| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08764353B2 |
Reamer for machining a workpiece by chip removal
Embodiments of the invention relate to a reamer for machining a workpiece by chip removal. Embodiments of the reamer can incorporate a holder, having a receiving opening disposed on a workpiece-side end face and having an internal thread, a holder bore extending inside the holder in a longitudinal direction thereof and opening into the receiving opening, an exchangeable head, having a cutting-nose element having a plurality of cutting noses disposed in a distributed manner in a circumferential direction, an exchangeable-head shank having an external thread corresponding to the internal thread disposed in the receiving opening, a bearing contact element disposed between the cutting-nose element and the exchangeable-head shank and having a first bearing contact surface for bearing contact on a first support surface disposed on the workpiece-side end face, with an exchangeable-head bore corresponding to the holder bore extends through the exchangeable head in a longitudinal direction thereof. |
| US08764351B2 |
Cutting insert with flexibility aperture and cutting tool therefor
An indexable cutting insert has mutually perpendicular longitudinal, lateral and vertical axes. The insert includes two opposite cutting portions and a clamping portion therebetween, arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each cutting portion includes a rake surface and front and side relief flanks, and a cutting edge formed at an intersection of the rake surface and front relief flank. A second width of the clamping portion is greater than the first width of the cutting edges. The clamping portion has two resilient beams and a flexibility aperture opening out to side abutment surfaces of the clamping portion, allowing elastic deformation of the insert along the vertical axis. The cutting insert may further include two opposite stopper portions, each formed on a respective insert end surfaces, each stopper portion forming a step in the respective insert end surface. A cutting tool clamps one or more inserts at their clamping portions. |
| US08764347B2 |
Telescoping leader system
A telescoping leader system for a construction machine that includes a set of leads having a series of internal nesting segments and an extending means connecting one segment to another segment to allow for the extension of the segments one after the other to an extended position and the retraction of the segments to an internal nesting position. The telescoping leader system further includes a surface engaging member mounted within the set of leads and a pivotable mounting assembly mounted to the set of leads and adapted to adjust the position of the set of leads. A quick connecting means adapted to engage the pivotable mounting assembly is included to allow for the quick engagement and disengagement of the construction machined from the set of leads. |
| US08764345B2 |
Method of abandoning an underwater pipeline on the bed of a body of water
A method of abandoning an underwater pipeline on the bed of a body of water from a laying vessel includes the steps of lowering the free end of the pipeline into the body of water and onto the bed of the body of water using a first and second rope, both connected to the free end of the pipeline and extending from the laying vessel to the free end of the pipeline. The method also includes disconnecting the first rope from the free end of the pipeline, once the free end of the pipeline is laid on the bed of the body of water; and rewinding the first rope onto the laying vessel, while the second rope is still connected to the free end of the pipeline. |
| US08764341B2 |
Ground working machine, as well as method for milling soils or traffic areas
In a ground working machine (1) for milling soils (2) or traffic areas, it is provided that a controller (18) for terminating the milling process controls the milling depth of the milling device (8) along a specified trajectory (24) in conjunction with simultaneous forward and reverse travel (5,7), thus enabling the milling device (8) to be raised into the upper position (9) disengaged from the ground without a depression (22) resulting from raising the milling device (8) remaining in the worked ground surface (3). |
| US08764335B2 |
Liquid applicator
A liquid applicator which, in its assembled state an applying part, joint, and front barrel are fixed to a barrel body front end portion, the step of an indented/projected engaging portion on the inner peripheral side of the applying part rear end portion is abutted from behind against and engaged with the step of an indented/projected engaging portion on the outer peripheral side of the forward part of the joint. At the same time, an indented/projected engaging portion on the outer peripheral side of the applying part rear end portion is abutted against and engaged with an indented/projected engaging portion on the inner peripheral side of the front barrel's forward part, and an indented/projected engaging portion on the inner peripheral side of the front barrel rearward part is engaged with an indented/projected engaging portion on the outer peripheral side in the rearward part of joint, whereby applying part, joint and front barrel are formed so as to fix the applying part to barrel body by means of the joint and the front barrel. |
| US08764334B1 |
Scraping apparatus for integration with a pressure washing wand
A scraping apparatus is secured to a wand of a pressure sprayer. The scraping apparatus includes a scraping blade, which is fastened to a spacing block. The assembly is secured to the wand via a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism can be of a quick release design. The rotating blade can be pivotally assembled to the block and held in position by any of a variety of designs. Alternately, a fluid conduit can be incorporated into a scraping block. The nozzle is secured to a scraping end of the block and the wand is secured to an opposing end providing fluid communication through the assembly. |
| US08764333B2 |
Water based ink compositions for ballpoint pen
A water based ink composition for a ballpoint pen containing ι-carrageenan in addition to a dye, water and a water-soluble organic solvent. When used in the ball point pen, the ink composition satisfies an ink drooling prevention and a drying resistance which are mutually incompatible functions and is excellent in writing performance regardless of containing a dye as a coloring agent. The ink composition (c) is used, for example, by accommodating a refill (12) whose ink accommodating tube (18) is filled with the ink composition and which is further loaded with an ink backflow-preventing member (20) in the ballpoint pen (10) whose writing edge is retracted and extruded from a front end opening of a barrel (21). |
| US08764329B2 |
Pivoting mechanical applicator
An applicator includes a barrel portion, a nose portion, a pivoting joint, a threaded screw, a cup, and a flexible driveshaft. The nose portion is connected to the barrel portion at the pivoting joint. The threaded screw is disposed in the barrel portion and threadably engages a plurality of threads. The cup is disposed in the nose portion and is adapted to carry a mass or instrument. The cup is rotationally fixed to the nose portion and the threaded screw such that rotation of the nose portion relative to the barrel portion causes axial displacement of the cup and the screw relative to the barrel portion. The flexible driveshaft extends between and is rotationally fixed to the threaded screw and the cup. The flexible shaft extends across the pivoting joint disposed at the connection between the nose portion and the barrel portion. |
| US08764328B2 |
Printable automatic paper belt-rolling reader (PB reader)
The PB Reader solves the problem that the e-reader presents: the e-reader has a non-paper screen and printed documents need assembly, binding, and page turning via hands.This is an electronic, mechanical device that can quickly search, review and print documents and that has text-to-speech and remote control functionality. The unit is rectangular in shape similar as a traditional book, including a viewing window for reading and printing. The unit is fed by two paper-belt rollers, across which images and printed text are displayed. The two paper-belt rolls, which are held by two square axles that are driven by the stepping motor through multiple reduction gears. A pattern of round dots is printed on the bottom side of the paper belt, which can be decoded by a photoelectric sensor to take action of reeling pages. The signals control the stepper motor, allowing the reader to reel the page forward or backward, or jump directly to a specific position.The second component of this invention is the designated printer. Its body shape is rectangular. The said printer can print any text files and photos from a computer directly onto the blank paper belt in the PB Reader by means of sensing the code on the paper belt. This way, electronic files are transformed into physical paper files that are readable by the invention to ensure quick search, review and as well as safe storage.The invention also has a wireless remote control function, which will allow people who are disabled (or users who for whatever reasons do not have free use of their hands) to make use of the reader. |
| US08764324B2 |
Thermal indicators
A thermal indicator using indicia formed by opaque ink applied to a thermal imaging material element is described. The ink is substantially the same color as the imaging element background and remains substantially hidden until the imaging element background changes color when heated. Time-temperature exposure indicating labels can be prepared using a printer with direct thermal type and ink jet type print heads. |
| US08764322B2 |
Recording device advancing ticket additional distance so that it can be seen
A recording device has a recording unit that records on a recording medium, a transportation unit that conveys and discharges from an discharge opening the recording medium recorded by the recording unit, a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium recorded by the recording unit at a predetermined position on the transportation path of the transportation unit, and a control unit that causes a ticket to be output by causing the recording unit to record on the recording medium while causing the transportation unit to convey the recording medium only a specified ticket length and causing the cutting unit to cut. When a next ticket is not output after a ticket is output, the control unit causes the output ticket to be recorded and conveyed the specified ticket length, advanced a preset additional transportation distance, and then cut by the cutting unit. |
| US08764317B2 |
Optical fiber end processing method and optical fiber end processing apparatus and optical fiber end
An optical fiber end processing method includes fixing two portions of an optical fiber, heating and fusing the optical fiber between the two fixed portions, to form a first heat fusion region, heating and fusing the optical fiber fixed between the two fixed portions unit while fixing the two fixed portions, moving a heat fusion unit from a side of the first heat fusion region toward a base end side of the optical fiber, and pushing a heat fusion portion of the optical fiber in a direction of shortening a length of the heat fusion portion, to form a second heat fusion region continuous to the first heat fusion region and in which the air holes of the optical fiber disappear; and removing the first heat fusion region by cutting the optical fiber within the second heat fusion region after the second heat fusion forming. |
| US08764314B2 |
Optical fiber and composite inorganic ferrule assemblies and methods
A pre-terminated optical fiber assembly with a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough includes a glass optical fiber is disposed within the at least one fiber bore with the fiber fused to the ferrule at a location at least 1 mm deep inside the bore. A method for fusing is also disclosed. The ferrule 14 is desirably composed of an inorganic composite material, the composite comprising a material gradient from at least 75% by volume of a first inorganic material to at least 75% by volume of second inorganic material in the radially inward direction, where the first inorganic material has a fracture toughness of at least 1 MPa·m1/2, and the second inorganic material has a softening point of no greater than 1000° C., desirably no greater than 900° C. |
| US08764312B2 |
Optical connector plug having improved latching mechanism
An optical connector assembly (1000) includes an optical connector plug (100) and an optical connector receptacle (600). The optical connector plug includes a base (3), a head portion (1) and a pair of springs (2) compressed between the base and the head portion. The base includes a body portion (30) and a pair of beam portions (31) formed at opposite sides of the body portion. Each beam portion has a guiding portion (310) extending from the body portion, a lever (312) and a latching portion (311). The head portion carries a number of fibers and includes a securing portion (10) defining a pair of guiding recesses (12). The guiding portions are slidably mounted to the guiding recesses. The latching portions retain the securing portion in position relative to the body portion against a restoring force of the springs. |
| US08764308B2 |
Duplex clip assembly for fiber optic connectors
This application describes several embodiments of a duplex clip assembly for use in aiding the insertion and removal of a pair of LC fiber optic connectors. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a clip body with a hood. The clip body has a central wall, upper tabs and lower tabs configured to loosely retain a pair of LC connectors such as to allow the clip body to move axially relative to the LC connectors. The hood is configured to engage a camming surface on the LC connector latches when the clip body is moved axially rearward relative to the LC connector. In a second embodiment, the assembly includes a duplex housing and a housing cover. The duplex housing retains the LC connectors such as to allow them to rotate. The housing cover has a hood protruding from the top configured to engage a camming surface on the LC connector latches. |
| US08764307B2 |
Roller thrust bearing vibration isolator
A vibration isolator for use between a support structure and a roller thrust bearing including a first race, a second race, a bearing cage and at least one roller element. The vibration isolator includes a radially extending portion with a mating surface, a bearing surface, an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the radially extending portion being substantially disk-shaped. An annular flange extends axially from one of the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the radially extending portion, and at least one groove is defined by the mating surface of the radially extending portion. The bearing surface is configured to abut one of the first race and the second race and the mating surface is configured to abut the support structure such that a void is defined between the at least one groove and the support structure. |
| US08764301B2 |
Thermally insulated anti-friction bearing
An anti-friction bearing, which has an outer ring, an inner ring and rolling bodies that are arranged between the rings, distributed over a circumference of the rings, and roll on the rings. For an increase of thermal insulation, electrical insulation and the like, a film section, which is manufactured without the removal of material from a plastic film, is attached on an outer circumference of the outer ring over at least part of an axial width of the outer ring and at least over part of an outer circumference of the outer ring. |
| US08764300B2 |
Bearing with three rows and more mobile bodies
A wind turbine rotor hub bearing where the series of mobile members include more than two annular series of such members whereof at least two have different median diameters which are arranged in more than two rows scaled along the bearing rotational axis, with two end rows each comprising a series of roller bearings having individually a rotational axis transversal to the axis and at least an intermediary row of mobile members comprising balls. |
| US08764289B2 |
Expandable/retractable thermocouple
A thermocouple includes a first housing defining a first interior with an open end, a second housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the second housing is slidably coupled to the first housing with the first end residing within the first interior and the second end residing exteriorly of the first interior and a temperature sensing element, and a seal. |
| US08764288B2 |
Temperature measuring apparatus and temperature measuring method
A temperature measuring apparatus includes a light source, a first splitter, a second splitter, a reference beam reflector, an optical path length adjuster, a reference beam transmitting member, a first to an nth measuring beam transmitting member and a photodetector. The temperature measuring apparatus further includes an attenuator that attenuates the reference beam reflected from the reference beam reflector to thereby make an intensity thereof closer to an intensity of the measurement beam reflected from the temperature measurement object. |
| US08764284B2 |
Push button for timepiece incorporating a valve
Push button for a timepiece for correcting the time display associated with a decompression valve within a single control device. It essentially includes a first push button return spring (10) followed by a second spring (13) arranged to bend and act as a valve spring. |
| US08764282B2 |
Spiral spring
A spiral spring (10) for the movement of a watch, includes a plurality of coplanar leaves (10a, 10b) wound into one another. Furthermore, the inner ends of each leaf are rigidly connected to a single collet (12). The leaves (10a, 10b) and the collar (12) are produced as a single part. |
| US08764281B2 |
Anti-trip balance-spring for a timepiece escapement
The anti-trip balance-spring for a timepiece escapement which has no stop member is intended to oscillate between two extreme positions, passing through a position of equilibrium. It includes a plurality of coils and further includes means for locking at least two consecutive coils when the amplitude of rotation from the position of equilibrium to at least one of the end positions, reaches a determined angle Ψ. |
| US08764278B2 |
Mixer assembly and method for flow control in a mixer assembly
A mixer assembly comprises a motor, a motor shaft, a propeller connected to the motor shaft and in operation driven by the motor in a first direction of rotation about a propeller axis, the propeller fully submersed in liquid during operation and in rotation generating liquid flow from a suction side to a pressure side of the propeller. Flow control vanes are arranged on the suction side of the propeller, and oriented in an axial plane to deflect the liquid from substantially axial flow into a flow containing a circumferential component of direction which is opposed to the direction of rotation of the propeller. A method for providing axial liquid flow from a mixer propeller that is fully submerged in liquid during operation comprises the steps of applying flow control on the suction side of the mixer propeller through the arrangement of flow control vanes. |
| US08764275B2 |
Method for mixing and/or conveying, mixing and/or conveyance device, and sample processing chip comprising such as device
A mixing and/or conveyance method and a mixing and/or conveyance device for a fluid substance, comprising a sample chamber, a cavity communicating with the sample chamber, said cavity being configured for accommodating a compressible medium, and a sound source that may be coupled to the compressible medium for the production of a fluctuation in pressure in the compressible medium. In the region of its mouth, the cavity is designed such that, in the case of an expansion in the volume of the compressible medium in the cavity, a directed fluid stream of the fluid substance escapes from the cavity through its mouth. A sample processing chip (‘lab on a chip’) comprising such a mixing and/or conveyance device. |
| US08764274B2 |
Kneading tank inversion discharging sealed pressurized type kneading machine
A kneading machine is provided having a kneading tank with kneading rotors therein and a stocking opening. The kneading machine may also include a pressurizing lid for opening and closing the kneading tank and an inner-pressure cover. The kneading tank is capable of inverting in a range of 90° to 120° for discharging the kneaded materials. A front wall defining the stocking opening may be attached so as to be suspended downward from the kneading tank by a hinge when the kneading tank is inverted. The kneading machine may also include a capturing apparatus with a duct connected to the inner-pressure cover to capture powder compound jetted into the inner-pressure cover, and the powder compound captured in a filter of the capturing apparatus can be collected into the kneading tank. |
| US08764269B2 |
Light guide plate and light source module
A light guide plate (LGP) includes a first surface, a second surface, at least one light incident surface, and a plurality of micro-structure sets. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. The light incident surface connects the first surface to the second surface. The micro-structure sets are separately disposed on the second surface, and the micro-structure sets are not continuous in any direction parallel to the first surface. Each of the micro-structure sets includes at least one protrusive structure that protrudes from the second surface and at least one recessive structure that is recessed in the second surface. A light source module is also provided. |
| US08764268B2 |
Backlight unit and display using the same
Disclosed are a backlight unit and a display using the same. The backlight unit includes a first reflector, a second reflector, and at least one light source disposed between the first reflector and the second reflector, and the end of the second reflector is separated from the at least one light source by a first distance in the upward direction of the at least one light source. |
| US08764267B2 |
Edge type backlight unit and method for manufacturing the same
An edge type backlight unit and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The edge type backlight unit includes light sources for providing light, a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the light sources are mounted, a metal bracket that contacts the printed circuit board and dissipates heat of the printed circuit board, and a thermal hardener formed between the printed circuit board and the metal bracket. The printed circuit board supplies an electrical signal for driving the light sources to the light sources. |
| US08764264B2 |
Edge-lit luminaire
An edge lit luminaire includes a light source. A housing has an interior cavity for receiving the light source. The housing includes a heat sink for directing heat away from the light source. At least one optional end cap is secured to an end of the housing that covers the cavity. A lightguide is secured inside the housing and has an edge located in proximity to the light source. At least one of a reflector and a lens (e.g., lens optic) directs light from the light source to the edge of the lightguide. The lightguide includes a light extraction surface enabling light to be transmitted from the lightguide. The housing can also feature a channel and slot for mounting the luminaire to a support surface. The lens optic can be designed to have specific dimensions that facilitate efficient design and operation of the luminaire. |
| US08764262B2 |
Illumination via flexible thin films
A film sheet having a series of strips extending from an edge may have the film strips gathered and folded into a stacked array wherein the strips are in parallel abutment. The collected ends of the stacked strips are then suitable for receiving light for transmission into (and emission from) the body of the film sheet. A pair of frame members, when urged toward each other about the strips, may automatically collect and fold the strips into a parallel spaced array. This array may then be gathered by hand, or by a cover member translating adjacent the frame members, to generate the stacked array of parallel abutting strips. The resulting illumination device is particularly useful for illumination of display panels such as liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diode displays, or simply signs formed of paper, plastic, and/or other materials. |
| US08764261B2 |
Multi-spot laser surgical probe using faceted optical elements
An optical surgical probe includes a handpiece, a light guide within the handpiece, and a multi-spot generator at a distal end of the handpiece. The handpiece is configured to optically couple to a light source. The light guide is configured to carry a light beam from the light source to a distal end of the handpiece. The multi-spot generator includes a faceted optical element with a faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide. The faceted end surface includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam. |
| US08764256B2 |
Vehicle exterior mirror system with light module
A lighted exterior rearview mirror system of a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The light module includes a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light. The illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to said the input to provide a customized illumination beam emanating from the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The system may include a control that is responsive to the user input to selectively individually energize the light emitting diodes, and the control may individually adjust a duty cycle of each of the light emitting diodes responsive to the user input. The light module may include a ground illumination light source, a backup light source and a turn signal indicator. |
| US08764255B2 |
Semi-rigid electronic device with a flexible display
A semi-rigid electronic device is disclosed that includes a flexible panel and a housing. The housing may have a physical dimension L, such as length, height, or a diagonal. The minimum bending device radius of the device along the dimension L may be L/pi when held at an edge. The bending radius increases the more rigid the device. The housing, electronic components, and display may each contribute to the flexibility of the overall device. The housing and/or the flexible panel may also include one or more ribs to constrain movement of the semi-rigid device. |
| US08764248B1 |
LED lighting systems comprising modules and components that perform multiple operational functions
An LED lighting system provides at least one LED illuminating module for use in light bulbs and luminaires. |
| US08764247B2 |
LED bulb with integrated thermal and optical diffuser
A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb includes a thermally conductive base and at least one LED assembly disposed on and thermally coupled to a surface of the base. The LED assembly includes at least one LED configured to generate light. A thermal optical diffuser defines an interior volume and the LED is arranged to emit light into the interior volume and through the thermal optical diffuser. The thermal optical diffuser is disposed on the surface of the base and extends from the base to a terminus on the light emitting side. The thermal optical diffuser is configured to include one or more openings that allow convective air flow between the interior volume of the thermal optical diffuser and ambient environment. |
| US08764245B2 |
LED light bar
A LED light bar includes several LED light sources and a bar light source mounting base. The light source mounting base is made of an insulating and heat-conducting material. An electrical layer having several metal electricity-conducting plates is embedded in an inner part of the light source mounting base. The LED light sources are welded on the metal electricity-conducting plates to form an electrical electricity-conducting circuit. lighting sides of the LED light sources are exposed on a surface of the light source mounting base. The light source mounting base and the metal electricity-conducting plates are formed into a whole. Each LED light source is covered by lenses. |
| US08764235B2 |
Building material and built-up building material structure
A building material whereinside an accommodating space is formed is disclosed. The building material includes a first area whereon at least one protruding part and at least one sunken part are formed alternately in a first direction, and a second area whereon at least one protruding part and at least one sunken part are formed alternately in the first direction. The protruding part of the second area aligns with the corresponding sunken part of the first area in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the sunken part of the second area aligns with the corresponding protruding part of the first area in the second direction. |
| US08764234B1 |
Decorative sphere
A decorative sphere comprised of a series of generally D-shaped open panels pivotally connected together. In one configuration, the panels can be pivoted or moved to a folded and collapsed position for storage. In another configuration, the panels can be expanded and held in a spaced apart relationship to where the individual panels form a sphere. One or more strands of lights can be integrally incorporated into the sphere. |
| US08764232B2 |
Light-directing apparatus with protected reflector-shield and lighting fixture utilizing same
A light-directing apparatus for off-axial preferential-side distribution of light from a light emitter having an emitter axis. The light-directing apparatus includes a shield member within a lens member positioned over the light emitter. The lens member has an outer surface and an inner surface defining an emitter void and a shield-receiving void which is on a non-preferential side of the lens member. The shield-receiving void is different in configuration than the emitter void. The shield member is in the shield-receiving void in position in the path of light emitted toward the non-preferential side. |
| US08764227B2 |
Filter wheel for an automated microscope having excitation/emission tuned aperatures
An improved filter wheel is disclosed, through embodiments, that comprises a plurality of reflector support structures formed as a unitized structure with a circular base member. In some embodiments, the filter wheel further comprises a plurality of light sources mounted on the filter wheel. |
| US08764220B2 |
Linear LED light module
A linear light emitting diode (“LED”) light fixture includes LED modules that interface with one another to provide a substantially continuous array of LED's. This continuous array allows for substantially uniform light output from the LED light fixture. The LED modules can interface with one another via one or more connectors, which allow two or more LED modules to be electrically and mechanically coupled together. The connectors may be disposed beneath the LED's so that the connectors are not visible when the LED modules are coupled together. The connectors may be disposed along opposite ends of the modules to allow for end-to-end configurations of the modules and/or along side ends of the modules to allow for angled or curved configurations of the modules. The LED modules can be powered via one or more wires, magnets, or clips, which are coupled to a power source. |
| US08764215B2 |
Solar-powered hanging basket light
A solar-powered light includes a body having an opening formed through the center from an upper side of the body to a bottom side of the body, at least one solar panel on the upper side of the body, and at least one light source on the bottom side of the body. |
| US08764208B2 |
Meter illumination device
Disclosed is a meter illumination device which makes it possible to sufficiently illuminate the indicating sections of the indicating needle and the display panel. A meter housing (8) is equipped with a light guide tube (81) that guides light rays from a light source (7) to the base (42) end of an indicating needle (4); a light guide opening (82) that is provided between the bottom end of the light guide tube (81) and a circuit board (1); an upright reflective circumferential wall section (83) that surrounds the periphery of the light guide opening (82) and is provided at a prescribed distance from the light source (7); a first reflective wall section (85) that is provided in order to perform transmission illumination of the indicating section (5) regions of a display panel (6), and that is contiguous with the upper end of the upright reflective circumferential wall section (83); and a second reflective wall section (86) having a substantially inverted conical shape provided at a point on the outer periphery of the light guide tube (81) for reflectively directing light onto the first reflective wall section (85). |
| US08764206B2 |
Accessory for reflecting an image from a display screen of a portable electronic device
Accessories for portable electronic devices that offer a screen for displaying the contents of a display of the portable electronic devices. For an electronic device, the accessory includes a reflective screen with a material such as a beam splitter to re-display the device display and a mechanism to hold the screen above a horizontal surface at an angle. |
| US08764204B2 |
Lens barrel, camera device and lens hood
At the inside wall face of the first tube portion 8a of the lens barrel, the shielding grooves 20 having a saw blade shape are formed along the optical axis O, and each shielding groove 20 at least comprises the first inclined face 22 facing the image side, and the second inclined face 24 facing the object side, further the groove widths of the shielding groove 20 is constituted so that they changes in steps or continuously as getting closer to the second lens group 10b from the object side. |
| US08764203B1 |
Target assembly system and method
A target system and method for photogrammetry using a target holder is provided with a body including a flat face surface and an annular protruding lip extending upward from the surface around the perimeter of the body. Target paper is positioned on the surface and cut to size on the surface leaving a centered circle of target paper. |
| US08764201B2 |
Vibration member driving circuit
A vibration member driving circuit causes vibrations in a vibration member at least including an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body by applying alternating voltage to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element fixed to the elastic body. The vibration member driving circuit includes an inductor and capacitor serially connected to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. 0.73*fm |
| US08764199B2 |
Illumination unit having at least two solid state light sources in the same wavelength band
An illumination unit includes a plurality of light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device configured to emit light from a light emission region including a single or a plurality of light-emitting spots. The solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip or a plurality of chips each emitting light beam. Three or more of the light-emitting spots are provided within the whole light sources, to allow the whole light sources to emit light beams in two or more wavelength bands different from one another. Two or more of the plurality of the light sources include respective light-emitting spots which emit light in the same wavelength band. |
| US08764198B2 |
Projection system having rotationally asymmetrical illumination unit for emitting light along optic axis
A projection system including an illumination unit, a polarization conversion unit, a light valve, a projection lens, and a polarizing beam split (PBS) element is provided. The polarization conversion unit includes a V-shaped PBS element, a wave plate, and two reflective surfaces. The V-shaped PBS element includes a first PBS portion and a second PBS portion. The first PBS portion is adapted to be passed through by a first partial beam with a first polarization direction and reflect a second partial beam with a second polarization direction. The second PBS portion is adapted to be passed through by a third partial beam with the first polarization direction and reflect a fourth partial beam with the second polarization direction. The wave plate is disposed in the transmission paths of the first partial beam and the third partial beam. The reflective surfaces are located at opposite sides of the V-shaped PBS element. |
| US08764195B2 |
System and method for the non-contacting measurements of the eye
Combined equipment for non-contacting determination of axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (VKT) and corneal curvature (HHK) of the eye, are also important for the selection of the intraocular lens IOL to be implanted, particularly the selection of an intraocular lens (IOL) to be implanted, preferably with fixation of the eye by means of a fixating lamp and/or illumination through light sources grouped eccentrically about the observation axis. |
| US08764190B2 |
Fundus camera
A fundus camera includes an illumination optical system, an observation photographic optical system, a photographic diaphragm unit located in a position conjugate with the subject's eye in the observation photographic optical system, and an imaging unit disposed in the observation photographic optical system. The photographic diaphragm unit includes a first photographic diaphragm fixed during capturing of a still image and a second photographic diaphragm movable during capturing of a moving image. The fundus camera further includes a diaphragm driving unit configured to move the second photographic diaphragm on a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, an image recording unit configured to capture, with the first photographic diaphragm, a still image based on an output of the imaging unit and, with the second photographic diaphragm, a moving image based on an output of the imaging unit, and a display unit configured to display an image captured by the imaging unit. |
| US08764188B2 |
Functional vision tester
A vision testing device includes a partition defining a first side and a second side and an electronic device operable to project a first image to the first side and a second image to the second side. The first image and the second image comprise computer-generated images, and the first image is identical to but offset from the second image. A mirror extends from the first side to the second side and is positioned to reflect the first image and the second image. A first viewing lens is in optical communication with the first side and configured to receive the first image reflected from the mirror. A second viewing lens is in optical communication with the second side and configured to receive the second image reflected from the mirror. |
| US08764186B2 |
Protective eyewear systems and methods for vision enhancements
Protective eyewear systems providing vision enhancement to a user include a wrap-around lens or eyeshield having a first region with a first optical power and a second region with a second optical power different from the first optical power. Exemplary eyewear systems and methods of their manufacture involve coupling or integrating wrap-around lenses or eyeshield with ski goggles, motorcycle helmets, and other types of headgear. |
| US08764171B2 |
Liquid container
A liquid container detachably mountable to first and second locking portions of a mounting portion of an apparatus. The liquid container includes a casing for containing liquid and a supply port for supplying the liquid to an ink jet head. At respective first and second sides of the casing, first and second engaging portions are provided, respectively engageable with the first and second locking portions. A supporting member displaceably supports the second engaging portion, and a contact is contactable to a member provided in the mounting portion to permit of display information relating to the liquid container. The supply port is disposed in a third side of the casing which is between the first and second sides, and the contact is disposed at a corner region between the second and third sides. |
| US08764167B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and method of manufacturing piezoelectric element
Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid ejecting head including a pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening and a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric layer and an electrode, the method including: forming a first piezoelectric precursor film containing Bi and Fe, or Ba and Ti; forming a first piezoelectric layer by heating and crystallizing the first piezoelectric precursor film; forming a second piezoelectric precursor film further containing at least one selected from Li, B, and Cu on the first piezoelectric layer, in addition to Bi and Fe, or Ba and Ti contained in the first piezoelectric precursor film; and forming the piezoelectric layer by heating and crystallizing the first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric precursor film. |
| US08764165B2 |
Printing apparatus, printing method, printing control method, and computer program
A printing head configured to apply white light-blocking ink, specialty gloss ink, and color ink is controlled, and the inks are applied so that the color ink, the specialty gloss ink, and the white light-blocking ink are formed in this order onto a printing medium having light-transmissive properties. When the printing medium is viewed from the surface on which ink has not been formed, a white ink layer is formed behind the color ink layer and the metallic ink layer, and light-blocking properties can be ensured. Because the amount of the metallic ink can be reduced, adequate expression of the color ink can be ensured. |
| US08764163B2 |
Inkjet recording device having waste liquid chamber
An inkjet recording device includes a main body and a movable unit. The main body includes a recording head and a pump. The recording head is configured to eject ink onto a recording medium to record an image. The pump is configured to draw the ink from the recording head. The movable unit is configured to move between a near position and a far position where is away from the near position with respect to the main body. The movable unit includes a waste liquid chamber configured to accommodate the ink drawn by the pump. |
| US08764161B2 |
Printing fluids including a humectant
A method of continuous inkjet printing by using a printing fluid comprising water, a soluble or dispersed polymeric component, and less than a total of 10 wt % of low-volatile water soluble humectant having a boiling point of greater than 170C; ejecting spaced droplets from a printhead and controlling the spaced droplets to mark a substrate; stopping delivery of the printing fluid to the printhead; and then delivering the maintenance fluid from the maintenance fluid supply to the printhead to purge the printing fluid from the printhead, with the maintenance fluid comprising water and at least 5 wt % low-volatile water soluble humectant having a boiling point of greater than 170C, wherein the concentration of low-volatile water soluble humectant in the maintenance fluid is greater than that in the printing fluid to purge the printing fluid from the printhead. |
| US08764158B2 |
Feeding apparatus and recording apparatus
A feeding apparatus includes a pressing plate movable up and down configured to allow recording media to be stacked thereon, a feeding roller configured to feed recording media stacked on the pressing plate, an urging unit configured to urge the pressing plate in a direction to come close to the feeding roller, and a moving-away unit configured to cause the pressing plate to move away from the feeding roller against an urging force from the urging unit. The moving-away unit causes the pressing plate to move so that a distance between the uppermost recording medium being stacked and the feeding roller becomes approximately constant regardless of an amount of recording media stacked on the pressing plate. |
| US08764157B2 |
Ink jet recording device, waste ink tray, and waste ink collecting method using waste ink tray
An inkjet recording device includes a recording head and a waste ink tray. The recording head is configured to eject droplets of ink. The waste ink tray is configured to receive the ink drained from the recording head. A surface of the waste ink tray, which receives the ink, is made of an antibacterial agent containing resin composition. A solubility of the antibacterial agent containing resin composition, which is measured by a predetermined measurement method, is 1.0 or higher and 3.0 or lower. |
| US08764146B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes a head having a nozzle through which ink that contains thermoplastic resin particles and whose viscosity at 50° C. is equal to or greater than 2.1 mPa·s is discharged, a pressure chamber, and a driving element; an ink non-absorptive medium; a heating unit; and a control unit that applies driving signals to the driving element. In the printing apparatus, a discharge waveform generated by the driving signal includes a first expansion-element that expands the pressure chamber, a contraction-element that contracts the pressure chamber having been expanded by the first expansion-element, a second expansion-element that expands the pressure chamber having been contracted by the contraction-element, a third expansion-element that further expands the pressure chamber having been expanded by the second-expansion element, and a connection-element that connects an end terminal of the second expansion-element with a start terminal of the third expansion-element at the same potential. |
| US08764145B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink particle generation unit that makes a pressurized ink injected from a nozzle into particles, a charging unit that electrically charges the ink particle of those subjected to particulation, which corresponds to a dot to be printed, a polarizing unit that polarizes the electrically charged ink particle in a polarizing electric field, a collection unit that allows a gutter to collect the ink particle corresponding to the dot that is not printed, and a character forming unit that forms a character as a dot matrix on a printing object. A phase detection charging signal is applied to the ink particle that is not used for printing when forming the dot matrix character so as to detect an optimum charging timing in a process of forming the dot matrix character. |
| US08764136B2 |
Coupling device for detachably connecting a drawer to a moveable rail
The invention relates to a coupling device for detachably connecting a drawer to a movable rail of a drawer pull-out guide. The coupling device includes at least one movably mounted coupling part for detachably connecting the coupling device to the movable rail of the drawer pull-out guide. The coupling device includes an adapter device, so that the height position of the coupling part relative to the draw bottom can be adjusted. The adapter device includes a bearing part to be fastened to the drawer, and an adjustment part is connected to the coupling part. The adjustment part is adjustably supported in a direction substantially at a right angle to the drawer bottom in order to adjust the height position of the coupling part relative to the bearing part. |
| US08764135B1 |
Linking mechanism
A linking mechanism includes a rotary wheel set, a linking cord set and an actuator set s chair includes a chair body carrying a rotating wheel and coupled between a drawer cabinet and a drawer to synchronize the operation of two sliding rail assemblies that are coupled between the drawer and the drawer cabinet, enabling the drawer to be accurately moved in and out of the drawer cabinet between an open position and a close position. |
| US08764133B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a hinge bracket that is installed on a cabinet between an upper door and a lower door, which are configured to individually open and close an upper portion and a lower portion of a cabinet, respectively, and rotatably supports the upper door and the lower door, the hinge bracket coupled to a connecting member through a reinforcing bracket, which is installed at an inner side of a wall forming a heat insulation space of the cabinet, thereby enhancing the sealing performance of a filler unit configured to seal between the upper door and the lower door. |
| US08764132B2 |
Enclosure having detachable panel assembly
A panel assembly includes a panel, a first mounting part and a second mounting part. The first mounting part and the second mounting part each include buckling pieces. Part of buckling pieces are moveable mounted on the first mounting part for mounting the first mounting part on a side of a cabinet. The another buckling pieces are immovable mounted on the second mounting part for mounting the second mounting part on an opposite side of the cabinet. When the buckling pieces of the first mounting part are in a free state, the buckling pieces of the first mounting part are attached on the other one of the two opposite sidewalls of the cabinet. When the buckling pieces of the first mounting part are pushed to move towards the second mounting part, the first mounting part are detached from the other one of the two opposite sidewalls of the cabinet. |
| US08764129B2 |
Track over tire system and method
A system and method of increasing the traction and mobility of a tandem axled vehicle by disposing an endless track 16 around the vehicle tires 18,20 and using a tensioning device 22 to impart a force on the endless track 16 to maintain an optimal track tension. The tensioning device 22 may impart a constant force, a force within a set range, or a variable force controlled by a processor 64 on the endless track 16. The processor 64 monitors vehicle parameters to determine if endless track slipping is occurring. The slip-control processor 64 sends signals to the tension device 22 to increase endless track tension when a track slip condition is sensed, and sends signals to decrease endless track tension when slipping is not occurring, thereby allowing for greater suspension movement and improving overall vehicle mobility. |
| US08764125B2 |
Hydraulic pump
A hydraulic pump comprising a containment body (2) having inside a cylindrical cavity (3) provided with a conduit (4) communicating with a hydraulic actuator and capable of holding a fluid. A piston (5) is movable in the cylindrical cavity (3) and a reservoir (12) of the fluid is in fluid communication with the cylindrical cavity (3). Actuation means (6) connected to the piston (5) move the piston (5) within the cylindrical cavity (3) to operate the hydraulic actuator. The pump also comprises means (13) for closing or opening the connection between the reservoir (12) and the cylindrical cavity (3). The reservoir (12) is substantially lined up with the cylindrical cavity (3) along an axis of longitudinal development (X) of same cylindrical cavity (3), so as to reduce the overall dimensions and the weight of the pump. |
| US08764119B2 |
Brushes
A paint brush (201) is provided. The brush comprises a bristle cluster (207) and a handle (202) for holding the cluster. The root end of the cluster is set into adhesive composition by a set depth X. The cluster comprises bristles of two or more different lengths. For a majority of the bristles the difference in length between a longest bristle and a shortest bristle is a range value Y. Y is less than X which means that one end of all bristles conforming to this rule must be embedded in adhesive composition but not all bristles will extend all the way to the tip end of the cluster. This ensures that bristles do not fall out of the handle while providing a tip end with reduced weight. |
| US08764117B2 |
Method of fabricating a chair
A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate. |
| US08764116B2 |
Item of seating furniture
An item of seating furniture contains a seat providing a seat surface, a generally circular foot panel positioning the item of seating furniture on a floor, and a central part, which connects the seat to the foot panel and of which a vertical center axis runs centrally through the foot panel. The foot panel is of at least partially convex configuration and that side of the foot panel which is directed toward the floor is configured, at least in part, as a non-slip surface. This creates an ergonomic item of seating furniture which stands in a stable state. |
| US08764113B2 |
Modular seat apparatus
A modular seat assembly including a seat bottom, a seat back, and a fastener. The seat bottom having a frame and a cushion, the frame including a first member having a channel with an open end. The seat back having a back frame, a back cushion, a second member, and a first restraint system. The second member is configured to be removably coupled to the first member by the fastener with the channel of the first member receiving the second member through the open end. The seat assembly is configured such that the second member may be decoupled from the first member to decouple the first seat back from the seat assembly and replace the first seat back with a second seat back. |
| US08764112B2 |
Seating furniture and fitting for same
Seating furniture including a base fixed in position during use, a seat unit with a seat surface, and a leg unit moveable in relation to the seat unit and having a leg support surface. The leg unit is displaceable by a movement mechanism between a storage position and a use position. The movement mechanism transfers the leg unit from the storage position into the use position, and has an intermediate support displaceable in relation to the seat unit or the base by a pivoting guide. The pivoting guide has a first pivot lever between the intermediate support and the seat unit or the base, and the movement mechanism has a sliding guide with a sliding member guided in a translatory manner on the intermediate support, and the leg unit is attached to the sliding member. |
| US08764110B2 |
Resilient leaning position-restoring device for height-adjustable chair back of office chair
A resilient leaning position-restoring device for a height-adjustable chair back of an office chair includes a back support unit, a height-adjustable chair back disposed on the back support unit, and a resilient leaning position-restoring device disposed between the back support unit and the chair back. The resilient leaning position-restoring device essentially includes a sliding element slidable along a slot disposed on the back support unit and being pulled downward by a spring. The upper end of the sliding element extends to form a resilient member of an inverted U shape. A lower end of the resilient member is coupled to the chair back. The resilient member maintains the predetermined resilience thereof for supporting the bottom of the chair back while height adjustment of the chair back is underway. The bottom of the chair back lends proper support to the sitter's waist, regardless of an adjusted position of the chair back. |
| US08764103B2 |
Front portion structure of vehicle body
A front portion structure of a vehicle body includes: a dashboard lower panel extending in a vehicle width direction; an outrigger provided under the dashboard lower panel and extending outwards from the front side frame in the vehicle width direction; and a side sill extending from the outer portion of the outrigger in the vehicle width direction, toward the back of the vehicle; a footrest portion for a passenger, formed to the dashboard lower panel; and a reinforcing plate to reinforce the footrest portion, joined to the dashboard lower panel and covering the footrest portion from the passenger space side. A flange is formed to the reinforcing plate, and is joined to a side face of a side sill inner panel of the side sill. |
| US08764100B2 |
Vehicle roof structure
Provided is a vehicle roof structure capable of preventing turn of a roof side absorber about its axis in the vehicle front-rear direction. A roof side absorber 10 is arranged between a roof side panel 20 and a side portion 30S of a roof lining 30. An opening trim 40 is fitted to an end portion of the roof side panel 20 on the upper side of a door opening. An upper contact portion 27 provided at an upper end portion of the roof side absorber 10 is in contact with the roof side panel 20. A lower contact portion 19 provided at a lower end portion of the roof side absorber 10 is in contact with the opening trim 40. |
| US08764099B2 |
Door frame for vehicle
A door frame for a vehicle includes a pillar portion, a main frame portion, an envelope portion provided at the main frame portion, serving as a framework of the main frame portion and opening to a vehicle outer side, a fixing portion, a bottom wall provided at the envelope portion and positioned at a vehicle inner side, an upper wall provided at the envelope portion and extending from an end portion of the bottom wall at a vehicle upper side towards the vehicle outer side, a lower wall provided at the envelope portion and extending from an end portion of the bottom wall at a vehicle lower side towards the vehicle outer side, and at least one reinforcement rib formed at the envelope portion, the reinforcement rib extending from the bottom wall towards the vehicle outer side and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall. |
| US08764096B2 |
Bumper assembly for vehicle
A bumper assembly for vehicle may include a first side member disposed in each of both sides of a vehicle body in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second side member coupled to an external surface of the first side member, a fender member having one side coupled to an external side of the second side member, a member flange connected to front ends of the first and second side members respectively, a mounting flange coupled with the member flange, a first crash box having a rear end connected to the mounting flange, a second crash box having a rear end connected to the mounting flange, and a bumper beam having both distal sides, each of which may be coupled to front ends of the first and second crash boxes. |
| US08764094B1 |
Multi-section cargo cover
A compartment with a plurality of side-walls and a floor, which together at least partially define a cargo area. The plurality of side-walls include a first side-wall and a second side-wall, wherein the first side-wall is arranged substantially parallel to the second side-wall. The compartment also includes a multi-section panel configured to cover the cargo area. The panel has a first section with a first piece hinged to the first side-wall and a second piece hinged to the first piece, and a second section with a third piece hinged to the second side-wall and a fourth piece hinged to the third piece. When the first, second, third, and fourth pieces are extended relative to the first and second side walls and arranged substantially parallel to the floor, the cargo area is substantially covered by the panel. A vehicle employing such a compartment is also provided. |
| US08764092B2 |
Protective device for vehicle wiper assembly
A protective device for a vehicle wiper assembly is provided. The protective device is configured to selectively at least partially cover the wiper assembly and prevent the wiper assembly from being pulled away from the vehicle. For example, the protective device may prevent entanglement of the wiper assembly with external elements such as those found in automatic car wash facilities. The device may include a member movable between first and second positions such that the member in the second position is configured to at least partially cover or encapsulate the wiper assembly. An active material actuator may be used to move the member between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the device includes a member operatively connected to and configured to stiffen a pivot point of the wiper assembly. |
| US08764082B2 |
Arrangement for lifting a tower wall portion of a wind turbine and method for lifting a tower wall portion of a wind turbine
An arrangement for lifting a tower wall portion of a wind turbine is provided. The arrangement includes a bar, a first holding member and a second holding member. The bar is connectable to a coupling element of a lift. The first and second holding members have respective first and second engagement portions adapted for engaging the tower wall portion at a first position and a second position respectively, the first position being different from the second position. The first and second holding members are releasably lockable at the bar such that the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are a first distance away from each other. The first and second holding members are also releasably lockable at the bar such that the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are a second distance away from each other, the second distance being different from the first distance. |
| US08764078B1 |
Deflector for increasing fuel efficiency of a vehicle
An apparatus for increasing the fuel efficiency of a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a bladder forming a deflector to attach to a front bumper of the vehicle to divert air around the vehicle. The deflector works to reduce the drag forces on the vehicle's front bumper by promoting more streamline or laminar air flow around the body of the vehicle. Such drag force reduction translates into greater vehicle fuel efficiency. |
| US08764076B2 |
Gate latch
A gate latch release mechanism has a cylindrical tubular guide having a first length, a mechanism to firmly fasten the tubular guide in a hole through a gate member, a compression spring having a length less than the first length of the tubular guide, the compression spring positioned within the tubular guide and having a first end bearing on a shoulder at a first end of the tubular guide, a flexible line of a length substantially longer than the tubular guide, the line passing through the compression spring and the tubular guide, and having a handle on one end and a coupling interface on an opposite end, and a planar element securely fastened to the line within the tubular guide, with the planar element bearing on a second end of the compression spring within the tubular guide. |
| US08764074B2 |
Door clamp
Apparatuses and methods for securing a door. The apparatuses include a door clamp having a stop, a base attached to the stop, a jamb bracket attached to the base, and a fastener coupled to the jamb bracket. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes first and second jamb brackets attached at a hinge, a handle attached coaxially with the hinge, first and second bases extending from the jamb brackets, and first and second stops attached to the bases. |
| US08764073B2 |
Lockable door structure
A structure of the lockable door includes a door cover, a first sliding member, a fastening member, and a second sliding member. The door cover is hinged to a case, and can selectively cover an opening of the case. The first sliding member is inserted through the door cover, and can be slidably mounted on one side surface of the door cover. The fastening member is slidably mounted on the other side surface of the door cover, and has at least one protrusion. The first sliding member is inserted through the fastening member, and the first sliding member and the second sliding member are connected to each other. When the first sliding member is in a retaining position, the second sliding member moves to be on the protrusion, and the first sliding member presses the door cover towards the second sliding member, so as to enhance waterproofness. |
| US08764069B2 |
Stepped down grip ring for use in pipe couplings and pipe coupling incorporating same
A pipe coupling adapted to support a pipe which is freely insertable into the coupling. The coupling includes a hollow body having external threads and a tapered inner surface. A nut having internal threads is co-operable with said body external threads at a first end and with an outwardly converging inner tapered surface at a second end. The coupling includes a deformable gripping member having an internal bore which receives said pipe. The bore includes a first internal surface and a second internal surface, where the second internal surface is of a smaller diameter than the first internal surface. This configuration accommodates pipes of a different diameters. Both of the first and second internal surfaces typically have projections that engage the pipe upon tightening of the nut. The projections for of one of the two different surfaces engage the pipe, depending on its diameter. |
| US08764068B2 |
Quick connect coupling with retention feature
The present invention provides a quick connect coupling with a retention feature that resists inadvertent disconnection of the coupling in a pressurized state. |
| US08764067B2 |
Connection device
A connection device may include an insertion section having an annular outer groove. A housing may be configured to receive the insertion section. A blocking element may be configured to lock the insertion section in the housing, wherein the blocking element may engage the annular outer groove and an annular inner groove formed in the housing. The blocking element may also be configured to be withdrawn through a housing opening substantially tangentially to the grooves and to be pre-fitted in the inner groove and in a pre-fitted state. The blocking element may engage the outer groove and be fixed on the housing securing it against a displacement in a peripheral direction. A securing device may be arranged on an exterior of the housing for securing of the blocking element against displacement at least in the withdrawal direction. |
| US08764062B2 |
Exterior airbag cushion for vehicle
An external airbag cushion including: an outer cover that inflates to cover the front of a bumper of a vehicle; a plurality of separation walls that are disposed inside outer cover to divide the inside into a plurality of chambers in the transverse direction of the vehicle; and low-pressure variable vents and high-pressure variable vents that are disposed for the chambers, respectively, and selectively open, depending on the internal pressure of the chambers. |
| US08764059B2 |
Self-moving operating machine with integrated lateral movement and leveling device
A self-moving operating machine with an integrated lateral movement and leveling device, including a chassis having a front part and a rear part, to which a fore axle and a rear axle, both provided with wheels, are constrained, respectively, and including an operating arm having one of its ends constrained to the rear part. The front part and the rear part are articulated to each other by a spherical coupling including two linear actuators, consisting of hydraulic cylinders aimed at operating in mostly vertical directions. A third actuator is rod-wise connected to the front and rear parts, and is aimed at operating according to mostly horizontal directions. The actuators are operated independently. There are provided means designed to measure loads weighing on at least one of the two wheels and to control locking of the rear axle to the rear part upon reaching predetermined limits. |
| US08764047B2 |
Chair to assist physically challenged persons in swimming
The present invention relates to a swim chair that allows a mobility challenged individual to be transported across the sand with exceptional ease, to lounge on the chair and enjoy the company and sights, to be pulled into the water and, if able, to slip off the chair to go for a swim, remount the chair and return to shore.The chair includes a main frame, defined by a top frame member and two side frame members; two axle support plates, at or in communication with the side frame members of the main frame, the axle support plates having a plurality of openings to receive a wheel axle and optionally a pull rod axle; a wheel assembly; a drop seat; a footrest and a backrest. |
| US08764044B2 |
Gliding board with modified bending characteristics and edge features adjacent binding mounting regions
A gliding board may have less resistance to bending in portions within one or both binding mounting regions as compared to portions at or near ends of the binding mounting regions. Some embodiments provide for increased ability to store and release energy when performing certain maneuvers with the board, such as nose presses, ollies and similar moves. Regions of greatest stiffness may be arranged at outer ends of the binding mounting regions, and may be arranged along lines that are transverse to a longitudinal axis of the board. Alternately, a board may include heel and toe convex portions in the heel and toe side edges that are offset along the board length, e.g., so that the heel convex portions are closer to each other and to a longitudinal board center than the toe convex portions. |
| US08764043B2 |
Splitboard binding
A splitboard (90) having a first ski (92L) releasably attachable to a second ski (92R) and operable in a snowboard mode and in a ski mode. Corresponding toe brackets (140) are attached to the first and second skis. A pair of forward slider blocks (130) and a pair of rear slider blocks (130) are attached to the first and second skis. Left and right bindings (100L, 100R) include front hook portions (116) configured to releasably engage the corresponding toe brackets. The bindings are configured to slidably engage the forward and rear slider blocks in snowboard mode. Pull loops (120) are pivotable between a lock position, wherein a blocking portion (123) of the pull loop extends through an aperture in the binding to engage the slider block in the lock position. A heel stop (112) extends down from the binding to limit the forward slide of the binding. |
| US08764042B2 |
Pull-type agricultural implement drawbar hitch connector
A pull-type agricultural implement has a beam with drawbar hitch pivotable relative to the beam about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis extending in the travel direction. The drawbar hitch has a receptacle for a tractor drawbar. The receptacle enables pivoting of the drawbar about an axis that is horizontal and transverse to the travel direction relative to the drawbar hitch in a locked position. Guiding and adjusting plates in the receptacle allow adjustment of the receiving width of the receptacle to different drawbar dimensions. From a first position, in which the plates limit lateral play of a drawbar with large cross-section relative to the travel and working direction to a minimum, the guiding and adjusting plates are transferrable and lockable in a second position, in which the plates limit lateral play of a drawbar with small cross-section relative to the travel direction to a minimum. |
| US08764040B1 |
Quadricycle with suspension
A quadricycle includes a four-wheel suspension system that is structured to maintain contact between the ground and the wheels when traversing uneven terrain, as well as to permit a rider to lean into a curve in order to facilitate steering the vehicle. The suspension assemblies are relatively wide to resist rollover accidents. Shock absorbers within the suspension assemblies are angled from vertical to provide both a vertical force component and a horizontal force component in order to permit leaning into a curve while resisting excessive leaning. The quadricycle's drivetrain is structured to increase clearance between the ground and many drivetrain components. Smaller components of the spindle and wheel hub assembly are protected by larger components of the suspension assembly. |
| US08764038B2 |
Heavy-duty axle/suspension system
An axle seat bracket-to-beam connection for a heavy-duty axle/suspension system includes at least a pair of spaced apart weld stops that are attached to a beam of a suspension assembly of the axle/suspension system. A weld is laid along an interface between the axle seat bracket and the beam between the pair of weld stops. |
| US08764035B2 |
Motor vehicle
With a motor vehicle having a front axle and rear axle, underbody and shock absorbers, each of which extend between an upper point of action on the underbody and a control arm on the rear axle extending adjacent to a rear wheel, and at least one back seat the upper point of action of one of the shock absorbers is located vertically below the back seat. |
| US08764032B1 |
Shopping cart
A shopping cart having a rear-facing seat for intermittent sitting and resting while shopping. The seat is in a barrier-less rear region of a rear open alcove, allowing a user to freely access the seat for sitting and to freely exit the seat for standing. The seat hingedly connects to the cart, allowing the seat to selectively lower in a down position for sitting and selectively swing upwards for accessing a storage area below the seat. The seat operationally connects to a brake, actuating the brake when the seat is in the down position, the brake engaging at least one wheel of the cart when the brake is actuated. The rear region of the cart has a pair of arms defining the alcove, each arm having a horizontal grab bar, providing support when a user grabs the bar upon rising from sitting. |
| US08764031B2 |
Cabinet with adjustable shelf
A cabinet having a deep shelf with limited access is described and includes at least two opposite sides carrying track means to permit easy adjustment of the shelf between two or more levels by a single person maneuvering only the one accessible end of the shelf. The cabinet can be mounted on wheels to form a cart. One or more such adjustable shelves can be provided. The shelves may be positioned just above the bottom of the cart to provide a maximum depth cart for use, in intermediate positions for use with smaller objects and/or at the very top and/or side of the cart and locked in position to provide a secured interior for the cabinet. |
| US08764028B2 |
Stair climbing wheel with multiple configurations
A stair climbing wheel and vehicles are described. The stair climbing wheel has a rolling wheel and a plurality of deployable protrusions that allow the wheel to climb stairs. The deployable protrusions can be deployed from or retracted into the rolling wheel. In the retracted position, the stair climbing wheel functions as a traditional circular wheel. These stair climbing wheels can be incorporated on a wide variety of vehicles, such as hand trucks, wheelchairs, and personal transports to allow these vehicles to climb stairs. |
| US08764025B1 |
Self-locking internal adapter with free guide mechanism
An internal adapter for use in handles for interchangeable orthopedic tools contains a collar assembly, house assembly, retaining ring, spring and driver assembly. A plurality of securing ball mechanisms releasably secure an orthopedic tool in the adapter, while a configuration of chamfered surfaces centrally stabilize the tool. A plurality of guiding chamfers located in a shaft driver assembly rotationally secures the orthopedic tool. |
| US08764018B2 |
Seal arrangement, especially for high pressure applications, preferably for use in CO2 compressors
A seal arrangement has a mechanical shaft seal with an annular counter member and a slide ring each having sliding surfaces that rest against one another and define sealing gap. The sealing gap has at least one sealing lip correlated therewith. The sealing lip is arranged downstream or upstream of the sealing gap. |
| US08764017B2 |
Recreational amusement
A recreational amusement takes the form a cooler having a toss-type game board integrated with the cooler's lid. The toss-type game board includes one or more cavities in the top of the lid. Provision is made for orienting the top of the lid in a sloping position for play of the game enabled by the game board. The cooler retains all conventional features of a beverage type cooler and, in particular, the characteristic of the interior space of the cooler being substantially sealed off from the environment about the cooler by placement atop the body of the cooler of the lid. |
| US08764010B2 |
Paper conveying apparatus, multifeed detection method, and computer-readable, non-transitory medium
There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a multifeed detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can suppress erroneous detection of the occurrence of a multifeed. The paper conveying apparatus includes an ultrasonic detector for outputting an ultrasonic signal, a multifeed detector for determining whether a multifeed of papers has occurred based on the ultrasonic signal, a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal, and a control module for performing an abnormal processing when the multifeed detector determines that a multifeed has occurred and the sound signal generator does not output a predetermined sound signal, and determining that a multifeed has not occurred and not performing the abnormal processing when the multifeed detector determines that a multifeed has occurred and the sound signal generator outputs the predetermined sound signal. |
| US08764009B2 |
Unstacker device for unstacking flat articles, with detection of their traces
The unstacker device (1) for unstacking flat articles comprises: a magazine (3) in which the articles (2) to be unstacked are disposed on edge in a stack against a jogging edge (5) and facing an unstacking plate (4) arranged to separate a first article (2A) and to drive it in a certain unstacking direction (A) that is perpendicular to the jogging edge (5); a conveyor (7) for conveying the unstacked articles, the conveyor having an inlet (7A) downstream from the jogging edge (5); and retaining means (8) disposed between the jogging edge (5) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A) and actuated to exert a retaining force on an article (2A, 2B), which retaining force opposes movement of the article. The device further comprises a detector device (9, 10) suitable for sensing and analyzing the trace of the article moving between the jogging edge and the conveyor so as to detect the presence of a plurality of articles moving together, and, on the basis of such detection, so as to actuate said retaining means for the purpose of separating said articles. |
| US08764007B2 |
Sheet conveying device having function of correcting skew of sheet
A sheet conveying device that makes it possible to perform printing at high speed with high accuracy by easily correcting skew of a sheet, such as an index tab sheet, without requiring troublesome operations. Sheet detection sensors for detecting a sheet and skew correction rollers for conveying the sheet are disposed in a direction crosswise to a conveying direction of the sheet. A skew correction drive controller measures a leading edge detection time between respective detections of a leading edge of the sheet by the sensors, and controls the conveying speeds of the skew correction rollers independently of each other such that a skew represented by the leading edge detection time is corrected. If the leading edge detection time is not smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the skew correction drive controller reduces a skew correction amount for correcting the skew by a predetermined amount. |
| US08764005B2 |
Recording medium feeding device and recording apparatus
A recording medium feeding device includes a first support member that supports a feed roller and is configured to be swingable about a pivot shaft so that the first support member swings to displace the feed roller in directions to and away from the recording medium, a first engagement section that includes a gear that swings with the first support member, and a second engagement section that is engageable with the first engagement section when the first support member swings to move the feed roller away from the recording medium, wherein engagement of the first engagement section and the second engagement section is maintained in a state where a power in a swing direction is not transmitted to the first support member, and engagement of the first engagement section and the second engagement section is released when the power in the swing direction is transmitted to the first support member. |
| US08764003B2 |
Control method of feeder and image forming system
When conveying an envelope, a posture of the envelope is corrected by hitting a closed portion of the envelope, which is opposite side of an opened portion of the envelope, against a nip portion between upper and lower rollers of the pre-registration rollers and the envelope is then conveyed with the envelope being nipped by the upper and lower rollers of the pre-registration rollers. The upper and lower rollers of the pre-registration rollers nip the envelope to remove air from the envelope. When setting an envelope mode to control a conveying speed of the envelope based on a coverage rate of an image to be formed on the envelope, the conveying speed of the envelope is controlled by adjusting a rotation speed of the registration rollers based on the coverage rate of the set envelope mode. |
| US08764000B2 |
Tool alignment fixture
An example apparatus for aligning a pressure tapping tool includes a base having an engagement portion. The engagement portion engages a component to limit relative movement between the base and the component. At least one guide mounts adjacent the base. Positioning a pressure tapping tool against the guide aligns the pressure tapping tool for pressure tapping the component. An example method of pressure tapping a component includes limiting relative movement between a fixture and a component and guiding a tool along a fixture when pressure tapping the component. The example may include guiding the tool along different portions of the fixture to pressure tap different portions of the component. |
| US08763999B2 |
Stage structure for operation in vacuum
A method and a stage structure for use in a vacuum environment, the stage structure includes a first low-outgassing plate and first high-outgassing associated components that are encapsulated by first low-outgassing covering elements, wherein the first low-outgassing plate is arranged to be coupled to a first motor that is arranged to move the first low-outgassing plate along a first direction, an outgassing level of each of the first low-outgassing plate and the first low-outgassing covering elements does not exceed a tolerable level of outgassing in the vacuum environment, and an outgassing level of each first high-outgassing associated component is above the tolerable level of outgassing in the vacuum environment. |
| US08763994B2 |
Humidifier with ultrasonic transducer
A humidifier has a continuous water flow system with total water recovery and no loss, for maximum efficiency. The unit has a fan with a motor, a transformer, and a circuit hoard, a water tank, and a hood that directs the water vapor into a duct system of a residence. The unit uses multiple ultrasonic transducers positioned at the bottom of a water chamber that transform electrical energy into mechanical energy through vibration. The vibration excites the water molecules separating them into particles having a diameter of about 10 microns for circulation through a home. |
| US08763988B2 |
Wear interface for butterfly valve
A butterfly valve comprises a housing including a bore, a rotatable shaft passing through the bore, a disc mounted to the shaft for controlling the flow of a fluid through the bore, a thrust load reacting section and a wear interface. The thrust load reacting section includes a thrust plug assembled in a thrust reacting end of the shaft and a thrust plate secured to the housing. The thrust plate has a well for axially retaining the thrust plug and the thrust reacting end of the shaft. The wear interface includes a first contact region on the thrust plug with a first contact surface and a second contact region at the base of the well with a second contact surface. A portion of the first contact surface is spherical and in contact with a portion of the second contact surface. |
| US08763980B2 |
Post bracket and post support structure incorporating the same
A post bracket includes a mounting portion, a first flange portion, and a first post support portion. The mounting portion includes a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first flange portion is disposed at the first edge of the mounting portion and is configured to extend along a side surface of a block. The first post support portion is disposed at the second edge of the mounting portion and is configured to be fastened to a post. |
| US08763978B2 |
Mounting system for photovoltaic panels
A mounting system for mounting photovoltaic panels on a support structure. The mounting system comprises photovoltaic panel frames in which the photovoltaic panels are mounted, panel support rails, and mounting brackets or cross beams for supporting the panel support rails. The panel frames have inwardly extending panel frame extensions on their back side. The panel support rails are mounted on the support structure with either pivoting brackets or cross beams. In either case, the support rails have pairs of stationary clamps and movable clamps with clamp lips that engage the panel frame extensions of the panel frames. |
| US08763969B2 |
Foldable display support
The present invention provides a foldable display support, wherein when a support arm is in a standing state, a limiting sheet is located in a limiting part of a screen support rack for blocking, so only the forward/backward tilted angle of a screen can be adjusted, thereby preventing being unstable and falling due to the gravity center being overly backward. When the support arm is folded to a horizontal state, the gravity center is lowered, and a protrusion of a first cam abuts a protrusion of a second cam, such that the second cam axially moves and pushes the limiting sheet to be released from the limiting part of the screen support rack, at this moment, the screen is enabled to be backwardly rotated and folded to a horizontal state for reducing the occupied space, thereby ensuring the folding process to be smooth and stable and preventing from falling. |
| US08763967B2 |
Mounting apparatus for hard disk drive
A mounting apparatus for mounting a hard disk drive (HDD) is provided. The HDD includes two opposite sidewalls each defining a positioning hole. The mounting apparatus includes a supporting plate and a fixing assembly. The fixing assembly includes a positioning member mounted on the supporting plate, a latching member fixed to the positioning member, and an operation member slidably sandwiched between the positioning member and the latching member. The latching member includes a resilient latching portion with a latching post. The operation member includes an abutting block slidably abutting against the latching portion, to bias the latching post to latch into or disengage from one of the positioning holes of the HDD. |
| US08763966B2 |
Device for fastening the housing of a refrigerant compressor
A device for fastening the housing (2) of a refrigerant compressor at a container enclosing a cooling volume, wherein the housing (2) can be fastened to a support element (1) located at the container by way of an arbitrary number of connecting elements (3), wherein at least one connecting element (3) is provided that can be fixed in clamped or latched fashion in at least one corresponding receptacle (4), wherein the at least one connection element (3) and the at least one receptacle (4) can be located either at the housing (2) or at the support element (1). In order to facilitate a simple, fast and nevertheless reliable fastening of the refrigerant compressor at the support element (1), it is provided according to the invention that the housing (2) can be moved from a first mounting position in which the at least one connection element (3) is laid into the at least one receptacle (4) to an operating position in which the connection element (3) is fixed in the receptacle (4) in clamped or latched fashion. |
| US08763965B1 |
Dishwasher anchoring bracket
An anchoring bracket for a dishwasher including a bracket body having a length, width and thickness, two ends and at least one anchoring zone with the at least one anchoring zone for corresponding to the attachment of the dishwasher anchoring hardware and a plurality of anchoring holes within the at least one anchoring zone for providing multiple options in anchoring a dishwasher. |
| US08763961B1 |
Automatic locking guitar holding rack
An automatic locking guitar holding rack comprises a brace arm, a first movable lock device and a second movable lock device separated from the first movable lock device. The first movable lock device has a first movement portion located on the first holding section, and the second movable lock device has a second movement portion on the second holding section. The first and second movement portions are separated. The first movable lock device is depressible by the head of a guitar to move a first actuation member in a first compression displacement to drive a first confining member to proceed a first swivel displacement. The second movable lock device is depressible by the head of the guitar to move a second actuation member in a second compression displacement to drive a second confining member to proceed a second swivel displacement. |
| US08763960B1 |
Arcuate saddles with rounded corners
Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to arcuate saddles typically used to anchor and suspend insulated or non-insulated pipes. Rounded corners on the saddles facilitate comfortably introducing and placing the saddles into hangers as well as improving use. Certain embodiments of the present invention involve methods of manufacturing arcuate saddles with rounded corners. |
| US08763958B2 |
Multi-element airfoil system
A multi-element airfoil system includes an airfoil element having a leading edge region and a skin element coupled to the airfoil element. A slat deployment system is coupled to the slat and the skin element, and is capable of deploying and retracting the slat and the skin element. The skin element substantially fills the lateral gap formed between the slat and the airfoil element when the slat is deployed. The system further includes an uncoupling device and a sensor to remove the skin element from the gap based on a critical angle-of-attack of the airfoil element. The system can alternatively comprise a trailing edge flap, where a skin element substantially fills the lateral gap between the flap and the trailing edge region of the airfoil element. In each case, the skin element fills a gap between the airfoil element and the deployed flap or slat to reduce airframe noise. |
| US08763949B2 |
Aircraft provided with a swiveling tail rotor, and an associated method
An aircraft (1) having an airframe (4) extending from a rear end (4″) to a front end (4′), a rotary wing (2), and a tail rotor (10). The aircraft (1) also includes a power plant (20) driving said rotary wing (2) via a main power gearbox (30) secured to a mast (31) of said rotary wing (2), said power plant (20) driving said tail rotor (10) via a tail power gearbox (40). The aircraft possesses pivot means (43) for causing the tail rotor (10) to swivel in a reversible manner from a stationary first position (POS1) towards a second position (POS2). The aircraft also includes tilt means (50) for tilting said mast (31) in a reversible manner. |
| US08763945B2 |
Method and arrangement in connection with winder drive
A method and arrangement are provided in connection with a continuous material web, which runs from an unwinder to a winder, at least one of which being a center winder. The method includes providing an initial value for density of a material on the center winder, calculating a moment of inertia for a roll of material on the center winder, determining tightness of the material web, producing a correction term for torque calculation based on a material web tightness reference, the material web tightness and the moment of inertia of the roll of material, calculating a torque reference based on the produced correction term and the calculated moment of inertia of the roll of material, and controlling the torque of the center winder based on the torque reference. The method also includes correcting the density value of the material on the center winder based on the produced correction term. |
| US08763944B2 |
Slip hub take-up reel without slip ring
A take-up spool may include a first plurality of rollers arranged in a left handed helical pattern, a second plurality of rollers below the first plurality of rollers and arranged in a right handed helical pattern, a third plurality of rollers arranged in an S-shaped pattern, the third plurality of rollers being arranged between the first and second plurality of rollers, a guide configured to move vertically, the guide being arranged at a first side of the first plurality of rollers, and a clamp configured to move vertically, the clamp being arranged at a second side of the first plurality of rollers. |
| US08763941B1 |
Bottle shredder having a bottle shaped housing
Apparatus provided for reducing the volume of trash generated from plastic bottles and containers whether destined for landfill or not. The apparatus includes a shredder mounted within an aesthetically pleasing and functionally suggestive beverage bottle shaped housing. A chute with a plunger is provided which forces the plastic bottles against blades rotated on a substantially horizontally mounted disk with a fan for directing the shredded particles into a duct for transport to a bin within the bottle shaped housing. A pan structure is provided to collect any fluid remaining in the bottles being shredded and directed via a duct to the bin. |
| US08763939B2 |
Method of active impact crushing of minerals
A method of impact crushing of material includes the following steps: the material is fed to a rotor crushing the material and forwarding pieces of the material towards secondary crushing rotors. Small material pieces are hit by the first secondary crushing rotor and large material pieces are impacted by the second secondary crushing rotor. Impact surfaces of the secondary crushing rotors are substantially normal to the movement directions of the pieces during the impacts. A time interval between the impacts made by the secondary crushing rotors is defined with use of the expression Δt=(0.7 . . . 1.3)(R1/V1−R2/V2), where R1 and R2 are distances from a place of forwarding the pieces by the rotor to the places, where the first and second secondary crushing rotors impact the pieces, correspondingly, V1 and V2 are average velocities of the pieces forwarded towards the first and second secondary crushing rotors, correspondingly.An impact crusher is disclosed as well. |
| US08763932B2 |
Device and spray head for atomizing a preferably cosmetic liquid by means of a throttle device, and method for producing such a device
A device (1) and a spray head (5) for atomization of a preferably cosmetic liquid and a process for producing such a device are proposed. Very simple and accurate throttling of the liquid flow is achieved in that on the supply connection (14) of the spray head (5) a radially open throttling channel (22) is formed which is radially overlapped at least in sections by a connector piece (17) when the spray head (5) has been slipped on. |
| US08763930B1 |
Twin-nozzle bow thruster for hovercraft
The present invention's nozzle is especially suitable for use in a shipboard air-discharge maneuverability device known as a “bow thruster.” As typically embodied, the inventive nozzle includes a nozzle wall and an arc-shaped vane. The nozzle wall has a circular nozzle inlet and an elliptical nozzle outlet, and is configured so that the geometric major axis of the nozzle outlet is horizontal. The arc-shaped vane: is upwardly bowed in the nozzle wall's transverse direction; joins the nozzle wall along its two horizontally opposite sides in the nozzle wall's longitudinal direction; extends most or all of the longitudinal distance between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet; has a transversely intermediate section that, taken in the transverse direction, is generally uniform in thickness; has two transversely lateral sections that, taken in the transverse direction, gradually thicken toward the two respective joints of the arc-shaped vane with respect to the nozzle wall. |
| US08763923B2 |
Railway rail fastening apparatus
A railway rail fastening apparatus has a baseplate for receiving a railway rail to be fastened thereto and baseplate securing elements for securing the baseplate to a baseplate seat area of a concrete railway foundation. The baseplate securing elements carry first and second fastening assemblies configured for location on the concrete rail foundation on opposite sides of the baseplate seat area. Each of the first and second fastening assemblies including fixing member having a first part that extends from the baseplate member for retention within the concrete rail foundation. Only the fixing member of one fastening assembly includes a screw-threaded fastener. |
| US08763919B1 |
Method and system for generating machine-readable code
Method, system, and computer program product for generating a machine-readable code for an electronic document are disclosed. A user interface receives an input for defining one or more areas of interest in the electronic document. One or more location identifiers are determined corresponding to each of the one or more areas of interest. The machine-readable code is then generated for the electronic document based on the one or more location identifiers. Further, the machine-readable code is embedded in the electronic document. The machine-readable code when scanned and decoded enables extracting of one or more descriptors (e.g., text written in various locations specified by the one or more location identifiers). The one or more descriptors are used for at least one of naming the electronic document or determining the one or more attributes of the message. |
| US08763914B2 |
Decoupled contactless bi-directional systems and methods
A contactless bi-directional device including first and second generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas which are arranged in at least partially mutually overlapping orientation, first and second contactless communication chips, each of the first and second communications chips being connected to a corresponding one of the generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas, thereby providing bi-directional communication. |
| US08763911B2 |
RFID tag
An RFID tag is disclosed that includes a first sheet having flexibility and elasticity; an antenna having flexibility and elasticity and configured to be formed on a surface of the first sheet; an IC chip configured to be electrically connected to the antenna; a second sheet having flexibility and elasticity and configured to be attached to the first sheet and to cover the antenna and the IC chip with the first sheet; and a reinforcing member having flexibility and elasticity and configured to cover the IC chip and a connecting portion of the IC chip and the antenna. |
| US08763910B2 |
Durable RFID tag
Plastic asset identification tags are described. The tags define an attachment feature by which the tag is attached to the asset. The tag also defines a cavity or slot in which an RFID transceiver is placed. Epoxy fills the remainder of the slot or cavity. The RFID transceiver is programmed to respond to interrogation by transmitting a unique identifier that is associated with the object to which the tag is attached. Additional information about the object may also be responsively transmitted, and in some embodiments that additional information is also written on the outside of the tag. Other tags seal the RFID transceiver within a pocket of flexible fabric-supported PVC. |
| US08763907B2 |
Barcode device
Bar codes used for various applications. A bar code can be used for biometrics, or for computer data entry. A special bar code is described that has additional information, but can be read by other readers. |
| US08763905B2 |
Data processing systems applying optical identification devices and related data processing and operation methods and computer program products thereof
A data processing system applying optical identification devices includes a printed matter having a plurality of encoded data printed thereon; an optical identification device for reading at least one encoded data from the printed matter; and a data processing device coupled to the optical identification device and storing a plurality of content data for reading the at least one encoded data through the optical identification device, obtaining at least one first data corresponding to an operation and one second data corresponding to one of the content data from the read encoded data and performing the corresponding operation of the first data on the one of the content data that the second data corresponds to. |
| US08763904B2 |
Visibly forming an image and optical code
A method of forming a visual output of a digital image file that has an image portion with a first digital image and an information portion with a second digital image of a digital code, and wherein the digital code encodes information associated with or derived from the first digital image and when made visible becomes a machine-readable optical code, includes using a processor to read the digital image file from a storage medium, and using an output device to produce a visual output of the first digital image in spatial association with the second digital image, the second digital image being a machine-readable optical code. |
| US08763901B1 |
Cross marketing between an entity's loyalty point program and a different loyalty program of a commerce partner
A graphical user interface includes a conversion option to convert quantities of loyalty points of a loyalty program of an entity into different loyalty points of a different loyalty program of a commerce partner. The different loyalty points are accepted by a commerce partner as at least partial payment for commerce partner services provided by the commerce partner as part of the different loyalty program. The commerce partner does not accept the loyalty points as payment for commerce partner services, at least without requiring the loyalty points be first converted to different loyalty points. Responsive to a received selection of the conversion option, a computer presents within a user interface a quantity of available different loyalty points for use as payment for the commerce partner services. The quantity of available different loyalty points results from converting the subset of loyalty points into the quantity of available different loyalty points. |
| US08763897B1 |
Banking system operated responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine is operable to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records, such as user cards. The machine includes a reader device operative to read data usable to identify a financial account authorized for use in conducting a transaction through the machine. An authorized machine user can use the machine to perform financial transactions, including dispensing cash and making deposits. The machine can receive a deposit in the form of a stack of sheets that includes both currency notes and checks. The machine includes a check/cash discriminator module that includes a magnetic read head, an imager, sensors, and at least one validation device. The module can determine whether the type of sheet removed from a received stack corresponds to a currency note or to a financial check. The module can then analyze the sheet for validity according to its determined sheet type. |
| US08763896B2 |
System and method of loading a transaction card and processing repayment on a mobile device
The embodiments described herein provide in one aspect, a method of loading a transaction card account onto a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a memory and a contactless reader, the method comprising: reading, via the contactless reader, transaction card information from a physical contactless transaction card corresponding to the transaction card account; sending a retrieval message, to an issuer server, to retrieve a card security credential for the transaction card account, the retrieval message comprising the transaction card information for identifying the transaction card account at the issuer server; receiving, from the issuer server, a card security credential for the transaction card account; and storing, the transaction card information and the card security credential as a transaction card corresponding to the transaction account, on the memory of the mobile device. |
| US08763892B2 |
Tube verifier
There is provided a tube connector for connecting between a fluid sampling tube and a fluid analyzer, the tube connector includes an end face adapted to identify the tube connector, said end face comprising a reflecting surface having one or more reflective regions adapted to reflect light at a predetermined range of wavelengths. |
| US08763891B1 |
Reusable envelope structures and methods
The present invention provides reusable envelope structures, kits for forming reusable envelope structures, and methods of using envelopes formed from such structures and kits. Reusable envelope structures can be formed and kits can be formed for converting existing envelopes to reusable envelopes in accordance with the present invention. As such, envelopes may advantageously be provided that can be reused one or more times. |
| US08763886B2 |
Insulating shipping system
An insulating shipping system may include a container and an insert assembly which may include an insert configured to be inserted into the container. The insert may have a first blank that may include a center panel, two bottom panels emanating from opposite side edges, wherein each bottom panel has at least one slot, at least one top panel emanating from a top edge of each of the bottom panels, wherein each top panel has at least one tab or flange, and at least one foldable line of weakness disposed between each top panel and bottom panel, wherein the at least one slot is sized to receive the at least one tab or flange. The insert further may include a second blank have a center panel, wherein the center panel is configured to couple to the center panel of the first blank to form at least one walled cavity. |
| US08763884B2 |
Joint with first and second members with a joining layer located therebetween containing Sn metal and another metallic material; methods for forming the same joint
The present invention relates to a joint (10) that includes a first member (11) to be jointed, a second member (12) to be jointed and a jointing layer (13) located between the first member (11) and the second member (12). The jointing layer (13) is made of Sn metal and a metallic material with a melting point higher than the melting point of the Sn metal. The present invention relates also to a method of joining this first member (11) to the second member (12). |
| US08763882B2 |
Friction stir welding method for metal material and metal material welded body obtained thereby
A friction stir welding method for a metal material for longitudinally welding members to be butted and then welded with complicated shape portions in section at end portions. The friction stir welding method includes preparing members to be welded and formed with excess thickness portions and a welding tool provided with a probe; performing a first welding to the members to be welded; inserting the welding tool from the excess thickness portion to cause plastic flow of the metal material subsequent to the butt-welding; and performing a second welding. |
| US08763881B2 |
Methods of hardbanding joints of pipe using friction stir welding
A method for applying a wear reducing material to a tool used in a wellbore operation that includes welding a hardfacing alloy to a surface of the tool, wherein the welding comprises friction stirring the alloy into the tool's surface is disclosed. Methods of welding a preformed sleeve or width of wear reducing material using friction stirring are also disclosed. |
| US08763878B2 |
Methods and apparatus having bowstring-like staple delivery to a target tissue
Devices for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue include a sheath and a staple push rod. The sheath has a distal end configured to be pressed against the target tissue. The staple push rod is disposed within at least a portion of the sheath and is slidable relative thereto. The staple push rod includes a pair of stakes. Each stake is dimensioned to abut a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto. The stakes are biased to assume a bow-like shape such that an intermediate portion of a staple extends tautly between the first stake and the second stake when the stakes are extending beyond the distal end of the tubular member. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed. |
| US08763876B2 |
Surgical instrument and cartridge for use therewith
A cartridge assembly is disclosed. The cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge housing and a cartridge. The cartridge housing has a plurality of biasing members thereon. The cartridge is configured for reception at least partially within the cartridge housing. The cartridge includes a plurality of fasteners at least partially therein. The cartridge has a plurality of pockets. Each fastener is ejectable from a corresponding pocket. The cartridge has a plurality of chambers, and each chamber is adjacent a pocket and configured to store at least one fastener at least partially therein. At least one fastener is movable from the chamber to the pocket. The cartridge includes a plurality of pushers, where each pusher is configured to engage at least one corresponding fastener. At least one pusher includes at least one cam surface thereon. Each biasing member urges at least one corresponding fastener toward the corresponding pocket. |
| US08763869B2 |
Wrist-wearable device
A wrist-wearable device uses a loop keeper to securely keep the wristband at place. The loop keeper includes a first protrusion extending from a first inner surface for engaging with one of a plurality of first eyelets of a first wristband and avoiding the first wristband from falling out of the loop keeper to flap around. The loop keeper also includes a second protrusion extending from a second inner surface for engaging with one of a plurality of second eyelets of a second wristband, which the loop keeper is slidably disposed on, so as to provide ease experience for the user from readjust the keeper every time. |
| US08763867B2 |
Spring top lower neck hanger sizing
A combination hanger and indicator, or either of them separately, the hanger with a body and a post extending upward from the body, the intersection of the post and the body defining a lower neck region of the hanger, the post having a flange extending outward from the post at a position removed from the body of the hanger. An indicator includes a pair of opposing side walls connected by a pair of opposing end walls, with an opening in the top of the indicator, the opening defined at least in part by a displaceable resilient tab, preferably two positioned on opposite sides of the indicator, attached to one of the side walls or end walls, wherein displacement of the tab enlarges the opening to admit the flange. At least some portion of the post between the flange and the body is smaller than the flange to reduce the displacement of the tab. |
| US08763864B2 |
Fluid product distributor
A fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir (1) provided with an opening (10); and a dispenser member (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), such as a pump or a valve, mounted on the opening (10) of the reservoir, the member forming a fluid chamber (C) that is provided with an inlet valve (28, 43), an outlet valve (47, 511), and a lip (42) that is movable in leaktight sliding in a cylinder (27) between a rest position and a depressed position, so as to cause the volume of the chamber (C) to vary, and the fluid in the chamber to be driven through the outlet valve towards a dispenser orifice (50); said container being characterized in that, in the proximity of the depressed position, the inlet valve defines a first escape path (F1) that puts the reservoir (1) into communication with the chamber (C), the chamber, in the proximity of the depressed position, communicating with the outside through a second escape path (F2) that passes via the outlet valve and the dispenser orifice so that, in the proximity of the depressed position, the reservoir (1) and the chamber communicate with the outside through the open first and second escape paths (F1 and F2), and with the outlet valve closed. |
| US08763863B2 |
Bifurcated foam pump, dispensers and refill units
Embodiments of foam dispensers including a housing, an air compressor connected to the housing and an actuator for actuating the air compressor are disclosed herein. The air compressor releasably mates with a refill unit. The dispenser has an “empty state” and a “refilled state.” The empty state occurs when there is not a refill unit positioned in the dispenser, and the refilled state occurs when the refill unit is positioned in the dispenser. The air compressor remains connected to the housing during the refilled state and remains connected to the housing during the empty state. One refill unit for a foam pump dispenser includes a container for containing a foamable liquid and liquid pump housing connected to the container. The liquid pump housing is configured to releasably mate with an air compressor that is not part of the refill unit but is secured to a foam pump dispenser housing, and the refill unit is configured to be removed from the foam dispenser without removing the air compressor from the foam dispenser. The air inlet passage is in fluid communication with the atmosphere prior to being installed in a foam dispenser and the air inlet passage is in fluid communication with an air compressor when the refill unit is placed in the foam dispenser. |
| US08763862B2 |
Dispensing assembly with shut off valve, backflow preventer, and methods of operating the same
A dispensing assembly for dispensing a mixture of fluids is provided. In some embodiments, the dispensing assembly includes a first valve for selectively permitting fluid flow to a mixing chamber in which a second fluid is introduced, wherein the valve is actuated between open and closed positions responsive to fluid pressure downstream of the mixing chamber. In such embodiments, the fluid pressure downstream of the mixing chamber can change based upon whether fluid is dispensed from a spray gun, wand, nozzle, or other dispensing head of the dispensing assembly. |
| US08763861B2 |
Dispensing device having an array of concentric tubes
A device for dispensing individual components of a two-component adhesive includes first and second manifold members, each having a distribution chamber therein. A set of conveying tubes is supported within the dispensing device and collectively present a predetermined total cross-sectional flow area to the first distribution chamber. The second manifold member has an array of passages therethrough. Each tube extends substantially concentrically through a respective passage to define annular flow spaces that collectively present a predetermined total cross-sectional flow area to the second distribution chamber member. First and second components emanating from the tubes and the flow spaces are able to intermix with and diffuse into each other on the discharge area of the second manifold member. The cross-sectional flow areas presented to the first and second distribution chambers are equal. |
| US08763859B2 |
Squeeze tube
A tube is configured to store and discharge fluid materials. The tube includes a container and a closure formed to include a fluid-discharge port and coupled to the container to place the fluid-discharge port in communication with any fluid stored in an interior region formed in the container. In illustrative embodiments, the closure includes a base coupled to the container and formed to include the fluid-discharge port, a flip-top cap, and a hinge arranged to interconnect the base and the flip-top cap. |
| US08763856B2 |
Powdered and liquid chemical dispensing and distribution system
A method for distributing powdered and liquid chemicals. The method includes introducing water into an upper end of a measuring chamber, injecting liquid chemical through an inlet located at a lower end of the measuring chamber into a chemical chamber that is fluidly coupled to a lower end of the measuring chamber until a desired volume of the liquid chemical has been introduced, pumping the desired volume of liquid chemical and at least some of the water to a washer, inserting water and a desired dose of a powdered chemical into the upper end of the measuring chamber, and transporting the powdered chemical and at least some of the water to the washer. |
| US08763853B2 |
Device for providing connection elements
A device for providing connection elements, such as rivets and the like has a storage unit with at least one outlet, two stacked, replaceable cartridges each having at least one output flange for dispensing connection elements, and a cartridge guide and a detachable cartridge lock assigned to each cartridge which for its installation is slideable via the cartridge guide to an operating position and fixable by the cartridge lock assigned to the cartridge guide and engaged with the cartridge for locking. |
| US08763850B2 |
Portable manway cover hinge device and methods
A manway cover-manway flange separating kit and method for use with a manway cover handling device includes at least one extended length cover supporting rod having end stops at each end of the cover supporting rod wherein at least one of the end stops is removable and wherein the cover supporting rod is adapted for positioning within one of a plurality of manway cover bolt openings exposed by the removal of a plurality of manway cover bolts and for maintaining alignment of the manway cover and the manway flange when the manway cover is a predefined distance away from the manway flange, and a flange separator including a separator component having a threaded rod and a pair of elongated flange plates, the pair of elongated flange plates rotatably connectable on a first flange plate end to the threaded rod wherein at least one of the pair of elongated flange plates has a threaded opening at the first flange plate end transverse to the flange plate that receives the threaded rod to provide translational movement of the flange plate along the threaded rod. |
| US08763847B2 |
Units insulated with foams and having flexible outer skins
An insulation unit including an inner lining having an inner face and an outer face, in which the inner face is disposed to define a cavity of the insulation unit is provided. An insulating foam is disposed on the outer face of the inner lining, and the insulating foam includes an inner face and an outer face, and the inner face of the insulating foam is adhered to the outer face of the inner lining. An outer lining is disposed on the outer face of the insulating foam. The outer lining includes a non self-supporting flexible skin which is adapted to define at least parts of an outer surface of the insulation unit and is adhered to the outer face of the insulating foam. |
| US08763846B2 |
Bonding structure of metal member and composite-material member
Provided is a bonding structure of a metal member and a composite-material member which comprises a composite-material member and a metal member adhesively bonded to the composite-material member through an adhesive bonding surface therebetween. The metal member has a slit extending along the adhesive bonding surface to form a thin-walled portion between the adhesive bonding surface and the slit. |
| US08763844B1 |
Precision pour drink shaker
A precision pour drink shaker is disclosed herein. The precision pour drink shaker includes a first means for containing one or more liquids, and a second means for measuring an amount of matter placed into the first means. In one aspect, the first means may include a shaker and the second means may include a post extending from the first means, for example, from an interior surface of a base of the first means. |
| US08763838B2 |
Locking utility pull box lid
A locking utility pull box lid device is provided. The device includes a lid and two locking members that are rotatably coupled to a bottom surface of the lid. An actuator bolt extends through each lid aperture and each bolt engages an engagement plate of one locking member. The rotation of the bolt moves the bolt axially and in response, the locking member is rotated between a locked and unlocked position. |
| US08763831B2 |
Reuseable bottle cap having identification means
A reusable bottle cap having identification means coupled to a novel bottle cap cover is disclosed and described herein. In a specific embodiment, the bottle cap has a stem having a series of successive U-shaped grooves or ridges. A slight taper in the stein provides that bottles of varying diameters can be accommodated by a single design. Further, the design is made from pliable polyethylene or polyurethane material to form an effective seal to the mouth of bottles of varying diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the novel bottle cap cover is generally bell (or alternatively barrel or conical) shaped and has a crown, a mid-portion, and a mouth portion. The mouth portion further has a lip wherein an inner recessed groove is machined around a circumference thereof. Additionally, the bottle cap comprises a flanged ring portion having a complementary lip to mate with the groove of the bottle cap cover. In an alternative embodiment, a marker provides identification; and the marker is coupled to the flanged ring portion via a living hinge. Other arrangements and features are additionally disclosed herein. |
| US08763830B2 |
Tamper-evident closure having tamper-indicating pilfer band with projections and package including the tamper-evident closure
A tamper-indicating plastic closure, and tamper-evident package includes a closure wherein the closure includes a pilfer band having a substantially continuous tamper-ring. The tamper-ring extends generally angularly upwardly and inwardly of the closure in a tamper-indicating orientation of the tamper-ring for engagement with a relatively enlarged annular locking ring of the associated container. The tamper-ring includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections, which comprise relatively thick regions or shoulders, which act to limit lateral movement of the pilfer band with respect to the container by engagement of at least one shoulder with the associated container generally beneath the container locking ring. |
| US08763828B2 |
Method and apparatus for regulating pressure in a container
A method and apparatus for venting and compressing a fluid. The apparatus comprising a valve having a vent and a compressible element attached to the vent. The vent and the compressible element define a flow-through channel therein. The compressible element has an internal space adapted to be elastically compressed and expanded. The valve is further adapted to regulate a pressure in a container when a predetermined pressure is applied to the compressible element of the valve. |
| US08763824B2 |
System for hanging and storing x-ray lead aprons
An apron rack system includes a support frame, and at least two paired support arms attached to the support frame. The apron rack system includes at least one set of paired rungs projecting toward each other, attached to the at least two paired support arms, and providing an open space between the paired rungs through which a garment is hung from each of the paired rungs. |
| US08763822B2 |
Adjustable shelf assembly
An adjustable shelf assembly including an elongated frame and a first shelf and a second shelf attached to the frame. The frame has a first end and a second end, and generally extends in a first plane. At least a portion of the first and second shelves extends in a second plane generally perpendicular to the first plane. The first and second shelves are separately transversely movable in the second plane relative to the frame. The shelf assembly is in an open position when the first and second shelves are transversely moved away and spaced apart from each other in the second plane, a generally vacant space is formed between the first and second shelves. The shelf assembly is in a closed position when the first and second shelves are positioned proximate to each other. |
| US08763821B2 |
Shelving system
A shelving system can include can include an elongated support member and a plurality of shelves, each of which can be supported by a clamping mechanism. The support member can have a telescoping configuration so that upper and lower ends of the support member can be pressed against upper and lower stationary objects. |
| US08763820B2 |
Rack and tray device
A rack and tray device formed from a pair of side panels mountable on the floor of an area and attached to the sides of the area, such as the inside of a van. Guide members are on the side panels and include a channel shape extending inward to accept a tray member carried by the channel shape and maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation when objects are placed on the at least one tray member. The guide members are slidably mounted to further support the tray and prevent it from tipping. |
| US08763811B2 |
Insulated shipping container, and method of making
An improved shock absorbing insulated shipping container including an external corrugated cardboard box, receiving a product box therein. Peripheral spaced, and upper and lower spaced between the external box and the product box receive insulating pellets, which are maintained under a compressive force in order to interlock these insulating pellets and prevent their migration during transit of the shipping container. By preventing migration of the insulating pellets, the formation of a void (or voids) in the insulation of the container is prevented, and the formation of a hot spot (or hot spots) within the container which could degrade or damage the product in transit is prevented. A most preferred embodiment utilized insulating pellets made of puffed vegetable starch, so that substantially the entire container can be recycled, is biodegradable, or can be composted. |
| US08763810B2 |
Stackable cleaning bucket
This is a stackable cleaning bucket composed of two adjacent compartments divided by a partition, where the bucket has the merit of being able to be stacked inside a similar bucket practically up to the top edge, and which is equipped with sufficient structural rigidity when in use, with the positioning at the bottom of the two compartments of a spacer element that connects them. |
| US08763808B2 |
Watering can
A watering can of appropriate shape consist of the main container (5) from which an open spout (6) extends, while the bottom wall (12) and the back edge of the main container continue into the extended can holder (7) with the holder opening (8). The main container widens from its bottom toward the top, while the extended can holder (7) becomes narrower from the bottom toward its top. The extended can holder wall creates a countersink (9) on the external side where into the extended handle of the next stacked can is put into. The open spout (6) has V-shaped cross section enabling the spout (6) to fit into the spout of the previous can during stacking. |
| US08763799B2 |
Hookah tobacco container
The present invention generally relates to a container for tobacco for use in hookahs or other smoking apparatuses. Specifically, this invention relates to a hookah tobacco container that is configured such that liquids contained in the tobacco or stored with the tobacco are allowed to be separated and stored away from the tobacco. Embodiments of the present invention include a container comprising a chamber for the retention of tobacco and one or more separation areas for the separation of liquids from the tobacco. |
| US08763798B2 |
Closure for filling and sealing receptacles containing medicinal fluids and method for filling a receptacle with a medicinal fluid and sealing the receptacle
The present invention relates to a closure for filling and sealing receptacles containing medicinal fluids, a method for filling a receptacle with a medicinal fluid and sealing the receptacle. The closure used in the method comprises a mounting piece that may be attached to the receptacle and a connector piece that may be connected to a connector piece of a filling device. A closure body is arranged between the mounting piece and the connector piece, in which a closure piece for sealing the closure sits. The closure piece may be slid between a position sealing the closure and a position which opens the closure. The closure is sealed tight with a removable protective cap. The present method is characterized in that with the protective cap removed the receptacle is filled through the closure in a clean room, whereupon after filling, the closure is sealed by pressing the closure piece into the closure. |
| US08763797B2 |
Closed tubular container comprising a compensation device for the packaging of tablets
A tubular container, closed at its top part by a closure means of the stopper type including with a hinge, for packaging unit products stacked axially or in bulk such as pallets, tablets, cachets or pills, and provided with a compensation device, positioned at the bottom of the container. The container optionally includes a desiccating means and the compensation device includes a compensation means and a fastening means. The fastening means is secured to the compensation means and has a shape memory. |
| US08763795B1 |
Dual support flap case
A dual support flap case comprises a receptacle configured to receive a portable electronic device, a first support flap configured to support the case at a first angle relative to a supporting surface, and a second support flap configured to support the case at a second angle relative to the supporting surface. The first support flap may be a different length than the second support flap. The first and second angles of may allow for a user to select a preferred angle for a current task, such as reading, watching video, typing using a virtual keyboard, typing using a separate physical keyboard, or other task. |
| US08763791B2 |
Aerial conveyor system
An aerial conveyor system for transporting bulk materials is provided. The aerial conveyor system includes, among other things, a first anchor tower disposed proximate to a loading end, a second anchor tower disposed proximate to a discharge end, at least one support cable extending between the first anchor tower and the second anchor tower, a belt conveyor system extending between the loading end and the discharge end and at least one pivot tower disposed between the first anchor tower and the second anchor tower. The at least one pivot tower includes a support structure connected to the at least one support cable, a base and a pivot structure configured to allow the support structure to pivot relative to the base to substantially equalize dynamic tensions of the at least one support cable between the first anchor tower and the pivot tower and the second anchor tower and the pivot tower. |
| US08763786B2 |
Workpiece feeding apparatus
In a workpiece feeding apparatus having a rotating shaft adapted to rotate to separate and individually feed a plate-like workpiece suspended side by side in an axial direction along a helical region formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft and drop the plate-like workpiece from an edge thereof and a motor rotating the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft includes a first rod connected to the motor, and a second rod rotatably connected to the first rod and having a helical region formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second rod and a workpiece hanger at the edge to extend perpendicular to the axial direction and to be bent at a distal end, such that the second rod stops rotating when the workpiece is hung from the distal end of the workpiece hanger. |
| US08763784B2 |
Apparatus and method for transporting containers including wireless condition detection
In an apparatus for transporting containers, a first transport unit including a first drive unit transports the containers along a first transport section, and a second transport unit including a second drive unit transports the containers along a second transport section. First and second sensor units detect a condition of the containers transported by the first and second transport units. At least one control unit controls at least one of the first and second drive units in response to at least one of the first and second conditions detected by the corresponding first or second sensor units. At least one of the first and second sensor units includes a signal transmission unit that wirelessly emits a signal characteristic of the respective at least one first or at least one second condition to a receiving unit of the control unit. |
| US08763781B2 |
Escalator or moving walkway with a soffit plate
An escalator or a moving walkway includes a support structure and a soffit plate. A first side edge region of the soffit plate is fixedly connected with the support structure. In addition, the soffit plate is biased between the first side edge region and a second side edge region, which is opposite the first side edge region, by a predetermined biasing force. In order to maintain the bias the second side edge region is fixedly connected with the support structure, wherein through the maintenance of the biasing force a stiffness of the support structure is increased and in operation of the escalator or the moving walkway the output of noise is reduced. |
| US08763777B2 |
Hydraulic coupling
A torque transfer coupling includes first and second rotary members. A transfer clutch operatively connects the first and second rotary members. A piston, disposed in a piston chamber, is actuable to engage the transfer clutch. A hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a sump containing hydraulic fluid has a first pump member fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second pump member fixed for rotation with the second rotary member such that relative rotation between the first and the second pump members generates a fluid pumping action. A first flow path supplies hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. A second flow path supplies hydraulic fluid from the piston chamber to a control valve for regulating the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the piston chamber. The second flow path includes an aperture extending through the second pump member. |
| US08763772B2 |
Strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon
A strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon. The strap handle includes a strap, and apparatus for having the strap handle added onto the piece of luggage. The apparatus sits within the piece of luggage. The strap engages into the apparatus. |
| US08763769B2 |
Brake shoe with multi-function metal insert
The invention is directed to an insert for a backing plate assembly for a composition friction brake shoe. The insert is particularly useful in the formation of a universal brake shoe for use with a trolley car braking system. The insert includes a central member having a first and second set of attachment posts extending from the respective ends thereof. These first and second sets of attachment posts are adapted for securing a first and second backing plate strap, respectively, thereto. A key bridge extends through a back portion of the central member and is configured for attachment to a brake shoe. A flange guide support extends from a side portion of the insert and includes legs defining a channel that runs parallel to the insert. The flange guide support is adapted for contacting a wheel flange to align a brake shoe with the wheel during braking of the vehicle. |
| US08763767B2 |
Electronic parking brake and method for controlling an electronic parking brake
In a method for controlling an electronic parking brake system and an electronic parking brake system, a travel-optimized method is used to achieve the released state of the parking brake system. When the parking brake is applied, travel-force values are detected and a plausibility check is run, the values being used to arrive at a first optimized position when the brake is released. If the residual force applied to the brake exceeds a threshold value, the parking brake is released even more until the value remains just under the threshold value or until a maximum defined release travel is achieved. |
| US08763765B2 |
Plunger rod adjuster for compact brake caliper units, having an adjusting lever that abuts on an elastic stop
A disk brake of a rail vehicle, having a brake caliper, the caliper arms of which are coupled with one end to brake shoes and with the other end to a wear adjuster, the length of the wear adjuster is adjustable by a control mechanism depending on the stroke of a brake force motor. A control rod of the control mechanism acts upon an adjusting element of the wear adjuster, the adjusting element includes a freewheeling mechanism mounted in a housing of the wear adjuster and a stop section of the adjusting element loaded in a self-adjusting starting position against a stop of the housing by at least one return spring element. The stop contains at least one element that is elastic in the direction of abutment. |
| US08763764B2 |
Locking apparatus for parking brake
A locking apparatus for a parking brake includes a parking lever, a parking lever spring applying a restoring force to the parking lever, a cylinder of which an oil hole is formed thereto, a piston comprising a piston rod connected to the parking lever and a piston main body disposed within the cylinder, and the piston movable along length direction of the cylinder according to supplying or releasing of oil through the oil hole, a solenoid valve and a locking unit disposed within the cylinder for unlocking the piston when the solenoid valve is supplied electric power and for locking the piston when the solenoid valve is not supplied electric power. |
| US08763760B2 |
Adjustment device for controlling electric drive of an elevator, electric drive of an elevator and method for controlling electric drive of an elevator
An adjustment device for controlling the electric drive of an elevator in connection with a voltage reduction of the supplying network is disclosed. The electric drive of an elevator includes an electric motor and a power supply apparatus of for adjusting the supply voltage of the electric motor. The adjustment device includes a device configured to control the power supply apparatus and also a speed regulator for adjusting the speed of the electric motor. The adjustment device is arranged to determine the output voltage of the power supply apparatus of the electric motor in relation to the permitted maximum value of the output voltage, and the adjustment device is arranged to interrupt the operation of the speed regulator but to continue the operation of the power supply apparatus of the electric motor when the output voltage of the power supply apparatus of the electric motor reaches the permitted maximum value. |
| US08763758B2 |
Lubrication and exhaust system for a powered surgical instrument
A cartridge includes a body, a reservoir, a filter, and a tab. The body is configured to be held in a fixed relationship relative to a stem, wherein the body comprises an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to receive a fluid from a surgical instrument via the stem. The outlet is configured to output a first portion of the fluid from the cartridge. The reservoir is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet. The filter is configured to filter the first portion of the fluid as the first portion of the fluid is directed from the inlet, through the filter, and to the outlet. The tab connected to the body and configured to engage with the stem. The tab is configured to, when the cartridge is moved to disengage from the stem, at least one of break away from the body and become functionally inoperable. |
| US08763755B2 |
Portable work platforms and method therefor
Work platforms are generally discussed herein for providing expanded work space for their users with specific discussions extended to portable work platforms that are mountable on vertical or horizontal poles and the like, such as utility poles, for expanding useful work space. The portable work platform has a deck attached to a base by a beam, which is made from a non-conducting material. A strap assembly having a webbing is connected to the base and configured for use with a ratchet mechanism to tension the webbing around a pole to mount to the platform. The beam enhances electrical isolation between the deck and the base. |
| US08763752B2 |
Noise attenuator and vehicle air intake duct provided therewith
A noise attenuator which can reduce time and cost for installation thereof as compared with the conventional configuration and a vehicle air intake duct provided with the noise attenuator are provided. The noise attenuator includes a pair of circular through holes formed through a duct wall, a pair of wave transmitting/receiving membrane which are stretched so as to close the circular through holes, and a seesaw member which connects between central portions of the paired transmitting/receiving membranes. Accordingly, when one of the membranes receives a sound wave of noise thereby to be vibrated at a predetermined frequency, the other membrane follows it and is also vibrated while shifted by a half cycle. As a result, a cancellation wave with a phase opposite to the sound wave received by the one membrane is transmitted from the other membrane, whereupon the noise can be attenuated. |
| US08763750B1 |
Audio equipped fan
An audio equipped fan is disclosed having a housing defining an inner cavity, a motor disposed at least partially in the inner cavity of the housing and having an output shaft extending therefrom that is rotatable by the motor, a fan connected to the output shaft of the motor and rotatable therewith, a grille connected to the housing and positioned in alignment with the fan, the grille having an interior side and an exterior side and defining first openings through which air may flow while the fan is rotated and second openings through which sound may travel, and having a speaker connected to at least one of the housing, motor, fan and grille and aligned on the interior side of the grille with the second openings of the grille so that sound may travel from the speaker through the grille. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US08763746B2 |
Mounting structure of handle switch device
A mounting structure of a handle switch device with which a panel can be replaced by manipulating fasteners for fastening two outer casings of the handle switch device together. A rear casing is temporarily mounted to an inner casing that is mounted to a handle pipe, engagement pieces of a design panel are inserted through through holes of a front casing, and the front and rear casings are fastened together by mounting screws, thereby completing assemblage of the handle switch device. To replace the design panel, the mounting screws are loosened to bring them into a half-engagement state and the front casing is displaced toward a driver side to disengage projection ribs of the inner casing from the through holes. Next, the design panel is dismounted from the front casing, a new design panel is mounted to the front casing, and the mounting screws are tightened. |
| US08763743B2 |
Battery pack mounting structure for electric vehicle
There is provided a battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle. A battery pack is mounted in a space behind a rear seat of the electric vehicle. Battery modules are accommodated in the battery back are in a stacked state in a height direction of the electric vehicle. A floor panel behind the rear seat is formed with an opening into which an upper part of the battery pack is inserted. When seen from a side of the electric vehicle, a dimension of one battery module disposed at a position protruding upwards from the opening, is smaller in the longitudinal direction than that of another battery module disposed below the one battery module, and a front end portion of the one battery module is offset towards a rear side of the electric vehicle relative to that of the another battery module. |
| US08763735B2 |
Cooling system for electric vehicle and cooling method for electrical component
A cooling system for an electric vehicle is provided, wherein an exhaust air duct extending into a box is disposed in an air outlet of the box disposed in a lower portion of the vehicle interior; an air discharge port of the fan case coupled to the air outlet portion of the cooling duct faces an air inlet of the exhaust air duct with a predetermined gap therebetween in a direction of air flow; and when the air discharge port of the fan case is projected on a plane including the air inlet of the exhaust air duct, the air discharge port of the fan case is opened inside the air inlet of the exhaust air duct and a predetermined gap is formed in a transverse direction to the air flow between the air discharge port of the fan case and the air inlet of the exhaust air duct. |
| US08763734B2 |
Drive through air compressor with cone clutch
A drive through crankshaft assembly which selectively provides rotational power to a vehicle accessory while continuously providing rotational power to a second vehicle accessory. Rotational power is selectively provided using a cone clutch assembly that is modular. The cone clutch assembly provides power to the first vehicle accessory when it is in an engaged state. The first vehicle accessory is turned off by putting the cone clutch assembly into a disengaged state using a clutch control system. |
| US08763723B2 |
Cartridge for breaking rock
A cartridge for breaking rock which includes a tubular housing in which is formed a first compartment. The cartridge includes a first energetic composition inside the first compartment and a primer which is exposed to the first energetic composition. The cartridge includes a second compartment inside the tubular component and a plunger inside the tubular component which is movable under explosive force towards the primer. The cartridge still further includes a second energetic composition inside the second compartment and an actuator and a fuse for initiating the second energetic composition. The actuator has an area which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the plunger and is movable, by movement of the plunger, towards the primer, and in that the primer is initiated by the actuator only when liquid fills a volume enclosed at least partly by surfaces of the actuator and of the primer. |
| US08763722B2 |
Power tool having clutch device
The invention relates to a power tool, in particular an electrically operable hand-held power tool, having at least one tool drive shaft for direct or indirect rotary drive of an insert bit, with the insert bit being accommodated in a tool holder that is connected or detachably connected to the tool drive shaft, particularly in a replaceable fashion. At least one drive device and at least one clutch device that couples the at least one drive device to the at least one tool drive shaft is provided which has at least two different, user-selectable, limit torques. An actuating device is provided that makes it possible, with a replacement of the insert bit and/or a replacement of the tool holder, to reset the clutch device to a lower limit torque, preferably to the lowest possible limit torque. |
| US08763720B2 |
Interactive tools
Interactive tools and methods are provided. A particular interactive tool set includes a portable handheld tool and an alignment tool. The portable handheld tool includes a selective drive system. When the selective drive system is engaged, the portable handheld tool is operable perform a function and, when the selective drive system is not engaged, the portable handheld tool is not operable to perform the function. The alignment tool is physically separate and distinct from the portable handheld tool. The selective drive system engages in response to an indication of an aligned state of the alignment tool. |
| US08763715B2 |
Quick-connect plow hitch
The front mounting assembly has a vehicle-mounted frame and a plow-mounted frame that are drawn together by a lift actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder, and brought into registry by guides. When the frames are aligned, slides are advanced from one frame into slide receivers affixed to the other frame and secured thereto by pins. The guides include a pair of guide tabs, which protrude from the plow-mounted frame to guidably engage and subsequently cradle a horizontal lower bar on the vehicle-mounted frame, and a pair of angled upper guides on the plow-mounted frame, which engage a pair of vertical plates on the vehicle-mounted frame to help center the plow-mounted frame as it is pulled into position. For plows having a side wing, a rear mounting assembly engages and lifts a mounting block attached to the wing into a base member to which it is pinned. |
| US08763714B2 |
Agricultural traction system with cable and hoists
An agricultural traction system having a) two agricultural machineries, respectively one left-handed machinery and one right-handed machinery, each machinery having a rectilinear frame having four corners, four wheels, each attached to one of the four corners of the rectilinear frame, a driving and reversible control unit mounted on the frame between two adjacent wheels of the four wheels, a hoist connected to the frame and provided with a safety clutch, jacks arranged on one side of the frame and configured to steady the machinery, counterweights, arranged on another side of the frame, opposite to the side of the frame on which the jacks are arranged, and means, provided inside the control unit, for independent and remote automatic driving, b) a cable configured to wind and unwind around respective hoists of the two machineries, c) an agricultural tool that moves along the cable as the cable winds and unwinds around the hoists; and d) a telescopic arm attached to the agricultural tool and configured to extend the cable during movement of the agricultural tool along the cable. |
| US08763711B2 |
Dry pipe sprinkler system
A dry pipe sprinkler system comprises at least one sprinkler head (18); a control valve (10) operable to supply an extinguishant to the sprinkler head; a system of pipes (16) interconnecting the control valve and the sprinkler head, the pipe system comprising a control column (26) and a riser pipe (42); and a pressure control means (38) located downstream of the control valve and upstream of the sprinkler head; wherein the pipe system is arranged to form a manometer which contains a quantity of extinguishant up to a predetermined level (48) in the control column and in the riser pipe; wherein the manometer is arranged such that the creation of a pressure differential across the pressure control means results in a reduction in the extinguishant level in the control column and a rise in the extinguishant level in the riser pipe; and wherein the control valve is adapted to open to supply extinguishant to the sprinkler head when there is a change in the predetermined level of extinguishant in the control column and/or the riser pipe. |
| US08763710B2 |
Method for integrated enhanced oil recovery from heterogeneous reservoirs
A method of recovering oil from a heterogeneous reservoir, comprising a plurality of permeable porous blocks of rock whose pores contain oil and which form interfaces with regions between the blocks, e.g. fractures, having a higher permeability than the blocks. Treating the interfaces such that the wettability of the surfaces of the blocks is in a predetermined wettability range, then reducing the permeability in the highly permeable regions, and finally flooding the reservoir by injecting a chase fluid into the reservoir. With the present method, water phase bridges are established between adjacent blocks in the reservoir thus allowing a transmission of injection pressure for viscous displacement from one block to the next across the reservoir. A method for long-time storage of CO2 by using CO2 as chase fluid or foaming gas according to the present method for oil recovery from heterogeneous reservoirs. |
| US08763705B2 |
Compositions and methods for cleaning a wellbore prior to cementing
Wellbore-cleaning compositions comprising microemulsions are useful during cementing operations. The microemulsion solvent may be selected from the group comprising methyl esters and ethoxylated alcohols. The microemulsion surfactants comprise a water-wetting surfactant, a cleaning surfactant, an emulsifying surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant and a non-ionic co-surfactant. The wellbore-cleaning compositions may be pumped alone, ahead of a conventional spacer fluid or scavenger slurry and behind a conventional spacer fluid or scavenger slurry. In addition, the wellbore-cleaning composition may be incorporated into a carrier fluid such as (but not limited to) a conventional spacer fluid or scavenger slurry. The resulting fluid mixture may be pumped as a spacer fluid. |
| US08763702B2 |
Heat dissipater for electronic components in downhole tools and methods for using the same
A device for dissipating heat away from a heat sensitive component includes a heat dissipation member thermally coupled to a heat sensitive component. The heat dissipation member may be formed of a composite material. In aspects, the device may be include an enclosure coupled to a conveyance device; a heat sensitive component disposed in the enclosure; and a composite heat dissipation member thermally coupled to the heat sensitive component. The composite heat dissipation member may include a metal and a non-metal. The apparatus may also include an encapsulation substantially encapsulating the heat dissipation member and the heat sensitive component. |
| US08763700B2 |
Dual function proppants
Proppants for use in fractured or gravel packed/frac packed oil and gas wells are provided with a contaminant removal component to remove one or more of the contaminants found in subterranean water/hydrocarbon from a production well. The water/hydrocarbon cleaning proppant solids may be used as discrete particles in a proppant formulation, as a coating on proppant solids in pores of a porous proppant solid or as part of the proppant's internal structure. The contaminant removal component removes contaminants, especially dissolved contaminants, in the subterranean water or hydrocarbon before the water/hydrocarbon leaves the well. For those contaminant removal components that can be regenerated, such as ion exchange resins, a measured quantity of an acidic regeneration solution can be injected into the fractured stratum for regeneration and recovered when the well resumes production. |
| US08763695B2 |
Electrically conductive oil-based drilling fluids
A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing an oil-based wellbore servicing fluid comprising an electrical conductivity enhancer into the wellbore and logging the wellbore by resistivity imaging. A method of servicing a wellbore comprising introducing an oil-based drilling fluid to a wellbore, identifying a subsection of the wellbore for imaging, introducing to the subsection of the wellbore a oil-based wellbore servicing fluid comprising a carbon nanotube wherein the servicing fluid comprising the electrical conductivity enhancer mixes with the oil-based drilling fluid; and imaging the subsection of the wellbore. |
| US08763694B2 |
Zonal testing with the use of coiled tubing
A method and apparatus for measuring formation properties comprising coiled tubing fitted with a bottom hole assembly, wherein said bottom hole assembly comprises means to measure formation fluid properties, means to transmit said formation fluid properties to a surface monitoring system, means to isolate a section of a wellbore, and means to control the flow of fluid entering said coiled tubing. |
| US08763693B2 |
Sub-sea chemical injection metering valve
An apparatus that includes a chemical injection management system. The chemical injection management system may include an interface configured to couple the chemical injection management system to a mineral extraction system. In addition, the chemical injection management system may include an ultrasonic flow meter. |
| US08763692B2 |
Parallel fed well antenna array for increased heavy oil recovery
A parallel fed well antenna array and method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. An aspect of at least one embodiment is a parallel fed well antenna array. It includes an electrically conductive pipe having radiating segments and insulator segments. It also includes a two conductor shielded electrical cable where the shield has discontinuities such that the first conductor and the second conductor are exposed. The first conductor is electrically connected to the conductive pipe and the second conductor is electrically connected to the shield of the electrical cable just beyond an insulator segment of the conductive well pipe A radio frequency source is configured to apply a signal to the electrical cable. |
| US08763689B2 |
Ceramic screen
A screen assembly for removing particulates from a fluid in a well bore said well bore being provided with a tubing for transport of fluids inside the tube, said tube being provided with sliding sleeve doors through which the fluids flow from the well bore external the tube and into the tube. The screen assembly comprises a filter arranged external the tubing and covering the sliding sleeve doors, such that the filter prevents particles above a predefined size from entering through the sliding sleeve doors: The screen assembly further comprises a supportive tube having apertures allowing well bore fluids to pass. Furthermore said filter is arranged on the inner side of said supportive tube, such that the filter is placed between the supportive tube and the tube with the sliding sleeve doors. The filter is made from ceramic material. |
| US08763688B2 |
High pressure oil pipe bullet plug
A rubber bullet-shaped cylindrical device that functions to non-invasively plug a gushing pipe of high pressure oil. The steel belted inflatable rubber plugging device with attached high pressure hoses is inserted into a gushing oil well pipe while it pumps shipboard a high pressure stream of recycled oil itself that will not freeze at the gushing oil well to fight or knife through the oil and the pressure of the oil gushing to assist with inserting and descending the apparatus into the pipe while the operator follows a sequence of operational steps. A hose that has a vacuum applied to reduce the size of the inflatable bladder to allow it to fit it into the pipe unrestricted until it stops at the right location then recycled oil that will not freeze is pumped into the bladder to seal the oil well and to allow the cement pouring operation. |
| US08763687B2 |
Wellbore isolation tool using sealing element having shape memory polymer
Anti-extrusion devices, packer elements, and inflatable packers include shape memory polymer (SMP) materials to enhance the operation of a packer, a bridge plug, or other downhole isolation tool. Seal system use seals of various material including SMP materials as booster for the seal produced. Tool for flow shut-off and sliding sleeve applications use SMP materials to open or close off flow through a tool. |
| US08763675B2 |
Bead chain type pull cord mechanism for a window shade
A window shade includes a frame (1), a shade (2), a shade driving mechanism (3), and a bead chain (4) for driving the shade (2) through the shade driving mechanism (3). A barrel (5) is mounted to the frame (1) at a location corresponding to the bead chain (4). A sliding block (7) is slideably received in the barrel (5) and connected to a handle (8) mounted outside of the barrel (5) by a link (9) extending through a slit (6) in the barrel (5). The bead chain (4) is wound around a fixed pulley (16) mounted to an end of the barrel (5). The sliding block (7) is fixed to a section (4a) of the bead chain (4) received in the barrel (5). |
| US08763672B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for driving a movable partition with a lead drive box
Movable partition systems include a movable partition engaged with and movable along a longitudinal track and a lead drive box coupled to the movable partition and engaged with the track. The lead drive box is configured to move along the track and move the movable partition along the track. The lead drive box includes a trolley for disposition within the track, a motor coupled to the lead drive box, and a rotatable drive member coupled to the lead drive box and the motor. The rotatable drive member engages an elongated drive member extending along the track to motivate the lead drive box and the movable partition attached thereto along the track when engaged with the motor and the motor is rotating. An electronics module disposed within the lead drive box is configured for controlling operation of the motor responsive to signals originating from sources carried by the lead drive box. |
| US08763669B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing composite sheet of absorbent article
A method of manufacturing a composite sheet includes joining a first elastic strip member to a sheet by feeding and surface-contacting the first elastic strip member to a continuous body of the sheet; and joining a second elastic strip member to the sheet by feeding and surface-contacting the second elastic strip member to the continuous body. The first elastic strip member supplied toward a first spindle portion side roller is subsequently put around an outer circumferential face of the first spindle portion side roller and an outer circumferential face of a first oscillating end side roller. The second elastic strip member supplied toward the second spindle portion side roller of a second oscillating arm is subsequently put around an outer circumferential face of a second spindle portion side roller and an outer circumferential face of the second oscillating end side roller of the second oscillating arm. |
| US08763668B2 |
Apparatus for making sheets of composite material
A product sheet of composite material can be made by disposing composite materials of composite material in adjacent (side-by-side) relation with each other. The composite materials comprise fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material. The adjacent composite materials are bonded together to provide a product sheet of composite material. Preferably, a cross ply of composite material is disposed on the composite materials. The cross ply may be a unidirectional sheet and the fibers in the cross ply may be disposed in transverse relation to the fibers in the composite materials. |
| US08763665B2 |
Modular head automated fabric laminating apparatus
An apparatus for laminating a fabric material to a part broadly comprises a vacuum table, a cutting element, a plurality of pinch rollers, and a plurality of compaction rollers. The vacuum table receives the fabric material from a supply spool and retains the material while the cutting element cuts scrap material from the sides of the fabric material. The pinch rollers receive the fabric material after the scrap material has been cut and are configured to stretch the fabric material from a center line outward toward the edges of the material. The compaction rollers receive the fabric material from the pinch rollers and are configured to press the fabric material against a surface of the part. |
| US08763663B2 |
Run-flat tire having an additional sidewall reinforcement
A run-flat tire (11) comprising a crown comprising a crown reinforcement (21, 22) surmounted by a tread (30); two sidewalls (40) extending the crown radially inward; two beads (50) radially inward to the sidewalls and each comprising an annular reinforcing structure (60); at least one carcass reinforcement (71, 72) anchored in each of the beads and extending from the beads through the sidewalls toward the crown; and at least one sidewall insert (80) axially on the inside of the carcass reinforcement, comprising at least one polymer compound; wherein at least one sidewall of the tire further comprises: at least one additional sidewall reinforcement (90) comprising reinforcing elements, positioned axially on the outside of the carcass reinforcement, the radially inside end (91) of the additional sidewall reinforcement being, in any radial section, radially on the inside of the axial straight line (100) that passes through those points in the sidewalls at which the carcass reinforcement has its greatest axial width when the tire is mounted on a rim; and a layer (110) of polymer compound positioned between the additional sidewall reinforcement and the carcass reinforcement, over at least a portion of the additional sidewall reinforcement. |
| US08763658B2 |
Tyre comprising an electronic unit
A tire having an internal surface includes an electronic device and an anchoring body mounted on the internal surface for engagement between the electronic device and the internal surface of the tire, wherein the anchoring body includes a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including a synthetic diene rubber, preferably in an amount of from 20 to 80 phr, and a halogenated butyl rubber, preferably in an amount of from 80 to 20 phr. |
| US08763656B2 |
Device for preventing fueling error
A device for preventing a fueling error reliably prevents a fueling error by accurately preventing an insertion of a small-diameter nozzle without blocking an insertion of a large-diameter nozzle whose entrance should be permitted. Even if an end of a nozzle is strongly pressed to left-and-right shutter members (22), the shutter members (22) never rotate and move in an opening direction unless the shutter members (22) slide and move to an outside of a radial direction. Thus, the structure prevents the shutter members (22) from erroneously moving to a position in which the nozzle is allowed to enter from a blocking position. |
| US08763655B2 |
Fluid transfer assembly and methods of fluid transfer
A fluid transfer assembly and methods of fluid transfer is described. In one aspect, the fluid transfer assembly includes a fluid container having an opening in a bottom, a coupling device attached to the fluid container at the opening, and a filling device. The coupling device may include a valve biasing the coupling device in a closed fluid-tight position via magnetic attraction of opposing first and second components, each of the opposing first and second components including a magnetic material. The filling device may include a rigid member with a perimeter smaller than a perimeter of the fluid container opening, the rigid member including a passage along a longitudinal axis and one or more apertures through a sidewall in fluid communication with the passage, such that the coupling device is transitioned from the closed fluid-tight position to an open position by pressing the rigid member against one of the opposing first and second components, thereby placing the apertures in fluid communication with an interior of the fluid container. |
| US08763652B1 |
Dual-purpose air nozzle for an inflator
An inflator usable for multiple valve types is disclosed that is simply designed and efficient to assemble. The dual-purpose air nozzle for an inflator optimizes the shape of the pressing block and the locations of a first pressing block and a second pressing block, as well as optimizes the location of the shunting cavity so as to reduce the number of components included with a mult-valve adaptable inflator and also to facilitate assembly. |
| US08763651B2 |
Dosage dispensing device
A dosage dispenser according to the invention is intended to provide a solution for measuring and dilution of liquid medications and issuing marked and ready for use. The dosage dispenser device carries out actions required for the preparation of a required dose of medication, including identifying ampoules, breaking them, filling a syringe, diluting the medication in a solution, marking the syringe, disposing of waste and documenting the process, all at the patient bedside. The dosage dispenser is aimed at reducing the number of errors in the dosage, which is a problem, menacing medical services throughout the world. The problem is made acute by considerable pressure on the medical teams while carrying out many and complex procedures under pressure in a situation of uncertainty and with variable data. |
| US08763645B2 |
Support system for process piping and method of installation
A support system for process piping and method of installation are presented. An adjustable hanger rod assembly includes a rod with oppositely oriented external threads at opposite ends thereof. These threads are adapted to mate with internal threads in respectively associated sleeves. One of the sleeves is fixed to a support system, while the other sleeve is fixedly secured to a pipe clamp. The oppositely oriented threading of the rod allows the rod to operate as a turnbuckle, such that rotation of the rod adjusts the elevation of the pipe clamp and an associated pipe retained thereby. Once a desired adjustment has been achieved, the rod and associated pipe clamp may be locked into position by tack or spot welding of the rod to the associated sleeves. |
| US08763642B2 |
Microfluidic devices with mechanically-sealed diaphragm valves
This invention provides a fluidic device comprising a diaphragm valve having a fluidics layer, an actuation layer and an elastic layer between the fluidics layer and the actuation layer, the elastic layer having a diaphragm that is mechanically sealed against the fluidics layer and the actuation layer by a sealing ring in the actuation layer. |
| US08763640B2 |
Rotary valve
A movable valve element is provided so as to rotate about a predetermined shaft center. A first valve seat and a second valve seat are respectively arranged apart from the movable valve element with predetermined clearances on both sides of the movable valve element in a direction along the shaft center. A first sealing member is arranged around a communication path so as to seal a space inside the communication path from a space defined by the clearance on a side close to the first valve seat. A second sealing member is arranged around the communication path so as to seal the space inside the communication path from a space defined by the clearance on a side close to the second valve seat. |
| US08763633B2 |
Valve
A valve for controlling the flow of fluid having first (16) and second (14) plates with offsetting apertures and a sidewall (12) disposed between the plates around the perimeter of the plates to form a cavity (15) in fluid communication with the apertures is disclosed. The valve further comprises a flap (17) disposed and moveable between the first and second plates and having apertures (22) substantially offset from the apertures (20) of one plate (16) and substantially aligned with the apertures (18) of the other plate (14). The flap is motivated between the two plates in response to a change in direction of the differential pressure of fluid across the valve. |
| US08763629B1 |
Double action float valve
The double action float valve is connected to a single pipe and a tank and controls both the filling and discharge of the tank. The double action float valve utilizes a valve body, a heavy filling obturator positioned within the valve body, a light inverse obturator positioned within the heavy filling obturator, and a float connected to the heavy filling obturator. When the inflow pressure from the pipe is greater than the outflow pressure of the tank, the tank is filled until the float reaches a predetermined level. When the outflow pressure of the tank is greater than the inflow pressure, the double action float valve is automatically reconfigured to discharge the fluid from the tank into the pipe. |
| US08763628B2 |
Electromechanical valve for the pneumatic actuation of a device of an internal combustion engine
An electromechanical valve is provided for the pneumatic actuation of a device of an internal combustion engine that includes, but is not limited to an external casing and one or more supporting dampers embedded in the external casing. |
| US08763626B2 |
Valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank
Ventilation valve for a liquid tank comprising: an housing comprising a side wall provided with ventilation openings, a cover provided with a ventilation aperture which may be connected to a venting circuit of the tank, and a base pierced with at least one drainage aperture; and a float capable of closing off the ventilation aperture, such float being able to slide vertically inside the housing depending on the level of liquid therein, the valve also comprising a drainage chamber located underneath the housing in which the valve slides, the chamber also comprising at least one drainage aperture that is not aligned with the drainage aperture of the base of the housing. |
| US08763624B1 |
Switch structure of water outlet of wall-mounted faucet
A water output switch structure of a faucet includes a water output head having a water inlet tube inside that includes a switch valve inside to change water output status of the water output head, a water output cover underneath the water output head, a control unit and a button disposed on the water output cover. |
| US08763622B2 |
Dynamic self-checking interlock monitoring system
An interlock monitoring system includes a magnetic proximity sensor within a poppet valve type coupler to detect whether the poppet valve is opened or closed. An open poppet valve indicates a proper connection. The sensor consists of dedicated electronics that prevent cheating, or bypassing, by either shorting out or opening the contacts to the sensor. In addition, a ferrous metal proximity switch is used to provide a redundant confirmation of proper connection of the coupler. The ferrous magnetic proximity switch will indicate whether or not the coupler is actually in contact with an appropriate connection. Each of the magnetic proximity sensor and the ferrous magnetic proximity switch must indicate a respective proper condition in order to determine a valid interlock condition. |
| US08763619B2 |
Combination agitating parts washer and sink washer
A multi-function parts washer for removing contaminants from parts either by hand or automatically using an aqueous cleaning fluid includes a base cabinet having sides, a floor and an open top defining a compartment. A parts receptacle is mounted in the compartment for receiving parts to be washed. The receptacle is mounted for reciprocating, vertical movement in the compartment. An agitator assembly includes one or more compressed gas bladders mounted to the parts receptacle. The bladder has an inlet for introducing compressed gas into the bladder and an outlet for discharge of the compressed gas from the bladder. As compressed gas is introduced into the bladder, the bladder inflates and the parts receptacle is raised, and as compressed gas is discharged from the bladder, the parts receptacle is lowered to provide an agitating motion of the parts receptacle and the parts thereon in the cleaning fluid. The agitator can include a hydraulic cylinder to effect movement of the parts receptacle. |
| US08763617B2 |
Material removal systems and methods utilizing foam
A system and method for removing material (e.g., drilling or cutting) utilizing foam is provided. The system and method may comprise a vacuum collar that removes foam and residual particles from a cutting interface. The foam may be directed to a foam-to-liquid transforming device that decreases the volume of foam. |
| US08763615B1 |
Portable sonic flosser
A portable sonic flosser system to assist teeth cleaning, the system comprising a cylindrical handle, a hollow extension, a vibrator box, two arms disposed along the opposite sides of the vibrator. The handle has a floss roll, a timer, a microprocessor and battery disposed inside. A hollow extension extends from the handle with a cutter and two elongated hollow rubber guides disposed on opposite sides of extension exterior surface. A vibrator box is disposed at the top of the cone extension with two side arms to hold floss. A thread of floss is extracted from the floss roll inside the handle and fed through the first rubber guide, the first arm, the second arm and the second rubber guide, then tightened after closing the flanges on the distal end of both arms. After power on, the floss is vibrated supersonically by the vibrator to clean the teeth. |
| US08763614B2 |
Eyebrow stencil holder
A novel gauging device and associated stencils facilitate the shaping of eyebrows according to a Golden Ratio standard. The gauging device is adapted to be placed over a woman's face and maintained in a fixed position relative to her eyes and nose. A nosepiece and knobs are adjusted such that a lower end of a guide rod may be rotated about various points relative to the nose and held in predetermined angles relative to the nose and eyes, possibly supported magnetically on a lower track adjacent the nostrils and an upper track above the eyebrows. An eyebrow stencil is held in a desired position relative to the previously positioned guide rod, which facilitates convenient application and symmetrical shaping, preferably with frictional clamps for permitting the stencil to be shifted in place so that a particular portion of the stencil is properly aligned with the guide rod after the guide rod has been aligned with an appropriate Golden Ratio marking on the stencil. Each stencil may be provided with more than one set of such markings to accommodate not only different eyebrows of different sizes, but also to adjust the eyebrow's ideal Golden Ratio “High Point” to complement facial proportions (preferably represented by a single Facial Ratio Value or “FRV” that takes into account several different measured ratios) that deviate substantially from an ideal Golden Ratio. A slim tab between the upper and the lower edges of the stencil cut-out preferably provides a convenient reference mark for the “High Point” of the unadjusted cut-out. |
| US08763613B2 |
Bruxism protective device
A one-piece molded bruxism treatment device which in upright orientation has top and bottom parts, including: an elongated band having a generally U-shape defining a closed front end part and legs extending rearward and adapted to be positioned around the outer surfaces of a person's upper gums and teeth, and two generally planar resiliently deformable bite pads oriented generally horizontally, each extending from one of the feet of the band medially toward the other. |
| US08763610B2 |
Retention of noble gases in the exhaled air of ventilated patients by membrane separation
The processing of gas mixtures, in particular, of respiration gases for ventilated patients. The processing according to the invention relates, in particular, to the use of selective gas separation membranes for the retention of noble gases in the exhaled air of ventilated patients. The gas separation membrane is an active separator which is integrated in a ventilator. The separation membrane separates the noble gases from the remainder of the residual of the exhaled air by selectively retaining the noble gases. Thus, it is possible to provide a ventilator which enables the application of noble gases, in particular xenon, as an anesthetic preferably with low loss and as simple as possible. |
| US08763608B2 |
Inhaler
An inhaler comprising a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters is disclosed. Each blister has a puncturable lid and contains a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user. A mouthpiece is pivotally mounted to the housing through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user. The inhaler also has an actuating mechanism including a lever operable to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member depending from the mouthpiece. The actuating lever is also operable to cause the mouthpiece to pivot so that the blister piercing member punctures the lid of an aligned blister so that, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it, via the mouthpiece, into the user's airway. |
| US08763601B2 |
Solar tracker for solar energy devices
A solar tracking device that uses thermal actuation to rotate a solar energy device to track movement of the sun for improved solar energy output of the solar energy device. Thermal actuation is generated by concentrating solar radiation using a solar collector and solar receiver. A medium that expands when heated is in thermal communication with the solar receiver and drives an actuator for rotating the solar tracking device to follow the movement of the sun. The medium may be a phase change material such as Paraffin wax. Rotational actuation may be performed using helical slots in a main housing and cam followers coupled to a shaft extended out of the main housing. At the end of the day, a combination of gravity and/or mechanical return forces may assist in returning the system to an initial position such that it is ready to receive solar radiation the next day. |
| US08763599B2 |
Masonry block multi-splitting apparatus and method
An apparatus for splitting a plurality of masonry blocks is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of first splitting blades that are configured to simultaneously move in a first direction, so as to split one of each of the plurality of masonry blocks into two or more sections during a single splitting operation. Each section has a first split surface. A plurality of second splitting blades is provided, where each is perpendicular and adjacent to one of the first splitting blades. Each of the second splitting blades is configured to form a second split surface on one of the masonry block sections that is perpendicular to at least one of the first split surfaces. |
| US08763596B2 |
Cartridge for launching a bullet
A cartridge for launching a bullet, includes a shell case, a pressure chamber and a push rod; the shell case defines concentric through-holes; the pressure chamber is set up between the through-holes; the push rod defines an air vent and an airway, the air vent being in fluid communication with the firing chamber via the airway; a piston is mounted to the push rod and is received in the pressure chamber for compressing the chamber; when uncompressed, the air vent is located in the pressure chamber, when the push rod is struck the air vent moves forwards, back into the pressure chamber, the compressed air in the pressure chamber is discharged via the air vent and the airway to fire the bullet. The invention has a simple and compact structure, and is safe in use. |
| US08763587B2 |
Abnormality detection device for internal combustion engine
An abnormality detection device for an internal combustion engine is controlled according to properties of employed fuel, and capable of accurately detecting an abnormality in a fuel property sensor, and more particularly, a stuck fuel property sensor. A measurement section of the sensor is housed in a fuel container, which is not disposed in a main flow path of a fuel flow path connecting a fuel pump to an injector, but is disposed apart from the main flow path. Fuel drawn from a fuel tank is introduced into the fuel container. The resulting output value of the sensor is acquired as a first sensor output value. Further, the fuel is discharged from the fuel container. The resulting output value of the sensor is acquired as a second output value. The first and second sensor output values are then used to check for an abnormality in the sensor. |
| US08763586B2 |
Supercharger with continuously variable drive system
An engine system includes a throttle valve configured to variably open and close to selectively restrict a volume of air flow. The engine system also includes a supercharger comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a rotatable drive shaft and rotors associated with the drive shaft, wherein the supercharger is sized to have a flow rate that substantially prevents backwards leaking of air flow. The engine system further includes a combustion engine comprising combustion chambers and an associated rotatable crank shaft and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) configured to variably transfer rotational energy between the drive shaft and the crank shaft. |
| US08763584B2 |
Piston assembly having offset bearing
A connecting rod assembly is disclosed for use with an engine. The connecting rod assembly may include a first connecting rod having a first end configured to pivotally connect to a first piston and a second can with a circular opening configured to receive a throw of a crankshaft. The connecting rod assembly may also include a second connecting rod having a first end configured to pivotally connect to a second piston and a second end with a circular opening configured to receive the throw of the crankshaft. The second connecting rod may have a running surface defining at least two outer lands and at least one inner land disposed between the at least two outer lands that alternately support a load of the second piston. Both the at least one inner and the at least two outer lands may simultaneously support the load of the second piston at a point of highest load on the second piston. |
| US08763581B2 |
Internal combustion engine automatic-stop/restart control system
In an internal combustion engine automatic-stop/restart control system according to the present invention, excellent restartability of an internal combustion engine is ensured in such a way that, while the internal combustion engine inertially rotates after its automatic stop, a solenoid of a starting apparatus for starting the internal combustion engine is driven so that a pinion gear is moved in the axis direction and pushing the pinion gear against a ring gear is started, and detection of a reference signal through a crank angle signal is prohibited until a predetermined period elapses after the pushing has been started so that erroneous reference signal recognition is prevented. |
| US08763580B2 |
Method of starting an internal combustion engine, device and controller
In a method for starting an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, an inlet and an outlet valve, and having a piston interacting with a crankshaft, and the crankshaft moving in a predetermined rotational direction during normal operation of the internal combustion engine, the piston is located in an initial position, the piston is moved into a defined starting position against a normal rotational direction of the crankshaft by means of a drive, fuel is injected, and the fuel is ignited. |
| US08763570B2 |
Engine assembly including multiple bore center pitch dimensions
An engine assembly includes an engine block defining a first cylinder bore, a second cylinder bore directly adjacent to the first cylinder bore and a third cylinder bore directly adjacent to the second cylinder bore. The engine block defines a first distance from a diametrical center of the first cylinder bore to a diametrical center of the second cylinder bore and defines a second distance from the diametrical center of the second cylinder bore to a diametrical center of the third cylinder bore. The first distance is different than the second distance. |
| US08763568B2 |
Cooling structure for internal combustion engine
A spacer fitted inside a water jacket of a cylinder block in an internal combustion engine is set so that a space formed between an inner peripheral surface of the spacer and an inner wall surface of the water jacket is smaller than a space formed between an outer peripheral surface of the spacer and an outer wall surface of the water jacket. Accordingly, even if a position of the spacer is shifted in a radial direction, the inner peripheral surface of the spacer comes into abutment on the inner wall surface of the water jacket at first. Thereby, the abutment of the outer peripheral surface of the spacer on the outer wall surface of the water jacket is prevented completely. Therefore, hitting sounds of pistons can be blocked by the space between the outer peripheral surface of the spacer and the outer wall surface of the water jacket. |
| US08763567B2 |
Engine for portable working machine
An engine for a portable working machine includes: a crankshaft to which the working machine is coupled; an air-cooling fan coupled to one end side of the crankshaft; a fan casing enclosing the air-cooling fan; and a bottom cover located in a bottom surface side of the engine and connected to the fan casing. Air suction ports and guide parts are provided in one side of the bottom cover, the air suction ports sucking in air supplied from the air-cooling fan, and the guide parts extending from the air suction ports to the impeller blades of the air-cooling fan. |
| US08763565B2 |
Two engine system with a gaseous fuel stored in liquefied form
A gaseous fuelled two-engine system comprises a high pressure direct injection engine as the main power source and an auxiliary fumigated engine that can be fuelled with vapor removed from a storage tank that stores the gaseous fuel in liquefied form at cryogenic temperatures. The fuel supply system comprises a cryogenic pump for raising the pressure of the fuel to the injection pressure needed for the high pressure direct injection engine, and the cryogenic pump is powered by the auxiliary fumigated engine. |
| US08763561B2 |
Livestock confinement pen
An indoor livestock confinement system including a plurality of hollow plastic panels. One of the hollow plastic panels defines a U-shaped door frame. The door frame is open at the top and includes an attachment for a door at one edge. The door frame includes a reinforcement inside the panel that extends across a bottom threshold and sides of the door frame. |
| US08763556B1 |
Soft petal flower port for hummingbird feeders
A hummingbird feeder having one or more soft petal feeding ports, each port having a three-dimensional simulated flower made of a soft, flexible plastic or rubber-type material having a durometer reading not to exceed 50A based on ASTM standard D2240 is provided. The petals are pliable so as to be easily manipulated by a hummingbird coming into contact with them, and provide a texture and resistance comparable to that of natural flower petals. |
| US08763554B2 |
Method and apparatus for spray painting soil of a golf hole
Systems and methods for painting, which might be used to paint the soil in a golf hole are provided. A spraying device can comprise a first masking apparatus, a second masking apparatus coupled to the first and a paint dispersing device, between the first and second masking apparatus. The paint may disperse from a single nozzle that can include multiple individual exit points for the spray. In another embodiment, the single nozzle includes an exit point and a flat or curved plate to direct the spray. Alternatively, the paint dispersing apparatus may comprise multiple nozzles. The nozzles may be provided with paint using tubes connecting from a paint source, such as an aerosol paint can, to each nozzle. The first masking apparatus can be a golf cup mask and the second masking apparatus can be a putting green mask. |
| US08763553B1 |
Medicine tracker and dose indicator
A collar having an inner and outer ring that move relative to each other, with one ring having time indicia and the other ring having an indicator window and an inner flexible membrane for placement over a medicine container. The indicator window is placed over the number representative of the time another dose of medicine is due. The device may be easily placed over a wide variety of different shaped medicament containers and acts as a reminder for the taking of a dose of medicine. |
| US08763548B2 |
Scupper plug with one-way valve
A scupper plug with a one-way valve is provided. The scupper plug permits one-way flow of water through a scupper drain so that water will drain through the scupper drain but not flow back up through the drain and into the passenger area of a water vessel. The scupper plug has a frame that carries a valve structure. A valve member is mounted to the valve structure. The valve member sealingly engages the frame to form a seal therewith. |
| US08763547B2 |
Apparatus for lowering drag on a moving nautical vessel
This present invention is a method and apparatus for drag reduction for a nautical vessel. The nautical vessel produces air bubbles and interposes the air bubbles between the exterior of the hull of a nautical vessel and the body of water that the vessel is moving through. Rather than utilizing an air compressor or other external energy source, the compressed air is generated from the movement of the vessel and is released where needed in order to reduce drag on the vessel. |
| US08763543B2 |
Mechanically operated presser foot lift arrangement and a sewing machine comprising the arrangement
The invention relates to a mechanically operated presser foot lift arrangement (2) comprising a presser bar (14) with a presser foot (15) and a presser foot lift (16) having a body (17) and a handle (18). The body (18) comprises a guiding means (21). An actuating means (23) connected to the presser bar is arranged to be guided along the guiding means on rotation of the body about a shaft (19). The guiding means cooperates with a first locking means (26) for locking the actuating means in a position corresponding to a first lifting height of the presser bar. The arrangement comprises also a displaceable means (27) having a second locking means (28), which may be brought into and out of cooperation with the guiding means. When positioned in cooperation with the guiding means, the second locking means is arranged for locking the actuating means in a position corresponding to a second lifting height of the presser bar. |
| US08763542B2 |
Sewing machine and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A sewing machine includes a sewing device, a processor, and a memory. The sewing device is configured to form stitches on a sewing workpiece. The memory is to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes including acquiring embroidery data, generating stitched marker data, causing the sewing device to sew the at least one stitched marker, causing the sewing device to start sewing an embroidery pattern, identifying a pattern to be sewn when the sewing of the embroidery pattern is stopped, detecting at least one of a second sewing position and a second sewing angle when the sewing of the embroidery pattern is stopped, setting at least one of a third sewing position and a third sewing angle, correcting data to be used to sew the pattern to be sewn, and causing the sewing device to restart sewing the embroidery pattern. |
| US08763541B2 |
Sewing machine and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing sewing machine control program
A sewing machine includes an image capture portion that captures an image of a sewing object that is held by an embroidery frame, a data acquisition portion that acquires embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern, an area setting portion that sets a sewing area that is an area within which the embroidery pattern can be sewn on the sewing object, a setting acquisition portion that acquires, as a reference setting, a setting of at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern in relation to a marker that is disposed on the sewing object, and an area specification portion that specifies an image capture object area for the image capture portion, based on conditions that include the sewing area, the embroidery data, and the reference setting. |
| US08763540B2 |
Method for injecting a substance into a boiler of a waste incineration plant
A method is provided for injecting a substance into a boiler of a waste incineration plant using a gaseous propellant, the substance being conducted, starting from at least one distributor, via lines which branch off from the distributor, in each case to a nozzle which is assigned to the respective line and by means of which the substance and the propellant are injected into the boiler. The substance quantity to be conducted to the respective nozzle is set in the distributor. The boiler is subdivided into multiple boiler sectors, in which the nozzles are arranged in a plurality of horizontal nozzle planes. To each boiler sector at least one separate distributor is assigned. The substance and the propellant are combined upstream of the branch-off with the respective line. |
| US08763533B2 |
Active body
An active body (1) is proposed that has, as active mass (5), multiple flares (2, 3) arranged behind each other or stacked, in particular for the generation of decoys, wherein the flares (2, 3) are NC (nitrocellulose) and RP (red phosphorus) single flares. The single flares (2, 3) are evenly or unevenly stacked in succession such that one RP single flare (3) lies on an NC single flare (2), or multiple NC single flares (2) or multiple RP single flares (3) follow each other, so that it is possible to vary the percentage of NC and RP in the active body (1) from about 0% to about 100%. A container (4) houses the active mass (5), and can in turn have predetermined breaking points (7) to facilitate the break up of the active body (1). |
| US08763529B2 |
Method of compensating for vibration-induced circumferential register errors in a sheet-fed printing press and sheet-fed printing press carrying out the method
A method of compensating for vibration-induced circumferential-register errors in a sheet-fed printing press includes compensating for at least one vibration-induced deviation of an actual angular position of a cylinder from a nominal angular position by adjusting the circumferential register of at least one printing unit, in particular of the cylinder. For this purpose, the current vibration state of the sheet-fed printing press is determined, the effect of the determined vibrations of an integer order on a position of color excerpts on a sheet of printing material is calculated, and the compensating circumferential-register adjustment required in accordance with the result of the calculation is carried out. A sheet-fed printing press for carrying out the method, is also provided. |
| US08763527B2 |
Detecting an unsecured state of a mandrel
A method for analyzing a mandrel (108) operation in an imaging device (100) includes installing the mandrel into the imaging device; securing the mandrel between a head stock (144) and a tail stock (104); attaching a first encoder (212) to the head stock and a second encoder (208) to the tail stock; rotating the mandrel; reading signals from first encoder; reading signals from second encoder; comparing the first results and the second results; and if the first results do not match with the second results stopping the imaging device. |
| US08763522B1 |
Gravy pitcher
This disclosure relates to the field of kitchen implements, specifically a kitchen implement for separating the solid portion of gravy from the liquid portion and then dispersing the liquid portion of the gravy through an opening in the bottom of the implement. A handle, release lever, and valve are provided to allow distribution and portion control of the gravy while the implement is in an upright and vertical orientation. |
| US08763517B2 |
Tea pot with one-way valve
A tea pot is provided with a container having an upper reservoir, a lower reservoir, and an intermediate dividing member; a cavity formed with the dividing member and having an upper opening for communicating with the upper reservoir, and a lower opening for communicating with the lower reservoir; a receptacle in the upper reservoir and including a ball receiving well; a vent pipe partially positioned in the receptacle and having a passageway; a threaded recess extending outward from the cavity and being open to an outer surface of the container; a rotatable cylinder inserted through the recess into the cavity and including a hollow main body having surface openings; a nut secured to the recess; and a knob secured to the cylinder. Communication from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir through the openings of the main body can be open or closed by turning the knob. |
| US08763516B2 |
Device for feeding milk
A device for feeding milk from a storage container (8) to a dispensing device (3), containing a feeding line (9), whose intake end (9a) is detachably connected to the storage container (8), and with a cleaning possibility for at least a portion of the exterior of the feeding line (9). In order to enhance a device of this type such that the cleaning is simplified, a cleaning mechanism (11) be provided for the exterior of the feeding line (9), which comprises a rinsing area (12) for holding the portion of the feeding line (9) that is to be cleaned. The rinsing area (12) contains a hot water intake opening, a steam intake opening, a cleaning agent intake opening, or cold water intake opening (17), and also a connection opening (14) for the detachable introduction of the portion to be cleaned. |
| US08763513B1 |
Hydraulic control system and method
A control system for controlling the movement of a system such as a hydraulic servo controlled gimbal systems. The system includes a plurality of actuators and sensors that sense the position of the actuators. On start up, a control system determines the present orientation of the system and compared it to a user defined desired orientation. The system operates in a first mode on start up where the control system moves the actuators so that the system is moved form the present orientation to the desired orientation at a controlled rate. Once the desired orientation is reached, control is then passed to a user controlled device such as a joystick. |
| US08763510B2 |
Blank safety device and firearm adapter
In one embodiment, a blank safety device is provided that includes: a body defining a cylindrical bore having a closed distal end, the body also defining an proximally extending internal cavity in communication with the cylindrical bore; a bullet plug received within the cylindrical bore, the bullet plug being configured to distally displace within the cylindrical bore towards the closed distal end in response to the impact of a fired bullet; and a back section received within the internal cavity in the body, the back section defining an internal chamber that is sealed with respect to a proximal bore for receiving a firearm attachment. |
| US08763507B2 |
Flow isolation sub for tubing operated differential pressure firing head
An isolation sub for use in a perforating system that includes a pressure activated firing head. The isolation sub is set between the pressure source that is used to initiate the firing head. A pressure regulator in the sub is responsive to fluctuations in pressure difference between the pressure source and wellbore and isolates the firing head when the pressure difference is at or approaches a designated pressure difference that could initiate the firing head. The pressure regulator includes a spring loaded piston that seals the firing head from the source pressure before the pressure difference activates the firing head. |
| US08763505B2 |
Cutter
Provided is a cutter that is applicable to a cutting device with variable structures and that allows exchange of a cutting blade safely and smoothly with a simple structure. The present invention provides a cutter comprising: a slider; a holder member that retains a cutting blade; and a removing-and-installing member that removes or installs the holder member from or into the slider in a condition that the cutting blade is shielded with a cover member, wherein the cover member is provided with a projection portion while the holder member is provided with a groove portion, and when the removing-and-installing member is installed into the slider along with the holder member, the projection portion is adapted to travel in the groove portion so as to expose a cutting edge of the cutting blade through a cutout. |
| US08763502B2 |
Featherboard assembly
A featherboard assembly for use with a work table. The featherboard assembly includes a featherboard having a body and an axis. The featherboard assembly further includes an adjustment mechanism associated with the featherboard for attaching the featherboard to the work table. The adjustment mechanism permits the featherboard to be adjusted on the table along a first axis and permits the featherboard to be adjusted along a second axis. The adjustment mechanism is capable of locking the featherboard against movement along the second axis while the featherboard is moved along the first axis and locking the featherboard against movement along the first axis while the featherboard is moved along the second axis. |
| US08763501B2 |
Hand tool and portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a device body and a hand tool. The hand tool includes a handle unit, a coupling unit, and a tool body. The coupling unit includes a coupling element attachable removably to the device body. The tool body is connected between the handle unit and the coupling unit, and includes a working head projecting from the coupling element. When not in use, the hand tool is attached to the device body, and can be easily carried together with the device body. When removed from the device body, the hand tool can be used. |
| US08763495B2 |
Torque tube, torque transfer apparatus and method
A torque tube includes a ring gear having a first axial end, a second axial end opposite the first axial end, an inner surface including a plurality of teeth, and an outer surface with a mating portion formed adjacent to the first axial end of the ring gear. The torque tube also includes a barrel portion joined to the second axial end of the ring gear at a radial location inward from a radial location of the mating portion. The barrel portion extends axially away from the ring gear. |
| US08763492B2 |
Multi-piece shifter cable system
In one embodiment there is provided a multiple piece shifter cable system. The cable pieces may each have a core section with a connector and a conduit section with a connector. The core connectors may be coupled together to connect the core sections of the cable pieces and the conduit connectors may be coupled together to connect the conduit sections of the cable pieces. When the conduit connectors are mated together the core connectors may automatically be mated together, and the core connectors may automatically be locked together as well. In at least some implementations, the conduit connectors may permit adjustment of the total length of the conduit during assembly, and a clamp may be provided to maintain the conduit connectors in a desired assembled position. |
| US08763491B2 |
Adjustment assembly having a variable gear ratio
An adjustment assembly is provided, including a rack and a stepped gear. The rack has an array of rack teeth. The rack is moveable in a generally linear direction as an amount of force is exerted on the rack in the linear direction. The stepped gear includes an inner step and an outer step. One of the inner step and the outer step has a set of teeth. The set of teeth are meshed with the array of rack teeth. A center axis is oriented at about a center of the outer step. An axis of rotation is offset from the center axis of the stepped gear, and is configured to create a variable gear ratio between the set of teeth of the inner step or the outer step of the stepped gear and the array of rack teeth as the rack is moved in a linear direction. |
| US08763488B2 |
Industrial robot with a trailing stop
The invention relates to an industrial robot, having a multiple-axis robot arm, with a base, a carousel that is rotatably supported relative to the base in reference to an axis and a mechanical stop device provided to limit a rotary motion of the carousel relative to the base. The stop device has a slider situated on the base, with stops situated at its ends, a trailing stop situated in the slider and a drive dog situated on the carousel. The drive dog and the slider are designed so that the drive dog is introduced into the slider by a corresponding rotary motion of the carousel relative to the axis and pushes the trailing stop against the relative stop. The trailing stop includes a plastically deformable damping element, which is provided to brake the carousel due to a plastic deformation caused by the trailing stop being pushed against the relevant stop by the drive dog. |
| US08763487B1 |
Engagement mechanism
An engagement mechanism amplifies an applied force to a lever by torque conversion about a rotation point to a higher reaction force that is applied to a master cylinder assembly for operation of a hydraulic clutch or brake system. |
| US08763485B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A vehicle transmission includes first, second, third and fourth meshing gear-pinion pairs. The transmission produces a first speed ratio through a power path that includes first and second input shafts, a gear coupler and the first, second and third gear-pinion pairs. The transmission also produces a second speed ratio through a power path that includes the second input shaft, the gear coupler and the second, third and fourth gear-pinion pairs. |
| US08763481B2 |
Reciprocating lever transmission
A reciprocating pedal transmission for a pedal-powered vehicle. Two pedals are selectively connected to a driveshaft by one way clutches. A reversing gear mechanism forces the non-pushing pedal to travel in a direction which is opposite to the direction of the pushing pedal. The non-pushing pedal may also be used to input force (a pulling force) if desired. The arcuate range of motion is infinitely variable. The user may reverse the pedal travel at any time using only the forces applied by the feet. |
| US08763480B2 |
Dew formation testing device and dew formation testing method
A dew formation testing device has an adjustment tank capable of adjusting the temperature and humidity of air to predetermined temperature and humidity, a testing tank installed separately from the adjustment tank and having a sample base that has a mounting surface, onto which a testing sample W can be placed, and that is capable to cool the mounting surface, and ducts that link the adjustment unit and the testing tank. The testing tank is provided with an air guide member that, when air flowing into the testing tank through the duct flows onto the sample base from a side of the sample base, guides the air in the direction tilted downward at a predetermined angle, the guidance being performed at a position right above the sample base at an end thereof which is on the upstream side of the air flow. |
| US08763477B2 |
Operation amount detecting apparatus
In an operation amount detecting apparatus, a brake pedal is coupled with an operation rod by a coupling shaft, respective end portions of an elastic member are supported at support positions of a brake pedal by support shafts, the brake pedal is away in a direction orthogonal to an axis line direction of an operation rod with respect to the coupling shaft, an intermediate portion of the elastic member is relatively displaceably coupled by the coupling shaft and a coupling hole, and the elastic member is disposed with output strain sensors which detect an elastic deformation amount of the elastic member and output the elastic deformation amount as a brake operation amount. |
| US08763476B2 |
Clamping force sensor assembly for monitoring transformer degradation
A clamping force sensor assembly for a transformer includes at least one sensor disposed within a casing. The design and configuration of the sensor assembly is such that it accurately measures clamping force values placed on the windings, without adversely impacting the operation of the transformer and with the ability to continue operating under electrical and thermal changes within the transformer. The sensor assembly can include loading members that distribute the pressure evenly over the casing that contains the sensor. The output of the sensor can indicate to an operator the extent of pressure changes experienced by the transformer windings. The output can be coupled with a process by which the damage to or the possibility of failure of the transformer is readily evaluated. |
| US08763475B2 |
Active damping of high speed scanning probe microscope components
A technique for actively damping internal vibrations in a scanning probe microscope is disclosed. The excitation of various mechanical movements, including resonances, in the mechanical assembly of an SPM can adversely effect its performance, especially for high speed applications. An actuator is used to compensate for the movements. The actuator may operate in only the z direction, or may operate in other directions. The actuator(s) may be located at positions of antinodes. |
| US08763474B2 |
Multiphase flowmeter for measuring physical properties of individual phases in a multiphase flow
A measuring device and system for measuring physical properties of individual fluids in a multiphase flow flowing through a pipe includes a measuring section with at least two separate and elongate chambers that are formed by at least one longitudinal barrier, at least one of the chambers including a system for measuring the physical properties of the multiphase flow that flows through the chambers. The measuring device is characterized in that the internal diameter of the pipe is smaller at the location in which the measuring section is positioned, in that there is a constriction in the inner pipe wall of the pipe. |
| US08763473B2 |
Method and apparatus for installing a refractory material to a surface
A method and apparatus for installing a refractory material to a surface by inserting a nozzle and a neck of a welding gun through a channel in a refractory material, positioning the refractory material on the surface using the welding gun, firmly pushing the welding gun into the channel of the refractory material until the nozzle of the welding gun, an anchor embedded in the refractory material and the surface are in contact, welding the anchor of the refractory material to the surface with the welding gun, and removing the nozzle and the neck of the welding gun from the channel in the refractory material. |
| US08763472B2 |
High-capacity wide-range variable rotational rate vane testing device
An apparatus for measuring characteristics of a specimen. The apparatus can accurately measure, for example, but not limited to, peak, evolution, and residual values of the undrained shear strength, yield, and viscous and plastic flow (including hardening and softening) characteristics of cohesive sediments at various pre-set and variable values of the rotational velocity of the vane sensor. |
| US08763471B2 |
High-capacity wide-range variable rotational rate vane testing device
System and method for using an apparatus for measuring shear strength and viscosity of sediments that extend both the maximum rotational rate attainable and the maximum torque sustainable, and include a high data acquisition rate and data storage. The apparatus can accurately measure, for example, but not limited to, peak, evolution, and residual values of the undrained shear strength, yield, and viscous and plastic flow (including hardening and softening) characteristics of cohesive sediments at various pre-set and variable values of the rotational velocity of the vane sensor. |
| US08763470B2 |
High-capacity wide-range variable rotational rate vane testing device
System and method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring shear strength and viscosity of sediments that extends both the maximum rotational rate attainable and the maximum torque sustainable, and includes a high data acquisition rate and data storage. The apparatus can accurately measure, for example, but not limited to, peak, evolution, and residual values of the undrained shear strength, yield, and viscous and plastic flow (including hardening and softening) characteristics of cohesive sediments at various pre-set and variable values of the rotational velocity of the vane sensor. |
| US08763468B2 |
Electrode device, pressure sensor and pressure meter
Provided are an electrode device, a pressure sensor and an electronic pressure meter. The electrode device may comprise: an electrode portion; and an elastically deformable portion arranged on a radial peripheral of the electrode portion. The electrode portion is integrated with the elastically deformable portion such that when a force is applied to the electrode device, the elastically deformable portion can be deformed correspondingly and the electrode portion can be displaced axially. |
| US08763467B2 |
Pressure sensor device
A pressure sensor device has a sensor detecting pressure of a gas that is introduced from the outside, a heater for heating the sensor, a package containing the sensor and the heater, a circuit portion producing an output signal that represents the pressure of the gas based on the detection output detected by the sensor, and a circuit containing portion containing the circuit portion. The package and the circuit containing portion are structured from separate cases and are disposed separately with a connecting structural member interposed therebetween. The connecting structural member 90 includes electrode lead pins connecting between the sensor within the package and the circuit portion within the circuit containing portion, insulated pipes for covering the outer peripheries of the electrode lead pins, and coil springs covering the outer peripheries of the insulated pipes. |
| US08763466B2 |
Gauge pressure sensor
A gauge pressure sensor for determining the pressure of a medium by means of a housing and by means of a measuring element, which is positioned in the housing, wherein an outwards facing side of the measuring element is in contact with the medium and is exposed to the pressure, which is to be measured. A tube for a reference pressure is provided, which conducts ambient air to the measuring element, and by means of at least one dehumidifying chamber, positioned in the housing, for the collection of air moisture. The dehumidifying chamber contains a moisture adsorbing material or is primarily composed of a moisture adsorbing material, in that the moisture adsorbing material is at least, in sections, enclosed by a wall, which is composed of a first moisture permeable material, or is at least, in sections, free from a wall, and in that the reference pressure supply tube is at least, in sections, fabricated from a first or second moisture permeable material or in that the reference pressure supply tube has an aperture. |
| US08763464B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining an operating point of a work machine
Method and apparatus for determining an operating point of a work machine and/or asynchronous motor driving the same, the operating point being characterized by the power consumed by and/or output rate of the machine, in which one or more operating point-dependent measurement variables of the machine are detected by sensors, and the measured values are evaluated and/or stored during operation of the machine. The operating point is determined without using electric measurement variables of the motor by determining a frequency linearly proportional to the fundamental tone of the machine through signal analysis, especially frequency analysis of a measured mechanical variable selected from pressure, differential pressure, power, vibration, and solid-borne or air-borne sound. From this, the rotational speed of the driving machine is determined, and the operating point characterized by the power consumed by and/or output rate of the machine is determined utilizing the rotational speed/torque relationship of the motor. |
| US08763463B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor
An ultrasonic sensor that has a simplified structure, ensures high water resistance, and shortens the manufacturing time. An ultrasonic sensor includes a transducer, an electronic circuit substrate on which an electronic circuit is arranged to process an ultrasonic signal transmitted and received via the transducer, and a housing including a substrate retainer that retains the electronic circuit board. The substrate retainer includes a lid welded to an open portion thereof to hermetically seal the substrate retainer against the entry of a liquid. |
| US08763460B2 |
Angular velocity sensor
There is provided an angular velocity sensor, including: a flexible part connecting a fixing part to an oscillation unit; a driving unit formed on the flexible part or the oscillation unit to oscillate the oscillation unit; a sensing unit formed on the flexible part or the oscillation unit to sense a displacement of the oscillation unit according to an angular velocity input; a control piezoelectric element formed on the flexible part to control rigidity of a motion of the oscillation unit; and an impedance element electrically connected to the control piezoelectric element to apply impedance to the control piezoelectric element. |
| US08763459B2 |
Vibratory gyroscope utilizing a frequency-based measurement and providing a frequency output
A vibratory gyroscope utilizing a frequency-based measurement and providing a frequency output. |
| US08763455B1 |
Resistive liquid level/temperature sensor and transmitter
A resistive liquid level/temperature sensor and transmitter including low voltage impedance measurement circuitry to convert three impedance values into indications of the temperature and the levels of two different liquids (e.g., oil and water) located within a storage tank. A resistive chain network including a plurality of series connected resistors and a corresponding plurality of reed switches extend longitudinally through a liquid level sensing probe that is dipped into the liquids in the tank. A pair of magnetic floats having different specific gravities surround the probe and rise to the two fluid levels. The magnetic floats close adjacent reed switches which create first and second current paths through the resistive chain network. The impedances of the first and second current paths are measured to provide an indication of the liquid levels. A resistive temperature device carried by the probe provides an indication of temperature. |
| US08763452B2 |
Thermal air flow sensor
In a thermal air flow sensor according to the invention, a hollow formed in a detecting element is communicated with a circuit chamber, in which driving circuit parts of the detecting element are mounted, or an intake duct exterior. Thereby, pressure in the hollow balances with pressure on the outside. Also, since the circuit chamber is provided to be isolated from a detection chamber, in which a detecting part of the detecting element is arranged, that is, a passage chamber, through which air being a measuring object flows, air flowing in the passage chamber can be restrained from flowing into the hollow to have an influence on flow output characteristics. |
| US08763448B2 |
Diagnosis device and diagnosis method for fan coupling device
A fan coupling device 1 connecting an internal combustion engine 31 to a cooling fan 21 comprises an input shaft 3 driven to rotate by the engine 31, a fluid coupling 12 that transmits torque from the input shaft 3 to the cooling fan 21 via a fluid, and a solenoid valve 13 having a valve main body 18 that adjusts a fluid amount in the fluid coupling 12. A determination as to whether or not the valve main body 18 is stuck in a lifted position on the basis of a rotation speed of the cooling fan 21, is started after the elapse of a predetermined time following output of a signal for returning the valve main body 18 to a closed position, The sticking determination can be performed with a high degree of precision without being affected by variation in the rotation speed of the input shaft 3. |
| US08763445B2 |
Detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system by sensing for a drop of fluid pressure in the system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system. One aspect of the present invention concerns an apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system that includes a pressure exerting device for applying a pressure on a supply hose and a return hose of the cooling system, and a pressure gauge coupled to the pressure exerting device for detecting a drop of fluid pressure in the cooling system while the pressure is applied. The drop of fluid pressure indicates that there may be a leak in the cooling system. |
| US08763443B2 |
Method for operating a density measuring device and device for density measurement
A method for operating a density measuring device having a measuring tube filled with the medium for determining the density of the medium, in which the measuring tube is incited to vibrate, the frequency of the vibration determined and the density of the medium being calculated from the determined frequency and other parameters which determine the physical-geometrical properties of the measuring tube. In particular, at least one mechanical stress of the measuring tube is determined, and with the obtained mechanical stress value, the influence of the mechanical stress of the measuring tube and/or the influence of the pressure in the medium on the determined density of the medium are or is—at least partially—taken into consideration or compensated. |
| US08763439B2 |
PEX expanding tool
A tool to expand an end of a pipe includes a plurality of jaws movable between a closed and expanded position and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a shuttle movable along the axis between a disengaged position and engaged position wherein the shuttle and the jaws are engaged and rotatable about the axis between a first and second orientation. A spindle moves between a first position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is disengaged from the jaws, a second position in which the shuttle is in the first orientation and is engaged with the jaws, and a third position in which the shuttle and jaws are rotated to the second orientation while the jaws are closed. Movement of the spindle to a fourth position moves the jaws to the expanded position and maintains the engagement of the shuttle and the jaws in the second orientation. |
| US08763438B2 |
Working apparatus and working method of sheet metal
The present invention has its object to provide an efficient, general use shaping technique for forming high strength sheet metal into a three-dimensionally complicated shape. Further, the present invention provides a working apparatus for shaping sheet metal comprising a die (also called a “punch”) which has a shape suitable for a shape of shaped sheet metal, a plurality of rolls which grip sheet metal (H) with the die to shape the sheet metal, roll movement mechanisms which makes the rolls independently move in a horizontal direction and make them independently ascend or descend in a vertical direction, and a roll angle setting mechanism which can change an angle by which the rolls are pressed against the die. |
| US08763437B2 |
Roll former with three-dimensional sweep unit
An apparatus includes a roll former with rolls configured to form a structural beam from sheet material, and a sweep unit for longitudinally sweeping a beam in any of vertical, horizontal, or combination directions. The sweep unit has a first pair of forming rolls positioned to engage first opposing sides of the structural beam and has a second pair of forming rolls positioned to engage second opposing sides of the structural beam. The sweep unit movably supports the first and second pairs of forming rolls so that any selected one of the forming rolls continuously engages an associated side of the structural beam while an associated one of the forming rolls opposing the selected one forming roll moves downstream and around the selected one forming roll. This provides a very stable beam-bending condition promoting dimensional stability during the sweeping process, and hence dimensional accuracy and repeatability. |
| US08763435B2 |
Locking device
The present invention relates to a locking device and to an actuating device for activating said locking device. |
| US08763426B2 |
Cooling crystallizer
A system and method for separating at least a part of the solids from brine having an initial temperature T1, the system comprising a crystallizer comprising a crystallizer inlet for receiving therein said brine, a crystallizer first outlet for discharging vapor having a first pressure P1, evaporated from at least a part of said brine, and a crystallizer second outlet for discharging a slurry having a final temperature T2 lower than said initial temperature T1; a separator comprising a separator inlet for receiving therein said slurry, a separator first outlet for discharging therefrom said part of the solids separated from said slurry, and a separator second outlet for discharging therefrom a remaining liquid having a temperature substantially equal to T2; a compressor comprising a compressor inlet for receiving therein said vapor, and a compressor outlet for discharging therefrom a compressed vapor having a second pressure P2 higher than said pressure P1; and a condenser comprising a condenser first inlet for receiving therein said compressed vapor, a condenser second inlet for receiving therein said remaining liquid discharged from said separator, for absorbing a latent heat released from said compressed vapor, condensing thereby said compressed vapor, and a condenser outlet for discharging therefrom an outlet liquid having a temperature substantially equal to T1. |
| US08763425B2 |
Turbo compressor with multiple stages of compression devices
A turbo compressor includes: multiple stages of compression devices arranged in series with respect to a gas passage, each of the compression devices including an impeller that rotates about an axis; an oil tank capable of supplying lubricating oil to a sliding portion of the compression devices; a partitioned intermediate space formed to communicate with the gas passage on an upstream side of the compression devices via gaps between the partitioned intermediate space and the gas passage; and a pressure equalizer provided to continuously connect the partitioned intermediate space and the oil tank. |
| US08763420B2 |
Freezer segment for a freezer for confectionary with segments including channels for direct evaporation of CO2
The present invention concerns a freezer segment for a freezer of the type used for casting confectionery in molds which are cooled for freezing and subsequently supplied with heat for a short period, whereafter stripping occurs. Cooling of the molds is effected by using direct evaporation of CO2. The advantage of such a freezer segment is that there is no use for both a primary and a secondary cooling circuit. Another advantage in using a system according to the invention is that working with temperatures down to about minus 50° C. is enabled, compared to about minus 40° C. with brine systems. The low freezing temperature entails that the capacity of a given system is increased by about 40%. |
| US08763412B1 |
Controlled and correlated method and apparatus to limit water loss from fresh plant matter during hypobaric storage and transport
A system and method for hypobaric (low pressure or “LP”) storage of plant matter is disclosed. The method is characterized by controlling the correlated conditions of total pressure, oxygen partial pressure, air intake rate, and pumping speed and additionally controlling the pressure with a vacuum regulator operating at a higher temperature than the storage space; storing plant matter in storage boxes which are unable to adsorb water and release the heat of water condensation; shielding the storage boxes from radiation emitted by the storage space's wall; shielding plant matter in the storage boxes from radiation emitted by the box's inner surface; and decreasing the total storage space pressure and steady-state oxygen partial pressure to a minimum value which does not cause low oxygen injury and is optimally effective in extending storage life, reducing metabolic heat and biochemical energy production, and preventing microbial decay in the plant matter. |
| US08763411B2 |
Methods, devices and systems for extraction of thermal energy from a heat conducting metal conduit
Provided are methods, devices and systems for controlled removal of thermal energy from a fluid within a thermally conducting metal conduit. The system allows for the in situ formation of a reversible plug that can stop the flow of fluid through the conduit, particularly without inducing thermally induced stress fractures or breaches in the conduit. The devices and systems include a thermal transfer device that can be adapted to be in thermal communication with a thermal conducting metal conduit containing a fluid, particularly a flowing fluid. The devices and systems allows for controlled re-heating of the conduit without inducing thermally induced stress fractures or breaches in the conduit to restore fluid flow through the conduit. |
| US08763406B2 |
Turbomachine combustion chamber
A turbomachine combustion chamber in which a chamber end wall presents an opening for receiving a pre-vaporization bowl, and including a device for injecting air and fuel mounted on the axis thereof, the bowl being floatingly mounted relative to the chamber end wall to move in a predetermined radial direction and flaring downstream so as to form a collar, a deflector forming a thermal shield being made integrally with the bowl beside the chamber end wall so that the floating movement of the bowl-and-deflector assembly takes place in a sliding plane situated between the deflector and the chamber end wall. |
| US08763404B2 |
Systems, apparatuses, and methods of harnessing thermal energy of gas turbine engines
One embodiment according to the present invention is a unique system for harnessing thermal energy of a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include unique apparatuses, systems, devices, and methods relating to gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present invention shall become apparent from the following description and drawings. |
| US08763402B2 |
Multi-lobed cooling hole and method of manufacture
A gas turbine engine component includes a cooling hole. The cooling hole includes an inlet, an outlet, a metering section and a diffusing section. The diffusing section extends from the metering section to the outlet and includes a first lobe diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, a second lobe adjacent the first lobe and diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, and a transition region having a portion that extends between the first and second lobes and an end adjacent the outlet. |
| US08763401B2 |
Integrated fuel nozzle and ignition assembly for gas turbine engines
There is provided an integrated fuel nozzle and ignition assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising a body having a fuel nozzle portion and an igniter portion. The fuel nozzle portion defines a fuel passage extending therethrough between a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet for directing a fuel flow into a combustion chamber. The igniter portion projects laterally from the fuel nozzle portion on a side thereof and comprises an igniter receiving cavity positioned adjacently and laterally on a side of the fuel passage. The assembly further comprises an igniter secured in the igniter receiving cavity for igniting the fuel flow discharged by the fuel passage. |
| US08763392B2 |
Hydraulic booster vented input rod with poppet
A hydraulic brake booster system. The hydraulic brake booster system includes a primary piston axially moveable within a bore of a cylinder, a booster chamber located rearwardly of the primary piston within the bore, an input rod extending within the booster chamber, a booster vent path in selective fluid communication with the booster chamber, and a seal member located between the forward face and the primary piston, the seal member in a fixed relationship with the input rod and configured to (i) seal the booster vent path from the booster chamber when the input rod is in a first position, and (ii) not seal the booster vent path from the booster chamber when the input rod is moved rearwardly within the booster chamber to a second position. |
| US08763391B2 |
Stirling cycle machine
A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. The machine also includes a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly. An airlock is included between the workspace and the crankcase and a seal is included for sealing the workspace from the airlock and crankcase. A burner and burner control system is also included for heating the machine and controlling ignition and combustion in the burner. |
| US08763389B2 |
Reaction mass and spring oscillator for wave energy converter
A reaction mass and a spring are configured to form an “oscillator”. The reaction mass is coupled to, and can wrap around, a first pulley via a first belt/cable. The spring is coupled to, and can wrap around, a second pulley via a second belt/cable. The first and second pulleys are mechanically linked together and are mounted so they rotate in tandem. The diameter of the second pulley is different than the diameter of the first pulley to cause the reaction mass to travel a different distance than the spring in response to the up down motion of the reaction mass. The first and second pulleys may be circular with the second pulley being made smaller than first. Alternatively, the first pulley may be circular and the second pulley a cam of varying radius. |
| US08763385B2 |
Methods and systems for an engine
Various systems and methods for an engine system which includes a throttle turbine generator having a turbine which drives an auxiliary generator and disposed in a throttle bypass are described. In some examples, a throttle bypass valve is controlled to adjust airflow through the throttle bypass responsive to airflow to cylinders of the engine. In other examples, an operating parameter such as throttle position is controlled based on transient operating conditions of the engine. In still other examples, charging of a battery is coordinated between the auxiliary generator and a primary generator. |
| US08763383B2 |
Exhaust flow divider
An exhaust flow divider is interposed between a head and an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust flow divider may be configured to maintain separation between two exhaust streams flowing from a cylinder of the engine through the head until, e.g., the exhaust exits the head and flows into the exhaust manifold. |
| US08763379B2 |
Electrically heated catalyst
The present invention is intended to suppress a short circuit between a heat generation element and a case in an electrically heated catalyst. An electrically heated catalyst (1) according to the present invention is provided with a heat generation element (3), a case (4), an insulating support member (5) arranged between said heat generation element (3) and said case (4), an inner pipe (6) inserted into said insulating support member (5) with its ends protruding into an exhaust gas from end faces of said insulating support member (5), and a catalyst (10) having an oxidation function that covers at least outer peripheral surfaces of protrusion portions (6a, 6b) of said inner pipe (6) protruding into the exhaust gas from the end faces of said insulating support member (5), except for predetermined ranges which are in contact with the end faces of said insulating support member (5). |
| US08763375B2 |
Exhaust gas cleaning device, exhaust system, removal method
The present invention relates to an exhaust gas cleaning device (2) of an exhaust system (1) of a combustion engine, more preferably of a motor vehicle, with a catalytic converter unit (3) having a catalytic converter support pipe (7) and at least one oxidation catalytic converter element (8) mounted in the catalytic converter support pipe (7), and with a particle filter unit (4) having a particle filter support pipe (11) and at least one particle filter element (12) mounted in the particle filter support pipe (11).A simple handling with simple construction can be achieved with a receiving pipe (5) in which one of the support pipes (7, 11) is axially inserted, and with a clamp connection (6) which sets the receiving pipe (5), the catalytic converter support pipe (7) and the particle filter support pipe (11) against one another. |
| US08763373B2 |
System for purifying exhaust gas and method for controlling the same
A system for purifying an exhaust gas may include a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst adapted to absorb nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas at a lean atmosphere, release the absorbed nitrogen oxides at a rich atmosphere, and reduce or slip the released nitrogen oxides according to a temperature thereof; a particulate filter adapted to trap particulate matters contained in the exhaust gas and regenerate the trapped particulate matters by using the nitrogen oxides slipped from the LNT catalyst; and a controller adapted to selectively create the rich atmosphere when the temperature of the LNT catalyst is higher than or equal to a first predetermined temperature or a temperature of the particulate filter is higher than or equal to a second predetermined temperature. A method for controlling the system is also disclosed. |
| US08763370B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
Inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust purification catalyst (13) are arranged. At the time of engine operation, a first NOx purification method which maintains the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) lean while injecting hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) at predetermined feed intervals to thereby remove the NOx which is contained in exhaust gas and a second NOx purification method which switches the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing to the exhaust purification catalyst (13) from lean to rich by intervals longer than the above predetermined feed intervals to thereby remove the NOx are selectively used in accordance with the sulfur poisoning of the exhaust purification catalyst (13). |
| US08763368B1 |
Systems and methods for controlling a combustion engine
Some implementations of a system for controlling an internal combustion engine (e.g., a natural gas fired internal combustion engine or another type of engine) can include an air-fuel ratio controller that is configured to monitor sensor feedback from an exhaust path and to thereafter automatically adjust the air-fuel mixture. The system can be employed in particular methods to control emissions from the engine, for example, by reducing pollutants emitted as components of the exhaust from the engine. |
| US08763367B2 |
Engine exhaust temperature regulation
In one example, a method of operating an engine in a vehicle is described. The method comprises delivering a first substance to a cylinder of the engine from a first injector; delivering a second substance to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, where the second substance has a greater heat of vaporization than the first substance; and increasing injection of the second substance responsive to an exhaust over-temperature condition. |
| US08763366B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine
In a method for operating an air-compressing fuel-injection internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas post-treatment system with a particle filter and a nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter, a plurality of internal combustion engine operating settings are provided, each having respective predefined values for predefined internal combustion engine operating parameters. A heating operating setting is set when the internal combustion engine is warming up, while a basic operating setting is set in the warmed-up state. When the temperature in the exhaust gas system exceeds a predefinable first value, the heating operating setting is changed over to the basic operating setting. In the warmed-up state, at least one further (third) operating setting, with an exhaust gas recirculation rate that is reduced compared to the basic operating setting, is provided in addition to the basic operating setting. |
| US08763365B2 |
Exhaust emission control device for internal combustion engine and NOx purification catalyst deterioration determination method
An exhaust emission control device includes a first detection unit for detecting a NOx adsorption amount and an oxygen storage amount of a three-way catalyst and a NOx purification catalyst during rich spike, a second detection unit for detecting the oxygen storage amount of the three-way catalyst and the NOx purification catalyst until the output of a second air-fuel sensor becomes lean after the rich spike, and a deterioration determination unit for determining deterioration of the NOx purification catalyst based on a detected value of the first detection unit and that of the second detection unit. |
| US08763362B1 |
Injector element which maintains a constant mean spray angle and optimum pressure drop during throttling by varying the geometry of tangential inlets
A method for determining the optimum inlet geometry of a liquid rocket engine swirl injector includes obtaining a throttleable level phase value, volume flow rate, chamber pressure, liquid propellant density, inlet injector pressure, desired target spray angle and desired target optimum delta pressure value between an inlet and a chamber for a plurality of engine stages. The tangential inlet area for each throttleable stage is calculated. The correlation between the tangential inlet areas and delta pressure values is used to calculate the spring displacement and variable inlet geometry. An injector designed using the method includes a plurality of geometrically calculated tangential inlets in an injection tube; an injection tube cap with a plurality of inlet slots slidably engages the injection tube. A pressure differential across the injector element causes the cap to slide along the injection tube and variably align the inlet slots with the tangential inlets. |
| US08763360B2 |
Hollow fan blade tuning using distinct filler materials
A fan blade comprises a main body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Channels are formed into the main body, with a plurality of ribs extending intermediate the channels. The fan blade has a dovetail, and an airfoil extending radially outwardly from the dovetail. Material is deposited within the channels, with one type of material being selected to provide additional stiffness to the fan blade, and a second type of material being selected for having good damping characteristics. A method and gas turbine engine are is also disclosed. |
| US08763355B2 |
Mower unit utilizing removably attachamble pulley cover
A cover having a side skirt and an upper face part covers a pulley provided to a mower deck. A latch mechanism removably attaches the cover to a top plate of the mower deck using an elastic deformation of the cover. The latch mechanism includes a first bracket forming a first opening, and a second bracket which is provided to the top plate so as to oppose to the first bracket via the pulley, and forms at least one second opening, a first projection provided to the side skirt of the cover, and for engaging with the first opening when attaching the cover, and at least one second projection provided to the side skirt of the cover, and for engaging with the second opening when attaching the cover. |
| US08763343B2 |
Wall sheathing, siding and roof decking hangers
A corrosion resistant, metal building construction connective hardware for installing wall sheathing, siding, and roof decking to a structure with a resting mount (24) of sufficient depth to fit the material being hung and a holding lip (26) that forms a front edge that can be imprinted for identification and verification purposes. The lip is easily painted or stained to match the exterior finish. The invention is versatile and multiple pieces can be connected to the foundation mudsill to install sheathing; to the bottom edge of sheathing to install siding; and to each roof rafter tail-end to install the roof decking. |
| US08763341B2 |
Mechanical locking of floor panels with vertical folding
Floor panels (1, 1′, 1″) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b) allowing installation with vertical folding and where the long edge (5a, 5b) locking system prevents separation of the short edges (4a, 4b) during the folding action. |
| US08763336B2 |
Attachment clip for ceiling grid systems
A clip having a first leg for attaching to a trim strip and a second leg for attaching to a grid runner, the first leg having a backer plate attached with a screw through a slot, a head of the screw on a side of the first leg facing the second leg, the backer plate on the other side of the first leg, an upper edge of the first leg in a downwardly facing groove on a backside of the trim strip, the backer plate fitting between a depending free edge of the upper groove and an upstanding edge of a lower upwardly facing groove when the screw is up in the slot, and being received in the lower groove when the screw is down in the slot and clamping between the upstanding edge and a rear face of the trim strip when the screw is tightened. |
| US08763335B2 |
Wainscoting system
A wainscoting system for covering a portion of a wall, wherein the wainscoting system includes a lower rail secured to the wall, a chair rail assembly attached to the wall and spaced apart from the lower rail, a plurality of decorative panels extending between the lower rail and chair rail assembly, and a batten positioned adjacent decorative panels. The batten includes a compound tongue formed into a first side edge thereof and a compound tongue formed into an opposing second side edge thereof. Each decorative panel includes a compound tongue formed into a first side edge thereof and a compound groove formed into an opposing second side edge thereof. The compound tongue of each decorative panel corresponds and is engageable with the compound groove of the batten, and the compound groove of each decorative panel corresponds and is engageable with the compound tongue of the batten. |
| US08763332B2 |
Roof insulation fastening system
A roof insulation fastening system employs a fastener and a compression plate with a tube which interacts with the compression plate to permit the plate to vertically move relative to the head of the fastener when the adjacent area and/or plate is subject to excessive compression. The tube includes a retainer shoulder and a pair of tabs wherein the plate captures the tube. The tube includes a throat and a tapered portion with a throughbore. The fastener is inserted into the tube and secured in place so that the head is retained at the intersection of the throat and the tapered portion and the shank is secured into the roofing substrate. |
| US08763330B2 |
Devices and methods to provide air circulation space proximate to insulation material
Insulation spacer devices, methods and related construction techniques are provided. An exemplary device may include a body having a plurality of openings defining an openwork, to allow the passage of air therethrough when placed in contact with insulation material. The device may further include a plurality of spacer struts and/or spacing depressions fixedly attached to the body. The struts may be configured to maintain a predetermined distance between a first side of the insulation material and a building surface. The body and struts act together to define and maintain a space between the first side of the insulation material and the building surface, for example, for ventilation. The building surface can be the bottom face of a roof, an insulated attic floor, wall sheathing or a soundproofed demising wall, for example. The spacer device can be capable of being transported and stored together with, or as a separate item from, the insulation material, and can also be stored in nested layers. The device can also be stored in rolled form. The openwork of the device can additionally or alternatively include a sheet of Entangled net filaments or other similar material. |
| US08763329B2 |
Precise patient table cavity form
A frame for precise casting of concrete comprises a first fascia plate having a score line in a first predetermined location, a second fascia plate having a score line at a second predetermined location a third fascia plate having a score line at a third predetermined location and a fourth fascia plate having a score line at a fourth predetermined location. A precise concrete screed is disposed in a position relative to an upper margin of the fascia plates and allows for formation of a foundation within 2 millimeters in terms of height, position, and levelness. |
| US08763324B2 |
Support structures on roofs
This invention provides upper diverters which are used on support structures on roofs. Such upper diverter has a lower flange which interfaces with the respective roof panel, and an upstanding wall which extends up from the lower flange. The upper diverter diverts water, flowing down the roof, laterally away from the respective roof panel. |
| US08763323B1 |
Grain silo lid
An grain silo lid including a frame surrounding a grain silo roof lid and having a slidegate member mounted within the frame that operationally engages an actuation mechanism within the frame and that slidingly engages a plurality of roller-element bearing assemblies disposed within the frame first and second sides upon activation of the actuation mechanism to cover a top end of a grain silo. |
| US08763322B2 |
Solar battery module fixture
[Problem] To be able to reliably fix a solar battery module in an appropriate position on a roof, to have light weight and few components, and to be able to reliably prevent slipping and perform grounding during temporary placement when the fixing position of the solar battery module is adjusted. [Solution] The present invention comprises: a base metal fitting fixed to a rooftop surface; a height-adjusting metal fitting capable of sliding in a vertical direction relative to the base metal fitting; a position-adjusting metal fitting capable of sliding in a horizontal direction relative to the height-adjusting metal fitting; and a fixing metal fitting for sandwiching and fixing the solar battery module between the fixing metal fitting and the position-adjusting metal fitting from the top and bottom, the fixing metal fitting being attached relative to the position-adjusting metal fitting. The position-adjusting metal fitting has: a mounting board part for mounting the solar battery module; a stopper capable of making contact with the edge of a frame provided to the periphery of the solar battery module when the solar battery module is mounted on the mounting board part; and a protrusion for making contact with a conductor part of the frame when the solar battery module is fixed to ensure electrical conductance. |
| US08763318B1 |
Grave marker assembly
A grave marker assembly that can be removably mounted and secured to a support surface such as a lawn crypt lid. The grave marker assembly has a fastening system that is not exposed to view and yet allows the grave marker to be easily installed and removed. The fastening system includes a channel and interior opening formed on a base member that is adapted to receive a fastener. The fastener in turn is adapted to be inserted into an opening formed on the crypt lid or other support surface. The assembly further includes a multi-function frame disposed along the outer periphery of the memorial marker that can serve as a decorative feature and draining functions. |
| US08763315B2 |
Folding shed
A folding shed including a roof with a first roof section pivotally connected to a first sidewall and a second roof section pivotally connected to a second sidewall. The folding shed may further include foldable first and second end walls, each pivotally connected to the first and second sidewalls. The folding shed may be transformed from an operation to a storage configuration by outwardly pivoting the first and second roof sections until the exterior surface of each roof section approximately abuts the exterior surface of the sidewall to which it is connected and inwardly moving foldable end walls until the interior surfaces of the sidewalls approximately abut the interior surfaces of the end walls. |
| US08763311B2 |
Snow inhibiting device for a solar-paneled roof
A snow-inhibiting device for inhibiting the movement of snow and ice on a solar-paneled roof. The device includes a base adapted for attachment to the surface of a roof. A planar guard member is securely attached to the surface of the base. The planar guard member has a proximal and distal end, where the proximal end is adjacent to the base, and the distal end projects away from the base. The distal end projects to a height greater than the height of the surface of a solar panel on the roof. |
| US08763304B2 |
Method for producing rooted cutting of pinaceae tree
A method for producing a rooted cutting which can be applied to Pinaceae trees. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for producing a rooted cutting of a Pinaceae tree, comprising the following steps A and B: A: adding a cytokinin to the outside of a shoot apex of a short shoot of a Pinaceae tree to thereby induce a new scaly leaf and/or primary leaf; and B: cutting out the short shoot where new scaly leaf and/or primary leaf is induced in the step A, inserting the short shoot as a cutting in a rooting bed wetted with a carbon source-free liquid medium comprising nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as essential elements, and culturing the short shoot in a culturing vessel while regulating the concentration of CO2 gas in the culturing vessel at a humidity of 80% or more to root the cutting. |
| US08763303B2 |
Tree guard
Various embodiments related to a tree guard. One embodiment provides a modular tree guard assembly. Various other embodiments disclosed include one or more of the following: a multi-purpose top rail unit facilitating flexible installation of various side panel units and top rail accessories; modular side panel units including decorative units and urine guard units; corner and other post units; and various adjustable foot units. In one embodiment, a sign holder unit of the tree guard assembly is provided with different tamper proof bolts than are other elements of the assembly such that control over signage on the tree guard may be effectively given to a different entity than an entity with control over assembly of the rest of the tree guard unit. Various other embodiments related to tree guards are disclosed. |
| US08763302B2 |
Handling apparatus for plant growth substrates
Described herein are several embodiments of a handling apparatus for plant growth substrates and associated methods of use. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus for separately and automatically dispensing plant growth media includes a media guide and a media guide regulator. The media guide can define a channel through which media is movable. The media regulator can include a media penetrating member that is positionable within the channel at a first location and a media stopping member that is positionable within the channel at a second location spaced-apart from the first location. The media regulator can be operable to reciprocate between a media penetrating position in which the media penetrating member is positioned within the channel to penetrate media and a media stopping position in which the media stopping member is positioned within the channel to restrict media from movement in at least one direction along the channel. |
| US08763301B2 |
Spinner arm
A spinnerbait has deviations on its upper arm. The deviations project in directions other than that in which the lure moves through the water, thus providing enhanced shimmer and vibration at minimal cost. |
| US08763299B2 |
Vertically adjustable scope base
A vertically adjustable scope base designed to mitigate parallax induced aiming errors. The apparatus comprises a rail assembly, a front base, a rear base, a pivot fastener, an incline mechanism, and an incline adjuster. The rail assembly comprises an optics mount, a pivot mount, an inline mechanism mount. The front base comprises a pivot mechanism. The rear base comprises a threaded sleeve. The front base and the rear base each comprise an attachment mechanism to mount the apparatus to a weapon system. The Incline mechanism comprises a housing, a first and second bevel gear, and a threaded extension rod. The incline adjuster comprises an axle assembly, a dial, and a base. The configuration of these components and sub-components allow a user to quickly and precisely adjust an optical sight's angle of incline instead of repositioning the reticle to align the crosshairs with an intended point of impact. |
| US08763298B2 |
Combination brush and jag
A combination brush and jag comprising a stem, a set of short bristles having first longitudinal length and a first transverse diameter; a set of long bristles having a second longitudinal length and a second transverse diameter; the set of short bristles and long bristles positioned adjacent to each other and secured in between the stem, wherein the first transverse diameter is smaller than the second transverse diameter and a bore diameter and the first longitudinal length is approximately the same as or shorter than the second longitudinal length. |
| US08763296B1 |
Adjustable cheek rest assembly for a firearm stock
An adjustable cheek rest assembly for a firearm includes a stock adapted to be mounted on a support member of the firearm, and a cheek rest disposed in overlying relationship to the stock. A cheek rest adjustment arrangement is connected between the stock and the cheek rest and includes a movable linkage for enabling adjustment of the cheek rest relative to the stock. |
| US08763295B2 |
Firearm with a rotating pistol
A weapon includes a primary firearm and a secondary firearm. The secondary firearm is attached to the primary firearm such that it may be used independently from or in conjunction with the primary firearm. The secondary firearm can be rotated in relation to the primary firearm, allowing two targets to be shot simultaneously. The secondary firearm is rotated by a swivel control built into the primary firearm. A camera system outputs video feed to included displays, allowing a user to view around corners without being exposed to danger. A communications module allows the weapon to interface with external devices, enabling third parties to control the secondary firearm. In addition to the primary and secondary firearm there are mounting points for accessory weapons, such as an electroshock weapon and knife. As with the secondary firearm, these too can be detached to be used independently. |
| US08763294B1 |
Multiple bullet ammunition system
An ammunition system for a firearm includes a cartridge for a firearm, a muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment, a magnet, and a magnetic material. The muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment is loaded into the barrel after the cartridge is loaded in the usual manner. The two are adhered together by magnetic attraction. The cartridge has the magnet, the muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment has the magnet, or both have magnets aligned to draw the two together. When one magnet is present between the two, then the other must have a magnetic material to be drawn to the magnet. To enable more than one muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment to be added, a third magnet may be used within the muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment at the end opposite the cartridge to exert a magnetic field extending toward the muzzle, which will hold the next muzzle-loaded cartridge attachment added to the barrel. |
| US08763293B2 |
Device for stripping cartridges
Applicant has disclosed a method and apparatus to enhance feeding cartridges into the receiver of a bolt-action repeating rifle, from a detachable magazine. In the preferred embodiment, Applicant's invention strips the cartridges from the magazines and feeds the cartridges into the chamber by a spring-activated hinged flap, pinned in a mating recess in a breech bolt head, adjacent a well opening and the inserted magazine. The flap is biased by a spring, which tends to lower the flap away from the breech bolt head, when the breech bolt is in a retracted position. As the breech bolt is pushed forward, the flap engages a rim of the next cartridge to be fed from the magazine and pushes the cartridge out of the magazine, over a feed ramp of the magazine, towards the rifle's chamber. The flap raises, against spring pressure, as it contacts a feed ramp of the receiver, allowing the breech bolt to enter the locking area of the receiver. |
| US08763292B1 |
Wet floor caution sign
An improved wet floor caution sign where the two panels of the sign are attached along a pair of adjacent sidewalls rather than at the top of the panels where conventional wet floor sign panels are attached. As a result, the two panels are ninety (90) degrees to each other and are therefore much more stabile. In addition, the ninety (90) degrees panel configuration facilitates having four panels on which advertisements can be placed as opposed to only two panels as in conventional signs. |
| US08763291B1 |
Support device for rollable graphical display
Support devices and graphic display systems in which the graphic display material is supported by a support device that is rollable with the flexible graphic display material, eliminating the need for traditional frames or stands. The support devices include a thin-walled elongate body having a length extending between first and second ends and having first and second side edges extending along the length of the elongate body. The side edges include at least one recess or protrusion for selectively locking the side edges together to selectively orient the elongate body in an elongate tube-shaped configuration when the side edges are selectively locked together. The thin-walled elongate body is sufficiently flexible so that when the side edges are disengaged from each other the elongate body can be rolled along its length into a tube-shaped configuration for storage. |
| US08763288B2 |
Folded display with optional dispenser
A display including a first panel connected to a second panel along a seam, wherein the first panel includes a first edge opposed from the seam and the second panel includes a second edge opposed from the seam, at least one first tab connected to the first panel along the first edge, and at least one second tab connected to the second panel along the second edge, wherein the first panel is folded relative to the second panel along the seam such that the first tab is engaged with the second tab such that engagement between the first tab and the second tab fixedly aligns the first panel relative to the second panel. |
| US08763287B2 |
Device for sampling biological tissue for the identification of animals
A device for sampling biological tissue (1) to be used in a label for marking animals includes: a hollow needle (3) having a cutting edge (36) at one end, capable of sampling a biological tissue sample when the sampling device is inserted into the biological tissue; a fixation part (22) of the hollow needle, made as a single piece and including a tank (2) containing a chemical for processing a biological tissue sample, the base of the tank including a partition (211) that is punctured by the needle when a pressure is applied upon the insertion of the sampling device into the biological tissue. After puncturing the partition, the content of the tank flow into the hollow needle and contacts the recovered sample. The end of the hollow needle containing the sample can further be protected by a cap, and the sample remains easily accessible for further analysis. |
| US08763285B2 |
Interactive electronic greeting cards with tap and touch activated effects
The interactive greeting card of the present disclosure and related inventions combines a traditional paper card with one or more special effects that are initiated by interaction between a user and the greeting card. One or more touch sensors are used to initiate effects including, but not limited to sound, light, movement or a combination thereof. |
| US08763279B2 |
Bicycling shoe and bicycling shoe components
The invention provides bicycling shoes and bicycling shoe components that offer improved comfort, fit, increased efficiency and reduced incidence of injury. The invention includes an athletic shoe having a sole, an upper attached to the sole to form a toe box, a vamp, a quarter, a throat and an interior cavity, a tongue attached to the upper proximate the toe box, and a closure system adapted to close and secure the tongue on a foot of a user. The closure system comprises at least two straps and two loops that are secured by drawing one end of a strap across the top of the upper, through a loop, and back over the upper, to connect with an opposing end of the strap, and, at least two straps are positioned on the upper to intersect a toe-to-heel line at a strap angle between about 95 degrees and about 120 degrees. |
| US08763275B2 |
Foldable footwear
A foldable footwear comprising a sole fabricated using a single manufacturing casting, the sole comprising at least two portions, a front portion and a back portion and a groove in the ground side of the sole extending laterally from one side of the sole to the other side of the sole. The footwear can be folded in one direction only where the ground side of the sole is folded into itself. |
| US08763272B2 |
Solvent recovery
The invention relates to compositions for, and methods of, delivering treatment compounds to lignocellulosic substrates, wherein the solvent is recovered using RF energy. |
| US08763271B2 |
Paint applicator cleaning device
A paint applicator cleaning device having a drive shaft; a hub in communication with the drive shaft having: an external screw thread, a coaxial socket opening into the spigot and an external abutment positioned between the drive shaft and the spigot; a paint-brush-handle tip locator having: a socket at one end adapted to receive a paint-brush-handle tip and a stem at its other end received in the socket; a spring housed in the socket in the hub for urging the tip locator outwards of the socket; a paint-brush shank holder having: a tubular portion with an internal thread complementary to the external screw thread of the hub, a plain bore for centering the socket of the tip locator, a pair of tangs and a pair of jaws at the distal ends of the tangs for gripping the paint brush shank; and a sleeve sized to surround the tubular portion. |
| US08763270B1 |
Concrete deck measuring device
A device for measuring the depth of concrete comprising an elongated spine, a stepped blade attached at the distal end of the spine and having a plurality of bi-lateral steps having a predetermined width and height tapering toward the distal end of the spine, a depth probe slidably attached longitudinally along the spine and including an indicator; and a scale aligned with the indicator. The depth probe may have a pointed or beveled distal tip which is useful for penetrating concrete or other aggregate materials. The stepped blade is provided into concrete and comes in contact with the top of the rebar grid, with the steps measuring the depth of the concrete cover over the rebar. The depth probe is plunged into the concrete until the tip reaches the bottom. The scale measures the distance between a distal tip of the depth probe and the leading edge of the blade. |
| US08763266B2 |
Coordinate measurement device
A portable coordinate measurement device is provided. The coordinate measurement device includes at least one arm. A bracket is coupled to the arm that includes a magnetic member at one end. A probe is rotationally coupled to one end of the arm, the probe includes a first ferrous member on a first side, the probe is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the ferrous member is adjacent the magnet when in the second position. |
| US08763265B2 |
Combination square
A combination square includes a blade, a body, and a lock. The body comprises a slot adapted to receive the blade therein and permit sliding translation of the blade parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade, allowing the position of the blade to be adjusted relative to the body. The lock is adapted to lock the position of the blade relative to the body in a locked configuration and to allow adjustment of the position of the blade relative to the body in a released configuration. The combination square also comprises a removable extension bracket being wider than and removable from the body and comprising one or more working surfaces. |
| US08763264B2 |
Interface and a method for mounting together a piece of equipment and a rotary drive source in a rotorcraft power plant
An interface and a method for mounting a piece of equipment (5) with a rotary drive source (3). The mounting interface has a first frame (1) fastened to the drive source (3) and a second frame (2) fastened to the piece of equipment (5), the frames (1, 2) being fitted with assembly means (19) for assembling them together. Rails (22, 23) for guiding the piece of equipment (5) are removably mounted on the first frame (1) and co-operate with windows (20, 21) of the second frame (2). The windows (20, 21) are laterally open providing transverse passages for the rails (22, 23) into the windows (20, 21). The piece of equipment (5) can be moved transversely by an operator towards the rails (22, 23) in order to support it and guide it axially towards the drive source (5). |
| US08763263B2 |
Writing guide
The provided writer guide facilitates the operator in creating a craft project or scrap book page with the desired aesthetic effect. The writer guide emits a laser beam guide line across a medium in a position desirable to the operator. The operator may utilize the guide line for activities that may include but are not limited to writing, printing, scripting, placing, designing, creating, and positioning of components to achieve an aesthetically pleasing product. |
| US08763254B2 |
Reinforcements, baffles and seals with malleable carriers
There is disclosed a process of forming reinforcements, baffles and seals having malleable carriers. The process typically includes application of an activatable material to a malleable carrier and contouring of the activatable material the malleable carrier or both. |
| US08763253B2 |
Vertical laminate noodle for high capacity pull-off for a composite stringer
An apparatus comprises a composite elongate member, a channel, and a number of composite structures. The composite elongate member has a side configured for attachment to a surface of a structure. The channel is on the side and extends along a length of the composite elongate member. The number of composite structures is configured for placement in the channel and configured to attach a portion of the side of the composite elongate member to the structure. The number of composite structures has layers oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the structure. The number of composite structures is configured to increase a capacity of the composite elongate member to withstand forces that pull the composite elongate member away from the structure. |
| US08763250B2 |
Method and device for producing a pipe
The present invention relates to a method for producing a pipe (1) which is provided in its wall (2) and between its ends with at least one channel (4) which passes through the wall (2), in which method a plastic pipe preform (16) is blow-moulded, wherein a protrusion (17) is provided for the channel (4), this protrusion lining the pipe preform (16) and having inside dimensions which are larger than the outside dimensions of the channel (4), in which method the pipe preform (16) in its as yet unsolidified state is squashed in the region of the protrusion (17) in such a way that a rough channel (21) communicating with the interior (3) of the pipe (1) is formed for the channel (4), this rough channel being closed at its end remote from the interior (3) of the pipe and having, apart from the desired channel length (7), the outside dimension of the channel (4), and in which method the squashed pipe preform (16) in its solidified state is cut in the region of the rough channel (21) in such a way that the channel (4) is then open and has the desired channel length (7). |
| US08763247B2 |
Diesel piston with bi-metallic dome
A diesel piston with a cast bi-metallic dome and a method of making the piston. In one form, the dome may include a laminate of a relatively high-temperature material, for example, stainless steel, and a relatively low temperature material, for example, aluminum or aluminum alloys, such that the portion of the dome made from the relatively high-temperature material is directly exposed to combustion within a cylinder into which the piston is placed. In another form, an aluminum coated stainless steel ring is used to form the dome. In one form, an ablation casting process may be used to manufacture the dome. |
| US08763242B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a second wiring substrate is stacked over a first wiring substrate using a conductive paste, where each wiring substrate has mounted thereon an electronic component. The conductive paste is hardened to form a metal column which forms an electrical connection between the first wiring substrate and the second wiring substrate. The wiring substrates are sealed with a resin. The semiconductor device can be downsized, thinned, and made highly reliable, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced. By using conductive paste for the electrical connection between the wiring substrates, a connecting pitch can be smaller than that in a connecting method of using a solder ball including Cu core, and a connection at low temperature can be achieved. Also, by coating the conductive paste by a print-coating or dispense-coating method, manufacturing is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced. |
| US08763240B2 |
Fabrication process for embedded passive components
A fabricating process for a multi-layer printed circuit board containing embedded passive components is provided. The method includes a calibration step wherein a calibration measurement is taken of the geometry or at least one electrical parameter of an arrangement of calibration test points for a circuit forming process, such as masking, etching and/or lamination. A process control step is performed during the process, wherein a process control measurement is taken of at least one electrical parameter at one or more process control test points along one or more axes outside areas in which a circuit is to be formed. An analysis is performed of at least the calibration measurement and the process control measurement to calculate a CAD geometry change required to improve precision of embedded passive components to be printed on the multi-layer printed circuit board. The CAD geometry is modified in accordance with the calculated CAD geometry change, and multi-layer printed circuit boards containing embedded passive components are manufactured in accordance with the modified CAD geometry. The analyzing step may model variability and adapt to it. |
| US08763234B2 |
Method for making thermoacoustic module
A method for making a thermoacoustic module is disclosed. An insulating substrate and a sound wave generator are provided. A conductive paste is screen printed on the insulating substrate to form a first patterned conductive paste layer. The sound wave generator is placed on the first patterned conductive paste layer and at least partially suspended above the insulating substrate by the patterned conductive paste layer. |
| US08763232B2 |
Apparatus and method for inserting dual weatherstrips having opposed sealing elements into a frame member
Weatherstrips (13, 15) having opposed pile sealing elements (226) are installed in opposed slots in a frame member (14) so that the piles may engage opposite sides of a panel, shutter or screen (203), by insertion apparatus having laterally-movable slotted guides (60, 62). The weatherstrips are driven through the slots in the guides by a drive wheel (42). A laterally reciprocating cutter (48) has openings (107, 109), through which the weatherstrips are driven, and shearing edges (98) for cutting ends of the weatherstrips to facilitate entry of the weatherstrips from the slots in the guide into the slots in the frame member. Metering wheel (44) engages at least one of the weatherstrips moving through the guides, and provides for actuation of the cutter, when the desired length of the weatherstrips is driven through the guides; the length corresponding to the length of the frame member which receives the weatherstrips. |
| US08763231B2 |
Blind fasteners
Fasteners for producing double blind joints where the fastener is not visible or accessible are provided. The fasteners comprise a shape memory polymer that may be used to fasten workpieces by heating the fasteners, inducing recovery of the original, permanent shape of the fasteners. |
| US08763226B1 |
Receiver plate-coupler plate assembly
A receiver plate-coupler plate assembly for attaching an implement to a machine. The assembly includes a receiver plate member comprising a vertical plate section with at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction to form a downward facing cavity there between. The vertical plate member attaches to a tool on a plate section surface opposite the perimeter walls. A coupler plate member comprises a vertical plate section positioned against the receiver plate member within the downwardly facing cavity thereof. At least one locking assembly on the coupler plate member reversibly engages the receiver plate member to maintain the coupler plate member within the downward facing cavity thereof. At least one connector assembly secured to the coupler plate member opposite the receiver plate member connects the receiver plate-coupler plate assembly to a machine. |
| US08763224B2 |
Pinion disassembly tool and method
A pinion disassembly tool is configured to remove a yoke or a flange member and a pinion fastener from a splined pinion shaft in a pinion assembly. The tool includes a yoke holding plate with a central aperture sized to receive a socket wrench during removal of the pinion fastener. The yoke holding plate includes fastener apertures for connection to the yoke and at least one non-circular aperture for receiving a breaker bar during removal of the pinion fastener. The tool also includes a drive plate with a threaded aperture, the drive plate inserted through the central aperture of the yoke holding plate after removal of the pinion fastener. The tool also includes a drive bolt engaged with the threaded aperture and configured to force the drive plate and the yoke holding plate to pull the yoke from the splined pinion shaft as the drive bolt is rotated. |
| US08763223B2 |
Tile spacer punch device
A tile spacer punch device 10 comprises a rigid elongate body 12, which has a punch element 16 at one end and a grip 18. The punch element 16 has at least three arms 24, each arm 24 is at right angles to an adjacent arm 24. Preferably the arms 24 intersect and may also be in a common plane. More preferable, for of the said arms 24 are provided. Furthermore, the arms may form part of plates, and the plates may taper inwardly away from the grip. An upper surface 22 of the punch head 14 is preferably convexly domed and suitably resilient to accept repeated striking, for example, from a hammer or palm of a user's hand. |
| US08763221B1 |
Expanding mechanical separator device and method
This disclosure describes a tool or a family of tools which will provide mechanical force to separate pieces, plates, or parts of machinery or other assemblies which, although de-fastened, still resist separation. This is accomplished by utilizing a bolt-like device and a plurality of gripping inserts, which provide separating force between a plurality of plates or similar structures when the device is operated properly. |
| US08763218B2 |
Structurally reinforced casket and manufacturing method
A modular casket made of lightweight materials is structurally reinforced using a structural sealant along at least the inner surfaces of the side panels, and optionally along at least side edge portions of a base panel to which the side panels are coupled, to stiffen and rigidize the casket against flexion along longitudinal and lateral axes, as well as torsional flexion. The structurally reinforced casket is sealed or more readily sealed against leakage and provides other benefits of structural stiffness and rigidity with relatively small cost and weight penalties. |
| US08763216B2 |
Snap hook devices
Snap hooks, particularly snap hooks with a screw lock for mountaineering and climbing are provided. Such snap hooks may include a ring which has a straight side, interrupted by an opening defined by first and second ends, in which the opening is closed by a spring closing element which has an open position and a closed position, the snap hook having a separation lever dividing the space enclosed by the ring in two separate areas wherein the lever is independent from the closing element, and wherein the closing element and the separating lever are hinged to the same hinge. |
| US08763214B2 |
Fastening device
A fastening device includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm pivotably connected to the first clamping arm and a mounting plate. The first clamping arm includes a first engaging portion. The first engaging portion defines a first threaded latching cutout. The second clamping arm includes a second engaging portion. The second engaging portion defines a second threaded latching cutout. The mounting plate attract the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion together. The first and second clamping arms are capable of being pivoted to make the first and second engaging portions abut against each other or moving away from each other. When the first and second engaging portions abut against each other, the first and second latching cutouts align with each other, to form a clamping hole to hold a threaded member. |
| US08763212B2 |
Multi-piece snap clip fastener
A multi-piece snap-in fastener adapted to adjoin a surface element to a backing panel. The fastener includes a docking base of tray-like construction including a pair of opposing lateral sidewalls including at least one inboard protuberance element projecting in overlying relation to the interior surface. A displaceable clip head including at least one male projection element extending outwardly from one side of a support platform is configured for insertion in nesting relation between the lateral sidewalls. The support platform includes outboard protuberance elements projecting outwardly from lateral sides of the support platform such that upon insertion of the support platform between the lateral sidewalls, the outboard protuberance elements are disposed in underlapping relation to opposing inboard protuberance elements projecting from the lateral sidewalls. |
| US08763210B2 |
Locking device for a buckle
Disclosed is a locking device for a buckle. The device comprises a housing, a lever and an arm. The lever has a first strap engaging end and a locking portion. The lever is connected to the housing for movement relative to the housing. The locking portion is cooperable with the housing to be retained in it. The housing is configured to receive a strap. The arm is resiliently connected to the housing and has a second strap engaging end and a lifting end portion. The lifting end portion is disposed towards the first strap engaging end, such that in a locked position, when the locking portion cooperates with the housing, the second strap engaging end is urged into engagement with the strap. The lifting end portion contacts the first strap engaging end to lift it away from the strap. |
| US08763206B1 |
Hinge
The hinge includes an tubular element, a pair of curved beams which are arc-shaped, and a pair of positioning pins. Two curved through holes are formed in the tubular element and are aligned in parallel to each other, the pair of positioning pins are fixed on two opposite sidewalls of the tubular element, each of the pair of curved beams defines a protrusion on an external surface thereof. The pair of curved beams respectively slide in the two curved through holes and the two protrusions are configured to limit a position where the pair of curved beams are in the two curved through holes. |
| US08763205B2 |
Running gear arrangement having a guide rail for a sliding door
A sliding device (13), guided on the ceiling (3) or under the floor (7) of a cabinet (1) with a rail element (19), which allows a sliding door (15) to be synchronously pulled away from the closet (1) in a parallel manner and then slid. In order to also guide the lower edge of the sliding door (15), the motion of the sliding door can be transmitted from the upper edge of the sliding door to the lower edge by a transmission shaft. No cavities or guide grooves have to be formed on the cabinet (1) or the floor (7), ceiling (9), side walls (3), or partition wall (5) thereof. |
| US08763203B2 |
Tackless carpet strip
A tackless carpet strip for affixing carpet to a hard surface has a flat base with spikes extending from the base at an angle. A lower surface of the base is coated with protective sealant. A foam adhesive tape strip has two adhesive surfaces; the first surface is permanently adhered to the lower surface of the base. The second adhesive surface is covered with a removable protective film. |
| US08763202B2 |
Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus
A cyclone bin assembly comprises a cyclone chamber having an air inlet, an air outlet, a dirt outlet and first and second opposed ends. The cyclone bin assembly may comprise a dirt collection chamber in communication with the dirt outlet. The dirt bin may surround at least a portion of the cyclone chamber and comprising first and second portions. The first and second portions may comprise discrete chambers that are separated from each other by a passage extending between the dirt outlet and a wall of the dirt collection chamber. The dirt outlet may have an angular extent around the cyclone chamber and a larger portion of the angular extent of the slot may face the first portion. |
| US08763199B2 |
Autonomous floor-cleaning robot
A robot includes a robot housing having a substantially arcuate forward portion and a motor drive housed by the robot housing and configured to maneuver the robot on a floor surface. At least two independently driven drive wheels are moveably attached to the robot housing and biased toward the floor surface, each of the drive wheels being moveable downwardly in response to the each of the drive wheels moving over a cliff in the floor surface. A plurality of cliff sensors are disposed adjacent a forward edge of the robot housing and spaced from each other, each cliff sensor including an emitter and a detector aimed toward the floor surface and configured to receive emitter emissions reflected off of the floor surface, each cliff sensor being responsive to a cliff in the floor surface and configured to send a signal when a cliff in the floor surface is detected. The robot also includes a wheel drop sensor in communication with each drive wheel that senses when a drive wheel moves downwardly and sends a signal indicating downward movement of the pivoted drive wheel. A controller is in communication with the cliff sensors, each of the wheel drop sensors, and the motor drive to redirect the robot when a cliff in the floor surface is detected. |
| US08763196B2 |
Toothbrush incorporating a flexible undulating region
A toothbrush wherein longitudinally between its neck region and the grip handle is a an undulating region of transverse limbs integrally linked by folds with troughs between the limbs, the troughs containing a thermoplastic elastomer material bonded to the plastic material of said limbs with a ShoreA hardness of 60-70. Specific structures and dimensions of limbs and folds are disclosed. |
| US08763194B2 |
Oral care implement
An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include an elastomeric polishing element defining an elevated dentifrice retaining recess spaced above the toothbrush head for holding dentifrice. In one embodiment, the recess may be configured as an annular groove. Preferred embodiments of the recess include a partially or completely closed bottom portion to support and minimize loss of dentifrice during brushing. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be collectively formed from a plurality of Y-shaped polishing members. |
| US08763191B1 |
Liquid application device
A liquid application device, for applying liquid to a user's foot, configured according to the present invention includes a base, further comprising a top and a bottom surface; a well formed in the top surface of the base, wherein the well is shaped in the approximation of a foot print and wherein the well has a peripheral wall; a non-slip surface coupled to the bottom surface of the base; an applicator removably coupled to the well wherein the applicator is formed in the approximate shape of a foot print and wherein the applicator is formed from a porous material; and wherein the applicator will hold a liquid applied to it. |
| US08763188B2 |
Powered scrubbing device
A powered scrubbing device includes a portable housing, a source of motive power, and a scrubber member. The source of motive power is coupled to the scrubber member, and the scrubber member is journaled for rotation within a recess of the housing. The recess is sized to accommodate a foot of a user below the scrubber member, and the recess is sized to permit access to an upper surface of the scrubber member. |
| US08763184B2 |
Control method of a laundry machine
A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum. |
| US08763181B1 |
Multipurpose mat
A multipurpose mat including: a first side made from a water-resistant material; a second side fixedly secured to the first side and made from an absorbent material; a plurality of first straps fixedly secured to the first side; and a plurality of second straps fixedly secured to the second side. The first and second sides form a perimeter including first and second protrusions with a recess between the first and second protrusions. Respective straps in the plurality of first straps are connectable to each other or to another strap in the plurality of first straps. Respective straps in the plurality of second straps are connectable to each other or to another strap in the plurality of second straps. |
| US08763178B1 |
Low profile patient examination table
An examination table is shown that is capable of being lowered to a relatively low height. The examination table includes a base, a lifting mechanism, an upper frame structure, and a patient support disposed on or supported directly or indirectly by the upper frame. The lifting mechanism interconnects the base with the upper frame structure. In order to reduce the height of the examination table when it assumes the lower position, the lifting mechanism is projected upwardly through a lower portion of the upper frame such that an upper portion of the lifting mechanism assumes a position in an open area of the upper frame. Once the upper portion of the lifting mechanism is projected into the upper frame, the lifting mechanism is attached to the upper frame such that the upper frame moves up and down as the lifting mechanism moves up and down. |
| US08763177B2 |
Positioning device and method of use
A positioning device is described for supporting an infant with myelomeningocele during surgery, transport and pre- and post-operative procedures. The device allows the patient to be expeditiously re-positioned from prone to supine and lateral positions and vice versa before, during and after surgery. The device allows access to the myelomeningocele while the patient is secured in the device. |
| US08763172B1 |
Concealing system for hiding unsightly hooks and rods in bathrooms
A concealing system for hiding shower curtain rods in bathtubs and shower compartments featuring a pair of extension rods oriented parallel to each other and spaced a distance apart and a sheet spanning between the pair of extension rods. The extension rods are sandwiched between the shower compartment walls and positioned to cover and conceal the shower curtain rod. |
| US08763171B2 |
Methods, apparatus and kits for splicing tubes
A splicing apparatus for interconnecting tubes may include: a first longitudinally elongate structure including a first radially outer surface and a first radially inner surface; a second longitudinally elongate structure including a second radially outer surface and a second radially inner surface, the first and second structures being configured to be arranged with the first and second inner surfaces facing each together and the first and second outer surfaces defining an equivalent diameter; and at least one movable element configured to engage the first and second inner surfaces, whereby movement of the at least one movable element changes a relative position of the first and second structures thereby changing the equivalent diameter defined by the first and second outer surfaces. A kit for a pool cover assembly may include first and second tubes and a splicing apparatus configured to interconnect the tubes. |
| US08763170B1 |
Sink strainer scraper apparatus for dislodging residual solid debris therefrom
A strainer for fitting in a drain of a sink and for being self-cleaning of residual solid debris sticking to the strainer without a user having to touch the residual solid debris, shake the strainer, or hit the strainer against an object. The strainer includes a bowl, a handle, a stopper, and a scraper arm. The bowl fits snugly within the drain of the sink, and is perforated to permit fluid to pass therethrough, while collecting the residual solid debris. The handle is movably mounted through the bowl to manually remove the strainer from the drain of the sink. The stopper is rotatably connected to the handle, is disposed below the bowl, and sits in the drain of the sink. The scraper arm is affixed to, and rotates with, the handle. When the handle is rotated by hand manipulation, the scraper arm sweeps along the bowl self-cleaning the residual solid debris sticking to the bowl without a user having to touch the residual solid debris, shake the strainer, or hit the strainer against the object. |
| US08763168B2 |
Hinge assembly for toilet seat
A device for affixing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a fixing component having a through-hole and removably coupling to a fixing member, a hinge base receiving the fixing component, a hinge cover, the hinge cover being rotatable when covering a portion of the hinge base and having a locked position, and a rib on an internal surface of the hinge cover, the rib including an inward projection for engaging an indentation of the fixing component when the hinge cover is in a locked position. The hinge cover of another device can slide onto the hinge base into a locked position. The device can quickly install the toilet seat and provide quick release of the toilet seat. |
| US08763165B2 |
Pair of male pants with an adjustable genital pocket
The invention refers to a pair of male pants intended to be used preferably by sportsmen and by other active persons and comprising a waist portion (2) connected to back and front portions (3, 4), which at the crotch (5) of the wearer are interconnected or merge into each other, said front portion (4) on its inside (6) comprises a sewn on pocket (7) having an upper free edge portion (8) extending in a direction inwards to the pants, the height position of the edge portion (8) is adjustably fixable in relation to the waist portion (2) by aid of an adjustment means (9) extending from said waist portion (2) and having two end portions (15;16). Said end portions (15;16) of the adjustment means (9) are directly or indirectly adjustably fixable to the waist portion (2), at least one end portion (15; 16) of which is fixed to one end (22) of an adjustably fixable flexible strip (17; 18) constituting an extension of said end portion (15;16), which is fixable to said waist portion (2) with its other end (21), the extension degree of which is limited by a non extendable or rigid band (19; 20), which is extending over said flexible strip (17; 18) and is fastened to respective end (21;22) of the same in maintaining a desired smallest height position of the free edge portion (8). |
| US08763163B1 |
Visor with plug in accessory sockets
Visor assemblies using a soft type foam visor formed from a pliable and flexible material, such as but not limited to ethylene vinyl acetate, having patterns of through-hole and partial cutouts hole that allow for accessories such as labels, charms, badges, and the like, to be plugged into the openings and easily removable and interchangeable with other accessories. The visor assemblies use a removable rear head strap having a plurality of holes with rivets that allow the strap to adjust about different head sizes. A puncture tool will turn a partial cutout into a complete throughhole cutout. The puncture tool is mountable into a cutout hole. An adapter is mountable to support sunglasses/eyeglasses. |
| US08769710B2 |
Atomic force microscope system using selective active damping
An atomic force microscope (AFM) system comprises a cantilever arm attached to a probe tip. The system controls a height of the cantilever arm to press the probe tip against a sample and then separate the probe tip from the sample, to detect a disturbance of the cantilever arm after the separation of the probe tip from the surface, and to engage active damping of the cantilever arm to suppress the disturbance. |
| US08769709B2 |
Apparatus and method for analyzing and modifying a specimen surface
The invention refers to a probe assembly for a scanning probe microscope which comprises at least one first probe-adapted for analyzing a specimen, at least one second probe adapted for modifying the specimen and at least one motion element associated with the probe assembly and adapted for scanning one of the probes being in a working position across a surface of the specimen so that the at least one first probe interacts with the specimen whereas the at least one second probe is in a neutral position in which it does not interact with the specimen and to bring the at least one second probe into a position so that the at least one second probe can modify a region of the specimen analyzed with the at least one first probe. |
| US08769702B2 |
Application reputation service
The claimed subject matter is directed to the use of an application reputation service to assist users with minimizing their computerized machines' exposure to infection from malware. The claimed subject matter provides an application reputation service that contains the reputations for elements that are known to be non-malicious as well as those known to be malicious. One embodiment is implemented as a method to determine the reputation of an element (e.g., an application). When a user attempts to install or execute a new application, the Application Reputation Service is queried by the user's machine with a set of identities for the element. The reputation of the application is determined by referencing a knowledge base of known reputations and returns an indication (e.g., an overall rating, or a flag) of how safe that application would be to install and run on the user's computer. |
| US08769696B2 |
Automated detection of flaws and incompatibility problems in information flow downgraders
Mechanisms for evaluating downgrader code in application code with regard to a target deployment environment. Downgrader code in the application code is identified. Based on an input string, an output string that the downgrader code outputs in response to receiving the input string is identified. One or more sets of illegal string patterns are retrieved. Each of the one or more sets of illegal string patterns is associated with a corresponding deployment environment. The illegal string patterns are string patterns that a downgrader identifies in the information flow for security purposes. A determination is made as to whether the downgrader code is compatible with the target deployment environment based on the one or more sets of illegal string patterns and the output string. An output indicative of the results of the determining is generated. |
| US08769693B2 |
Trusted installation of a software application
The trust reputation of the combination of an installation package and installer, as a pair, and the combination of a file and an installer, as a pair, is used to store the identity of a file in a persistent cache. An entry in the persistent cache indicates the trust worthiness of a file that does not contain malware thereby avoiding a scan of the file for malware. The trust worthiness of a file may be determined from known trust reputations of the installation package, installer, and file from a network of computing resources. By relying on the known trust reputation of the combination of the installation package and installer and the combination of the file and installer, the identity of the file may be stored in persistent cache quickly. |
| US08769689B2 |
Digital DNA sequence
In an embodiment of the invention, a method of classifying a data object includes: scanning the data object; evaluating contents of data objects base on at least one selected rule; and generating a digital DNA sequence that classifies at least some contents in the data object. |
| US08769687B2 |
Network security architecture
A network security system is deployed between an internet backbone and intranets that belong to subscribing organizations. The system includes a scanning system that scans incoming electronic mail for malicious code and an anti-virus server for downloading anti-virus code to clients on the intranets. A switch is provided for directing incoming electronic mail from the internet backbone to the scanning system so that the electronic mail can be scanned. In one embodiment, a decoy server is also provided for masquerading as a legitimate server and logging suspicious activity from communications received from the internet backbone. |
| US08769684B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for masquerade attack detection by monitoring computer user behavior
Methods, systems, and media for masquerade attack detection by monitoring computer user behavior are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, a method for detecting masquerade attacks is provided, the method comprising: monitoring a first plurality of user actions and access of decoy information in a computing environment; generating a user intent model for a category that includes at least one of the first plurality of user actions; monitoring a second plurality of user actions; comparing the second plurality of user actions with the user intent model by determining deviation from the generated user intent model; identifying whether the second plurality of user actions is a masquerade attack based at least in part on the comparison; and generating an alert in response to identifying that the second plurality of user actions is the masquerade attack and in response to determining that the second plurality of user actions includes accessing the decoy information in the computing environment. |
| US08769683B1 |
Apparatus and methods for remote classification of unknown malware
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for remote classification of malware. Computer-readable code is configured to be executed by the processor so as to receive a locality-sensitive hash (LSH) value associated with a file from a host computer via the network interface, determine whether the LSH value associated with the file is similar to a LSH value in an entry in an LSH data structure, and indicate that the file is a variant of known malware associated with the entry if the LSH value associated with the file is similar to the LSH value in the entry. Another embodiment relates to a method for remote classification of malware. Another embodiment relates to an apparatus configured to determine whether a file includes malware. Another embodiment relates to a method for detecting malware within an institutional network. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US08769681B1 |
Methods and system for DMA based distributed denial of service protection
A method and system for protection against denial of service attacks to a server coupled to a network. The server may establish connections with client computers through the network. Packets are received over the network directed to the server. It is determined whether the packets are associated with an established connection. The packets associated with the established connection are separated for processing by the server in a first buffer. The packets requesting a new connection are separated in a second buffer. The packets in the second buffer requesting a new connection are serviced at a lower priority than the packets relating to established connections. |
| US08769667B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes firmware incorporated in the apparatus; utility software that can be installed and uninstalled; a first restricting unit; and a second restricting unit. The information processing apparatus executes the firmware and the utility software to access a device. The firmware uses the first restricting unit to restrict use of the device on the basis of restriction information, supplies the restriction information to the utility software, and removes the restriction by the first restricting unit if an instruction to remove the restriction is received from the utility software. The utility software determines whether the use of the device has already been restricted by the second restricting unit when the utility software receives the restriction information from the firmware, and instructs the firmware to remove the restriction by the first restricting unit if the use of the device has already been restricted by the second restricting unit. |
| US08769665B2 |
IP communication device as firewall between network and computer system
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for implementations of an Internet protocol (IP) communication device (e.g., an IP phone) that contains a firewall. The IP communication device is coupled between a computer system and a network. A data packet is received at a first port of the IP communication device. The data packet is filtered with the firewall included in the IP communication device. The filtered data packet may be transmitted from a second port of the IP communication device (in modified or unmodified form), or may be canceled based on the filtering. In one implementation, the first port is coupled to the network and the second port is coupled to the computer system. In another implementation, the first port is coupled to the computer system and the second port is coupled to the network. |
| US08769659B2 |
Null-packet transmission from inside a firewall to open a communication window for an outside transmitter
A high-bandwidth direct communication path between two clients is used for voice or video calls over the Internet. An opening or a window in a firewall is made for the direct path by sending a null packet out from inside the firewall. The null packet can be a UDP packet directed to a UDP port of the other client. Initially, each client makes a TCP connection to port 80 of an external manager. Each client registers its UDP port number with the external manager. A call request from one client to the external manager results in a message from the external manager to the other client. The other client then creates the window in its firewall by transmitting the null UDP packet. Then the external manager is notified and tells the calling client to begin sending UDP packets directly to the other client through the firewall window. |
| US08769658B2 |
System for the display, by a user, of multimedia content items
A system for the display, by a user, of multimedia content items, including a network which comprises: a server with a memory in which the multimedia content items are saved, at least one device for the selective display of multimedia content items, which device is able to receive and make available to a user one or more of the multimedia content items that can be obtained from the server, an RFID tag unambiguously coupled to the multimedia device, a plurality of tag readers connected to the server, each able to identify the RFID tag in order to authorise the sending of one or more of the multimedia content items to the device, the tag readers being distributed in an environment according to a mapping known to the server. The RFID tag is programmed with a user identification code such that the multimedia device is identified by the user code associated with the tag as a node of the network and the tag readers are able to locate the multimedia device in the environment in order to authorise it to receive a subset of the multimedia content items. |
| US08769655B2 |
Shared registration multi-factor authentication tokens
A system and method for more efficiently establishing a chain of trust from a registrant to a registry. A registrant credential is associated with a Shared Registration command and is sent by a registrar to a registry. Upon successful validation, a token is generated and bound to a registrant identifier. The token is included along with the registrant identifier in subsequent discrete Shared Registration commands submitted to the registry on behalf of the registrant. The registrant thus needs to submit its credential only once for changes that require several discrete commands. Also, it is more efficient for the Shared Registration System to validate a token for a set of commands than to validate different registrant credential for each discrete command. |
| US08769651B2 |
Mobile multifactor single-sign-on authentication
Features are disclosed for authentication of mobile device applications using a native, independent browser using a single-sign-on system. An authentication module within the mobile application can direct the mobile device's native browser to a URL to initiate authentication with an authentication appliance. The mobile browser can receive and store a browser-accessible token to indicate previous authentication performed by the user. The mobile application can receive from the application appliance and store a client application ID token that may be presented to network services for access. A second mobile device application may direct the same browser to the authentication appliance. The authentication appliance may inspect the persistent browser-accessible token and issue a second client application ID identity to the second application without collecting additional authentication information, or collecting additional authentication information that is different from the first authentication information. |
| US08769646B2 |
System and method for associating a universal user identification and a domain specific user identification
There is presented a system and method for associating a domain transcendent identification (ID) of a user and a domain specific ID of the user, the system comprising an ID association server accessible by a plurality of secure domains over a network. The system also includes an ID associator application that when executed by ID association server is configured to receive a domain specific ID that associates the user to the secure domain, enter the domain specific ID in a domain transcendent ID record created for the user, generate a unique data associated with the domain transcendent ID record and identify a network location for submission of the unique data, send the unique data and the network location to the user, and associate the domain transcendent ID and the domain specific ID. |
| US08769645B2 |
Brokering a connection to access a secured service
Leveraging a persistent connection to provide a client access to a secured service may include establishing a persistent connection with a client in response to a first request from the client, and brokering a connection between the client and a secured service based on a second request from the client by leveraging the persistent connection with the client. The brokering may occur before the client attempts to connect to the secured service directly and the connection may be established between the client and the secured service without provision by the client of authentication information duplicative or additional to authentication information provided by the client to establish the persistent connection. |
| US08769643B1 |
Method for identifying a remote device
A method for identifying a remote client device and sending a transaction to that remote client device. The method enables mobile payment, mobile signing as well as mobile ID. |
| US08769642B1 |
Techniques for delegation of access privileges
Systems and methods for controlling access to one or more computing resources relate to generating session credentials that can be used to access the one or more computing resources. Access to the computing resources may be governed by a set of policies and requests for access made using the session credentials may be fulfilled depending on whether they are allowed by the set of policies. The session credentials themselves may include metadata that may be used in determining whether to fulfill requests to access the one or more computing resources. The metadata may include permissions for a user of the session credential, claims related to one or more users, and other information. |
| US08769641B2 |
Multi-layer multi-point or pathway-based passwords
A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and at least one of the modified base image and modified overlay image is moved by the user. In addition to the moving, a change in orientation of at least one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image is required. Positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned with the overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image after moving through at least one other pre-selected reference point. |
| US08769639B2 |
History-based downgraded network identification
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to increasing security and lowering risk of attack in connecting automatically to networks by enabling client devices to verify the identity of the networks by, for example, confirming the identity of networks and network components such as wireless access points. In some embodiments, a client device may maintain a data store of characteristics of a network—including, for example, characteristics of a wireless access point or other portion of the network and/or characteristics of a connection previously established with the wireless access point and/or network. Stored characteristics may include characteristics other than those minimally necessary to identify a wireless access point and/or wireless network. The stored characteristics may be compared to known good characteristics of a network (including characteristics of a wireless access point or other portion of the wireless network) prior to connection to the network to determine whether the characteristics match. |
| US08769631B2 |
Creating a web proxy inside a browser
Systems and methods may provide for receiving a first request from a remote device for access to content on a second remote device, and invoking a proxy server embedded in an HTML5-compliant browser on a local device. Additionally, the first remote device may be provided with access to the content on the second remote device via the proxy server. Moreover, input may be received from a user interface of the local device, wherein a second request may be transmitted to the first remote device for access to content on a third remote device. In one example, the first remote device is unauthorized with respect to the content on the second remote device, and the local device is unauthorized with respect to the content on the third remote device. |
| US08769628B2 |
Remote access to a data storage device
A method may be performed in a data storage device that stores one or more files and that is operatively coupled to any host device that is accessible to another device via a network. The method includes receiving an access request originating from the other device. The access request is received via a particular host device registered as a recipient of requests for access to the data storage device via the network while the data storage device is operatively coupled to the host device and while the host device is accessible via the network. The method also includes, in response to receiving the access request, sending a response with access information to the other device. The response is provided to the particular host device to be sent to the other device via the network. |
| US08769622B2 |
Authentication and authorization methods for cloud computing security
An authentication and authorization plug-in model for a cloud computing environment enables cloud customers to retain control over their enterprise information when their applications are deployed in the cloud. The cloud service provider provides a pluggable interface for customer security modules. When a customer deploys an application, the cloud environment administrator allocates a resource group (e.g., processors, storage, and memory) for the customer's application and data. The customer registers its own authentication and authorization security module with the cloud security service, and that security module is then used to control what persons or entities can access information associated with the deployed application. The cloud environment administrator, however, typically is not registered (as a permitted user) within the customer's security module; thus, the cloud environment administrator is not able to access (or release to others, or to the cloud's general resource pool) the resources assigned to the cloud customer (even though the administrator itself assigned those resources) or the associated business information. To further balance the rights of the various parties, a third party notary service protects the privacy and the access right of the customer when its application and information are deployed in the cloud. |
| US08769621B2 |
Method and system for providing permission-based access to sensitive information
A method provides for permission-based access to personal information over a communication network. The method includes entering specified owner personal information in an owner terminal, by an owner, to establish a secure owner profile, which is stored in an owner database. The method also includes entering specified user personal information in a user terminal, by a user, to establish a secure user profile, which is stored in a user database. The method further includes entering a user request in the user terminal requesting permission to receive a designated piece of the owner personal information from the secure owner profile. A server determines whether to approve the user request; and provides permission to use the designated piece of the owner personal information to the user over the communication network after the user request is approved by the server. |
| US08769619B2 |
Network security device and method
The invention describes a method for hardening a security mechanism against physical intrusion and substitution attacks. A user establishes a connection between a network peripheral device and a network via a security mechanism. The security mechanism includes read only memory (ROM) that contains code that initiates operation of the mechanism and performs authentication functions. A persistent memory contains configuration information. A volatile memory stores user and device identification information that remains valid only for a given session and is erased thereafter to prevent a future security breach. A tamper-evident enclosure surrounds the memory elements, which if breached, becomes readily apparent to the user. |
| US08769617B2 |
Network user usage profiling
Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for generating a network usage profile. Certain embodiments of the network usage profile include a devices-by-node profile, indicating the set of customer devices available for use in communicating with a customer-side network node located at a customer side of an access network over a period of time, where some of the customer devices are not in operative communication with the customer-side network node during a portion of that time. Other embodiments associate the network usage profile with customer information to generate device-by-customer profiles. Still other embodiments associate the network usage profile with network traffic information to generate traffic-by-device profiles. Even other embodiments associate the multiple sources and types of information to generate traffic-by-customer profiles and/or traffic-by-device-by-customer profiles. Any of the profiles may then be accessed by one or more parties for use in affecting various network services, including targeting content delivery. |
| US08769613B2 |
Data security in a cloud computing environment
Methods and apparatus for providing data security, in particular for cloud computing environments, are described. In an embodiment, a software component monitors events at a node in a computing system and on detection of an event of a particular type, interrupts a message associated with the event. Before the message is allowed to continue towards its intended destination, a security template is selected based on the message (e.g. the data in the message and identifiers within the message) and this template is used to determine what data protection methods are applied to each data element in the message. A modified data packet is created by applying the security template and then this modified data packet is inserted into the message in place of the data packet in the interrupted message. |
| US08769612B2 |
Portable device association
A technique that enables a portable device to be automatically associated with a plurality of computers. Information that a computer can use to authenticate a portable device and establish a trusted relationship prior to creating an association with the portable device is created and stored in a data store that is accessible by a plurality of computers and is associated with a user of the portable device. When a computer discovers such a portable device with which it is not yet associated, the computer can identify a user logged into the computer and use information identifying the user to retrieve authentication information that is device independent and is expected to be presented by the portable device to authenticate it and allow automatic association. |
| US08769605B2 |
System and method for dynamically enforcing security policies on electronic files
A system and method dynamically enforcing security policies on electronic files when the file is used. The system and method preferably delegates the file the ability to protect itself. The file automatically identifies its confidential information and applies them when needed. |
| US08769603B2 |
Method for handling of audio/video signals and corresponding device
The present invention generally relates to a method and device for handling of audio/video signals originating from a mix of analog and digital sources of audio/video signals. In particular, the present invention relates to optimization of hardware resources and of wiring needed for the interconnection of various analog and digital sources of audio/video signals. |
| US08769602B1 |
System and method for providing an interactive, visual complement to an audio program
A system and method for providing an interactive, visual complement to one or more audio programs. In one aspect, the system comprises an audio subsystem for generating an audio signal corresponding to a sound recording. The system also comprises a video subsystem for generating a video image specification based, at least in part, on the sound recording. In one aspect, the audio signal and video image specification are transmitted to an audio/video signal transmission system. The transmission system receives the video image specification and generates a video signal that conforms to the video image specification. The video signal and the audio signal are transmitted to at least one consumer receiver. In this way, the system provides a visual complement to an audio program. |
| US08769601B2 |
Program viewing apparatus and method
Improvements in program viewing apparatus and methods, some of which are now commonly referred to as personal video recorder (PVR) and program guide features in television sets, set top boxes and other video devices. The invention provides for a user display such as a flat panel program display device, a user remote for the user to control operations and features, program data storage for storing programs and related information, removable data storage for storing programs and related information on removable storage media. Also included is a data manager which functions include response to the user's desires via the user remote to control receiving and storing programs and select received or stored programs to be displayed on the user display device. The data manager may also be responsive to receive, store and display other services such as programming guide services to provide enhanced program viewing and storage management as directed by the user. |
| US08769600B2 |
Highlight management for fantasy gaming
An exemplary system stores data representative of a plurality of media content items related to a plurality of sporting events and data representative of information about a plurality of players involved in the plurality of sporting events, the information including an indication of one or more players of interest to a user that are included in the plurality of players, identifies a portion of a media content item as associated with an event related to one of the sporting events, determines an identity of a player involved in the event, generates metadata representative of the identity of the player involved in the event, determines, based on the metadata, that the player involved in the event is included in the one or more players of interest, and generates and sends a highlight message including the identified portion of the media content item to a user device associated with the user. |
| US08769598B2 |
Program guide on a remote control
A remote control for operating a consumer electronic device. The remote control device may comprise a housing providing a mounting for a visual display and a keyboard including a plurality of keys; electrical circuitry in the housing including a microprocessor, at least one of an IR or RF receiver circuit coupled to the microprocessor, keyboard circuitry coupled between the microprocessor and the keyboard, a memory coupled to the microprocessor, and at least one of an IR or RF transmitter circuit coupled to the microprocessor. Program guide software is stored in the memory and executable by the microprocessor for causing to be displayed on the visual display, upon actuation of one or more of the keys, a program guide, advertising and/or other content contained in a data set received by the receiver. |
| US08769592B2 |
Unified management method and system for channel service as well as services on demand of stream media
The present invention provides a unified management method system for channel service as well as service on demand of stream media, which belong to the management technology of stream media service. The method comprises: receiving, by a service processing unit, an instruction of creating a channel, obtaining channel resource required by a channel service from a stream media service unit according to the instruction of creating a channel, and performing control interaction on the stream media service unit where the channel resource is located; receiving, by a service processing unit, an RTSP request, obtaining resource on demand required by a service on demand according to the RTSP request, and performing control interaction on a stream media service unit where the resource on demand is located, thereby realizing unified resource management of channel service and service on demand. |
| US08769586B2 |
Method and apparatus for conditionally processing, storing, and displaying digital channel content in a television reception system
Content used in creating an electronic program guide and/or channels for a television reception system is delivered to a local receiving device, such as a direct to home satellite receiver, as individual digital objects. Rules (i.e., conditional expressions) may be embedded in the digital objects to allow different actions in different situations. These rules can be used to determine whether an object should be stored, which objects should be included in an electronic program guide, and/or what content should be used to create a particular channel. |
| US08769584B2 |
Methods for displaying contextually targeted content on a connected television
Systems and methods for deriving data from television signals received by a connected television system, the derived data being indicative of a subject related to a video segment being displayed on said screen. The systems and methods may further provide contextually targeted content to the television system, the contextually targeted content being a function of the derived data. |
| US08769583B2 |
Method and apparatus for content channels using references
An apparatus and method for creating channels dedicated to a particular type of content. The method includes acquiring seed content and using the seed content in the creation or updating of a content list. Additional content for the channel is acquired based on the common features of the content list. |
| US08769581B2 |
Backwards compatible real-time program guide capacity increase
A system and method for transmitting program guide information describing a second set of programs to subscribers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is implemented in a network broadcasting a first signal having a first set of programs and a second signal having a second set of programs. The method comprises the steps of broadcasting first program guide information describing the first set of programs to the subscribers on a first service channel on a first signal and broadcasting second program guide information describing the second set of programs to a subset of the subscribers on the first service channel on a second signal, wherein a fundamental signal characteristic of the second signal differs from the fundamental signal characteristic of the first signal. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving first program guide information describing the first set of programs on a first service channel on a first signal; and receiving second program guide information describing the second set of programs on the first service channel on a second signal, wherein a fundamental signal characteristic of the second signal differs from the fundamental signal characteristic of the first signal. |
| US08769578B2 |
Systems and methods for providing interactive media guidance on a wireless communications device
A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control interactive media guidance applications running on user equipment. The wireless communications device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the interactive media guidance or other applications. The wireless communications device may function as a remote controller for user equipment. |
| US08769571B2 |
System and method for generating a visual summary of previously viewed multimedia content
A method (100) and electronic device (10) for resuming multimedia content playback for display on the electronic device. The method includes: receiving a command to render multimedia content from a user input device (20), wherein the multimedia content includes previously viewed multimedia content and un-viewed multimedia content; selecting one or more segments of the previously viewed multimedia content; displaying a thumbnail that corresponds to the selected one or more segments on a display (18) of the electronic device to provide a visual summary of the previously viewed content; and displaying at least a portion of the un-viewed multimedia content after at least a portion of the visual summary is displayed on the display. |
| US08769570B2 |
Method of processing application in digital broadcast receiver connected with interactive network and the digital broadcast receiver
A digital broadcast receiver is disclosed. The method of processing an application in a digital broadcast receiver connected with an interactive network includes receiving, from a broadcast network, broadcast audio/video (A/V) content and application information table (AIT) data, wherein the AIT data includes a linkage descriptor, parsing the linkage descriptor, wherein the linkage descriptor comprises a field identifying a type of at least one secondary device able to process the application, displaying an indicator informing that the application is able to be accessed by using at least one secondary device, searching at least one secondary device connected to the digital broadcast receiver, receiving a request signal for the application, and transmitting the application or an IP address of the application to the secondary device. |
| US08769569B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for transcoding or transrating video content for delivery over a wide area network
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for delivering video content over a wide area network (WAN). Included is at least one server for transcoding or transrating the video content for delivery over the WAN. |
| US08769567B1 |
Methods, media, and apparatus for intelligent selection of items encoded onto portable machine-readable entertainment media
Intelligent selection of items encoded onto portable machine-readable entertainment media comprises receiving at least one request from at least one given viewer related to obtaining at least one instance media for viewing and identifying the given viewer based on the obtaining of the at least one instance media for viewing. |
| US08769565B2 |
Inserting branding elements
Techniques are described that permit the flexible introduction of branding elements into or around video rendered by a media player. One or more sets of metadata related to the presentation of branding elements may be collected, and then one or more sets of the metadata may be selected based on business rules when the media player requests a particular piece of content. The selected metadata may indicate what branding element is to be displayed, and how it is to be displayed (e.g., position of element in video rendering window). The media player is then instructed based on the metadata to access and appropriately place the branding elements in or outside of the video rendering window (e.g., overlayed on top of the video content). |
| US08769564B2 |
Cross-platform advertisement synchronization
In some example embodiments, a television transmission that a user is viewing at a given time is determined and a website that the user is viewing at the given time is also determined. A first advertisement transmitted at the given time on the television transmission is further determined and a second advertisement transmitted on the website is synchronized with the first advertisement transmitted at the given time on the television transmission. |
| US08769562B2 |
Digital broadcast method, data receiving device, and data transmitting device
A digital broadcast method includes receiving audio and video data that form a predetermined content for digital broadcasting; receiving related data indicating a content related to the predetermined content; performing a control that transmits the received related data to a data receiving device prior to transmitting the received audio data and video data; receiving the audio and video data that form the predetermined content and the related data of the predetermined content that have been subject to the control; changing a viewing channel in response to a changing instruction of the viewing channel from a viewer; and outputting, when the viewing channel is changed from a first channel number to a second channel number at the changing and then changed to the first channel number again, the received related data with audio and video data corresponding to the first channel number to an output unit. |
| US08769557B1 |
Methods and apparatus to determine engagement levels of audience members
Methods and apparatus to determine engagement levels of audience members are disclosed. An example method includes detecting light information in image data representative of an environment including a primary media device; determining whether a secondary media device is in the environment based on the detected light information; and calculating, via a logic circuit, an engagement level for a person with respect to the primary media device based on the secondary media device determination. |
| US08769555B2 |
Facilitating the interoperability of virtual machines
The interoperability between objects in multiple virtual machines that are written to support different languages, such as .NET and Java is managed. In particular, objects or programs running inside a virtual machine are allowed to create, control, and destroy objects running inside a separate virtual machine. The virtual machines interoperate using a proxy mechanism that utilizes function calls, rather than data passing, to run and access the desired objects. |
| US08769554B2 |
Terminal device and program
A terminal device in which basic information and detailed information of each a plurality of application programs are stored in a different storage area for each application program, and that prohibits access to each storage area by other application programs, is caused to execute the processes of displaying a window that includes the basic information of each application program, and, if a cursor is moved to the display position of one of the pieces of basic information, launching, in an information providing mode, a first application program where the cursor is positioned and a second application program whose basic information is displayed adjacent to the first application program to acquire the detailed information of the application programs, and displaying the detailed information of the first application program. |
| US08769546B2 |
Busy-wait time for threads
Method to selectively assign a reduced busy-wait time to threads is described. The method comprises determining whether at least one thread is spinning on a mutex lock associated with a condition variable and assigning, when the at least one thread is spinning on the mutex lock, a predetermined reduced busy-wait time for a subsequent thread spinning on the mutex lock. |
| US08769541B2 |
Load balancing web service by rejecting connections
A load balancer allocates requests to a pool of web servers configured to have low queue capacities. If the queue capacity of a web server is reached, the web server responds to an additional request with a rejection notification to the load balancer, which enables the load balancer to quickly send the rejected request to another web server. Each web server self-monitors its rejection rate. If the rejection rate exceeds a threshold, the number of processes concurrently running on the web server is increased. If the rejection rate falls below a threshold, the number of processes concurrently running on the web server is decreased. |
| US08769533B2 |
Check-point based high availability: network packet buffering in hardware
A method, system, and computer program product enhances resource/process availability by providing hardware based buffering of network packets during checkpointing in a virtualized environment. A High Availability Checkpoint (HAC) utility pre-configures a physical network adapter to buffer outgoing network packets from virtual machines that employ a checkpointing technology. In response to receiving an outgoing network packet from a virtual machine and determining that the virtual machine employs a pre-specified checkpointing technology, the physical network adapter buffers the outgoing network packet. In addition, a primary host performs/facilitates checkpoint operations (associated with the virtual machine) with a secondary host. When checkpoint operations are successfully completed, the HAC utility triggers the transmission of the buffered network packets from the network adapter to a network destination. The physical network adapter minimizes checkpointing network latency by pre-assigning a higher priority to a buffered network packet from a checkpointing virtual machine than to a new network packet that originates from a non-checkpointing virtual machine. |
| US08769529B2 |
Generating and automatically loading reduced operating system based on usage pattern of applications
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to monitor operations of at least one processor to define a set of executed applications executed under a first operating system over a selected time period; and to generate an image of a second operating system having sufficient resources to service a subset of the set of executed applications, the subset determined according to a usage pattern defined by at least a portion of the selected time period, the number of resources provided by the second operating system being less than or equal to the number of resources provided by the first operating system. The images may be loaded based on receipt of a menu selection. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08769524B2 |
HTML directed adaptive features for mobile applications
There is provided a method for HTML directed adaptive features for mobile applications. By presenting user interface portions of the application as HTML documents referenced from a manifest file, the manifest file may be updated from a remote server without directly modifying a native binary of the application. By registering URL handlers for application functions in the native binary of the application, and by modifying a local file manifest stored on a mobile device, the scope of application functionality can be updated by adding, removing, or modifying URLs. The manifest files may further be adapted using specific contexts, such as device hardware, location, user profile data, and other information. Advantageously, application update approval processes through application marketplaces may be bypassed since the native binary is kept intact, allowing for more timely and relevant updates. |
| US08769523B2 |
Systems and methods for interrupting upgrades of content distribution systems
A system and method for resolving upgrade conflicts in a content distribution system is disclosed. The present principles resolve upgrade conflicts by assigning a priority level to each upgrade and using these priorities to determine whether one or more already running upgrades should be interrupted in favor of a newly launched upgrade. If it is determined that the already running upgrades should not be interrupted, the new upgrade is terminated without attempting an upgrade. If it is determined that the already running upgrades should be interrupted, a signal is sent to kill the already running upgrade processes, causing the already running upgrades to safely exit. Further embodiments include ignoring kill signals at certain times during the upgrade process to ensure system stability. |
| US08769522B2 |
Systems and methods of installing an application without rebooting
A method for automatically changing a version of a client agent for a non-administrative user account without rebooting the user's machine uses a service having installation privileges. The service executes on the client and installs a client agent. The client agent communicates with a network appliance. The client agent detects a difference between its version and a version of the client agent identified by the network appliance. The agent signals the service that it has detected the difference and, in response, the service executes an installation program that installs, without rebooting the client, the version of the client agent identified by the appliance. A corresponding system is also described. |
| US08769521B2 |
Calendar aware adaptive patching of a computer program
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for calendar aware adaptive patching of a computer program. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for calendar aware adaptive patching of a computer program has been provided. The method includes selecting a patch for updating a computer program and accessing a calendar of events corresponding to an end user of the computer program. The method additionally includes restricting a time for installation of the patch according to events scheduled in the calendar of the identified end user. For instance, the installation of the patch can be restricted from a time from during which a meeting has been scheduled for the end user or from a time during which a presentation has been scheduled for the end user and when the computer program is associated with presentation management. |
| US08769519B2 |
Personal and pooled virtual machine update
The updating of virtual machines. A task broker schedules update tasks for multiple virtual machines on the host machine. As each update task is to be performed, if the virtual machine is not currently running, as might be the case for a personal virtual machine, the virtual machine is caused to begin running to allow the update task to be performed on the virtual machine. Also, a pooled virtual machine is updated by copying information from the old virtual hard drive to a location to allow the information to be preserved as the master image is updated. After the update is completed, the virtual machine is formed, associated with the new virtual hard drive, and copied back to the virtual machine. |
| US08769509B2 |
Methods and apparatus for preserving precise exceptions in code reordering by using control speculation
Methods and apparatus for preserving precise exceptions in code reordering by using control speculation are disclosed. A disclosed system uses a control speculation module to reorder instructions within an application program and preserve precise exceptions. Instructions, excepting and non-excepting, can be reordered by the control speculation module if the instructions meet certain conditions. When an excepting instruction is reordered, a check instruction is inserted into the program execution path and a recovery block is generated. The check instruction determines if the reordered excepting instruction actually needs to generate an exception. The recovery block contains instructions to revert the effects of code reordering. If the check instruction detects the need for an exception, the recovery block is executed to restore the architectural state of the processor and the exception is handled. |
| US08769508B2 |
Virtual machine hardware for RISC and CISC processors
A hardware Java™ accelerator is comprised of a decode stage and a microcode stage. Separating into the decode and microcode stage allows the decode stage to implement instruction level parallelism while the microcode stage allows the conversion of a single Java™ bytecode into multiple native instructions. A reissue buffer is provided which stores the converted instructions and reissues them when the system returns from an interrupt. In this manner, the hardware accelerator need not be flushed upon an interrupt. A native PC monitor is also used. While the native PC is within a specific range, the hardware accelerator is enabled to convert the Java™ bytecodes into native instructions. When the native PC is outside the range, the hardware accelerator is disabled and the CPU operates on native instructions obtained from the memory. |
| US08769506B2 |
Using a command interpreter at design time
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for using a command interpreter at design time of a software application. A command interpreter can be used to design and test the functionality of an application at design time. The command interpreter allows a user to identify a command to execute for a selected object at design time of an application being developed within a software application design environment. The command interpreter causes the identified command to be executed. A selected object can be sent from a visual tree to the command interpreter. The command interpreter receives the object sent from the visual tree and assigns a designated object name for referencing the object in the command interpreter. The designated object name is displayed within the command interpreter to allow a user to have an abbreviated way of issuing one or more commands for the object from the command interpreter. |
| US08769504B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically instrumenting a program
A dynamic instrumentation method and apparatus which may trace, debug, and profile the execution of a running program without affecting the operation of the program, are provided. According to the method, a break instruction is inserted and executed at start of execution of a first instruction and immediately after execution of the last instruction of a function constituting the program. Environment values of the function before and after execution may be identified. The program may be dynamically instrumented without being affected by any tracing or debugging operations. |
| US08769498B2 |
Warning of register and storage area assignment errors
A system for tracking register and/or storage area assignments and warning a programmer of potential assignment errors. More specifically, the system tracks programmer assignments to registers and storage areas and determines if a register or storage area has been modified prior to a call to a program or process external to the source code being examined. The system notes whether a modified register or storage area is restored to its original value subsequent to the external call. If the register or storage area has not been restored, the system displays a warning of a possible assignment error. |
| US08769497B2 |
System and method for use in indicating execution of application code
A method for use in indicating an execution of application source code. Application object code is generated based on application source code. The application object code includes a plurality of object code portions of interest corresponding to a plurality of source code portions of interest within the application source code. For each execution of an object code portion of interest, an execution event is associated with the corresponding source code portion of interest. Source code portions of interest may be assigned an execution frequency based on a quantity of associated execution events. |
| US08769496B2 |
Systems and methods for handling database deadlocks induced by database-centric applications
Systems and methods are provided for handling database deadlocks induced by database-centric applications (DCAs). SQL statements and transactions associated with the DCAs are analyzed and parsed to generate Petri net models. A supervisory modeler generates augmented Petri net models based on the Petri net models, which are used in generating supervisory control. The supervisory control is used in handling database deadlocks. |
| US08769487B2 |
Configurable auto content testing framework for technical documentation
A system including a processor, a memory store, and a script generation engine. The script generation engine is configured to generate a test script comprising a test command instruction obtained from the technical documentation file, and submit a first query to the command configuration database using the test command instruction. The script generation engine is further configured to submit a second query to the command configuration database using the input parameter argument and the input parameter state, receive a second command entry comprising a prerequisite command instruction, an output parameter argument, and an output parameter state, where the output parameter argument matches the input parameter argument and the output parameter state matches the input parameter state, modify the test script to obtain an updated test script, and execute the updated test script on a target operating system. |
| US08769485B2 |
Data parallelism and parallel operations in stream processing
A stream processing platform that provides fast execution of stream processing applications within a safe runtime environment. The platform includes a stream compiler that converts a representation of a stream processing application into executable program modules for a safe environment. The platform allows users to specify aspects of the program that contribute to generation of modules that execute as intended. A user may specify aspects to control a type of implementation for loops, order of execution for parallel paths, whether multiple instances of an operation can be performed in parallel or whether certain operations should be executed in separate threads. In addition, the stream compiler may generate executable modules in a way that cause a safe runtime environment to allocate memory or otherwise operate efficiently. |
| US08769484B2 |
Method and apparatus for service-oriented architecture process decomposition and service modeling
Techniques are provided for service-oriented (SOA) process decomposition and service modeling. In one aspect of the invention, the techniques include identifying meta-data entities, attributes of the meta-data entities and relationships between stereotypes of the meta-data model, managing the meta-data model for creating, modifying and removing modeling artifacts, and creating modeling templates from the meta-data model to facilitate addressing at least one need of industry-specific applications. In another aspect the invention, the techniques include packaging the method for SOA process decomposition and service modeling, facilitating lifecycle management of modeling assets, and facilitating maintenance of the modeling assets. |
| US08769477B1 |
Computer aided design tool and user interface for configuration of a programmable system-on-a-chip
A user interface for a computer-aided design tool includes a display. The display includes a visualization of a processor system of a system-on-a-chip (SOC). The visualization includes a plurality of blocks and each block represents a component of the processor system. Each block visually indicates a configuration status of the component represented by the block. |
| US08769474B1 |
Fast pattern matching
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for using pattern matching with an integrated circuit layout including recognizing shapes within the IC layout, identifying features for the shapes, and extracting situations for the respective features. The method may further include simulating the situations to determine a set of situations for modification based on an OPC requirement, modifying the set of situations to improve satisfaction of the OPC requirement, and reintegrating the modified set of situations into the IC layout. The method may also include simulating a subset of the extracted situations to determine aerial images of the subset, and tiling the subset of situations to form a larger aerial image. The method may also include removing overlap from a window based on the situations extracted for the window, calculating a density for each of the situations, and calculating a density for the window based on the density. |
| US08769472B1 |
Computing device and method for checking signal transmission line
A signal transmission line check method to be executed by a computing device is described. A to-be-checked signal transmission line group in a displayed printed circuit board (PCB) layout is determined. Whether all signal transmission lines of the to-be-checked signal transmission line group are laid out in a same layer of the displayed PCB layout is checked according to an input serial number of a chipset and layer properties of the to-be-checked signal transmission lines. The signal transmission lines that do not satisfy design standards are determined when not all of the to-be-checked signal transmission lines are laid out in a same layer. A related computing device is also disclosed. |
| US08769468B1 |
Automatic generation of wire tag lists for a metal stack
Mechanisms are provided for pruning a layer trait library for use in wire routing in an integrated circuit design process. The mechanisms receive a plurality of wirecodes and a metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a verbose layer trait library based on all possible combinations of the wirecodes and layers of the metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a pruned layer trait library by pruning the verbose layer trait library to remove redundant layer traits from the verbose layer trait library. In addition, the mechanisms store the pruned layer trait library for performing wire routing of an integrated circuit design. |
| US08769460B1 |
Device recognition engine
A method of operating a data processing system to extract instances of devices contained in a description of an integrated circuit and data processing systems implementing that method are disclosed. A device instance database includes a plurality of instances of devices contained in the integrated circuit, each device instance identifying corresponding structures in the integrated circuit that are part of the device instance. A device type definition library is used to search for instances of devices and includes a plurality of device type definitions, one of the type definitions defining a compound device includes two devices included in the device instance database. The data processing system searches the device instance database for compound devices defined in device type definition library, and updates the device instance database when a new device is found. |
| US08769457B2 |
Separate refinement of local wirelength and local module density in intermediate placement of an integrated circuit design
After a global placement phase of physical design of an integrated circuit, a data processing system iteratively refines local placement of a plurality of modules comprising the integrated circuit within a die area based on density of the plurality of modules and separately refines local wirelength for the plurality of modules in individual subareas among a plurality of subareas of the die area. The data processing system thereafter performs detailed placement of modules in the plurality of subareas. |
| US08769455B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for synchronous hierarchical implementation of electronic circuit designs
Various embodiments use connectivity information or model(s), design attribute(s), and system intelligence layer(s) to make lower blocks at lower levels aware of changes made in other blocks at same or different levels to implement the design at different levels synchronously. Budgeting is performed for the design to distribute budgets to respective blocks in the design. The various budgets may be borrowed from one or more blocks and lent to a block in order for this block to meet closure requirements such that a total number of iterations of the reassembly process, which integrates lower level blocks into top level design, may be reduced or completely eliminated. The design attribute(s) or the connectivity model(s) or information is updated upon the identification of changes to provide the latest information or data for properly closing a design. |
| US08769450B1 |
Synthesis flow for formal verification
Processing a circuit design includes generating a transformation output from a transformation input for each of a plurality of transformations of a synthesis flow applied to the circuit design. For each transformation, the transformation input and the transformation output represent the circuit design. At least one circuit element is changed from the transformation input to the transformation output. For each transformation, a hardware description language representation of the transformation input and a hardware description language representation of the transformation output are generated. For each transformation, determining whether the hardware description language representation of the transformation input is equivalent to the hardware description language representation of the transformation output. |
| US08769449B1 |
System level circuit design
Methods for generating a circuit design are disclosed. A plurality of cells is instantiated in the circuit design in response to user input. The set of interface parameters of each cell is arranged into a hierarchy of interface levels as indicated by an interface model corresponding to the cell. For each of the interface levels, values of the sets of interface parameters of cells included in the interface level are respectively propagated to other cells directly connected to the cell. In response to propagating a value of an interface parameter from another cell of the plurality of cells to the cell and the cell having a value of the corresponding interface parameter that is different from the propagated value, a value for the corresponding interface parameter of the cell is determined using a respective propagation function associated with the corresponding interface level. |
| US08769446B2 |
Method and device for increasing fin device density for unaligned fins
A method for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors is disclosed. A plurality of elongate mandrels is defined in a plurality of active regions. Where adjacent active regions are partially-parallel and within a specified minimum spacing, connective elements are added to a portion of the space between the adjacent active regions to connect the mandrel ends from one active region to another active region. |
| US08769441B2 |
System and method for modifying links within a web site
Methods for managing an interactive system, such as a web site, are disclosed. An interactive system can comprise a plurality of states, and a first structure of the interactive system can be defined by transitional links between those states. Session data can represent user navigation through the states, and a predetermined set of parameters for session data can be defined by the first structure of the interactive system. The method can include accessing a representation of the first structure of the interactive system, and analyzing the session data based on the predetermined set of parameters. A second structure for the interactive system can be determined when the first set of parameters are not met, such that as compared to the first structure, the second structure adds or removes a transitional link directly between the a first state of the interactive system and a second state of the interactive system. |
| US08769437B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for displaying virtual media items in a visual media
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for displaying first media content item with a second media content item inserted within the display of the first media content item. In particular, the second media content item can be displayed with the first media content item when location information associated with the second media content item describes a location with a capture zone of the first media content item. |
| US08769435B1 |
Systems and methods for resizing an icon
Systems and methods for resizing an icon are disclosed according to various aspects of the subject technology. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for resizing an icon is disclosed. The method comprises computing an area of the icon, comparing the computed area of the icon with a predetermined area, and resizing the icon based on the comparison such that an area of the resized icon is approximately equal to the predetermined area. |
| US08769434B2 |
Intelligent display of information in a user interface
User interfaces such as web pages may be customized in terms of appearance and content based on user interests. For example, information items may be arranged such that items corresponding to strong user interests are displayed in more visually identifiable locations while items corresponding to weaker user interests are displayed in less visually valuable positions. The size of and space allocated to the information items may also be customized based on the relative strengths of the corresponding interests. For example, information associated with a strong user interest may be allotted 50% of the user interface. Other visual characteristics of the user interface and the information items such as font size/style, color, transparency and the like may also be customized to reflect the importance or strength of corresponding user interfaces. |
| US08769433B2 |
Method and apparatus for protecting communication of information through a graphical user interface
A method and apparatus for protecting communication of information through a graphical user interface displays a graphical user interface that includes a trusted interaction window. In one example, the method includes continuously determining whether information has been overlayed on top of at least a portion of the displayed trusted interaction window and then disabling an operation being requested when an overlay condition has been determined. In one example, the trusted interaction window is maintained to be the top most window when it is called by an application, for example, during an online transaction, or any other suitable action. The trusted interaction window may be generated via a browser, or operating system, or any other suitable application. As such, the trusted interaction window detects when another window is overlayed on top of it, such as a chromeless window, thereby preventing an unscrupulous party from tricking the user or obtaining sensitive information. |
| US08769431B1 |
Method of single-handed software operation of large form factor mobile electronic devices
In a large form-factor mobile electronic device having a touchscreen for receiving user thumb input actions via an operating system desktop to facilitate user-software interactions, a method of enabling single-handed user-software interactions, comprising the steps of: generating a single-handed utilization zone; positioning said single-handed utilization zone at a current detected thumb location on the touchscreen; rendering a proxy desktop within said zone, said proxy desktop providing substantially the same functionality of the operating system desktop of the large form-factor mobile electronic device and being conformed substantially in shape and size to a small form factor mobile electronic device to facilitate user familiarity with thumb stroke actions with the rendered touch screen desktop; and rendering an application interface within said zone upon receiving a generate application interface request. |
| US08769425B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying storage device partition
The present invention relates to the field of information technologies, discloses a method and an apparatus for displaying a storage device partition, which facilitate user operations among storage devices. The method includes: acquiring a partition storage capacity of a storage partition and a total area of a display interface of a storage device, where display interface is used to display storage partition of storage device and name information of storage partition; determining a storage capacity percentage of the partition storage capacity in a total storage capacity of the storage device, dividing display interface into different sub-display areas according to determined storage capacity percentage and a total area of display interface, where different sub-display areas correspond to different storage partitions and are used to display name information of corresponding storage partitions; generating and displaying, a spacing line between adjacent sub-display areas, where all sub-display areas share a same vertex. |
| US08769424B2 |
Simplified user interface navigation in at least first and second cursor navigation directions
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for user interface navigation. A method includes receiving first input indicating a first cursor navigation direction in a first visual area of a graphical user interface, the first visual area presenting one or more first content type indicators that are destinations for cursor navigation, selecting a next content type indicator based on the first cursor navigation direction and presenting a second visual area such that the next content type indicator is not visible but one or more other content type indicators are visible. The method includes presenting in the second visual area one or more content thumbnails that are destinations for cursor navigation in the second visual area, receiving second input indicating a second cursor navigation direction in the second visual area, and changing the second visual area to include a next content thumbnail based on the second cursor navigation direction. |
| US08769422B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for facilitating social networking via a media device
Techniques for facilitating social networking via a media device are described. Some embodiments provide a social networking facilitator (“SNF”) as part of a media device, such as a set-top box that is configured to receive media content events from a broadcast system, such as a satellite broadcast system. As the media device presents a media content event, a user can share, via the SNF, information about the presented media content event with members of his social network. In particular, the SNF prepares a message that includes information about or from the presented media content event, such as a title, a channel, a summary, rating, video clip, or the like. This message can then be edited by the user, such as by adding a comment or rating, before being transmitted by the SNF a social networking system, to be forwarded as a notification to members of the user's social network. |
| US08769420B2 |
Systems and methods for webpage creation and updating
A computer network system for posting content at a web site includes computer servers configured to host a web site for a group of users, and a data storage configured to store an email address in association with a destination at the website. The computer servers can receive an electronic message at the email address by the computer servers from a user. A computer processor can automatically extract content from the electronic message. The computer servers can automatically post the content extracted from the electronic message at the destination at the website. |
| US08769411B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method of controlling same, program and storage medium
In a case where a plurality of service providing devices having different capabilities are operated in association and a service providing device is utilized, operability when setting functions is improved for the user. Provided is an information processing apparatus for utilizing services capable of being provided by a plurality of service providing devices that exist on a network. The apparatus includes an information acquiring unit configured to acquire device information concerning the plurality of service providing devices and service-related information relating to services capable of being provided by the plurality of service providing devices; a first display control unit configured to display a list of service functions of available services; a service-function selecting unit configured to select a service function to be utilized from the list of service functions of available services displayed; a service-function judging unit configured to judge utilizable service functions based upon the selected service to be utilized; and a second display control unit configured to identifiably display the utilizable service functions. |
| US08769410B2 |
Method for providing graphical user interface (GUI), and multimedia apparatus applying the same
A method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to receive a user command on a touch screen, and a multimedia apparatus using the same. The method for providing a GUI includes determining whether an enlargement command for a GUI item is received, and enlarging the GUI item. Therefore, it is possible to enable a user to operate the GUI item more correctly, and to provide the superior visual effect when the GUI item is operated. |
| US08769408B2 |
Intelligent media navigation
Techniques and systems for intelligent navigation of sequential media content are disclosed. The intelligent navigation is well suited to enable users to better control media playback with regards to a media playback application operating on a computing device. One embodiment of a method for playing sequential media content by a media playback application operating on a computing device includes at least the acts of: initiating playing of the sequential media content by the media playback application; receiving a user input requesting to start playing at a new position in the sequential media content; marking a current position in the sequential media content; thereafter initiating playing of the sequential media content at the new position; receiving a user input requesting to reset playing to the marked current position; and subsequently initiating playing of the sequential media content at the marked current position. |
| US08769404B2 |
Rule-based locale definition generation for a new or customized locale support
An approach is provided in which a computer system receives a selection of a first set of information included on a first page of data. The computer system generates a locale package that includes one or more display format parameters that correspond to the format of the selected information. In turn, the computer system subsequently displays a second set of information on a second page of data based upon the one or more display format parameters included in the generated locale package. |