel outlet of the fuel injection servo. A fuel accumulator pressure damper is mounted in fuel flowing relation relative to the downstream portion of the fuel injection system so as to substantially reduce standing waves in the fuel injection system. |
| US08683977B2 |
Control system and control method for internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine with separate cylinder banks, separate exhaust passages are connected to each cylinder bank of an engine and a shared intake passage is connected to both cylinder banks. One end of an EGR passage is connected to the separate exhaust passage of one cylinder bank, and the other end of the EGR is connected to the shared intake passage. If it is determined that an EGR valve in the EGR passage is stuck in an open state, a fuel-cut control is executed in the cylinder bank that is connected to the separate exhaust passage to which the EGR passage is connected. Thus, even when the EGR valve is stuck in an open state, it is possible to prevent the internal combustion engine from operating unstably. |
| US08683974B2 |
Piston
A piston for an engine may include a piston crown, and a piston bowl recessed within the piston crown. The piston bowl includes a center portion, a cone portion, and an annular toroidal portion. The geometry of the piston bowl is designed to correspond with a fuel injection nozzle having a specific spray angle. An exemplary piston bowl may include a toroidal major diameter between about 4.645 and 4.895 inches and a toroidal minor radius between about 1.165 and 1.235 inches. The cone portion includes an angle between about 26 to 34 degrees. The compression ratio of the piston is about 17.95 to 1. |
| US08683973B2 |
Intake runner for an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine, which includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head fastened to the cylinder block, an aperture formed in a side of the cylinder head, and a conduit assembly, such as an intake runner assembly or an exhaust conduit assembly. A combustion chamber is formed by the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The intake runner assembly is received within the aperture and configured to communicate air to the combustion chamber. The intake runner assembly includes a first piece and a second piece. The first piece has a first channel that includes a bend. The second piece has a second channel that includes another bend mirroring the bend of the first channel. The first piece is coupled to the second piece such that the first and second channels together form a flow path through the intake runner assembly, and the bends of the first and second channels together form a smooth turn in the flow path. |
| US08683970B2 |
Air intake system for off-road vehicles
An air intake system for an off-road vehicle includes an intake conduit upstream of a segmented debris removal device and a mail filter element. A baffle is disposed in the intake conduit and extends into the incoming air stream to avoid swirl in the air stream and provide more even air flow distribution into the segments of the segmented debris removal device. The baffle may have two generally parallel elements spaced from one another to reduce mixing of air regions separated by the baffle. The baffle reduces or eliminates vortices that adversely affect air flow into the segmented debris removal device. |
| US08683966B2 |
Camshaft adjustment device for an internal combustion engine
A camshaft adjustment device which has a pinion and a drive part that is disposed in a pivoting manner relative thereto. The pinion and the drive part are operatively connected to each other via a pressure chamber that can be pressurized using pressure means. At least one locking device can mechanically couple the pinion and the drive part. The locking device is actuated by of a pressure medium. The pressure chamber and the locking device are in a pressure medium connection to one another for regulating the pressure medium supply to the locking device and the pressure medium discharge therefrom by at least one regulating unit. The passage of the pressure medium can be blocked in a pressure-tight manner in the direction of the pressure chamber by at least one locking device disposed in the pressure medium connection. |
| US08683964B2 |
Two-stroke engines
A two-stroke, internal combustion engine which includes at least one set of paired first and second cylinders. The engine includes an air or air/fuel mixture inlet conduit bifurcated into inlet passages extending to respective first and second inlet ports of the first and second cylinders. A valve controls the passage of air or air/fuel mixture into the inlet passages. In one embodiment of the engine, a bypass passage provided with a bypass valve extends between the inlet ports of the paired cylinders. |
| US08683962B2 |
Cooling system for an internal combustion engine
A cooling system for an internal combustion engine comprises a tubular conduit configured to conduct coolant to and from various components of the internal combustion engine and to remove excess heat therefrom. A shield portion is fluidly coupled inline of the tubular conduit and is disposed between a heat source and a cooler operating component. The expanded portion further comprises a cooling body, an inlet in fluid communication with the tubular conduit and configured to conduct coolant into the cooling body and an outlet in fluid communication with the tubular conduit and is configured to conduct coolant out of the cooling body. |
| US08683960B2 |
Retractable leash
The present invention is a two or more subject retractable leash retractable leash, and methods of use regarding the same, which includes a roll-back feature on the retractable leash. The leashes may be locked in place by engaging a single lever. The leashes retract regardless of whether the spools are locked or unlocked. The leashes retract independently of the other leashes, such that a dual leash may be used to walk one subject. |
| US08683952B2 |
Cat litter box system
An automated cat litter box includes a cat litter tray, a cat litter return bin that collects soiled cat litter from the cat litter tray and that returns recycled cat litter to the cat litter tray, a control unit, and one or more drive units operated by the control unit to drive the cat litter tray and the cat litter return tray to automatically recycle the soiled cat litter during a cat litter box cleaning cycle. |
| US08683951B2 |
Insect resistant pet food vessel
A pet food bowl having an internal food dish surrounded by a reservoir adapted to hold a liquid therein and an overlying shroud extending over the reservoir and spaced from an outer wall of said reservoir, wherein said the shroud includes a face extending over a reservoir surface and outermost skirt extending around and spaced from an outermost reservoir wall. |
| US08683950B2 |
Synchronous poultry feeding system
The present invention provides a synchronous poultry feeding system, wherein a barrier member is configured through the feed conveying trough. The conveying trough comprises a trough and a fence configured above the trough. The fence is configured with a plurality of feeding openings. The outer edge of the barrier member is close to the inner wall of the trough and the fence. The barrier member can be controlled by the control device to be lifted or lowered inside the conveying trough. In this way, when the barrier member is not lifted, it can block the feed inside the trough, so that the poultry cannot stretch into the trough to eat, while when the barrier member is lifted to an appropriate height, the poultry can stretch from their respective feeding openings into the trough to eat. |
| US08683949B2 |
System and method for shifting scattered material towards a barrier
A material-shifting system for shifting scattered material, such as lifestock feed, closer to a barrier. The system includes at least one traveling unit having an angled push-head which is coupled to a shuttle. Preferably, the shuttle is driven along a rail by a remote driving. As the shuttle travels along the rail, the push head pushes material scattered over a surface towards the barrier. |
| US08683944B2 |
Indoor artificial breeding method of termite
Provided is a method of collecting wild termites and rearing the termites indoors. The method can be used to observe physiological and ecological characteristics of termites that give serious damage to wooden cultural assets and buildings, and thus basic information can be obtained for controlling termites. |
| US08683942B2 |
Chemical bath deposition apparatuses and fabrication methods for chemical compound thin films
Chemical bath deposition (CBD) apparatuses and fabrication methods for compound thin films are presented. A chemical bath deposition apparatus includes a chemical bath reaction container, a substrate chuck for fixing a substrate arranged face-down toward the bottom of the chemical bath reaction container, multiple solution containers connecting to a reaction solution mixer and further connection to the chemical bath reaction container, and a temperature control system including a first heater controlling the temperature of the chemical bath reaction container, a second heater controlling the temperature of the substrate chuck, and a third heater controlling the temperature of the multiple solution containers. |
| US08683941B2 |
Articulated nozzle
Device for applying a strip (B) of a viscoelastic material to a receiving surface (S) in relative motion (R) relative to said device, comprising a feed means and an application nozzle (1) having a body (11), into which said feed means (2) emerges, and a head (12) at the end of which there is an outlet orifice (122) of elongate shape in the transverse direction to the direction of the relative motion when the device is operating. The head (12) of the application nozzle (1) is linked to the body (11) of the application nozzle (1) via an articulation (10) which can be deformed along an axis (AA′) perpendicular to the direction of application of the strip (B). |
| US08683938B2 |
Underwater posture stabilization system and diving apparatus equipped with the same
Provided is an underwater posture stabilization system which, by being attached to various underwater equipment such as undersea equipment and underwater vehicles having different shapes and positions of the center of gravity according to their purpose and the like, allows simply and reliably setting their posture in water (basic posture), is excellent in versatility, is not only excellent in posture stability since, when the posture inclines under the effect and the like of tidal currents and pulsating currents, a moment to restore the posture to its original posture naturally acts, but is also capable of easily changing the posture as needed, and also is capable of stably controlling the posture even in the presence of complicated tidal currents and pulsating currents, and is excellent in reliability, stability, and certainty of posture control. The underwater posture stabilization system includes a frame to be attached to an apparatus body of the underwater equipment, a pair of sliding portions arranged so as to be freely movable back and forth on both side portions of the frame, a support member freely movable up and down which is fixed at a lower end thereof to each sliding portion, and arranged upward or obliquely upward, and a floating body arranged at a tip of each support member. |
| US08683931B1 |
Seed metering door operation
Expensive seed wasting and crop stunting are avoided by electronically controlling solenoids to selective supply fluid pressure to double acting cylinders. Rams operate links and roller mounted seed doors. Extending or withdrawing the rams closes or opens the doors. Clips on the rams limit door openings. A microprocessor stores field dimensions and planting patterns, spacing of seed planting headers from an onboard GPS and distances of seed travel through spaced seed distribution tubes. The microprocessor electronically controls solenoids to timely shut seed doors in groups before reaching turns or unplanted headlands and to timely open groups of seed doors before reaching planting areas. |
| US08683930B2 |
Side mounted air seeder product container
An air seeder cart apparatus has a primary container assembly with a plurality of primary product containers, with primary fill hatches at tops thereof. An air distribution network comprises product conduits and primary metering devices that dispense agricultural products from each primary product container into one of the product conduits. A secondary product container is mounted on a side of the primary container assembly and has a secondary fill hatch much lower than the primary fill hatches, and a secondary metering mechanism dispenses product from the secondary product container into one of the product conduits. The secondary product container is convenient for receiving bagged agricultural products from a low truck bed. Unopened product bags may be stored on a grate inside the secondary product container so they will be available if required. Weighing of product in the container can be provided. |
| US08683929B2 |
Table with nesting table top
A table may be sized and configured to nest with another table to reduce a height of a plurality of stacked tables in a nested configuration. The table may include a table top with a receiving portion disposed at least proximate an intersection of an upper surface and a sidewall. The table top may also include a lip and a lower portion of the lip may include a contact surface that is sized and configured to contact an upper surface of an adjacent, nested table. The lower portion of the lip may also include an engaging portion that is sized and configured to be disposed in a receiving portion of an adjacent, nested table. The contact surface and the engaging portion may be directly adjacent to each other in the lower portion of the lip. |
| US08683926B2 |
Container transport system
Systems and methods of transporting containers are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for transporting shipping containers is provided. The apparatus is configured to move along rails of a railroad track. The apparatus comprises a coupling configured to couple with a trailer configured to transport shipping containers. The coupling is attached to a source of magnetic flux. The source of magnetic flux is positioned so as to be driven by a source of varying magnetic flux positioned along the railroad track. In one embodiment, the source of magnetic flux comprises one or more permanent magnets and the source of varying magnetic flux comprises at least one electromagnet. |
| US08683922B2 |
Closed loop ink control system for a printing press
A method of controlling the ink feed to a printed substrate in a lithographic printing press is provided which includes providing, for each of a plurality of ink zones, an ink coverage requirement for a printing unit of the lithographic printing press; color scanning a first ink zone of a plurality of ink zones on a printed substrate as it exits the printing unit of the lithographic printing press; calculating, for each one of the plurality of ink zones, a dynamic flow change based on the static flow change for said each one of the plurality of ink zones and the ink coverage requirement for said each one of the plurality of ink zones; and providing a flow setting for each one of the plurality of ink zones based on the dynamic flow change for said each one of the plurality of ink zones. |
| US08683919B2 |
Modular strap feed head with forming wheels
A strap forming assembly for a strapping machine includes a first forming wheel having a circumferential groove formed in a rim thereof and a second forming wheel cooperating with the first forming wheel and having a mating a circumferential crown extending therefrom. The first and second forming wheels cooperate to define a forming wheel nip therebetween. The forming wheel nip is non-planar. Strapping material fed into the forming wheel nip is permanently, longitudinally deformed. |
| US08683912B2 |
Hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system
A hydraulic cylinder contamination prevention system for preventing large and small contaminants from entering into a hydraulic cylinder, including a hydraulic cylinder rod cover for underwater use with at least one automatic valve for preventing water circulation between the outside environment and the enclosed environment of the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is stationary, egress of water from the cylinder rod cover when the cylinder is retracted, and ingress of water into the cylinder rod cover when cylinder is extended, and an external and abrasive cylinder rod scrubber. |
| US08683909B1 |
Mounted gun support for hunting
An exemplary hunting rifle support includes a mounting bracket mountable to a tree using a strap extending through apertures. A gun can be supported above or be hung below the appendages of a support arm that pivotally extends out from the mounting bracket. Support flanges extending from a mounting bracket base allow for upright and stable mounting to support structures, and gripping flanges resist tilting from the swiveling of the support arm. Fasteners extending to varying degrees through opposing support flanges rotate the mounting bracket with respect to the mounted tree. A pair of primary flanges extending from the mounting bracket base forms a primary valley, and a secondary flange between the primary flanges forms a secondary valley, the valleys able to complementarily receive portions of the support arm. A barrel support member extending above the support arm stabilizes the gun as the hunter aims at a target. |
| US08683908B1 |
Personal armor assembly
A personal armor assembly protects a person from being harmed from behind. The assembly includes a plurality of armor plates. Each armor plate is curved wherein each armor plate is configured to cover an associated dorsal section of a person. A body member is configured to be worn by the person. Each armor plate is coupled to the body member wherein the body member extends between the armor plates. The body member has a plurality of forwardly extending portions forming a plurality of loops wherein the body member is configured to extend around a body of the person. The armor plates are supported against the dorsal side of the person. A plurality of biasing members is coupled to and extends between adjacently positioned armor plates. The biasing members urge the armor plates into an upright position wherein the armor plates provide support to the person. |
| US08683905B2 |
Methods of skiving metal and forming a fin in a heat exchanger
Methods of skiving metal using a skiving blade to form a shaving and methods of forming fins in a heat exchanger by skiving using a skiving blade. Where the metal body used to form the shaving or fin is made from a metal material having a hardness greater than that of aluminum. |
| US08683904B2 |
Target transportation device and recording apparatus
A target transportation device includes a first transportation portion which is capable of applying a transportation force toward a downstream side from an upstream side of a transportation path to a target, a second transportation portion which is provided on the transportation path at a position at the downstream side with respect to the first transportation portion in a transportation direction and is capable of applying a transportation force toward the downstream side from the upstream side of the transportation path to the target while nipping the target, and a cutting member which is provided on the transportation path at a position between the first transportation portion and the second transportation portion and is capable of cutting the target in the width direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the target. The second transportation portion is configured so as to be capable of changing a nipping position of the target in the transportation direction of the target. |
| US08683899B2 |
Chain cutter for continuously forming center-filled gum pieces
The present invention includes a chain type cutting apparatus for continuous cutting of a rope of a center-filled consumable product into individual pieces, which includes a first continuous elongate rotary chain with a plurality of first open die cavity portions and a second continuous elongate rotary chain with a plurality of second open die cavity portions. The first and second die cavity portions are mutually engageable to form a closed die cavity about a rope of center filled consumable product, forming pieces. The invention incorporates four main variables, dwell time, chain length, chain speed and the number of closed die cavities in simultaneous engagement. These four variables can be altered to increase the output of the product, as well as maintain a satisfactory seal of the center-filled consumable product. |
| US08683891B2 |
Method for controlling back clearance of a motion transmission apparatus
A method for controlling back clearance of a motion transmission apparatus, is capable of controlling the generation, reduction and even elimination of a back clearance of a motion transmission apparatus to meet different needs. The motion transmission apparatus comprises: a first electric motor, a second electric motor, and a toothed member engaged with the first and second toothed drive members, when the toothed member needs to be precisely positioned, the back clearance between the second electric motor and the toothed member at different positions of the toothed member will be controlled according to the torque change, so as to consequently change a position offset of the second electric motor with respect to the first electric motor, when the toothed member doesn't need to be precisely positioned, the second electric motor shouldn't be controlled. |
| US08683889B2 |
Oblique-driven platform structure
The present invention relates to an oblique-driven platform structure, comprising: a base, a first rail, a screw, a first sliding block, a second sliding block, an oblique slide rod, at least one second rail, at least one third sliding block, a work platform, and a motor. There is a trigonometric relation between the oblique slide rod, the screw and the second rail, and an oblique drive angle is formed between the oblique slide rod and the screw; Therefore, with the change of the stroke position of the screw, the displacement resolution of the work platform can still kept the same value when the work platform is driven. Moreover, the displacement of the screw stroke can be proportionally transformed to the feed rate of the work platform through the trigonometric relation, such that the driven work platform can get an extremely high displacement resolution without using any high-level servo motor. |
| US08683886B2 |
Sliding auxiliary device
A sliding auxiliary device includes an assembly of a rotating wheel, a gate linked to the rotating wheel, and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes a first arm pivoted to the rotating wheel, a second arm pivoted to the first arm, and an elastic member disposed between the first arm and the second arm. The rotating wheel substantially drives the first arm and the second arm of the toggle mechanism to relatively move to store energy in the elastic member, and the elastic member releases the stored energy to generate an acting force to assist the rotation of the rotating wheel after the first arm of the toggle mechanism crosses over a reference axial line, to obtain an improved operation smoothness better than the conventional skills. |
| US08683885B2 |
Friction type transmission device and pressing force control method for friction type transmission device
In a friction drive transmission apparatus arranged to transmit power by a frictional transmission force between two roller units pressed against each other, there is provided a pressing force imparting means to increase and decrease a pressing force imparted to a roller pair to vary the frictional transmission force between both roller units smoothly at the time of a shift. |
| US08683882B2 |
Apparatus for ultrasonic transducer or other contact sensor placement against a test material
A spherical bearing provides a passive apparatus that enables a contact sensor that needs to self-align to the surface of a test object. In some embodiments, the contact sensor is a transducer. This self-alignment apparatus may be used in a measurement system for aligning the face of a contact transducer to the surface of a material to be measured. The spherical bearing may be dry or may be lubricated with a liquid or with pressurized air to minimize the bearing friction and enable the transducer to self-align. The upper portion of the spherical bearing is preferably attached to a spring-loaded piston. The transducer is preferably attached to the lower portion of the spherical bearing. The spring-loaded piston holds the spherical bearing portions together and centers the floating lower bearing portion after each measurement operation. A cowling preferably retains the lower bearing portion between measurements. |
| US08683877B2 |
Microelectronic device with heating array
The invention relates to different designs of a microelectronic device comprising an array of heating elements (HE) with local driving units (CU2) and optionally with an array of sensor elements (SE) adjacent to a sample chamber (SC). By applying appropriate currents to the heating elements (HE), the sample chamber can be heated according to a desired temperature profile. The local driving units comprise means for compensating variations of their individual characteristics. |
| US08683876B2 |
Friction element load sensing in an automatic transmission
A load sensor assembly for measuring an amount of torque transmitted through a torque establishing element includes a core mounted on a transmission housing and a load sensor mounted on the core. The load sensor is positioned against a portion of the torque establishing element whereby a portion of the amount of torque transmitted through the torque establishing element travels through the load sensor and is measured. A cable is connected to the load sensor for transmitting a signal representative of the amount of torque to a transmission controller. |
| US08683875B2 |
Beta ratio changer for flow measurement devices
A beta ratio changer is provided for a flow measurement device having a fluid displacement member. The beta ratio changer includes a flange and a sleeve extending axially from the flange. The sleeve may be inserted into a fluid conduit of the fluid measurement device, reducing the inner diameter of the fluid conduit around the fluid displacement member. A new beta ratio may be determined from the diameter of the edge of the fluid displacement member and the inner diameter of the sleeve. |
| US08683872B1 |
Test weight
A test weight providing an elongated flanged beam having a web, an upper flange connected to the web and a lower flange connected to the web. A pair of openings in the upper flange are provided on the opposing sides of the web. Plurality of plates are connected to the beam, each plate resting upon the lower flange and extending upwardly towards the upper flange. A pair of padeye lift plates are provided, one on each side of the web, each padeye plate having a portion that extends above the upper flange and through an upper flange opening. The test weights are stackable one a upon the other, wherein each of the padeye plates can be pinned to the flanged beam. |
| US08683871B2 |
Process for manufacturing a laminated glazing
A process for manufacturing a laminated glazing, in which a lamination interlayer is interposed between two substrates having a glass function, including: making a measurement of Young's modulus E on a sample of the interlayer, using a viscoanalyzer, by varying temperature and frequency while imposing a constant dynamic displacement; making a numerical treatment of curves obtained, using WLF (Williams-Landel-Ferry) equations, to establish a law E(f) governing behavior of a material constituting the interlayer sample at a given temperature; producing a numerical model based on a finite-element method in bending of a laminated glazing panel, wherein mechanical properties of the sample result from the preceding operations; comparing results of the numerical calculation with those obtained with analytical formulae in which participation of the interlayer in transferring shear in the laminated glazing is represented by a transfer coefficient ω; varying the transfer coefficient ω in the analytical formulae until results converge; and constructing a transfer function ω=f(E) by successive iterations. |
| US08683868B2 |
Hand-tightened pressure transducer
A transducer, generally 10, has a robust, yet very flexible, steel-braid reinforced protective cover 12 which is permanently assembled to a custom machined fitting 14. A typical pressure transducer 16 is threaded through a SST nut 18 and then through the cover 12. Bonding the transducer body to the cover's fitting 14 captures the nut 18 between a flange 16A on the transducer 16 and a shoulder 18A in the nut 18, allowing the nut 18 to be freespinning yet a permanent part of the assembly 10. |
| US08683867B2 |
Pressure sensor package having a groove provided in a wall surface of the pressure inlet pipe
An aspect of a pressure sensor package is that a condensed droplet can be prevented from solidifying and blocking the hole of a pressure inlet pipe, without increasing the external dimensions of the package. Aspects of the invention include a groove in a wall surface of a hole of a pressure inlet pipe, a droplet condensed on the wall surface spreads along the groove by a capillary action, and it is possible to prevent the hole of the pressure inlet pipe being blocked by the droplet. |
| US08683865B2 |
Ultrasonic scanning with local gain intervals
A device is disclosed that, in an illustrative embodiment, includes an input line, a main gain component, a first local gain component, and a second local gain component. The main gain component, the first local gain component, and the second local gain component each have a communicative connection with the input line. The main gain component is configured for applying a main gain to an ultrasonic wave signal received via the input line, thereby providing a main gain signal. The first local gain component is configured for applying a first local gain to a portion of the ultrasonic wave signal within a first signal gate, and thereby providing a first local gain signal. The second local gain component is configured for applying a second local gain to a portion of the ultrasonic wave signal within a second signal gate, and thereby providing a second local gain signal. |
| US08683864B2 |
Micro electro mechanical system
In order to provide a technology capable of suppressing degradation of measurement accuracy due to fluctuation of detection sensitivity of an MEMS by suppressing fluctuation in natural frequency of the MEMS caused by a stress, first, fixed portions 3a to 3d are displaced outward in a y-direction of a semiconductor substrate 2 by deformation of the semiconductor substrate 2. Since a movable body 5 is disposed in a state of floating above the semiconductor substrate 2, it is not affected and displaced by the deformation of the semiconductor substrate 2. Therefore, a tensile stress (+σ1) occurs in the beam 4a and a compressive stress (−σ2) occurs in the beam 4b. At this time, in terms of a spring system made by combining the beam 4a and the beam 4b, increase in spring constant due to the tensile stress acting on the beam 4a and decrease in spring constant due to the compressive stress acting on the beam 4b are offset against each other. |
| US08683862B2 |
Oscillation apparatus with atomic-layer proximity switch
An oscillation apparatus comprising: a frame; a first proof mass coupled to the frame via a spring; a driving circuit operatively coupled to the first proof mass and the frame, wherein the driving circuit is configured to induce oscillatory motion of the first proof mass relative to the frame at a resonant frequency in a first direction; a first electron-tunneling position switch operatively coupled to the first proof mass such that the first position switch is configured to pass through a closed state during each oscillation of the proof mass, wherein the position switch comprises first and second single-atom-thick tunneling electrodes; and a sensing circuit coupled to the position switch, the sensing circuit configured to output a signal whenever the position switch passes through the closed state. |
| US08683859B2 |
Pressure management system for well casing annuli
An apparatus and method to provide monitoring of pressure outside the wellbore casing of a well in which a Wireless Sensor Unit is placed externally of a section of non-magnetic casing. An internal Sensor Energizer Unit is placed inside the wellbore casing. The Wireless Sensor Unit includes one or more sensors to measure the pressure and/or temperature of the surroundings. The Wireless Sensor Unit and the Sensor Energizer Unit communicate using electromagnetic modulation techniques, and the Wireless Sensor Unit may be powered by means of power harvesting from the Sensor Energizer Unit. |
| US08683858B2 |
Recirculating, constant backpressure core flooding apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for simulating production conditions in hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs, as an example, by flooding of core samples from such reservoirs, are described. Full recirculation flow measurements permit several fluids (for example, crude oil, brine, and gas) to be simultaneously injected into core samples having varying dimensions. Accurate and stable back pressures are maintained at total flow rates of as high as 200 cc/min., for a large range of fluid viscosities. Accurate and stable net overburden pressures relative to pore pressure are also maintained, thereby simulating the formations at depth. Core samples from formations may also be investigated using the apparatus and method hereof, for carbon dioxide sequestration potential, as another example. |
| US08683857B2 |
Systems and methods for built in test equipment for a brake control system
A method is disclosed that comprises severing an I/O channel between a brake system controller and an aircraft component; sending a test signal to the brake system controller; receiving, from the brake system controller, a feedback signal to the test signal; and determining an appropriateness of the feedback signal. A system is disclosed that comprises a brake system controller wrapped in a BITE region, wherein the BITE region comprises a testing module, a safety interlock region having an I/O channel between the brake system controller and another system, and a testing module capable of sending a test signal to the brake system controller. |
| US08683856B2 |
Catalyst abnormality diagnosis apparatus
Active air-fuel ratio control is performed to alternately control an air-fuel ratio in an area located upstream of a catalyst between a lean side and a rich side. The amount of oxygen absorbed and released by the catalyst during lean control and rich control of the air-fuel ratio is measured. When an output from the post-catalyst sensor reaches a predetermined threshold, switching is carried out between the lean control and the rich control, and the measurement of the amount of oxygen is ended. The threshold is set to be reached before the output from the post-catalyst sensor reaches a predetermined reference value. Whether the catalyst is normal or abnormal is determined based on the amount of oxygen measured until the output from the post-catalyst sensor reaches the threshold and behavior of the output from the post-catalyst sensor observed after the output from the post-catalyst sensor reaches the threshold. |
| US08683855B2 |
Competence diagnosis system for urea water temperature sensor
A competence diagnosis system for a urea water temperature sensor that can limit a diagnosis during a cold start. The system includes a cold start condition determination unit that obtains a difference between an engine cooling water temperature and an ambient temperature, a difference between an engine cooling water temperature and a fuel temperature, and a difference between an ambient temperature and a fuel temperature by using an engine cooling water temperature, an ambient temperature, and a fuel temperature measured immediately after engine starting, and allows a diagnosis by the competence diagnosis unit when the temperature differences are less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. |
| US08683849B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing consistency of frozen beverages
A method and apparatus using a sample test container filled with beverage, a penetrator holder, a penetrator and release means is disclosed. In the method a sample, is drawn into the test container and the penetrator dropped into the sample, and a reading of the stiffness of the sample is made based on the depth of penetration of the penetrator onto the sample. |
| US08683848B1 |
Oil well tubing pressure testing system and method of use
An improved hydrotest testing system comprises a safety stop which prevents the testing tools from being blown out of the top of the tubing string. The safety stop is made up into the upward facing box of the tubing joint to be tested, where the stop is positioned between the tool assembly placed within the tubing joint and the no-go head assembly which is located at the surface during the testing operation. Once the safety stop has been made up into upward facing box, the tool assembly is set within the joint to be tested and the joint pressure tested. The safety stop has a generally cylindrical body which has a bore extending through its length, where the bore has a reduced diameter throat which is sized smaller than portions of the downhole testing tool. |
| US08683839B2 |
Internal roller swaging device and method
A device and method for roller swaging a tube and a fitting using a tapered mandrel acting on forming rollers and having a rack body that supports lead screws that are rotated by a rack motor where the lead screws are used to move the rack drive head and the axial position of the mandrel. The mandrel is supported by a roller bearing having roller elements that are parallel to the rotational axis of the mandrel. A position sensor is attached between the rack body and the rack drive head to indirectly measure the position of the mandrel and/or a position sensor can be used to directly measure the position of the mandrel. The drive motor drives a primary drive shaft through a torque sensor to a secondary drive shaft to a roller swaging assembly and to the mandrel. The swage rollers in the roller swaging assembly are forced outward by the tapered mandrel to swage the tube and fitting. Prior to beginning the swage, the mandrel is moved into the tube until the torque sensor increases, the position of the rack drive head is measured and a calculation of the required swaging process is made by a controller. After the swage, the mandrel is again moved into the tube until the torque increases and the position of the rack drive head is measured and is used to determine the quality of the swage. Alternatively, pneumatic cylinders are used to initially axially move the mandrel into position where angled rollers then apply an axial force to the mandrel when the mandrel is rotated. |
| US08683835B2 |
Stop mechanism for a bending press
The invention describes an automatic stop device (1), that can be positioned by means of a control and regulating device of a bending press, in particular an edging press, for positioning a workpiece (6) to be shaped by bending deformation between bending tools (4, 5) arranged opposite one another in a table bar (2) and a bending bar (3) adjustable in relation to the latter. It comprises a stop support slide (13) and a stop support (14) on the latter projecting substantially in perpendicular direction to a bending plane (8) formed by the bending tools (4, 5) and a stop element (15) which forms a finger section and is adjustable in a guiding arrangement (16) running perpendicular to the bending plane (8) relative to the stop support (14) between a position of rest facing the bending plane (8) and a stop position spaced apart from the latter against the effect of a spring arrangement (21). A controllable, switchable retaining device (31) is provided in order to oppose an increased adjusting resistance in the case of a stop movement of the stop element (15). |
| US08683834B1 |
Determining and exporting K-factors and bend allowance based on measured bend radius
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining and calibrating a K-factor for material and to methods and systems for calibrating forming devices, forming device controls, and/or forming device components. The disclosed systems and methods can dynamically provide exact and calibrated values for the parameters needed to produce correct and accurate flat patterns based on any type of material or any tooling combination. As such, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can be used to achieve a first run perfect or near-perfect part capability that does not currently exist. |
| US08683832B2 |
Push button lock
To provide a push button lock which includes a housing on which a plurality of depressible push buttons are located, a lock pin which moves axially with the push button and being engageable with and disengageable from the push button, a lock plate formed with a plate key hole and plate lock hole, a reset plate which is provided parallel to the lock plate, a driving cam linked to a deadbolt lock, and the security-code controller detachably attached to the housing. A mechanism and components for setting and storing a security code for locking and unlocking are assembled in a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attached to the inside of the housing so that various surface designs are available. |
| US08683828B2 |
Guide kit for knitting/crocheting
A guide kit for aiding a user in at least one of knitting and crocheting a predetermined item includes at least one template member of at least a portion of the predetermined item, a set of guidelines for one of knitting and crocheting such predetermined item, these guidelines at least including: (i) one of partially knitting or crocheting a predetermined fraction of each portion; and (ii) repeatedly superimposing the fraction on the template during one of knitting and crocheting until portion is complete. Also included are packaging for parts of the guide kit and illustrations on either the guidelines or the packaging providing examples illustrating potential predetermined items. |
| US08683827B2 |
Methods and apparatus for thermally conditioning molten glass
An oblong conduit (13) for conditioning molten glass is disclosed. The wall (23) of the conduit is composed of a precious metal, e.g., a platinum-rhodium alloy, and can be equipped with precious metal tabs (29) for supporting the upper surface (25) of the wall so as to reduce sag of that surface at such times as the conduit is at an elevated temperature and is not filled with glass. The precious metal tabs (29) can be received in channels (31) formed in a refractory support structure (27). The refractory support structure (27) can be a laminate of two layers (33,35), where one of the layers (33) has a smaller grain structure than the other layer (35), the layers being held together by an adhesive (37). |
| US08683821B2 |
Sediment trap system and method
Systems and methods for condensate removal are disclosed. A reservoir may include a trap structure and a sediment trap may be disposed within the trap structure. The sediment trap may be positioned within the reservoir so that condensate flowing into the reservoir is filtered before flowing out of the reservoir. |
| US08683819B2 |
Air conditioner using hot water provided by solar heating system
The present invention relates to an air conditioner using hot water heated by a solar heating system, the air conditioner comprising: a heater 10 that has a vacuous interior and a plurality of hot water branch pipes 13 immersed in the refrigerant; a condenser 30 connected with the heater 10 through a steam pipe L1; an ejector 20 mounted to the steam pipe L1; a flow regulator 40 installed on the exit side of the condenser 30; a refrigerant return line L2 connected to the flow regulator 40 to return the refrigerant to the heater 10; an evaporator 50 connected to the flow regulator 40 to receive condensate; a first steam supply line L4 connected with the evaporator 50 to supply the evaporated refrigerant to the ejector 20; and a second steam supply line L5 that is branched from the first steam supply line L4 and then connected with the steam pipe L1 and has a vacuum pump P2 installed therein. With the above configuration, the present invention can save energy by performing air conditioning using solar energy that is available in plenty during the summer, and continue air conditioning by maintaining the refrigeration cycle with the help of a built-in vacuum pump even when there is not enough solar energy. |
| US08683816B2 |
Heat exchanger device and NMR installation that comprises such a device
A heat exchanger delivers a pressurized dry gas stream cooled to an essentially constant temperature. The gas stream circulates in a coil with a functional part immersed in a liquid fraction of a second gas in a chamber of a corresponding container, whereby a portion of the wall of the container with the chamber contacts a liquid fraction of a third gas, providing a condensation surface for the second gas. The container containing the second pressurized gas is airtight. The condensation surface is dimensioned to allow absorption of a predetermined caloric power by the gas in the chamber without significant variation of temperature/pressure. Included is a monitored variable heater of the bath of the liquid fraction of the residual gas in the container, whereby total caloric power released by the circulating gas to be cooled and by the heater is constantly kept approximately equal to the specified caloric power. |
| US08683815B2 |
Magnetocaloric element
A magnetocaloric element (1) made by an alignment of at least two adjacent sets (MC1-10) of magnetocaloric materials having different Curie temperatures. The magnetocaloric materials within a same set (MC1-10) have the same Curie temperature. The sets (MC1-10) are arranged according to an increasing Curie temperature, and the magnetocaloric element (1) comprises elements (MA1-2) for initiating a temperature gradient between a hot end (6) and an opposed cold end (7) of the magnetocaloric element (1). |
| US08683813B2 |
Multi-lobed cooling hole and method of manufacture
A gas turbine engine component includes a wall having first and second wall surfaces and a cooling hole extending through the wall. The cooling hole includes an inlet at the first wall surface, an outlet at the second wall surface, a metering section extending downstream from the inlet and a diffusing section extending from the metering section to the outlet. The diffusing section includes a first lobe diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, a second lobe adjacent the first lobe and diverging longitudinally from the metering section, a third lobe adjacent the second lobe and diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, and a transition region having an end adjacent the outlet and a portion that extends between the lobes and the outlet. The first and third lobes each include a curved outer portion. |
| US08683809B2 |
Fossil-fueled power station comprising a carbon dioxide separation device and method for operating a fossil-fueled power station
A fossil-fueled power station including a steam generator is provided. A steam turbine is mounted downstream of the steam generator via a hot intermediate superheater line and a carbon dioxide separation device. The carbon dioxide separation device is connected to the hot intermediate superheater line via a process steam line and a backpressure steam turbine is mounted into the process steam line. |
| US08683803B2 |
Method and apparatus for energy harvesting through phase-change induced pressure rise under cooling conditions
A method and apparatus for generating power which includes a phase-change media (PCM) that expands upon cooling contained within an expandable capsule if the phase change involves solidification (if phase change is solid-solid, then capsules are not needed), a carrier liquid that does not freeze in the operating temperature range, a heat exchanger, and an engine. Alternatively, the method and apparatus can include a PCM contained within a layer next to the walls of a constant volume container, a working liquid within the container that does not freeze in the operating temperature range, a heat exchanger, and an engine. In both cases, the engine denotes a device that converts the energy in the high-pressure liquid into electrical or mechanical power. |
| US08683802B2 |
Installation designed to convert environmental thermal energy into useful energy
The present invention relates to an installation and a process implementing the installation for converting thermal energy available in a given environment into useful energy. The installation and process use pressure differentials between a hot and a cold column of a pressurized fluid to create a continuous flow in a fluid. The flow drives in rotation elements the rotational energy of which is converted to a useful energy. |
| US08683797B1 |
Closed cycle heat engine with confined working fluid
The current invention is a closed cycle heat engine that includes a plurality of variable volume movable working chambers, each chamber having a first volume of working fluid when disposed at an isentropic expansion zone leading edge, a second volume when disposed at an isentropic expansion zone trailing edge, a third volume when disposed at an isentropic compression zone leading edge and a fourth volume of working fluid when disposed at an isentropic compression zone trailing edge. The second volume of working fluid divided by the first volume of working fluid provides a first volume ratio. The third volume of working fluid divided by the fourth volume of working fluid provides a second volume ratio. The first volume ratio equals the second volume ratio. The working fluid efficiently performs work by traversing a cycle consisting of an isothermal expansion, an isentropic expansion, an isothermal compression, and an isentropic compression. |
| US08683796B1 |
Variable drive apparatus
A drive apparatus is provided with a center section in a housing and having a hydraulic circuit formed therein with pump and motor running surfaces for connecting a hydraulic pump to a hydraulic motor. A pair of cylindrical openings may be formed on the center section opposite the pump running surface, and a passage in the center section connects the pair of cylindrical openings to form a fluid gallery to provide hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic circuit through a pair of check valves. A pair of caps on the center section to close off the fluid gallery, and an external charge pump to provide charged fluid to the fluid gallery, may also be provided. |
| US08683794B2 |
Controller of vehicle with hydrostatic continuously variable transmission
By accurately determining timing for suppressing overrun in a hydraulic motor or the like, work efficiency is prevented from falling. A. pressure difference ΔP between pressure Pa on a discharge port side of a hydraulic pump and pressure Pb on suction port side of the hydraulic pump is calculated on the basis of the detected travel direction of the vehicle and the pressure Pa relative to Pb detected at the respective port sides of the hydraulic pump. At least one of an engine and the hydraulic pump is controlled, according to the calculated pressure difference, such that overrun of at least one of the engine, the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic motor is suppressed. |
| US08683792B2 |
Burnt gas exhaust pipe extender
An extendible exhaust system is disclosed for preventing exhaust gas seepage into the passenger compartment of a vehicle utilizing a pipe extender that slides along the tailpipe. The pipe extender has a retracted position and an extended position. The pipe extender moves from the retracted position to the extended position when the vehicle travels forward at a predetermined speed. When in the extended position, exhaust flows through the additional length of the pipe extender before exiting the exhaust system. Movement of the pipe extender from the retracted to the extended position may be by airflow traveling past the moving vehicle pushing on a flange acting as a sail against a tension spring. An electromagnet or motor drive system with a movement sensor may also be used to move the pipe extender from the retracted to the extended position. |
| US08683789B2 |
Exhaust valve assembly with intermediate position
An exhaust valve assembly includes a flapper valve that is mounted on a shaft for rotation within an exhaust component housing between a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position. An electric actuator is coupled to the shaft to control movement of the flapper valve. The electric actuator moves the flapper valve to the open position for high speed engine conditions. When engine speeds are lowered, and while all engine cylinders remain active, the electric actuator moves the flapper valve to the intermediate position. Once the flapper valve is in the intermediate position, if an engine cylinder is subsequently deactivated, the electric actuator quickly and quietly moves the flapper valve from the intermediate position to the closed position. |
| US08683787B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying catalyst and method for manufacturing the same
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) of the present invention includes anchor/promoter simultaneous enclosure particles (5) including catalyst units (13) which contain: noble metal particles (8); and anchor particles (9) as an anchor material of the noble metal particles (8) supporting the noble metal particles (8); promoter units (14) which are provided not in contact with the noble metal particles (8) and contain first promoter particles (11) having an oxygen storage and release capacity; and an enclosure material (12) which encloses both the catalyst units (13) and the promoter units (14), and separates the noble metal particles (8) and the anchor particles (9) in the catalyst units (13) from the first promoter particles (11) in the promoter units (14). The exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) further includes second promoter particles (6) which have the oxygen storage and release capacity, and are not enclosed in the anchor/promoter simultaneous enclosure particles (5) by the enclosure material (12). |
| US08683785B2 |
Method for regenerating an open particle separator and motor vehicle having at least one open particle separator
A method for regenerating an open particle separator includes at least determining at least one parameter, as a characteristic variable of a regeneration capability of the open particle separator. The at least one parameter is compared with a first threshold value. At least one portion of a comparison period during which the parameter has reached the first threshold value is determined. The portion is compared with a first minimum portion corresponding to a minimum regeneration time in the comparison time period. Measures are initiated to influence the parameter so that the parameter lies at least according to the first minimum portion and the first threshold value is reached and/or the open particle separator is regenerated. A motor vehicle having at least one open particle separator is also provided. |
| US08683782B2 |
System for supplying a liquid for a vehicle and integrated pump/filter module
Supply system for a liquid comprising a liquid tank, a supply line, a pump, a filter and a device that makes it possible to purge the line, pump and filter and that comprises a non-return device preventing liquid from entering into these elements once they have been purged. In this system, the pump, filter and non-return device are combined in a compact module, the filter at least partly surrounding the pump and the non-return device being an integral part of a common housing that surrounds the filter and at least one part of the pump. |
| US08683781B2 |
Method for controlling an exhaust-gas aftertreatment device of a hybrid drive, and hybrid drive
A method for controlling an exhaust gas aftertreatment device of a vehicle hybrid drive is provided. The method comprises operating the hybrid drive only by a combustion engine, only by a non-combustion motor, or by both, as a function of a temperature of the exhaust aftertreatment device, and conducting exhaust gas of the hybrid drive at least partially through the exhaust aftertreatment device, the engine and motor each providing output to power the vehicle. In this way, the aftertreatment device may be operated at an optimal temperature for conversion performance. |
| US08683779B2 |
Agricultural piston bale press
An agricultural piston bale press includes a pressing piston, a main driving mechanism, an intake device to take in crop material, and a stuffing device. The stuffing device includes a feed passage and a stuffing mechanism that has a tine arm supporting tines that can be moved along a stuffing trajectory, and a drive mechanism for driving the tine arm. The drive mechanism is configured to move the tine arm in a cyclic movement along a constant trajectory, and that the tines are movably supported on the tine arm so that the tines can be arranged in different positions with respect to the tine arm to follow different trajectories. |
| US08683778B2 |
Turf conditioning method and apparatus
Powered turf conditioning brushes having increased efficiency, improved lift, and which minimize the introduction of grain, and their method of use with reel mower cutting units such as those used for precision mowing of golf course greens. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08683777B2 |
Cushioning conversion system and method
A packaging system includes a cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into relatively low density cushioning material or dunnage and a packaging system controller. The packaging system controller provides packaging instructions related to a part or parts to be packaged and instructs the cushioning conversion machine to produce the cushioning material. In one aspect of the present invention the packaging system controller provides packaging instructions by retrieving a predetermined set of packaging instructions associated with a particular part. In another aspect of the present invention the packaging system controller provides packaging instructions by determining an optimized packaging methodology using one or more characteristics of the part or parts to be packaged. The packaging system also provides for automated inventory control and productivity monitoring. |
| US08683776B2 |
Method for providing a regulated atmosphere for packaging perishable goods
A method for introducing at least one substance into a sealed enclosure holding at least one product. The sealed enclosure having at least one conduit through which one of gas or fluid may flow into or out of the sealed enclosure. Air is evacuated from the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit to create a predetermined pressure within the sealed enclosure and a predetermined quantity of the at least one substance is injected into the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit. |
| US08683774B2 |
Light steel structural member and method of making same
A method of producing a light steel structural member includes the steps of: forming surface treatment in a piece of sheet material; forming a plurality of embosses in the sheet material; and shaping the sheet material into a predetermined shape to form a light steel structural member. A light steel structural member includes a web portion, and a pair of flange portions. The web portion has a web face. The pair of flange portions each extend generally orthogonally from each side of the web portion. Each flange portion is in a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of the other flange portion. Each of the flange portions has a flange face. At least one of the web face and the flange face has a plurality of embosses formed therein; and at least one of the web face and the flange face has a surface treatment formed therein. |
| US08683772B2 |
Truss mounting brace
A truss mounting brace (1) for use during installation of trusses (19, 21, 22). The truss mounting brace (1) may also be used as a permanent spacer between two trusses (19, 21, 22). The truss mounting brace (1) comprises a mounting section (4) arranged to be mounted on a truss (19, 21, 22), a gripping section (3) and an oblong body section (5) connecting the mounting section (4) and the gripping section (3). The gripping section (3) has a gripping mechanism (6) arranged to receive and to engage another element interlockingly. The present invention also relates to a method of installing two or more trusses, use of the truss mounting brace, and a method of manufacturing the truss mounting brace. |
| US08683771B2 |
Adjustable frame assembly and method of assembling the adjustable frame assembly
A method of assembling an adjustable frame assembly for supporting a fenestration article includes the steps of sliding sections of each rail member along adjustment splices to adjust a width of the adjustable frame assembly and/or sliding sections of stile members along adjustment splices to adjust a height of the adjustable frame assembly. The fenestration article is disposed along a wall and at least partially within a groove of the rail member and stile member. A plurality of rail clips are inserted into the groove of each rail member to secure the fenestration article to each rail member. A plurality of stile clips are inserted into the groove of each stile member to secure the fenestration article to each stile member. The rail clips are disposed adjacent the stile clips to prevent adjustment of the width and/or height of the adjustable frame assembly resulting from compression forces. |
| US08683763B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for positioning and securing safing insulation
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for securing safing insulation in the gap formed between a spandrel and a slab. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for stiffening tees and/or stiffening brackets. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention utilizes a first portion of safing secured to spandrel insulation positioned in an exterior wall structure and a second portion of safing insulation positioned adjacent to the first portion of safing insulation and between the spandrel insulation and the slab. By fixedly securing the first portion of safing insulation to the spandrel insulation, any deformation of the spandrel insulation caused by the forces exerted by the compressed second portion of safing insulation on spandrel insulation results in the first portion of safing insulation moving with the spandrel insulation. |
| US08683759B2 |
Pre-cast polygonal shelter
A pre-cast housing shelter unit includes: a polygonal floor surface; a plurality of pre-cast wall panels arranged in a polygonal shape adjacent the floor surface; a plurality of pre-made connectors positioned between each of the wall panels at corners of the polygonal floor surface, wherein the connectors are attached in place on the floor surface on-site; and at least one ceiling panel attached to the wall panels, wherein the housing shelter is sealed, in which the building structure is configured to support life and provide protection from disasters. |
| US08683756B2 |
Screw foundation system with a curable filling compound
A screw foundation system for aligning and fastening a rod- or post-like object in the ground includes a sleeve-like plastic receiving part which can be screwed into the ground and which, in the fastened state, accommodates an end region of the rod- or post-like, object and surrounds their periphery of the object with a distance at least in certain portions; and a curable filling compound which, in the fastened state, fills the space between the end region of the rod- or post-like object and the inner contour of the receiving part, wherein the inner contour has undercuts for anchoring the cured filling compound. The screw foundation system can include a screwing-in tool having a dimensionally stable fitting core which can be inserted into the receiving part in order to screw in the latter. |
| US08683752B1 |
Modular shelter assembly
A modular shelter assembly is presented. In particular, the shelter assembly comprises a mounting member structured to be secured to a predetermined support, a support beam outwardly spaced from the mounting member and the predetermined support, a plurality of track beams each disposed in interconnecting, supported relation to the mounting member and the support beam, the mounting member, the support beam and the plurality of track beams collectively comprising a modular construction, and the modular construction at least partially defined by an at least initially adjustable interconnecting relation of the plurality of track beams to both the mounting member and the support beam. |
| US08683749B2 |
Cooling tower entry door structure
An adjustable support assembly is provided that includes a front left base support, a front left lower elongated support and a front left upper elongated support. Also included are a front right base support, a front right lower elongated support, and a front right upper elongated support. Such supports are designed to be placed in a structural wall, particularly the structural wall of the cooling tower, wherein an opening would be cut in the wall to receive an entry door. The support assembly provides structural integrity from the lower section of the cooling tower to the upper section of the cooling tower, and allows the door opening to be cut out without loss of such structural integrity. |
| US08683745B2 |
Refrigerated display case door with transparent LCD panel
A door assembly that includes a single glass unit having at least first, second and third panels, a front surface, a rear surface, and an outside edge. At least one of the first, second or third panels is a transparent LCD panel on which media can be displayed. The single glass unit also includes a frame that at least partially surrounds the outside edge of the single glass unit, and electronic components in electrical communication with the LCD panel. |
| US08683743B2 |
Grain germinating system
The present invention discloses a grain germinating system comprising a temperature controlling device, an incubation device, a drying device and a monitoring device. The temperature controlling device comprises a heat pump module, an air conditioning module and a piping module. The heat pump module can output a high or low temperature heat exchanging liquid. The temperature of a culture medium of a grain is adjusted by the incubation device. The incubated grain is dried by the drying device. The air conditioning module is for a plant building. The piping module is connected with the heat pump module, and is provided for the high or low temperature heat exchanging liquid to flow. The incubation device and the drying device are heated by the high temperature heat exchanging liquid. The drying device is cooled by the low temperature heat exchanging liquid provided for the air condition of the plant building to use. |
| US08683741B2 |
Flexible plant protector
Described are devices and methods for providing protection to plants from cold and other weather. A plant cover or protector is constructed of a translucent or other material, a flexible or bendable material, cut into a two-dimensional blank or shape and provides an easily assembled, self-supporting structure to be placed over one or more plants or a location. The plant protector is erected without the use of tools or need for a separate frame or support. The plant protector may be used with stakes or spikes. The plant protector may be collapsed to a planar configuration. The plant protector may be easily and inexpensively manufactured. The plant protector may be repeatedly used from season to season. A top portion of each plant protector may be easily and quickly closed or opened such as by manual manipulation. The plant protector comprises one or more supports or feet for increased contact with the ground and resilience against wind. The plant protector may be folded from a blank into a three-dimensional frustum or conical shape and placed in a desired location. Other shapes such as hexagonal and octagonal cross sections are possible. A preferred form is tapered from bottom to top. |
| US08683740B2 |
Intelligent canopy greenhouse control system
An intelligent canopy greenhouse control system is provided with two main brackets symmetrically arranged, each of which penetrates a curved tubular beam at its upper edge for the curved tubular beam's one end to protrude from each main bracket. Several small crossbeams are installed between two curved tubular beams for a reinforced structure. At least a louvered shutter is provided between two curved tubular beams and between two main brackets. A film is covered between two curved tubular beams, and steel sheets are freely connected to gaps between two main brackets and under the lower edges of two curved tubular beams for development of a first skeleton unit with gutters installed, around which a canopy greenhouse can be assembled with a plurality of first skeleton units. |
| US08683738B2 |
Rodent bait station
A refillable bait station for pest control includes a housing, a bait receptacle operable for insertion into said housing. and a releasable latching mechanism associated with said housing and operable for releasably securing said bait receptacle within said housing. |
| US08683737B2 |
Animal trap
A humane repeating animal trap having multiple points of entry hiding the contents of the trap from view while permitting selective viewing of the contents without opening the trap and indicators signaling not only the presence of animals within the trap, but also which of multiple points of entry were used by the animals to enter the trap. |
| US08683734B2 |
Fishing gaff
A fishing gaff has a handle with an offset portion. A shaft extends longitudinally from the offset portion. Generally equidistantly spaced openings are formed in the shaft to facilitate movement through the water. A hook extends from the end of the shaft. Overmould material along portions of the handle provide offset grip segments to enhance leverage. |
| US08683732B2 |
Scope ring and clamping mechanism for scope rings and similar mounts
The scope ring includes a clamping mechanism, which provides an enhanced connection for Weaver and Picatinny style rails and rail bases. The scope ring includes a base member and a rail clamping member that bolt together at an angle and form the improved clamping mechanism. Tightening the fasteners draws the contact surfaces of the base member and the rail clamping member laterally inward against the sides of the rail base and vertically downward against the top of the rail base. |
| US08683730B1 |
Rifle rest
A rifle rest structure is adapted to receive first and second sand bags and operative to place a rifle thereon for target practice or the like. The rifle rest has a unitary frame construction including a front portion that supports the front of a rifle, a rear portion that supports the rear of the rifle, and a middle portion that rigidly interconnects the front and rear portions. The front portion has a length that is longer than a parallel length of the rear portion. The length of the front portion is in the range of six times longer than the parallel rear portion. The rifle rest further includes an adjusting mechanism that is operative to adjust the elevation of the front portion relative to the rear portion. The subject arrangement provides good stability for the rifle during use. |
| US08683727B2 |
Firearm accessory part with tracking capability
A firearm accessory part has a locator module and a transmitter module. The locator module is operable to determine the locator module's position. The transmitter module is operable to transmit the position of the locator module. The firearm accessory part is a replacement part for a firearm. Removal of the firearm accessory part from the firearm may disable a feature of the firearm. Removal of the firearm from a storage device may activate the locator module and transmitter module. The invention also includes a method of assembling a firearm consisting of the steps of obtaining a firearm, obtaining a firearm accessory part, removing a part of the firearm corresponding to the firearm accessory part, and replacing the part removed from the firearm with the firearm accessory part. |
| US08683715B1 |
Elastic boot cuff
A decorative article for boots comprising a cuff manufactured from either a length of material or elastic material having fur, feathers or other decorative articles fastened thereto. An interior pocket is included for storage of money, credit cards, I.D. warmers, coins and the like. |
| US08683712B2 |
Lyophilizing tray employing reagent cartridge, lyophilizing system employing the same, and method of preparing lyophilized reagent
A method of manufacturing a lyophilized reagent, including mounting a plurality of reagent cartridges in which a liquid reagent is loaded in a tray including one or more tunnel-shaped first rails having opened end portions in a lengthwise direction and an opening formed in the top of the one or more first rails; closing the opened end portions, placing the tray in a lyophilizer and lyophilizing the liquid reagent according to a lyophilizing program. |
| US08683711B2 |
Housing for modulizing heat pump system in a clothes dryer and clothes dryer having the same
A housing for modularizing a heat pump system of a clothes dryer and a clothes dryer having the same are disclosed. The heat pump system modularized housing of the clothes collectively modularizes a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator and an expansion valve that constitute the heat pump system of the clothes dryer. Not only does the heat pump system is stably mounted in the clothes dryer but also components of the heat pump system can be effectively protected. In addition, the fastening procedures of each component can be unified to simplify an assembling process of the clothes dryer, and thus, the productivity can be improved. Moreover, a structure of an internal flow path of the clothes dryer can be simplified to thus improve efficiency of the heat pump system. |
| US08683710B2 |
Tape measure tool with lanyard
A retractable tape measuring device comprising a single housing in which are two spools. A first spool is utilized for a flexible, retractable tape measure. A second spool is utilized for a retractable safety lanyard. The opening for the safety lanyard is on the narrow face of the device opposite the opening for the tape measure. The lanyard may be used to secure the device to clothing, other tools and devices, or to fixed structures. |
| US08683707B1 |
Magnetically modulated location system
A method and apparatus for a magnetic field dipole based transmitter and magnetic field sensor receiver to detect and/or determine the position and/or orientation of a user's receiver; in some embodiments accuracy to less than one foot is achievable; in some embodiments a receiver is located in a cellular phone. An exemplary communications protocol for a location network service is disclosed. |
| US08683704B2 |
Pipe cutter
A power tool includes a pipe holder, a knife pivotally coupled to the pipe holder, and a drive mechanism coupled to at least one of the pipe holder and the knife. The drive mechanism is operable to move the at least one of the pipe holder and the knife relative to the other of the pipe holder and the knife. The power tool also includes a motor coupled to the drive mechanism and a power supply electrically coupled to the motor to selectively power the motor for operating the drive mechanism. |
| US08683703B2 |
Utility knife with blade wiper
A utility knife includes a handle, a blade holder assembly, and a resilient blade wiper. The handle includes an opening at a front end. The blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a blade at a position of use wherein the blade projects through the opening at the front end of the handle, and to retract the blade into the handle. The resilient blade wiper is constructed and arranged to be positioned toward the front end of the handle. The blade wiper is constructed and arranged to remove debris from side surfaces of the blade when the blade is retracted into the handle. |
| US08683701B1 |
Vibrating razor handle assembly
A vibrating razor handle assembly is provided for facilitating use of different types of razor blade cartridges with a single vibrating handle. The assembly includes an elongated housing having a first end, a second end, and a perimeter wall extending between the first end and the second end. A vibrator is positioned in the housing. An adapter is coupled to the housing and the vibrator whereby the adapter vibrates when the vibrator is activated. The adapter has a distal end relative to the housing configured for coupling to a razor blade cartridge. |
| US08683699B2 |
Production method of disk drive device for cleaning subassemblies and disk drive device produced by said production method
A production method of a disk drive device includes: an assembling process of assembling a subassembly by incorporating at least a bearing unit in a hub in a clean room; a pouring process of pouring a lubricant in the bearing unit; a cleaning-liquid discharging process of discharging a cleaning liquid to the hub; a cleaning-liquid intake process of taking in the cleaning liquid discharged to the hub; and a sealing process of sealing the subassembly in a seal-material. |
| US08683693B2 |
Dental implant apparatus, screw for dental implant apparatus and method of making a screw
A dental implant apparatus including an implant having an external threaded wall adapted to be implanted in a patient's bone, said implant being provided with a cylindrical axial cavity having an internal thread accessible from a first end. The dental implant apparatus further includes a screw comprising a threaded stem adapted to be helicoidally coupled with the internal thread of said cavity of the implant, wherein said screw is a single piece made entirely of a NdFeB (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) compound comprising silicon. |
| US08683685B2 |
Method of manufacturing multilayer printed wiring board
A multilayer printed wiring board includes a first interlaminar resin insulating layer, a first conductor circuit formed on the first interlaminar resin insulating layer, a second interlaminar resin insulating layer formed on the first interlaminar resin insulating layer and the first conductor circuit, a second conductor circuit formed on the second interlaminar resin insulating layer. A via conductor can be formed in the opening portion. The opening portion of the second interlaminar resin insulating layer can expose a face of the first conductor circuit. The via conductor connects the first conductor circuit and the second conductor circuit. The via conductor includes an electroless plating film formed on inner wall face of the opening portion and includes an electrolytic plating film formed on the electroless plating film and on the exposed face of the first conductor circuit exposed by the opening portion. The second conductor circuit includes the electroless plating film and the electrolytic plating film. |
| US08683682B2 |
Method for the production of a metal-ceramic substrate
Disclosed is a method for producing a metal-ceramic substrate. According to said method, a metal layer is applied to at least one face of a ceramic substrate or a ceramic layer by means of a direct bonding process, and the metal-ceramic substrate or partial substrate is aftertreated in a subsequent step at a gas pressure (aftertreatment pressure) ranging approximately between 400 and 2000 bar and an aftertreatment temperature ranging approximately. |
| US08683680B2 |
Align fixture for alignment of an electronic component
An align fixture for aligning an electronic component having an elastic unit plate having an elastic unit receiving section, a receptacle adapted to receive the electronic component and having a first abutting section and a second abutting section, and an elastic unit, the first abutting section being flexibly mounted via the elastic unit, the elastic unit is adapted to exert a force to align the electronic component to the second abutting section, and the elastic unit is a separate elastic member adapted to be mounted at the elastic unit receiving section. |
| US08683678B2 |
Purge apparatus for manufacturing tube and fin heat exchanger
According to the preferred embodiment, an improved method and apparatus for the manufacturing of an aluminum tube and aluminum fin heat exchanger that includes steps for pneumatic cleaning, thermal cleaning, and uncontrolled-atmosphere open-flame autobrazing of hairpins to return bend fittings. The method uses a tube lubrication system that is adjustable to control amount of lubrication applied to the tube prior to final expansion. The method uses a pneumatic coil cleaning station that is adjusted to reduce the residual oil particulate from the expansion process required to be thermally cleaned. |
| US08683675B2 |
Method for fabricating molded stator of rotary electric machine
Provided is a method for fabricating a molded stator of a rotary electric machine, the method comprising: a lamination step of laminating a plurality of core sheets each having a plurality of core pieces connected to one joining portion via bridge portions, thereby forming a divided-laminated-core group structure; a winding step of winding a coil on a teeth portion of each divided laminated core of the divided-laminated-core group structure; a cutting step of cutting the bridge portions, thereby separating the divided laminated cores wound with the coils; a temporary fixing step of temporarily fixing the divided laminated cores circularly arranged to form a stator; and a molding step of placing, in a mold, the stator into which a mold mandrel is inserted along the inner circumferential surface, and molding an outer circumferential surface of the stator with resin. |
| US08683673B2 |
Method for manufacturing stators for rotary electric machines
A method is provided, for manufacturing a stator for a rotary electric machine by shrink-fitting an outer cylinder to a core assembly where a cage-shaped wound coil is assembled with segment cores. The assembly is inserted into the outer cylinder having a diameter increased by thermal expansion caused by the heat from a heating unit, while the outer diameter of the assembly is being reduced by permitting the assembly to pass through a tapered guide unit. The guide unit has a portion whose diameter is larger than an outer diameter of the assembly, and a portion whose diameter is larger than an inner diameter of the outer cylinder and smaller than an inner diameter of the cylinder in the thermally expanded state, and a tapered through hole vertically passing through the guide unit. Thus, the size of the assembly is radially reduced, with a uniform diameter being obtained throughout the assembly. |
| US08683662B2 |
Piercing rib clip
A piercing rib clip has first and second legs defining a space for receiving a rib of a component held thereby and a piercing pin held by at least one of the legs piercing the rib held between the legs. |
| US08683661B2 |
Push button type belt buckle
A push button type belt buckle includes a moveable rod and a push button arranged to be interlaced with each other and configured to cooperate with spring mechanisms provided in a belt base. With such a unique structure, a buckling pin provided on the moveable rod is able to floatingly buckle a belt with ease while exhibiting an elastic characteristic capable of returning to its original position such that the adjustment of the extent of the fastening and buckling of the belt can be advantageously achieved via the push button reliably and such that the push button type belt buckle of the present invention is of the improved effects of facilitated operations and simplified assembly requirements and functions. |
| US08683659B2 |
Releasable tie
A releasable tie includes a locking head and a strap body. The locking head includes a base plate, a pair of first side walls, a second side wall, and an operating rod. The operating rod is disposed above a window of the base plate, has a first top surface, and is bilaterally connected to the first side walls via connecting members. One first engaging tooth is provided at a predetermined depth extending vertically downward from the first top surface. The first engaging tooth has a second top surface which defines a first tooth depth. The operating rod includes an arm extending toward the strap body. The strap body has a bottom surface formed with plural second engaging teeth engageable with the first engaging tooth. The second engaging teeth have a predetermined tooth pitch smaller than the predetermined depth and a second tooth depth smaller than the first tooth depth. |
| US08683658B2 |
Airbag clamp
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for utilizing an airbag clamp for securing an airbag onto an inflating tube of an airbag system. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body, a first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion. The body may be capable of surrounding the device, wherein the body may include a first end and a second end that are capable of moving towards each other. The first engaging portion may be located at a first end, wherein the first engaging portion may include at least one plate. The second engaging portion may be located at the second end, wherein the second engaging portion may include at least one plate. The engaging portions may be capable of being fitted together and the plates may be capable of being fastened together to secure the clamp around the material and device. |
| US08683654B2 |
Adjustable torque hinge
An adjustable torque hinge includes a set hinge, a torque providing unit and a torque adjusting unit. The set hinge unit couples a first and second wing plate with a pivot pin. The first and second wing plates forms a pin joint with a first sleeve and second sleeve. The torque providing unit includes a torque spring to provide turn back recovery. A torque adjusting unit has a torque adjustment member. The first sleeve includes a first cam, and the torque adjustment member includes a second cam which couples with the first cam to drive the torque adjustment member to the torque spring. Conversion between the first and second sleeves enables the bearing hinge to be used in both directions, accumulating force both in normal and reverse directions to adjust the torque force for opening and closing operations. |
| US08683650B2 |
Universal bracket and luggage handle system
The invention includes a universal retractable handle assembly for attachment to luggage items of a variety of different sizes. A plurality of tubes having a fixed length can be attached to a bracket member such that each tube can extend in a telescoping manner to a different distance from the bracket member when the handle is in the extended position and thus be employed in different sizes of luggage. Additionally, a tube housing is provided which includes a tube receiving portion and reinforcing portions on an outer surface of the tube housing. The tube receiving portion is formed with an arcuate shape which corresponds with the shape of the tube member to be inserted therein. The reinforcing portions include a plurality of planar flanges which extend beyond the outer surface of the tube receiving portion to provide improved structural characteristics. |
| US08683645B2 |
Vacuum cleaning device with air quality monitoring system
An air quality monitoring system is associated with a housing of a vacuum cleaner and includes at least one sensor for measuring data of an air quality parameter and a display, such as a color screen, for presenting information regarding the air quality parameter that is measured by the at least one sensor. The air quality monitoring system may be a self contained unit that may be removed from the housing of the vacuum cleaner or may be included as an integral part of the vacuum cleaner. |
| US08683644B2 |
Automatic cord release
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, an air treatment member and a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a power cord removably mounted to a power cord wrap and removable in a cord removal direction. The power cord wrap may comprise at least first and second spaced apart cord retaining members. At least one of the cord retaining members may be a moveable cord retaining member that is moveable between a cord storage position wherein the moveable cord retaining member is oriented to inhibit removal of the power cord and a cord removal position wherein the moveable cord retaining member extends generally in the cord removal direction. |
| US08683638B2 |
Rotary tool
The subject of the present invention is a rotary tool (1) for surface treatment. This is equipped with a brush holder (3) which can be driven in rotation for an annular brush (4) with a brush strip (5) and bristles (6) protruding outwardly from the brush strip (5). According to the invention, coolant for the cooling thereof is supplied to the brush holder (3) and/or the annular brush (4). |
| US08683637B2 |
Dental cleaning device
An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling. |
| US08683634B2 |
Escape ramp
The invention relates to a ramp (2) for escape from passenger transport vehicles (1), said ramp (2) being foldable and, under normal working conditions, remaining folded and kept inside the vehicle (1), wherein the deployment of said ramp only requires manual actuation, and said ramp (2) comprises two portions (9, 10) that are connected by a hinge (18) and a mat (12) that is capable of supporting the passage of users, the mat (12) being made of two portions (12a) and (12b), each portion comprising a distal end (9c, 10a) hinged to one end of the gateway (12), respectively, and a proximal end (21a, 21b) connected to at least one cable (21). |
| US08683633B2 |
Mattress with concealed massage units
A mattress with built-in massage capabilities that is arranged so the mattress can be used as a standard sleep surface when the massage function is idle. In standard sleep mode a user will not notice the massage aspects of the mattress. Massage is performed by air pumps and air bags controlled to simulate various massage protocols such as wave, stretching, kneading, and percussion. |
| US08683630B2 |
Durable connector for base unit handle of a patient head support system
A patient head support system comprises a base unit, a head support, and an intervening member for connecting the base unit and the head support. The base unit includes a handle assembly with an elongated body, a bore at one end thereof, and a lever that moves relative to the body between closed and open positions to contract and to expand the bore, respectively. A sleeve retained within the bore is sized to receive and hold a shaft of the intervening member, so as to hold the intervening member in a fixed position when the lever is closed. The sleeve remains retained in the bore when the transition member is disconnected, to resist contracting of the bore caused by inadvertent closing of the lever when the intervening member is unattached, and to protect against the unwanted intrusion of material into the bore. |
| US08683624B1 |
System for showering
A system for showering includes a showerhead and a water conveying device having two water conveying members turnable relative to one another about a turning axis and having openings for water entry and exit formed so that in an assembled position of the conveying members the openings of the conveying members extend transversely to the turning axis and are coaxial with one another. |
| US08683623B2 |
Cushion system for a washing/bathing tub
A method for providing a cushion and tub assembly includes obtaining a cushion with magnets within the cushion. The method also comprises obtaining a metallic member, the metallic member magnetically attracting to the magnets in the cushion. The metallic member is permanently secured to a hidden surface of a tub at a location corresponding to a desired location of the cushion on the exposed surface of the tub. The tub and cushion are provided with a cushion being releasably connectable to the exposed surface of the tub at the desired location by attraction forces between the magnets and the metallic member through the tub wall. |
| US08683621B1 |
Roll-up spa and swim spa cover
A spa cover constructed of layers of pliable insulation encapsulated within a weatherproof vinyl reinforced fabric or a rubber membrane which is attached to rigid square support tubes that run parallel to the short end of the spa. The encapsulated insulation is fastened to the bottom of the square support tubes with corrosion-free nylon anchors which allows the soft insulation assembly to span over the water and rest directly on the spa bartop surface sealing the heat in and keeping debris out. An arched fiberglass rod structure supports a weatherproof rainfly which is permanently affixed to the flat cover assembly to shed rain and debris. The entire assembly is held in place at each end with adjustable straps which stretch the cover from end to end keeping the rainfly taut. Removing the cover to access the spa involves undoing the straps on one end and rolling the cover assembly towards the other end until the desired amount of spa exposure is reached. Covering the spa after use is just the opposite procedure. |
| US08683620B1 |
Pool covers
A device for covering a pool, for example a swimming pool, has an upper component composed of a closed cell polymeric foam and a lower component composed of an open cell polymeric foam. The device can have, or can acquire in use, a convex upper surface which reduces the danger that it will be blown off the pool by wind. |
| US08683618B2 |
Apparel incorporating a protective element
An article of apparel may include may include a garment portion and at least one protective element. The garment portion and the protective element have a configuration that forms a gap, separation, or pleat structure through, for example, folding or overlapping of a textile element of the garment portion. The gap, separation, or pleat structure may permit the protective element to move independent of other portions of the apparel at the joint, thereby enhancing a range of movement of the individual and the overall comfort of the apparel. |
| US08683617B2 |
Multi-component helmet with ventilation shutter
Helmets and methods for manufacturing a helmet are described. An example helmet includes an upper helmet component having a shell and a shock absorbing liner and further having a lower helmet component having a shell and a shock absorbing liner. The shock absorbing liner of the lower helmet component has an angled interface portion to which the upper helmet component is attached. A vent sill is attached to the shock absorbing liner of the upper helmet component and a vent shutter is slidably attached to the vent sill. An example method include forming a first in-mold component having a shell and shock absorbing liner and forming a second in-mold component having a shell and shock absorbing liner, the shock absorbing liner having a seamless headform. After a vent shutter assembly is attached to the first in-mold component the second in-mold component is attached to the first in-mold component. |
| US08683615B2 |
Overalls for cleanroom and the like
A clean room suit (1) comprising at least one first grasping means (16) on an inner face for facilitating dressing. |
| US08683614B2 |
Pillow bib
The present invention is a pillow bib that generally comprises of a body portion and a plurality of adjustable straps. The body portion has a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel of the pillow bib includes an opening. The plurality of adjustable straps is provided with at least one fastening means on their free ends, for fastening the free ends together. In use, a pillow is inserted into the opening provided on the front panel of the pillow bib. The opening provides a storage space for the pillow. The pillow is in the shape of the opening, thus allowing a perfect fit. The size of the bib may be configured according to the size of the user. The bib can be tied across the shoulder in either direction, thus allowing the wearer to hold the child in either shoulder. |
| US08683612B2 |
Cervical spine protection apparatus and methods of use
The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine. |
| US08689361B1 |
Method of making thin film probe tip for atomic force microscopy
A probe for atomic force microscopy may be provided by depositing a thin film onto a wafer substrate and etching the substrate to leave the thin film behind in the form of a handle, a cantilever, and a probe tip in the cantilever. In some embodiments, a thin film substrate for the probe may be accomplished by forming the probe mold on a first wafer, bonding a second wafer onto the first wafer, and patterning out the second wafer to define the substrate for the probe on the first wafer. The thin film may be deposited onto the exposed portions of the first wafer. Thereafter, portions of the first and second wafers may be removed to leave behind the probe. |
| US08689355B1 |
Secure recovery of credentials
An improved technique involves creating a new lockbox mechanism which is configured to work on a new or upgraded operating platform having different operating platform parameters, and then storing confidential information within the new lockbox (e.g., a copy of credentials which are also stored at a main site). When the new lockbox is then moved to the new or upgraded operating platform, the new lockbox mechanism properly works. Such operation enables the maintained compatibility with applications, control and maintenance of lockbox security throughout, and can be performed automatically and/or remotely. |
| US08689352B2 |
Distributed access control for document centric collaborations
Document collaboration may be implemented by executing an access interest specification phase. The access interest specification phase may include receiving access requests from collaboration participants for access to a document instance, the access requests specified using a document schema of the document instance and referencing at least one schema portion for access to a corresponding document instance portion based thereon, determining a common access interest group of the collaboration participants, based on the access requests, access credentials of the collaboration participants, and on an access control policy specified in terms of the access credentials, and providing a control data block to the participants of the common access interest group including information for generating a common secret key that is common to the participants of the common access interest group. The document collaboration may further be implemented by executing a collaboration phase. The collaboration phase execution may include encrypting the document instance portion using the access control policy, and providing access to the document instance for access to the document instance portion by an accessing participant of the common access interest group, the access including decryption of the document instance portion using the common secret key. |
| US08689340B2 |
Disk protection system
A method for protecting content on a medium including a token which implements at least a portion of a keyed function, providing a first encryption method and a first encryption key, inputting each one of a plurality of token inputs to the token and converting an output of the token to a function output, and storing a plurality of ordered pairs each including a function input and the corresponding function output, encrypting the plurality of ordered pairs using the first encryption method and the first encryption key, and storing the encrypted plurality of ordered pairs on the medium. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08689337B2 |
Systems and methods of fingerprinting and identifying video objects
Systems and methods are provided for identifying a video object using digital fingerprints. The digital fingerprints are generated from information extracted from the video object including encoded video. The digital fingerprints can be calculated in a manner that permits identification of both the video object and operational characteristics of the video object based on matching calculated digital fingerprints with known fingerprints of known video objects. Systems and methods are described that allow a DVD to be uniquely identified and identify whether the DVD is original, copied or pirated. Systems and methods are described for computing digital fingerprints from strings of bits in which certain additional data is optionally embedded. Systems and methods are described that permit media players to access known signatures of known video objects maintained on one or more databases and to identify video objects presented for playing on the media player. |
| US08689334B2 |
Security protection for a customer programmable platform
A method of preventing a customer programmable device from causing security threats to itself or to a communication system is provided. The method includes establishing one or more thresholds by programming or configuring of the device, detecting whether one or more of the thresholds have been exceeded using one or more detection mechanisms, and taking action in response to each threshold that has been exceeded. |
| US08689329B2 |
Scoping scripts in a page
A mechanism on a server divides a page of content into sections defined by dividers, and renders the page stream with dividers to a browser. The browser reads the web page with dividers, and partitions the DOM for the page to create partitions in the DOM according to the sections in the page. Partitioning the DOM allows scripts in each partition to be scoped according to defined access rights for each partition. In this manner, a script in one DOM partition cannot access information in another DOM partition unless the access rights for the partition that contains the script allow it. By scoping scripts to appropriate DOM partitions, potential hacker attacks may be prevented. |
| US08689322B2 |
Authentication method for information apparatus
Disclosed herein is an authentication method for an information apparatus. The method includes receiving a first password, generated based on the system time of the information apparatus, from an external device connected to the information apparatus, generating a second password based on the time at which the first password was received, and determining whether the firs and second passwords coincide with each other. |
| US08689320B2 |
Image forming apparatus with hard disk drive securely formatted
If the validity of authorization information read from a USB key is verified (S1 to S4), use-information that indicates “used” is written in both of the nonvolatile memory and the USB key (S7). In a case of an initial use of an image forming apparatus (Cp=1, S8), a screen for selecting whether to perform a secure format on a hard disk device or not is displayed on a control panel (S9). If an instruction from the control panel indicates performing a secure format (S10), or if the use of the image forming apparatus is not a first time (Cp>1, S8), overwrite process on the hard disk with dummy data device is performed (S13, S14), and a logical format is performed regardless of a selection on the screen (S16). |
| US08689316B2 |
Routing a packet by a device
Methods and apparatus for transferring packets in a packet switched communication system. A system is provided that includes an L2 device including a controller determining for each packet received whether the received packet is to be inspected, an inspection device operable to inspect and filter packets identified by the controller including using a zone specific policy and an L2 controller for transferring inspected packets in accordance with L2 header information using L2 protocols. |
| US08689315B2 |
Method for managing network filter based policies
A method and system are provided for adding, removing, and managing a plurality of network policy filters in a network device. Filters are installed in a framework and designated as active or disabled. Each filter has a priority. When a new filter is to be installed into the framework, it is compared to installed filters to determine if a conflict exists. If no conflict exists, the new filter is added as an active filter. If a conflict exists, a higher priority conflicting filter is added as active and a lower priority filter is added as inactive. |
| US08689313B2 |
Real time streaming data communications through a security device
An exemplary method of the invention is for connecting a plurality of clients to one another over a computer network for communication of real-time streaming data to one another, with at least one of the clients being separated by a security device from the network. Exemplary steps include each of the clients communicating a request to the server including a client address and a conference identifier, the server using the conference identifier to identify a conference address, and the server communicating a confirmation to each of the clients in a first protocol containing the at least one conference address. The at least one security device recognizes one or both of the confirmation and request as a signal to allow traffic to pass from said conference address to the respective client separated from the network by the security device. Each of the clients communicates real time streaming data to the conference address in a second protocol, and the server communicates real time streaming data received from each of the clients in the second protocol at the conference address to the others of the clients whereby the plurality of clients share real-time streaming data. |
| US08689309B2 |
Authentication token for identifying a cloning attack onto such authentication token
The invention relates to an authentication token for a communication network. The token may include a microprocessor, a memory, a stored secret key (Ki) and a set of instructions for controlling the microprocessor into performing an authentication calculation on the basis of a received random (RAND) and on the basis of the stored secret key. The token further includes a memory location dedicated for storing a counter value and it includes instructions for making the counter value evolve each time the authentication calculation is performed. |
| US08689307B2 |
System and method for providing a virtual peer-to-peer environment
An improved system and method are disclosed for peer-to-peer communications. In one example, the method enables the creation of a virtual endpoint that may operate within a peer-to-peer network to represent a device that is unable to operate as an endpoint. |
| US08689301B2 |
SIP signaling without constant re-authentication
A proxy server causes an authentication authority to authenticate a client in response to a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) request of the client on a connection. It does not cause the client to be authenticated in response subsequent requests on the connection as long as the underlying connection is not broken, the subsequent requests are on behalf of the same client, the client has not been removed from the system, the client's password has not changed, a “safety net” timer has not expired, or any other policy that the server chooses to enforce. This eliminates the overhead of constant re-authentication in response to each SIP request. |
| US08689299B2 |
System and method for accessing a software application
Systems and methods for managing a user identity on a mobile device are provided. The system comprises the mobile device comprising a user agent and a client application, the user agent and the client application in communication with each other. The system further comprises an identity provider in communication with the mobile device, and a client service in communication with the mobile device. The user agent is configured to communicate with the identity provider and retrieve the user identity for the client application, and the client application is configured to transmit the user identity to the client service. |
| US08689296B2 |
Remote access of digital identities
A system and method for controlling distribution and use of digital identity representations (“DIRs”) increases security, usability, and oversight of DIR use. A DIR stored on a first device may be obtained by a second device for use in satisfying the security policy of a relying party. Release of the DIR to the second device requires permission from a device or entity that may be different from the device or entity attempting to access the relying party. Further, the use of the DIR to obtain an identity token may separately require permission of even a different person or entity and may be conditioned upon receiving satisfactory information relating to the intended use of the DIR (e.g., the name of the relying party, type of operation being attempted, etc.). By controlling the distribution and use of DIRs, security of the principal's identity and supervisory control over a principal's activities are enhanced. |
| US08689295B2 |
Firewalls for providing security in HTTP networks and applications
Systems and methods provide security to HTTP applications. Responses sent from a server, such as a web server, are analyzed and a signature is generated for each HTML object in that page. The signature is encrypted and sent to a client along with the contents of the page. When a client later sends a request, the system checks the signature associated with that request with the contents of the request itself. If the values, variables, lengths, and cardinality of the request are validated, then the request is forwarded to the web server. If, on the other hand, the request is invalidated, the request is blocked from reaching the web server, thereby protecting the web server from malicious attacks. The systems and methods offer security without being limited to a session or user. |
| US08689294B1 |
Systems and methods for managing offline authentication
A method for managing offline authentication. The method may include 1) identifying an attempt, by a user, to access a client device, wherein accessing the client device requires the user to be authenticated, 2) determining whether the client device is offline, 3) in response to determining that the client device is offline, authenticating the user using offline authentication, wherein offline authentication does not require an active network connection with a remote authentication service, 4) upon successful authentication of the user using offline authentication, allowing the user to access the client device, 5) monitoring the network-connection state of the client device, 6) detecting that the client device is online, and then 7) in response to detecting that the client device is online, locking the client device in order to require the user to reauthenticate using online authentication, wherein online authentication requires the active network connection with the remote authentication service. |
| US08689287B2 |
Federated credentialing system and method
A federated credentialing system, and a correspond method, includes credential issuers that interact with relying parties to provide system users with access to protected resources within the system. The system includes a relying party federated domain server including devices for identifying users and authenticating user access credentials and a credential issuer domain server including devices for verifying user identities and access credentials. The access credentials may be single smart cards. The single smart cards are operative to provide user access to both logical and physical protected resources of the relying party. The system also includes a federated trust broker in communication in communication with the relying party and credential issuer federated domain servers. The trust broker receives authorization requests from the relying party, routes the received requests to the credential issuer and receives in return authorization responses from the credential issuer and routes the responses to the relying party. The relying party grants users access to the physical and the logical protected resources based on information contained in the responses. |
| US08689285B1 |
Rule-based derived-group security data management
Methods for rule-based group security data management and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a complex rule set corresponding to at least one electronic document, the complex rule set including a combination of granting rules, denying rules, and rule precedence. The method includes generating derived user groups according to the complex rule set. The method includes deriving grant rules for each electronic document according to the complex rule set to produce a derived grant rule set. The method includes storing the derived grant rules as associated with the electronic document. |
| US08689283B2 |
Security access control method and system for wired local area network
The present invention relates to a security access control method and system for wired local area network, the method includes the following steps: 1) a requester (REQ) negotiates the security policy with an authentication access controller (AAC); 2) the requester (REQ) and the authentication access controller (AAC) authenticate the identity; 3) the requester (REQ) negotiates the key with the authentication access controller (AAC). The direct identity authentication between the user and the network access control device is realized by the present invention; the negotiation and the dynamic update of the session key for the link layer data protection are realized; a variety of network architectures such as the enterprise network, the telecommunication network are supported; the scalability is good, the multiple authentication methods are supported; the authentication protocols with different security levels are supported, the requirements of the various subscribers are satisfied; the sub-modules of the protocol are independent, flexible, and easy to be accepted or rejected. |
| US08689278B2 |
Web service provision system, server device, and method
A web application server includes a user information management unit that manages user IDs and attributes such that each of the user IDs is associated with corresponding one of the attributes, a security policy management unit that manages security policies such that each of security policies is associated with corresponding one of the attributes, a security policy acquisition unit that acquires one of the security policies based on one of the attributes associated with one of the user IDs, and an HTML file generation unit that generates an HTML file in which a script to acquire personal data of corresponding one of users from an intra-company database server is embedded based on one of the security policies of the corresponding one of the users. |
| US08689274B2 |
Set-top box-based TV streaming and redirecting
A method for redirecting video content includes receiving a video signal at the set-top box and decoding the video signal to produce unrendered video data. The unrendered video data is encoded and provided to the remote device via a wide area network. By encoding unrendered, rather than rendered, video data for transmission to the remote device, the need for an encoding device external to the set-top box is obviated. |
| US08689272B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for managing multimedia traffic across a common wireless communication network
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for managing multimedia traffic across a common wireless communication network. Embodiments may include content devices, end point devices, a network node, and a wireless dongle. The network node and the wireless dongle may have application functions transmitting and receiving application data streams including a video application. The video application may include a conversion engine to compress, expand, or convert video data. Further, both the network node and the wireless dongle may transmit downstream video streams and receive upstream video streams. In addition, the network node may have a master controller function and a node management function, and a dongle management function each managing video traffic streams and application data streams. In addition, the dongle management function controls admission of a video traffic stream originating from the wireless dongle to the wireless communication network. |
| US08689271B2 |
Internet service provider callback for satellite systems
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for delivering purchase information comprising storing purchase information for a purchase of a user in a set top box. The set top box (STB) is configured to receive and display the broadcast signals through a tuner onto a display device. The STB establishes a connection to the Internet through a user initiated action (e.g., when the user accesses the Internet using the STB). A new transmission control/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection is obtained using the established user-initiated Internet connection without the user requesting the connection. A secure electronic connection is established with a server through the new TCP/IP connection. The purchase information is then transmitted from the STB through the secure electronic connection to the server. |
| US08689270B2 |
Broadcast pause and resume for enhanced television
Embodiments of the present invention provide for broadcast pause and resume for enhanced television. In some embodiments, software key frames identifying a state of a browser at a plurality of points in time may be used for synchronizing a series of graphics to a video stream. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08689269B2 |
Insertion points for streaming video autoplay
Techniques are described for presenting streaming media content to users in an engaging manner. A streaming media player may provide an interface that allows users to browse though a collection of available titles sorted into different categories (e.g., science fiction titles, television shows, westerns, etc.). The interface may be configured to automatically begin playback of one of the media titles at a designated insertion point, providing a user with a preview of the title. The insertion point itself may be selected as an interesting point in a given title, and therefore, likely to engage a user in that title. |
| US08689267B2 |
Variable bit video streams for adaptive streaming
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adapting playback bit rate in a content delivery system based on scene complexity of the video content as well as network conditions and other performance factors. A scene complexity map of the video content indicates the complexity levels of different scenes within the video content. Using the scene complexity map, a content player may download scenes of lower scene complexity levels from video streams encoded to lower bit rates to manage the bandwidth consumed to download the video content and allow for the downloading of scenes of higher complexity levels from video streams encoded to higher bit rates. |
| US08689261B2 |
System and method for integrating user-selected data with displayed video content
A video control system transfers a video signal to display a data/video integration menu and receives user instructions indicating user-selected data and display positioning for the user-selected data. The video control system transfers a data request and receives the user-selected data. The video control system receives video content. The video control system integrates the user-selected data and the video content into a video signal that positions the user-selected data relative to the video content according to the display positioning in the user instructions. The video control system transfers the video signal to display the integrated video content and user-selected data. |
| US08689254B2 |
Techniques and graphical user interfaces for preview of media items
Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces for presenting a media item on a computing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the media item is a video. A video information window can provide a user with information concerning the video and can enable the user to play at least a portion of the video on request. When the video is to be played, the video information window can expand to present a video playback region in which the video is provided when played. The video can be provided with high resolution and appropriate frame size. |
| US08689253B2 |
Method and system for configuring media-playing sets
A remote support site having a detector internally collecting information on a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic of a media-playing set or television and a server enabling specification of a preferred setting for such characteristic from this information. A method including maintaining a remote site, therefrom internally collecting information from the set about a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic, and therefrom specifying a preferred setting for such characteristic. A similar method but information detected upon user request about user-adjustable component for selecting on-screen characteristic and final step is remotely adjusting component. A similar method but information is about broadcast characteristic potentially selectable initially by user instead remotely specified initially. A similar method but information is about plural broadcast characteristics and final step is remotely providing settings for each. Two methods on menu-free TV control via remote and a method listing possible broadcast outcomes so user can readily target outcome to resolve. |
| US08689252B1 |
Real-time optimization of advertisements based on media usage
A method for optimization of advertisement selection includes determining that content received via a website channel and content received via an additional media channel are being concurrently consumed at a location. The additional media channel is one of a television channel, a radio channel, a movie channel, and a print channel. The method further includes receiving usage information regarding the content being consumed at the location via one of the website channel and the additional media channel, and selecting, based on the usage information, advertisements to concurrently present via the other channel at the same location. |
| US08689251B1 |
Content recognition for targeting video advertisements
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing advertisements. A plurality of advertisement targeting criteria is determined from a video stream or file. A first advertisement targeting criterion of the advertisement targeting criteria is associated with a first time position in the video. A second advertisement targeting criterion of the advertisement targeting criteria is associated with a second time position in the video. One or more first advertisements are provided, for presentation at or after the first time position in the video, based on the first advertisement targeting criterion. One or more second advertisements are provided, for presentation at or after the second time position in the video, based on the second advertisement targeting criterion. |
| US08689245B2 |
Optical pickup device transfer mechanism
A feed-screw type optical pick-up device transfer mechanism is provided for transferring an optical pick-up device through a base member coupled to a follower member in a state in which teeth of the follower member are engaged with a screw portion threaded around an external circumference of a driveshaft. The teeth of the follower member include two main teeth relating to the transfer of the optical pick-up device, and at least one subsidiary tooth provided between the two main teeth and not related to the transfer of the optical pick-up device. |
| US08689234B2 |
Providing real-time widgets in a web application framework
A method and apparatus for providing real-time widgets in a web application framework is described. In one embodiment, the method includes storing a topic in a framework widget. The method may also include receiving a data message, at a user computer system, from a message broker of a real-time web applications framework corresponding to the topic. In one embodiment, the method may also include executing one or more callback functions, specified by the framework widget, to process the data message in response to receiving the data message. |
| US08689230B2 |
Determination of running status of logical processor
An embodiment provides for operating an information processing system. An aspect of the invention includes allocating an execution interval to a first logical processor of a plurality of logical processors of the information processing system. The execution interval is allocated for use by the first logical processor in executing instructions on a physical processor of the information processing system. The first logical processor determines that a resource required for execution by the first logical processor is locked by another one of the other logical processors. An instruction is issued by the first logical processor to determine whether a lock-holding logical processor is currently running. The lock-holding logical processor waits to release the lock if it is currently running. A command is issued by the first logical processor to a super-privileged process for relinquishing the allocated execution interval by the first logical processor if the locking holding processor is not running. |
| US08689229B2 |
Providing computational resources to applications based on accuracy of estimated execution times provided with the request for application execution
A network system includes an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to the Internet and executes an application, and a CPU resource provider which is connected to the Internet and provides a processing service to a particular computational part (e.g., computation intensive part) of the application, wherein: when requesting a job from the CPU resource provider, the application service provider (ASP) sends information about estimated computation time of the job to the CPU resource provider via the Internet; and the CPU resource provider assigns the job by correcting this estimated computation time based on the estimated computation time sent from the application service provider (ASP). |
| US08689228B2 |
Identifying data communications algorithms of all other tasks in a single collective operation in a distributed processing system
Topology mapping in a distributed processing system, the distributed processing system including a plurality of compute nodes, each compute node having a plurality of tasks, each task assigned a unique rank, including: assigning each task to a geometry defining the resources available to the task; selecting, from a list of possible data communications algorithms, one or more algorithms configured for the assigned geometry; and identifying, by each task to all other tasks, the selected data communications algorithms of each task in a single collective operation. |