| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08900127B2 |
Otoscanner with pressure sensor for compliance measurement
An otoscanner including an otoscanner body, the body comprising a hand grip, the body having mounted upon it an ear probe, a tracking illumination emitter, a plurality of tracking illumination sensors, and a display screen, the otoscanner body having mounted within it an image sensor; the ear probe comprising a wide-angle lens optically coupled to the image sensor, laser light source, a laser optical element, and a source of non-laser video illumination; the plurality of tracking illumination sensors disposed upon the otoscanner body so as to sense reflections of tracking illumination emitted from the tracking illumination emitter and reflected from tracking targets installed at positions that are fixed relative to the scanned ear; the image sensor coupled for data communications to a data processor, with the data processor configured so that it functions by constructing a 3D image of the interior of the scanned ear. |
| US08900124B2 |
Image display device
A device for displaying in vivo images picked up inside a subject in a time series. The device automatically detects lesion images contained in all in vivo images picked up over the time series. The device displays an elongated display area having a time scale assigned along a longitudinal direction thereof and an indicator which moves along the time scale to indicate a time position in the time scale which corresponds to a current in vivo image currently displayed in a main display area. In response to a detection of the lesion image, the device makes pixels located at a time position in the elongated display area which position corresponds to the lesion image to emit light in a predetermined pixel-display mode. The display mode of the indicator is controlled in response to information on a lesion that is possible to be contained in the current in vivo image. |
| US08900120B2 |
Stimulation device
Presented is a device comprising a vibratory means which applies vibrations of a controllable and adjustable amplitude and frequency to the frenulum of the male genitalia, the vibratory means not requiring the user to hold it in place during use, and wherein the vibratory means are further adapted to apply vibrations to the female genitalia during use. |
| US08900119B2 |
Male enhancement device
A male enhancement device with a tubular body formed of a soft and pliable material such as silicone to increase the apparent length and girth of a wearer's penis for his partner's pleasure. The device has sidewalls of variable thickness around the circumference of the body to provide a thinned portion for placement by a user over his penile frenum and protuberances on an inner sidewall of the body. During sexual activity the tubular body lengthens and shortens as the protuberance slide along the wearer's penile shaft thus exaggerating the stroke for the wearer's pleasure. |
| US08900109B2 |
Plastic bag, a novel intermediate product, methods for making the bag and intermediate product, and improved pouch machine
An intermediate product for making bag closures wherein an elongated substrate has formed on it a pair of elongated attachment lanes having complementary fastening elements to provide an attachable-detachable closure. The lanes extend parallel and are spaced apart. A perforation line is formed in the substrate between the lanes. The tape is folded by being pulled through a slot along the perforation line to place said lanes in face-to-face engagement. The product is used in a method for making bags or pouches and on a machine modified to seal partially one side of the closure to one side of the mouth of bags or pouches being made and to seal completely the other side of the closure to the other side of the bag of pouch mouth. The perforation is separated to separate the lanes and create an attachable-detachable closure. Interlocking projections can be included in the closure. |
| US08900107B2 |
Conductive rubber member
To provide a conductive rubber member which exhibits small variation in electrical resistance and a stable electrical resistance for a long period of time. The conductive rubber member include a conductive elastic layer formed of a rubber material which has been imparted with electrical conductivity, wherein the conductive elastic layer has a surface-treatment layer which has been produced through impregnating a surface portion of the conductive elastic layer with a surface-treating liquid containing an isocyanate compound and carbon black which has undergone dispersion treatment. |
| US08900105B2 |
Slimming machine
A slimming machine, comprising U-shaped left and right arm tubes and resiliently retractable mechanisms that are attached to the two ends thereof, in which each resiliently retractable mechanism includes an inner joint cover, an outer joint cover and a torsion spring, left and right splice sleeves that are fixed on the respective inner and outer joint covers are connected with inner chambers of the joint covers, the outer joint cover can be rotationally mounted on the inner joint cover via a connecting shaft, the torsion spring is sheathed on the connecting shaft with one end disposed in the left splice sleeve and the other end in the right splice sleeve, and the left and right splice sleeves are fixed on the respective left and right arm tubes. Such structure is simple, reasonable, easy to operate, cost effective, and meanwhile it has excellent fitness effects. |
| US08900099B1 |
Systems and methods for optimizing muscle development
Systems and methods for optimizing muscle development are disclosed. A method includes identifying a plurality of parameters of a user, and generating an exercise program based at least partially on the plurality of parameters. The exercise program includes a plurality of exercises. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of exercises, identifying one-rep maximum data associated with the exercise, and determining, for the exercise, a resistance to be applied by the exercise device during execution of the exercise program, in which the resistance is determined based at least partially on the one-rep maximum data associated with the exercise. |
| US08900096B2 |
Method for diagnosing and controlling an unusual hydraulic state of hybrid vehicle transmission
A system and method for diagnosing and controlling an unusual hydraulic state of an electric variable transmission of a hybrid vehicle achieving multi modes including a first mode and a second mode, the method may include determining whether the first mode is converted into the second mode, determining whether a hydraulic pressure is generated in a clutch which is engaged and the generated hydraulic pressure is higher than a predetermined hydraulic pressure when the first mode is converted into the second mode, and determining that the hybrid vehicle is in an unusual condition if the hydraulic pressure is not generated in the clutch or the generated hydraulic pressure is higher than the predetermined hydraulic pressure. |
| US08900095B2 |
Automatic transmission synchronous gear shift
A method of commanding a synchronous gear shift begins by receiving a request to shift from a third gear to a first gear, and skipping a second gear having a gear ratio between the gear ratio of the first gear and the gear ratio of the third gear. Subsequently the method includes: reducing a torque command to a predetermined value; opening a clutch disposed on the input shaft of the transmission to decouple the transmission from the engine; transitioning the engine from a torque-control mode into a speed-control mode; commanding the engine to rotate at a speed dictated by the motion of the vehicle and the gear ratio of the first gear; closing the clutch to couple the transmission and the engine; and transitioning the engine back into the torque-control mode. |
| US08900093B2 |
Control device of vehicle drive device
A control device of a vehicle drive device having an electric motor coupled to a power transmission path between an engine and drive wheels, the control device providing fuel cut electric motor drive control of increasing a rotation speed of the engine with a drive force of the electric motor and interrupting fuel supply to the engine at the time of acceleration operation of a vehicle, and the fuel cut electric motor drive control being terminated if a rotational angular acceleration of the engine becomes equal to or less than a predetermined engine rotational angular acceleration determination value after starting provision of the fuel cut electric motor drive control. |
| US08900090B2 |
Geared architecture gas turbine engine with improved lubrication and misalignment tolerant roller bearing system
A gas turbine engine includes a structural oil baffle housing which at least partially supports a set of intermediate gears. Each of the intermediate gears is mounted to a respective flexible carrier post. A spherical joint is mounted to each flexible carrier post and the structural oil baffle housing is mounted to the spherical joint mounted to each flexible carrier post. |
| US08900087B2 |
Multi-speed inline automatic bicycle transmission
An inline automatic bicycle transmission, containing a planetary gear train, wherein gear selection is done by operation of a centrifugal governor. As the speed of the bicycle increases the transmission will automatically shift into a high gear ratio and the reverse occurs as the bicycle speed decreases. |
| US08900081B2 |
Vehicle power switching device
A power switching device includes a power transmission unit and a driving unit. The transmission unit includes a differential, an axle aligned with the differential, and a coupler sleeved movably on one of the differential and the axle. The driving unit includes a controller, a first transmission mechanism driven by the controller, and a second transmission mechanism driven by the first transmission mechanism. The controller is a solenoid or an electric actuator, and is operable to activate the second transmission mechanism. The coupler can be moved by the second transmission mechanism to interconnect the differential and the axle, so as to allow for co-rotation of the axle with the differential. |
| US08900074B1 |
Reconfigurable sports training device
The reconfigurable sports training device includes a main base frame, a plurality of primary attachment components, a plurality of secondary attachment components, and a plurality of accessories so that one or more of the attachment components and accessories can be selectively coupled to the main base frame to form a user-defined sports training device. The main base frame includes a movable rack having a plurality of shelves for storing balls thereon and hollow corner posts. Each corner post has an attachment fixture disposed at the top to enable selective coupling of the attachment components and accessories in various combinations. When assembled, the primary and secondary attachment components form a framework to which the accessories can be mounted. |
| US08900072B1 |
Golf club head with vertical center of gravity adjustment
Golf club heads include at least one weight port situated to retain weights and positioned above an approximate club face geometric center with the club in a standard address position. One, two, or more weight ports can be located above the club face center in a club crown or other portion of a club body. Club head vertical center of gravity can be selected to compensate dynamic loft associated with locating the club head center of gravity well behind the club face. Three-dimensional adjustment of club head center of gravity is possible. |
| US08900071B2 |
Putter type golf club head and putter type golf club
A putter type golf club head 1 having a face 2 for hitting a ball on a front side has a head main body 1A provided in a face 2 side with a concave portion 3 and a face insert 1B made of an elastic material attached to the concave portion 3 of the head main body 1A. The face insert 1B has a three-layered structure composed of a first layer 8 disposed in a frontmost side, a third layer 10 disposed in a rearmost side and a second layer 9 sandwiched between the first layer 8 and the third layer 10, wherein hardnesses h1, h2 and h3 and moduli of repulsion elasticity r1, r2 and r3 of the first layer 8, second layer 9 and third layer 10, respectively, satisfy relationships: h1>h2, h3>h2, r1>r2 and r3>r2. |
| US08900068B2 |
Golf club shaft
A golf club shaft, wherein when a distance from a shaft front end to a shaft gravity center point is LG and full length of the shaft is LS, 0.54≦LG/LS≦0.65 is satisfied, a shaft weight is 55 g or less, and a bending rigidity value EI at a point of 630 mm from the shaft front end to the shaft rear end side is 2.3 kgf·m2 or less. |
| US08900067B2 |
Golf club shaft
An adjustable length golf club shaft having a grip portion with an end point is disclosed. A locking element is located within the grip portion and a lower shaft having an inner surface that is in frictional contact with the locking element is also disclosed. The locking element is configured to engage the inner surface of the lower shaft. A total length of the golf club shaft is adjustable by a distance of at least one inch and a total weight of the golf club shaft in a weight zone is less than 110 g. The weight zone is defined as a region of the golf club shaft extending from the end point of the grip portion up to 11″ along a central axis of the golf club shaft toward a tip portion of the shaft. |
| US08900066B2 |
Adjustable length golf clubs and methods of manufacturing adjustable length golf clubs
Embodiments of adjustable length golf clubs and methods of manufacturing adjustable length golf clubs are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08900060B2 |
Shaft arrangement having a shaft which extends within a fluid-filled casing
In the case of a shaft arrangement having a shaft (7) which extends within a casing (1) filled with a fluid and which can be actuated by means of a drive (8) from outwith the casing (1), the shaft (7) having on its outer peripheral surface a surface structure which conveys the fluid in a flow direction (30) in the longitudinal direction of the shaft during rotation, a sleeve (19) is provided according to the invention, which can rotate with the shaft and has at least one conveying element (20) for conveying the fluid in a counterflow direction opposite to the flow direction. As a result, a bubble-free conveyance of the fluid along the shaft (7) is facilitated. |
| US08900059B2 |
Gaming network
A gaming network is disclosed which includes point to point cabling infrastructure connectable to at least one first gaming machine and connectable to at least one second gaming machine. Each first gaming machine is arranged to communicate using a master/slave protocol, and each second gaming machine is arranged to communicate using a point to point protocol. The gaming network also includes an interface device having a communications bus connectable to a master/slave control device and to the point to point cabling infrastructure such that each first gaming machine is connected to the communications bus and is controllable by the master/slave control device through the point to point cabling infrastructure. The point to point cabling infrastructure is also connectable to a point to point control device such that at least one second gaming machine is controllable by the point to point control device through the point to point cabling infrastructure. |
| US08900057B2 |
Seamless initiation of primary and secondary games at modified gaming machines
Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like, via the casino gaming machine. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more secondary wager-based games in addition to the one or more primary wager-based game(s) provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary controller functionality may cause the secondary wager-based game to be presented upon a single input player to the gaming machine which also initiates the primary game, whereby primary and secondary games are initiated seamlessly to the player via a single input. |
| US08900055B2 |
Lockdown button for gaming machines and devices
Techniques providing lock down of a gaming machine by a wireless device associated with a user. A request from a wireless device to lock down the gaming machine is received at the gaming machine or a network server in communication with the gaming machine. The gaming machine or network server determines whether the user associated with the wireless device has access to lock down the gaming machine. Upon determining that the user has access, the user is allowed to lock down the gaming machine with the wireless device. Lock down may include placing the gaming machine in an unplayable state. |
| US08900051B2 |
Gaming device method and apparatus employing modified payouts
The invention includes a system and method for a gaming device to determine when to offer a player an opportunity to play using a “jackpot only” pay table. The player may choose to accept the gaming device's offer to switch from using a conventional pay table to using a pay table that only pays top payout amounts. Play with a jackpot only pay table may only require a small wager amount as compared to play with a conventional pay table. Play with a jackpot only pay table may be automated to generate outcomes quickly to allow a player to relatively inexpensively avoid spending time playing a gaming device perceived to be in a “cold period.” |
| US08900043B1 |
Structured jigsaw puzzles
A computer-generated puzzle game can enable any appropriate image (e.g., a still image, video, or animation) to be used as a puzzle image. The puzzle game can utilize a framework including a portion of the puzzle image such that the user can determine where to place the puzzle pieces without having to see a version of the final image, which can save display real estate as well as provide suspense and additional challenge for the user. The puzzle pieces also can include a portion of the image, such that the player can determine where the pieces are to be placed in the framework without having to worry about rotating or properly positioning the pieces, which can be difficult on at least certain computing devices. |
| US08900042B2 |
Fan type temperature control method and device
A fan type temperature control method and device are provided. The device includes a fan unit including a plurality of fans and cooling an apparatus to be cooled, power supplies (v1,v2) supplying power for the fans in the fan unit, and a fan control unit which controls the fans as follows: when temperature t of the apparatus is lower than critical temperature t1 of a first temperature detect switch (k01), all fans stop; when t is higher than t1 and lower than critical temperature t2 of a second temperature detect switch (k02), all fans rotate at half speed; when t is higher than t2 while lower than critical temperature t3 of a third temperature detect switch (k03), a first fan part (M1) rotates at full speed and a second fan part (M2) stops; when t is higher than t3, all fans rotate at full speed. |
| US08900041B2 |
Automatic control system for ceiling fan based on temperature differentials
A fan includes a hub, several fan blades, and a motor that is operable to drive the hub. A motor controller is in communication with the motor, and is configured to select the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub. The fan is installed in a place having a floor and a ceiling. An upper temperature sensor is positioned near the ceiling. A lower temperature sensor is positioned near the floor. The temperature sensors communicate with the motor controller, which includes a processor configured to compare substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The motor controller is thus configured to automatically control the fan motor to minimize the differences between substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The fan system may thus substantially destratify air in an environment, to provide a substantially uniform temperature distribution within the environment. |
| US08900037B2 |
Grinding device for machine based grinding of rotor blades for wind energy systems
The present invention relates a grinding device 1 for the machine-based grinding of rotor blades 100 for wind energy systems, comprising a belt grinding unit 10 with a circulating grinding belt 12. |
| US08900035B2 |
Method and device for grinding a continuous casting product
A cast slab having a pair of wide, substantially planar, and opposite side faces and a pair of narrow opposite edge faces, is ground by first orienting the slab with the side and edge faces vertical. Then grinding tools are pressed oppositely and horizontally against opposite wide faces, with the grinders throwing the chips downward. The tools and slab are relatively vertically displaced for the grinding. |
| US08900033B2 |
Wafer polishing method
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of polishing silicon wafers, capable of suppressing generation of undesired sounds from carriers and reducing the thickness variation of the wafers after polished.The method is a wafer polishing method in which wafers 20 are polished by supplying a polishing solution to surfaces 30a of a pair of polishing pads 30 positioned above and below carriers 10 each having a circular hole 11 for retaining the wafers 20, the carriers 10 being thinner than the wafers 20; and sliding the polishing pads 30 relatively to the carriers 10, thereby simultaneously polishing both surfaces of the wafers 20 retained in the carriers 10. The method is characterized in that information sourced from the carriers 10 when a difference between the thickness of the carriers 10 and the thickness of the wafers 20 reaches a predetermined value is detected to calculate the thickness of the wafers 20, thereby terminating polishing. |
| US08900028B2 |
Field emission cathode device manufacturing method
A method for making a field emission cathode device, including the following steps: (S1) providing a substrate including a first surface, and a carbon nanotube structure defining a first portion and a second portion, the carbon nanotube structure including a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a longitudinal direction of the plurality of carbon nanotubes being from the first portion to the second portion; (S2) placing the carbon nanotube structure on the first surface of the substrate, and fastening the first portion to the substrate; and (S3) repeatedly rubbing the carbon nanotube structure along the direction from the first portion to the second portion. |
| US08900027B2 |
Planar plasma lamp and method of manufacture
A lamp including a first and second lamp substrate with a first and second external electrode, respectively, and a first and second internal phosphor coating, respectively, wherein the first phosphor coating is a phosphor monolayer. A method of manufacturing a lamp, including screen-printing a phosphor monolayer on a first lamp substrate; screen-printing a phosphor layer on a second lamp substrate; joining the phosphor-coated faces of the first and second lamp substrates together with a seal; and joining a first and second electrode to the uncoupled exterior faces of the first and second lamp substrates, respectively. |
| US08900026B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device includes forming a first substrate including first display regions, forming a second substrate including second display regions, forming seal members of a loop shape around the first or second display regions, dropping a liquid crystal material onto the first or second display regions surrounded by the seal members, and bonding the first and second substrates to each other by the seal members such that the first display regions oppose the second display regions. In the dropping, a greater amount of liquid crystal material is dropped onto display regions close to ends of the first or second substrate, than onto display regions close to a center of the first or second substrate. |
| US08900025B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device including a a panel having a liquid crystal layer, and a backlight unit coupled to the panel, for irradiating light to the panel, wherein the backlight unit includes a light source, a light guide plate configured to guide light emitted from the light source to the panel, and a fill spacer in a gap between the light source and a light-incident surface of the light guide plate, the fill spacer including a UV curable material or a thermoplastic elastic material. |
| US08900021B2 |
Electrical contact terminal with improved connection portion
The present invention relates to an electrical contact terminal adapted to be mounted to an electrical cable including at least one connection portion adapted for mounting the electrical cable and at least one contact portion. The connection portion is provided with at least one reactive film including at least two materials in a reactive form. This film is adapted to react after reception of a suited activation energy thereby producing heat and thus causing a bonding between the connection portion and a cable. |
| US08900016B2 |
USB connector structure
A USB connector structure, configured with a combination structure of a base, a main structure, a plural of pins and a fixing structure, to enable said plural pins to be configured on the conducting pads without soldering process and to provide a convenient assembly by firmly hooking and fastening both the main structure and the fixing structure over the base. And, the present invention can be applied in various USB connectors or similar connecting structure. |
| US08900015B2 |
Communication connector with reduced crosstalk
A communication connector including a housing and a plurality of contact pairs arranged relative to the housing. One of the plurality of contact pairs includes a first conductor termination zone centerline, and another contact pair includes a second conductor termination zone centerline, wherein the second conductor termination zone centerline is an approximately perpendicular bisector of the first conductor termination zone centerline. |
| US08900011B2 |
Electrical connector with flame-resistant inserts
An electrical connector includes at least one insert (10), the insert including: a front part (13) and a rear part (16) at least partially made of thermoplastic material, and a plurality of cavities (20) passing through from one side to the other of the front part and the rear part of the insert, each cavity being capable of receiving an electrical contact (30), a protection element (18) placed between the front part (13) and the rear part (16) and made of a flame-insensitive material capable, under the effect of high temperature, of maintaining a predefined distance between the electrical contacts. |
| US08900010B2 |
Connection structure of crimping terminal to electrical wire
An upper side of the distal end of an electric wire is covered with cover members made of water-absorbing resin layers in which impermeable layers are formed on the inner surface sides abutting on a conductor before crimping previously so as to include at least a portion having the possibility of exposing the conductor of the electric wire to the outside when a conductor crimping part and a sheath crimping part of a crimping terminal are respectively crimped to the conductor and the portion having an insulating sheath of the distal end of the electric wire, and conductor crimping pieces and sheath crimping pieces are crimped onto the cover members and thereby, the cover members are held by the conductor crimping pieces and the sheath crimping pieces with an exposed portion of the conductor covered. |
| US08900009B2 |
Apparatus and methods for supporting an article
A mount for supportably engaging an article. The mount includes a bulbous member that may include a convexly shaped surface area. The convexly shaped surface area may be supportively contactable with a first interconnect portion of a carrier member. An attachment member that is operatively associable with a device may be removably engageable with a second interconnect portion of the carrier member. The carrier member may be moved throughout a continuum of positions defined by the convexly curved surface area of the bulbous member. Additionally, the bulbous member may be supportably engaged by a variety of embodiments of support structures for supporting or mounting the mount. |
| US08900007B2 |
Cable connector and cable assembly, and method of manufacturing cable assembly
A cable connector and a cable assembly in which electrical characteristics are stabilized by suppressing elastic deformation of a cable for differential signal transmission, and besides, which are easily connectable by reducing the number of parts, and a method of manufacturing the cable assembly are provided. Respective ground contacts and respective signal line contacts positioned between the respective ground contacts through a space are provided in a connector main body. Front-side arm portions and rear-side arm portions mutually extending toward the respective signal line contacts are integrally provided with end portions of the respective ground contacts protruded from a side wall portion of the connector main body. And, under a state that respective signal line conductors are arranged in the respective signal line contacts, an outer conductor is held by the front-side arm portions and the rear-side arm portions. |
| US08900001B2 |
Card edge connector having improved ejector
A card edge connector (100) includes an insulative housing, a set of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing and an ejector (3). The insulative housing has a central slot (12) and one tower portion (13) having a receiving slot (135). The contacts protrude into the central slot. The ejector has a main portion (31) received in the receiving slot, an ejecting portion (34) extending from a lower end (35) of the main portion, a locking portion (32) extending inwardly from an upper end of the main portion, and a lever portion (37) extending outwardly from the upper end of the main portion. The locking portion has a pair of vertical portions (324), and a transverse portion (323). The transverse portion connects the vertical portions and divides the vertical portions into upper and lower retaining parts. |
| US08900000B2 |
Robotically mateable rotary joint electrical connector
A robotically mateable connector has a flying-lead plug unit and a receptacle unit adapted for releasable mating engagement with the plug unit. The plug unit includes a robotic manipulator grip assembly. A rear end shell which includes a cable attachment fitting holds a plug module having an outer surface carrying a plurality of axially spaced, annular contacts of gradually decreasing diameter towards a forward end of the module, and is rotatable relative to a plug front shell. The receptacle unit contains a receptacle module having a bore containing spaced annular contact seats of gradually increasing diameter designed for engagement with the plug contacts when the plug and receptacle units are fully mated. This provides a robotically actuated electrical connector that requires no rotational keying and relieves cable torque. |
| US08899999B2 |
Track adapter and lighting fixture
Described are track adapters for snap-fitting within a recess of a track, the track adapters including at least one manually-releasable spring tab comprising a lip and a release tab; and at least one slidably-releasable spring tab comprising a lip, wherein the at least one manually-releasable spring tab and the at least one slidably-releasable spring tab are adapted to deflect inwardly to permit snap-fit insertion of the track adapter into the recess. Also described are light fixtures including a fixture head comprising at least one lamp housing, wherein the at least one lamp housing supports at least one lamp; and a curved arm connecting the fixture head to a support surface. |
| US08899998B2 |
Revolving grounding lug
A grounding lug for an electrical conduit fitting includes a support ring sized to slide over a threaded portion of a conduit fitting body and a conductor securing portion having a channel to receive an externally-mounted conducting wire. The grounding lug also includes an extension arm configured to secure the support ring to the conductor securing portion, and a sealing ring, secured along an inside diameter of the support ring. The sealing ring is configured to form a seal between the support ring and the conduit fitting body. The grounding lug is configured to be freely rotated around the threaded portion of the conduit fitting body to position the conductor securing portion in a desired orientation after partial installation of the electrical conduit fitting. |
| US08899996B2 |
Stacked connector
A stacked connector comprises a dielectric housing comprising a first receptacle and a second receptacle, a first set of differential pairs that each include a plurality of first terminals each having a contact portion extending within the first receptacle and an extension portion, a second set of differential pairs that each include a plurality of second terminals that each have a contact portion extending within the second receptacle and an extension portion, and a shield terminal including a plate portion and two contact portions separately extending within the first receptacle and the second receptacle. The plate portion can separate the extension portions of the terminals of one differential pair from the extension portions of another differential pair. |
| US08899991B2 |
Rotatable electrical coupling and connector therefor
A rotatable electrical coupling comprising a male connector having at least one electrical contact member for conducting or transmitting a supply current or a low-frequency control signal, and a further electrical contact member for conducting or transmitting a high-frequency and/or a high-speed data signal. The coupling further comprises a female connector for receiving the male connector such that the male connector is adapted for rotation relative to the female connector. The female connector includes complementary electrical contact members configured to maintain uninterrupted electrical contact with each of the respective contact members of the male connector throughout a relative rotational movement between the male and female connectors preferably at least about 180°. An electrical connector for such a rotatable electrical coupling, as well as a swivel or pivot joint of a mounting arm for supporting or suspending technical equipment, wherein the joint incorporates such an electrical coupling. |
| US08899990B2 |
Display mounting systems
Mounting systems can releasably secure display devices to preexisting surfaces for convenient installation and removal without external tools. A mounting system can comprise lower magnetic assemblies, upper magnetic assemblies, and a mounting sheet. The lower magnetic assemblies can be secured to a rear surface of a display device, for releasably attaching the display device to a preexisting surface. A bottom portion of the mounting sheet can be secured to the rear surface of the display device, while a top portion of the mounting sheet can remain loose from the rear surface. The upper magnetic assemblies can be provided along the loose top portion of the mounting sheet, for releasably attaching the display device to the preexisting surface. The upper magnetic assemblies can retain their connection to the preexisting surface as the display device is pulled away from the preexisting surface, until a threshold condition is met. |
| US08899987B2 |
Simulated medicament delivery device having an electronic circuit system
Medicament delivery devices and simulated medicament delivery devices are described herein. An apparatus includes a simulated medicament injector. The simulated medicament injector includes a battery isolation member and an electronic circuit system having a processor. The battery isolation member is configured to selectively decouple a battery from the processor. |
| US08899986B2 |
Air rescue simulator
An air rescue simulator, wherein the simulator comprises a helicopter passenger cabin, which is attached to a crane system. |
| US08899982B2 |
Implant with structure for securing a porous portion
An implant includes a head portion, an intermediate portion and an initially separate stem portion configured to engage the head portion so that at least the head portion and the stem portion cooperatively secure the intermediate portion on the implant. The implant may also include a locking mechanism configured to secure the head portion to the stem portion by a press fit or a threaded connection. The intermediate portion may include a porous metal such as tantalum. |
| US08899979B2 |
Matrix ring for tooth restoration
A matrix ring includes a biasing ring and a pair of opposing tines. The biasing ring includes a substantially hoop-like configuration terminating at two opposing ends. The pair of opposing tines extend inwardly from each of the two ends of the biasing ring toward each other. Each of the pair of opposing tines is coupled to the respective opposing end about a central region thereof and extends radially outwardly therefrom. Each tine includes a flame body having a central ridge and opposing lower extensions, the lower extensions terminating at an exposed face. The portion of the lower extensions proximate the exposed face being able to move relative to the rest of the flame body so as to better position on the teeth of a patient. A superimposed pad over portions of the flame body provides a deformable surface for engagement with the surface of the tooth of a patient. |
| US08899976B2 |
Release agent receptacle
The present disclosure includes method, system, apparatus, and indicator embodiments. One apparatus includes an appliance for placement over one or more teeth and a release agent receptacle including an outer portion provided on appliance surface, an inner portion provided within the outer portion, and one or more apertures formed in the outer portion. |
| US08899973B2 |
Candle with embedded item and methods for manufacturing and selling same
A candle with an embedded item and methods for manufacturing same are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for manufacturing a candle having an item embedded within includes providing a first set of items of a first value and a second set of items of a second value different from the first value, combining the two sets to create a third set, and distributing the items of the third set among a set of candles, one item per candle, where the presence, nature, or value of the item within the candle is obscured. In one embodiment, the method further includes selling the candles for a first price, wherein, at the time of purchase, the presence of the embedded item, the nature of the embedded item, the value of the embedded item, or the value of the embedded item relative to the first price is not known to the purchaser. |
| US08899965B2 |
Mold arrangement having a melt distribution manifold with a hinged joint
A melt distribution manifold for use with first and second mold portions moveable with respect to each other, the melt distribution manifold including a melt inlet means for receiving melt from an injection molding machine, a first manifold portion connected to the first mold portion, wherein the first manifold portion is stationary with respect to the first mold portion, a second manifold portion connecting the first manifold portion to the hot runner nozzle, wherein the second manifold portion is moveable with respect to the first manifold portion such that when the first mold portion moves with respect to the second mold portion, the second manifold portion remains connected to the first manifold portion and to the hot runner nozzle, a hinged joint connecting the first manifold portion to the second manifold portion. Each of the first manifold portion, the second manifold portion, and the hinged joint having respective melt distribution bores in fluid communication with each other. |
| US08899960B2 |
Air side pivot casting for mold clamping linkage system
A pivot casting component used in an apparatus for extrusion blow molding polyethylene teraphthalate (“PET”) is disclosed. The pivot casting is designed to provide increased strength and increased reliability over prior components with the blow mold clamping linkage system. Prior art pivot elements were designed and fabricated from separate elements such that weak points, and stress concentration points were created. Such weak points resulted in the pivot element being a weak component in the blow mold clamping linkage system. The inventive pivot casting is cast as a single component from higher strength materials, with an improved geometry to increase component strength, durability and overall system reliability. In a preferred embodiment, the air side pivot casting is formed from 80-55-06 ductile iron resulting in a 40% increase in tensile strength over prior pivot components. |
| US08899958B2 |
Shuttle for a feedbox of a block machine
A shuttle for a feedbox of a block machine has a shuttle slide with shuttle rodding. The shuttle slide connects to the drive via a connecting rod. The connecting rod has an interconnecting bar, an articulated swing arm, and a driving reciprocating link connected to the drive. The interconnecting bar is attached to the shuttle slide via a first articulation and to the articulated swing arm via a second articulation. The articulated swing arm is attached to a static bearing via a third articulation. The driving reciprocating link is attached to the articulated swing arm via a fourth articulation. |
| US08899956B2 |
Device for producing pipes made of thermoplastic
A device for producing pipes made of thermoplastic with annular transverse profilings with a cross section in the form of undulation peaks and undulation troughs has half-molds, which complete one another pairwise along a straight mold section to form a closed mold, which can be moved in a movement direction. Projecting into the mold is an extrusion tool, which has a nozzle support body. To produce an adequate seal between the half-molds and nozzle support body, the latter is covered with exchangeably attached hollow half-shells, which form a cylindrical external face. |
| US08899955B2 |
Electronic cycle counter
A monitor for maintaining a mold cycle count with an actuator sending a count signal to a processor following a mold operation. The monitor further includes a timer having an active mode and a sleep mode. The processor generates an average cycle time and an activity percentage of the mold taking into account active and sleep periods of the mold. |
| US08899952B2 |
Sintered magnet producing apparatus
A sintered magnet producing apparatus is provided having a device for fixing a filling container and a lid for the container in the process of orienting alloy powder in the filling container by means of a magnetic field. The sintered magnet producing apparatus includes a filling system for supplying an alloy powder into a filling container and then compacting the alloy powder, a sintering device for sintering the alloy powder, an orienting device having a coil for generating a magnetic field for orienting the alloy powder in the filling and sintering container before the filling process and after the compacting process, and a fixing device for covering the filling container with a lid, and simultaneously, fixing the filling container only during the orienting process. The filling container is prevented from moving due to the magnetic field applied in the orienting process and, simultaneously, the scattering of the alloy powder is prevented. |
| US08899948B2 |
Fretting-corrosion-prevention oscillating vane type pump actuator
Disclosed herein is an oscillating vane type pump actuator. The pump actuator of the present invention provides a method of preventing fretting corrosion from being caused on joined surfaces of elements. A cylinder (3c) has a comparatively low radial strength, and each of side covers (1c) and (2c) has a high radial strength. A cylindrical portion (1c-c), (2c-c) is provided on each side cover. Thus, when high pressure of work oil distorts the cylinder into a shape in which the cross-section of the cylinder becomes an ellipse-like shape, the cylindrical portions of the side covers act such that they are distorted in the same shape as that of the cylinder. Further, a passage that always communicates with a low-pressure side working chamber is formed in the contact surfaces between a fixed vane that is fixed to the cylinder and the side covers. |
| US08899944B2 |
Piezoelectric micro-blower
In a piezoelectric micro-blower, a vibration plate assembly includes a piezoelectric element attached to a diaphragm, with an intermediate plate interposed there between. A blower chamber plate includes a circular opening in a center thereof. A blower chamber defined by the diaphragm, a flow path plate, and the opening of the blower chamber plate is sized to allow internal pressure to be substantially uniformly changed by vibration of the diaphragm. The blower chamber plate and the flow path plate are provided with a first outlet and a second outlet, respectively. Compressive fluid pressurized in the blower chamber is blown out through the first and second outlets. |
| US08899943B2 |
Double-headed piston type swash plate compressor
A double-headed piston type swash plate compressor is provided with a front housing including a suction chamber, a rear housing, a cylinder block, a rotation shaft, and double-headed pistons. The cylinder block includes cylinder bores, a rotation shaft accommodation bore, a communication conduit that communicates the suction chamber with the rotation shaft accommodation bore, and suction passages communicating the rotation shaft accommodation bore to front compression chambers. The rotation shaft includes a groove passage that communicates with the suction passages. Further, the rotation shaft includes an annular groove that communicates the communication conduit with the groove passage. The annular groove includes a front side surface, which is spaced toward the rear housing from an opening of the rotary shaft accommodation bore that faces the front housing. |
| US08899940B2 |
Suction stabilizer for pump assembly
A fluid flow stabilizing method and a pump having a stabilized fluid flow passage where a process fluid contains suspended solid particles and is subject to pressure oscillations. The method comprises positioning an expandable membrane along the lower transverse surface, inflating the membrane with a compressible fluid, and alternatingly expanding and contracting the membrane to dampen the pressure oscillations and inhibit settling of the solid particles at the lower transverse surface. The pump comprises a stabilizer comprising a compressible fluid in an expandable membrane elongated along the lower transverse surface of a manifold in fluid communication with the fluid end. Another method comprises reciprocating a plunger in the pump to pass a slurry through the manifold, and alternatingly expanding and contracting a stabilizer in the manifold. |
| US08899937B2 |
Excessive wind portal for wind turbines
Systems and methods for reducing wind pressure on wind turbine blades by selectively opening excessive wind portals in the turbine blades. One embodiment comprises a wind turbine system in which each of the turbine's blades has a portal therethrough that is opened or closed by a movable panel. Each panel is connected on one edge to the corresponding blade at the edge of the portal. Hook-and-loop material (Velcro) is attached to the edges of each portal and panel, allowing the panels to alternately open and then close the portals over a series of high wind events. Excessive wind pressure forces the panels to be released, opening the portals. Gravity or reversed wind direction with respect to the blade can be used to reseal the panels. |
| US08899932B2 |
Molten metal impeller
According to one embodiment, a molten metal impeller is provided. It includes a generally cylindrical graphite body having a plurality of passages extending from a top surface to a side wall. A hub is formed in the center of the graphite body. A ceramic cap member is secured to the top surface of the graphite body. The cap member is comprised of a ring forming a central passage shaped cooperatively to overlap the hub and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the ring to an outer rim. The rim has a height between adjacent vanes which increases in the direction of intended impeller rotation. The rim further has a height which decreases from its radially outer most edge to an inner most edge. |
| US08899931B2 |
Impeller, compressor, and method for producing impeller
A hub is supported rotatably about an axis of rotation, and the diameter thereof increases from upstream to downstream sides along a fluid flow. A plurality of impeller blades extend radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the hub. A shroud is formed in a cylindrical shape whose diameter increases from the upstream to downstream sides along the fluid flow and joins outer circumferential ends of the plurality of impeller blades. The impeller blades are composed of upstream blade segments and downstream blade segments bonded at a bonding surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The upstream blade segments are integral with at least a portion of the shroud, and the downstream blade segments are integral with at least a portion of the hub. This improves the reliability and performance of an impeller and a compressor. |
| US08899930B2 |
Fan
A fan, for a ventilation assembly has blades extending from a cup-shaped central hub. The hub has an annular side wall and a bottom wall defining a receptacle for an electric motor. The hub has internal ribs for ventilation of the motor. Each rib has a longitudinal portion which extends along the side wall, a radial portion which extends along the bottom wall and an intermediate portion having an arcuate, transversely protruding profile. The longitudinal portion has a profile whose spacing from the side wall of the hub increases, from a minimum value remote from the bottom wall to a maximum value adjacent the bottom wall. |
| US08899929B2 |
Rotor blade pitch adjusting device and turbomachine containing the same
An adjusting device is provided for pivoting blades of a rotor via a transmission that is actuatable by a co-rotating, axially-displaceable actuating shaft. The adjusting device includes a roller bearing having a first side or ring that is attachable to the actuating shaft and a second side or ring connected with an actuating body that is non-rotatably supported in a support body. The adjusting device further includes a screw drive that axially displaces the actuating body within the support body to thereby linearly actuate the transmission. |
| US08899925B2 |
Wind/water turbine with rotational resistance reduced by wind vane blade
A wind/water turbine has a basic configuration in which both ends of blades which are in rotational symmetry are fixed to support plates, the blades have vanes, one of the vertical sides of the vanes is attached to a vane rotating shaft, and the free opposite sides each rotate freely in a sector extending as far as the adjacent vane rotating shafts on either side. The vanes are arranged such that when the blades of the wind/water turbine are convex, moving against the water flow/airflow, the vanes are pressed by the water flow/airflow and are opened, thereby reducing the rotational resistance, and when the blades have pivoted further and are concave, the spaces between the vane rotating shafts are closed, the water/air pressure is received over the entire surface of the blade, and thus a pivoting force that is increased corresponding to the reduction in rotation resistance is obtained. |
| US08899922B2 |
Wind turbine blade with base part having inherent non-ideal twist
A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine is divided into a root region closest to the hub and an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub. A transition region has a profile gradually changing in the radial direction from the circular or elliptical profile of the root region to the lift generating profile of the airfoil region, and includes at least a first longitudinal segment extending along at least 20% of a longitudinal extent of the airfoil region. A base part has an inherent non-ideal twist, such as no twist, or a reduced twist compared to a target blade twist, so that an axial induction factor of the first base part at a design point deviates from a target axial induction factor. A number of flow altering devices are arranged so as to adjust the aerodynamic properties of the first longitudinal segment. |
| US08899919B2 |
Method for repairing a rotor system of a turbomachine, annular element for a rotor system of a turbomachine, and rotor system for a turbomachine
A method for repairing a rotor system (2) of a turbomachine, having a rotor (4) which has a groove (26) extending in the circumferential direction (58) of the rotor for accommodating an annular section (18; 28). The method has the following steps: chamfering a notch (40) in the groove (26); introducing a recess (44) into the groove (26); and inserting the annular section (18; 28) into the groove (26). At least one engagement element (48; 49) formed on the annular section (18; 28) engages in the recess (44) in order to form a lock against rotation in the circumferential direction (58). |
| US08899918B2 |
Pump
A pump for a dishwasher has an impeller for conveying fluid, wherein it is formed as a centrifugal pump with the fluid to be conveyed being sucked-in in a central axial manner and flowing out in a radial manner. The impeller extends on a bottom surface above a pump base, wherein several fixed flow directing blades are arranged radially outside the impeller, said flow directing blades extending in a helicoidal manner with the pitch extending in the rotational direction of the impeller away from the pump base. At least one flow directing blade extends as far as up to the bottom surface of the impeller for picking up a circulating funnel or tube produced of fluid with air bubbles therein. |
| US08899916B2 |
Torque frame and asymmetric journal bearing for fan drive gear system
A fan drive gear system for a gas turbine engine includes a torque frame and a journal bearing. The torque frame has an arm that extends therefrom, the journal bearing is mounted on the arm. When the fan drive gear system is in an unloaded condition an outer circumferential surface of the journal bearing is disposed at an angle so that it is non-parallel with respect to an axis of the arm. When the fan drive gear system is in a loaded condition the outer circumferential surface is disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the arm. In another aspect, the journal bearing includes a main body, a first wing, and a second wing. The first and second wings extend from the main body and are asymmetric with respect to one another. |
| US08899915B2 |
Geared architecture for high speed and small volume fan drive turbine
A gas turbine engine includes a flex mount for a fan drive gear system. A very high speed fan drive turbine drives the fan drive gear system. |
| US08899909B2 |
Systems and methods for steam turbine wheel space cooling
The present application provides a steam turbine system. The steam turbine system may include a high pressure section, an intermediate pressure section, a shaft packing location positioned between the high pressure section and the intermediate pressure section, a source of steam, and a cooling system. The cooling system delivers a cooling steam extraction from the source of steam to the shaft packing location so as to cool the high pressure section and the intermediate pressure section. |
| US08899905B2 |
Boom truck for handling loads above and below ground level
A boom truck includes a telescopic lifting boom with a lifting unit and a support structure having a first support arranged on the chassis of the boom truck. A second support in the form of an elongated bearing and support beam body extends in the longitudinal direction of the boom truck. The beam body is pivotally mounted to the first support about a rear bearing axis, whereas the lifting boom is pivotally mounted to beam body about a front bearing axis. Actuators act on the beam body and the lifting boom as a unit and act to pivot the lifting boom about the front bearing axis. |
| US08899901B2 |
Pipe handling apparatus and method
Equipment for moving tubular members from a storage rack to an elevated platform floor is disclosed. A base-mounted articulated support structure has an arcuate trough mounted on top thereof. Loading arms are secured to a side of the pivotal trough for picking up one tubular member from the rack and moving to the platform floor. Unloading arms detachably securable to the trough facilitate movement of the tubular members from the platform floor onto the rack. |
| US08899881B2 |
Offshore tower for drilling and/or production
An offshore structure comprises a hull having a longitudinal axis and including a first column and a second column moveably coupled to the first column. Each column has a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the offshore structure comprises an anchor coupled to the second end of the second column and configured to secure the hull to the sea floor. The first column includes a variable ballast chamber and a first buoyant chamber positioned between the variable ballast chamber and the first end of the first column. The first buoyant chamber is filled with a gas and sealed from the surrounding environment. The second column includes a variable ballast chamber. Further, the offshore structure comprises a topside mounted to the hull. |
| US08899880B2 |
Structure-assisted jackup system
The present invention provides a structure-assisted Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, one or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one or more support base structure. The present invention also provides a process for assembling the structure-assisted Jackup system. |
| US08899877B2 |
Method and system for laying underground a continuous elongated member in a bed of a body of water
A method of underground laying a continuous elongated member in a bed of a body of water, wherein the continuous elongated member lies on the bed of the body of water along a given path; the method including the steps of: fragmenting a soil mass in the bed along the given path and under the continuous elongated member, so as to form in the bed two scarp slopes bounding the fragmented soil mass by two soil masses susceptible to slide; advancing two supporting walls along the given path in an advancing direction, along the respective two scarp slopes, and transferring the fragmented soil mass between the two supporting walls, so as to promote sinking of the continuous elongated member between the two supporting walls. |
| US08899876B2 |
Facility and method for storing dangerous materials packaged into containers
The present invention relates to a semi-buried facility for storing dangerous materials packaged into containers (10), including: at least one cell (2) defined by buried vertical firewalls (3a) forming a pit containing said containers; and each cell being surrounded by a chamber including vertical firewalls (7a) extending above the ground; and at least one container (10) depositing and receiving area (6; 25), such as a roadway (6) for trucks (6a), and/or an area (25) for handling containers (10) from or to a railway transport line (22); and a corridor-shaped depositing area (5) inside each of said chambers between each of said buried cells and a longitudinal chamber wall (7a); and a motor-driven container handling gantry crane (8) capable of moving one of said containers (8c) that has been suspended to a height greater than that of said chamber walls (7a). |
| US08899873B2 |
Multi-purpose pumped storage facility
A pumped storage facility combined with at least a seating area constructed on a bank of an upper reservoir facing a lower reservoir. The lower reservoir includes a track around the shore thereof so that spectators in the seating area can view the track. A performance area is constructed adjacent the track along the lower reservoir, and can be built over the water on piers if needed. Thus, racing events can take place on the track and be viewed by spectators in the seating area. A parking lot drains water into the lower reservoir. |
| US08899869B2 |
Rotary flexure bearing
This rotary flexure bearing consists of concentric inner and outer hubs connected by compound flexure stages. These compound flexure stages provide the angular compliance required for bearing rotation as well as compliance for flexure foreshortening while holding a constant axis of rotation over the entire range of motion. This design offers large angular displacement, low operating stress, low operating torque, and high stiffness in the five noncompliant degrees of freedom. The rotary flexure bearing described herein has applications in precision mechanics, particularly opto-mechanics. Specific applications include but are not limited to wafer and reticle alignment stages used in microlithography systems, mirror pointing and scanning mechanisms used in tactical and spaceborne systems, as well as flip-in mechanisms used in multiple field of view optical systems. |
| US08899867B2 |
Mounting assembly for a face shield
A face shield, such as a visor, mounts to a protective helmet using a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly has a base, a spacer assembly, and a pair of posts. The base is disposed on the interior of the helmet. The posts are connected to the base and extend outwardly through holes that are formed in the side of the helmet. The spacer assembly slides over the posts when the posts are inserted through the corresponding holes in the helmet, and frictionally engages the outer surfaces of the first and second posts such that the helmet is disposed between the base and the spacer assembly. The posts threadingly receive corresponding fasteners that attach the face shield to the helmet. |
| US08899866B2 |
Ring binder mechanism with self-locking actuator
A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages has a housing having a cavity formed in the underside of a central portion of the housing. A pair of hinge plates are disposed between the sides for pivoting movement relative to the housing to open and close rings of the mechanism. The mechanism has an actuator moveable relative to the housing for opening and closing the rings. The actuator has a body, an opening arm extending from the body, a closing arm extending from the body, and a locking finger extending from the body. The closing arm extending into a space between the hinge plates and the central portion of the housing. The hinge plates extend between the opening and closing arms. The locking finger extends into the cavity in the central portion of the housing when the actuator is in the closed position. |
| US08899865B2 |
Ring binder mechanism having retaining system on ring members
A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The body and rings are made of one or more moldable polymeric materials. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to hold the ring members in the closed position. The retaining system has interlocking formations adjacent ends of the ring members that are moveable between a retaining position in which the retaining system holds the first and second ring members in the closed position and a non-retaining position. The ring members and body can suitably be formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material. |
| US08899863B2 |
Roll-on applicator device for distributing a viscous medium on a surface and roll-on dispenser
A roll-on applicator device (11) for distributing a viscous medium on a surface, that has a fitment (14) and a distributor ball (13) placed in the fitment (14) and partially projecting from one end of the fitment, wherein the fitment (14) has a base element (16) and a retaining element (15) that are detachably connected to each other by connection means (25), wherein the base element (16) is provided with support means (21) for supporting the distributor ball (13) and with a tubular member (17) for the connection to a container (12) and wherein the retaining element (15) is designed such that it rotatably retains the distributor ball (13) in the fitment (14). The invention further relates to a roll-on dispenser (10) for dispensing a viscous medium with a container (12) for the viscous medium and such a roll-on applicator device (11). |
| US08899860B2 |
Dispenser
A dispenser for stick material that is suitable for bottom filling comprises a barrel (2) having at one end a base (6) with a central hollow boss with integrally moulded mountings for a separately moulded spindle having at one end at least two opposed struts terminating in means to engage with the mountings in the boss. Preferably, the spindle snaps fits with the boss. Preferably, the spindle has two struts that align with spokes within a skeletal platform (30) that link a filling ring therein to its rim. |
| US08899859B2 |
Antiseptic applicator
An applicator assembly includes a head portion having a proximal, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a fluid chamber, a container slidably coupled to the body, a sealing member sealing an end of the container, and a lifting member, wherein the lifting member is mounted in the interior portion of the head portion and an interior of the container is placed in fluid communication with the application member by way of a fluid conduit that is formed around the sealing member from the container to the fluid chamber when the container is axially translated toward the head portion and the lifting member lifts the sealing member. |
| US08899852B2 |
Apparatus pertaining to a keyboard comprised of physically-discrete hinged segments
A keyboard comprises a plurality of keycap-bearing physically-discrete segments that are hingeably coupled to one another. When in a non-deployed configuration, the keycap-bearing physically-discrete segments are disposed on a back side of a corresponding housing such that the keys face outwardly away from that back side of the housing. When in a deployed configuration, the keycap-bearing physically-discrete segments are disposed substantially planar with respect to that same housing and face outwardly away from a front side of the apparatus. |
| US08899850B2 |
Lens cap assembly with integrated display
Disclosed are lens cap assemblies wherein a removable lens cap may include a lens cap body that is configured to be removably attached to an end of a lens. The lens cap can further include a cap communication interface configured to receive lens information from a lens communication interface while the lens cap is in an attached position. The lens cap can include a display to allow for the displaying of lens characteristics and information. |
| US08899847B2 |
Optical engine assembly and manufacturing method thereof
There is provided an optical engine assembly including an active unit and a transmission unit. The active unit includes a first bearing member configured to carry an optoelectronic unit. The transmission unit includes a second bearing member configured to fix a plurality of optical waveguides. The optoelectronic unit is optically coupled to the optical waveguides. The first bearing member and the second bearing member have symmetrical structures. The present disclosure further provides a manufacturing method of an optical engine assembly. |
| US08899845B2 |
Fiber optic connector
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fiber optic connector and methods of assembly thereof. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector of the present invention is designed to help decrease the stress placed on an optical fiber during the mating of a connector with a receptacle. In another embodiment, the connector of the present invention terminates onto a polymer coated optical fiber. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide means for simplifying termination of an optical fiber connector onto a fiber and for simplifying disengagement of a fiber optic connector from a corresponding receptacle. |
| US08899842B2 |
Optical connector having high coupling precision
An optical connector includes a first optical-electric coupling element and a second optical-electric coupling element. The first optical-electric coupling element includes a first side surface and a second side surface facing away from the first side surface. The first optical-electric coupling element includes two position posts substantially perpendicularly extending from the first side surface. Each position post includes a connection surface substantially parallel with the first side surface. Each connection surface defines a position slot. The second optical-electric coupling element includes a third side surface facing the first side surface. The third side surface defines two position holes. The second optical-electric coupling element includes two position flanges each extending from an inner sidewall of each position hole. The position posts are inserted into the position holes to attach the first optical-electric coupling element to the second optical-electric coupling element, with the position flange inserting into the position slot. |
| US08899840B2 |
Tapered roller bearing
A roller inscribed circle R1 diameter of tapered rollers fitted in pockets of a bearing retainer is such that a circle R1 portion protruding radially outwardly of an inner race small flange radially outer surface when the rollers are at radially outermost positions in pockets with an outer race unmounted, and when the circle R1 is offset from a raceway circle center of an inner race raceway end at the flange so as to point contact the raceway circle. The circle R1 portion which does not radially outwardly protrude from the flange outer surface has a central angle >180° and ≦240°. Flange thickness is such that when the roller inscribed circle is offset from the raceway circle center to point contact the raceway circle, and swung about the contact point toward the flange, the flange does not interfere with the arcuate locus of the roller inscribed circle swing end. |
| US08899835B2 |
Self-supporting bladder system for a double wall tank
A self-supporting bladder that can be installed into existing storage tanks, particularly into underground storage tanks and a method of forming a double walled tank using the same. This self-supporting bladder serves as the inner wall, utilizing the existing tank as the outer wall of a double wall system, or can provide a double wall system such as through the use of an insert placed in the bladder. |
| US08899830B2 |
Housing of a temperature sensor, especially of a thermal flow measuring device
A thermal flow measuring device and method for the manufacture of a thermal flow measuring device with a housing, which has at least one shell. A temperature sensor element is arranged in the shell which borders the housing. Each first point of an edge terminating the outside of the shell in the region of a second end section of the shell has a distance to the longitudinal axis of the shell, which is at least 0.2 mm greater than the distance of all second points of the outside of the shell to the longitudinal axis of the shell, with a first point of the edge, in each case, having a distance projected on the longitudinal axis of the shell from the first point of the edge of at least 0.2 mm in the direction of the first end section of the shell. |
| US08899828B2 |
Heat sensor correction
A heat sensor has the ability to correct for errors introduced during temperature changes of the hot junction of the thermopile for the heat sensor. For example, the effect of temperature changes at the hot junction of the heat sensor relative to the cold junction is mathematically modeled such that the effect on the temperature determination can be corrected given certain information relating to the thermopile, its electrical output, and the temperature history and current temperature of the cold junction. By accounting for these factors, a processing device can modify the temperature determination output for the heat sensor while correcting for error introduced by temperature changes at the hot junction as determined by the mathematical model. |
| US08899824B2 |
Programmable blender having record and playback features
A programmable blender having record and playback features includes a record mode and a playback mode. When the blender is placed into the record mode, a processor stores a user created blending sequence to a memory unit. Alternatively, when the blender is placed into a playback mode, the processor automatically controls the operation of the blender in accordance with the stored blending sequence. |
| US08899822B2 |
Working trough and method for maintaining uniform temperature of working fluid
The invention provides a working trough and a method for maintaining a uniform temperature of a working fluid. The working trough is applied to an electrical discharge machine that performs wire cutting using the working fluid. The method for maintaining a uniform temperature of the working fluid is applied to the working trough and characterized by forming opening structures in a receiving slot of the working trough such that a spiral swirl having a predetermined height is allowed to be formed in the working fluid, thereby maintaining a uniform temperature of the working fluid in the receiving slot when a wire cutting process is performed in the working fluid by the electrical discharge machine. The disturbance of the spiral swirl also facilitates the discharge of scraps. The present invention further has an advantage of low cost. |
| US08899821B2 |
Device having a detachable connection between a sample holder and a shaking apparatus for mixing a liquid sample
A device and a process for mixing a liquid sample in an automated analysis instrument comprises a support arm, a holder for a liquid container, a flexible intermediate element, arranged between the support arm and the holder for the liquid container, a shaking apparatus, and a coupling apparatus arranged on the holder for the liquid container, wherein the coupling apparatus can establish a detachable connection between the shaking apparatus and the holder for the liquid container. |
| US08899819B2 |
Concrete material dispensing system
A control system for a concrete plant adds intelligent capabilities in the concrete plant that may enhance safety, localize control of the concrete plant, and assist with troubleshooting. The control system may also enhance accuracy for determining an amount of mixed concrete dispensed, or amounts of concrete ingredients to dispense, and may eliminate the need for equipment used to verify the amount of mixed concrete or concrete ingredients dispensed. |
| US08899816B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a light guide plate and a light emitting unit. The light guide plate has a first side surface, a second side surface, and a third side surface. The first side surface is located opposite to the second side surface. A height of the first side surface is greater than a height of the second side surface. The third side surface is located between the first side surface and the second side surface and has a light entrance surface and a light exit surface. The light entrance surface is connected to the first side surface and the light exit surface. The light exit surface is connected to the second side surface. An included angle is formed between the light entrance surface and the light exit surface. The light emitting unit is disposed on the light entrance surface. |
| US08899814B2 |
Optical sheet with unit prisms including unit prism groups
An optical sheet includes a sheet-like body portion, and unit prisms arranged on one surface of the body portion. Each unit prism extends linearly in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction. Each unit prism, when viewed in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit prisms, has an uneven polygonal-line-shaped contour and, with reference to raised portions defined by the polygonal-line-shaped contour of each unit prism, the distance between a top of each raised portion, a farthest point from the body portion in the raised portion, and the body portion in the normal direction of the body portion is not constant. The optical sheet can prevent significant problems when it is superimposed on another member. |
| US08899812B2 |
Front bezel assembly with backlight source, non-self-luminous display device with backlight source in front bezel, and method for installing the backlight source thereof
A front bezel assembly is adapted to cover a display panel and a backlight module of a non-self-luminous display device. The backlight module includes an optical module. The front bezel assembly includes a front bezel. The front bezel assembly includes a front wall disposed in front of the display panel and formed with a bezel opening to expose the same, and a sidewall extending rearward from the front wall into the optical module. A backlight source is mounted to the sidewall such that light emitted from the backlight source irradiates toward the display panel through the optical module. |
| US08899809B2 |
Illuminated clip and methods of use
A surgical clip for illuminating tissue in a surgical field has first and second elongate arms and a connector joining the arms together. The arms are biased to expand laterally outward into an expanded configuration in which the arms engage the tissue in the surgical field with enough force to seat the clip without retracting the tissue. A waveguide illuminator is coupled to the first arm, and has a light input portion, a light output portion, and a light conducting portion extending between the light input portion and the light output portion. Light passes through the waveguide illuminator by total internal reflection, and the waveguide illuminator directs light to the tissue. Methods of using the illuminated clip are also disclosed. |
| US08899808B2 |
Lightguide luminaire module for direct and indirect illumination
A luminaire module includes at least one light-emitting element (LEE); a light guide (LG) extending in a first direction from a first end of LG to a second end of LG to receive at the first end light emitted by the LEE and configured to guide the light to the second end; and an optical extractor (OE) optically coupled to LG at the second end to receive light from the LEE guided from the first end to the second end of LG. OE includes a first interface configured to reflect a first portion of the light exiting the LG and transmit a second portion of the light exiting the LG so that the second portion of the light exits OE to an ambient environment in the first direction, and a second interface configured to transmit light incident thereon to the ambient environment in a direction different from the first direction. |
| US08899806B2 |
Vehicle light
A vehicle light is capable of preventing gaps (areas darker than peripheral areas) from being formed in between a plurality of illumination areas that are independently controlled to be illuminated with light or not to be illuminated with light, or suppressing the generation of such gaps. The vehicle light can include a projection lens and a light source unit disposed behind the rear-side focal plane of the projection lens. The light source unit can include a plurality of tubular portions each having a reflective inner peripheral surface, and a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements. Exit openings of the plurality of tubular portions can be arranged side by side in a substantial horizontal direction behind the rear-side focal plane of the projection lens. Adjacent ones of the plurality of exit openings of the tubular portions can be defined and partitioned by a common vertical edge. |
| US08899803B2 |
Headlamp assembly having a heat sink structure and wire heating element for removing water based contamination
A headlamp assembly having a mechanism for reducing water based contamination is disclosed. A headlamp assembly includes a lens affixed to a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, a wire heating element embedded within the inner surface of the lens, wherein the wire heating element is electrically coupled to a circuit board. An encapsulation layer is disposed over the wire heating element and a thermistor is affixed to the lens for sensing when the lens reaches a predetermined condition. The thermistor is electrically coupled to the circuit board and a micro-controller is provided for activating or deactivating the wire heating element based on the predetermined condition sensed by the thermistor. |
| US08899798B2 |
Color customizable table lamp and method of making the same
A lamp having a hollow clear body supported between a base and a cap, a hollow pipe carrying an electrical cord and a light socket dispensed internally of said hollow clear body between said base and said cap and removable through the open upper end of said body to allow the body to become free standing so that a color bearing material can be applied to the internal surface of the clear body. |
| US08899795B2 |
Lamp device and lighting fixture including LED as light source and metallic cover
In a lamp device 12 using a GX53-type cap 31 and also using an LED 56 as a light source, there is regulated an appropriate configuration of a metallic cover 32. A cap 31 and a lighting device 36 are arranged on an upper surface side of the metallic cover 32, and a substrate 33 on which the LED 56 is mounted is arranged on a lower surface side thereof. The metallic cover 32 has an approximately cylindrical shape with a maximum outer diameter D of 80 to 150 mm, a height H of 5 to 25 mm, and 2π (D/2) H/W, that is, an area of the outer peripheral surface per gross input power W to the lamp device 12 being in a range of 200 to 800 mm2/W. The gross input power W is 5 to 20 W. |
| US08899792B2 |
High NA optical system and device
Embodiments described herein provide an optical system having a light source (e.g., LED) and a high numerical aperture multi-element optical stack. According to one embodiment, the optical stack can reimage an entrance aperture. The multi-element optical stack can include a number of optical elements forming a series of lenses. The series of lenses comprises, a first lens positioned to receive light emitted in a first beam angle and a second lens more distal from the LED than the first lens, the second lens defining a second lens exit aperture that has at least a minimum area necessary to conserve radiance for the emission beam angle in air. The lenses in said series of lenses are configured, in combination, to successively reduce a beam angle of light from the first beam angle to the emission beam angle. |
| US08899791B2 |
Freely-foldable flexible LED screen
A freely-foldable flexible LED screen includes multiple LED sub-screens, PCBs disposed inside casings of the LED sub-screens, LEDs disposed on the PCB, and conducting wires electrically connecting the PCBs. Adjacent LED sub-screens are connected using a connection mechanism capable of freely rotating, which includes a rotation rod, and rotation shafts disposed at two ends of the rotation rod; the casing of the LED sub-screen includes a front casing and a rear casing; where grooves are symmetrically disposed at edges of the front and rear casings, the rotation shafts at two ends of the rotation rod are respectively installed in grooves in the casings of two adjacent LED sub-screens, the grooves of the front and rear casings are further provided with close covers connecting the rotation shafts, where the close cover corresponding to the rotation shaft is provided with a rotation shaft groove that is rotatably connected to the rotation shaft. |
| US08899787B2 |
Thermal protection structure for multi-junction LED module
The present disclosure discloses an apparatus for thermally protecting an LED device. The apparatus includes a substrate. The apparatus includes a plurality of light-emitting devices disposed over the substrate. A selected one of the plurality of light-emitting devices is at least partially surrounded by the rest of the plurality of light-emitting devices. The apparatus includes a feedback mechanism electrically coupled to the selected light-emitting device. The feedback mechanism is operable to detect a change in a temperature of the selected light-emitting device. The feedback mechanism is also operable to adjust an electrical current through at least the selected light-emitting device in response to the detected change in the temperature. |
| US08899786B1 |
Method and apparatus for light square assembly
A light module includes a cover, a circuit board, a gasket, a bottom covering, and an optional optic assembly. The cover includes an inner and an outer wall extending outwardly from the cover, where the outer wall surrounds the inner wall and forms a groove therebetween. The circuit board is positioned within the inner wall's profile and includes a plurality of LEDs. The gasket is disposed within the groove. The bottom covering is positioned adjacent to the circuit board and is coupled to the cover. The gasket provides a seal between the cover and the bottom covering. The optic assembly is disposed within the inner wall's profile and between the cover and the circuit board. The optic assembly includes one or more apertures and one or more optics disposed around at least some of the apertures. Each optic is aligned with one or more LEDs. |
| US08899784B2 |
Display box lighting module
A lighting system comprising a system housing, a plurality of lighting units and first and second conductors electrically connected to said plurality of lighting units. The lighting units comprising a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, a plurality of light emitting elements on a printed circuit board (PCB) within said housing. The top portion and bottom portion adapted to be coupled together to form the housing and form a seal to protect the components within the housing. The top portion further configured to comprise light altering characteristics so as to direct and shape emitted light from the plurality of light emitting elements. |
| US08899780B2 |
Configurable linear light assembly and associated methods
A linear light assembly having an elongate tray and a plurality of moveable lighting packages. The elongate tray may provide both mechanical support and thermal management for the plurality of moveable lighting packages. The elongate tray may comprise a medial channel portion with a planar track member and two opposing rim members projecting perpendicularly outward therefrom. Each flange portion may have a U-shaped cross-section. Each moveable package may comprise an assembly tray and an optical assembly having at least one light-emitting device (LED). Each moveable lighting package may be adjustably positioned along and independently removed from the front side of the track member of the elongate tray. Any segmentation of the elongate tray may be characterized by a heat dissipation rate not less than a combined heat generation rate of all moveable lighting packages carried by the segment. A method aspect includes installation of the linear light assembly. |
| US08899779B2 |
Illuminator having improved distance illumination
An illuminator (1) an elongate inner housing (10) having a substrate (20) on which there is a linear array of light emitting diodes (24), wherein the diodes have sufficient power for illuminating objects at a distance of at least 1.5 m. A drive circuit (30, 31) is mounted in an upper compartment of an outer housing (2) at least partly surrounding the inner housing (10). There is a diffuser (22) over the diodes. There is a pair of side reflectors extending substantially parallel to an axis of the illuminator, being side walls (26) of the inner housing. The inner housing (10) is coupled to the outer housing (2) in a modular manner so that it is interchangeable. There is a series of reflector baffles (23) extending from a plane of the diodes at intervals along the length of the inner housing. The baffles (23) have textured surfaces and have a dimension normal to the substrate sufficient to act as visors to limit glare in the longitudinal direction. |
| US08899777B2 |
Methods and devices that employ thermal control of current to electrical components
Methods and devices are described that use one or more thermally responsive current-controlling elements to regulate current flow to an electrical component, particularly a light source such as an LED. Examples of such thermally responsive current-controlling elements include thermistors, inductors, and capacitors. for treating conditions or disorders which can be alleviated by reducing food intake are disclosed which comprise administration of an effective amount of a purine analog, alone or in conjunction with other compounds or compositions that affect satiety. The methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders wherein appetite reduction would be beneficial, including obesity and binge-eating disorder. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US08899771B2 |
Illumination device, display device, and television reception device
A backlight device 12 includes: a chassis having a bottom plate and side plates that stand towards the front of the bottom plate from the edges of the bottom plate, the face on one side of the bottom plate being a light-output part; an LED substrate disposed on the front surface of the bottom plate; LEDs 24 arranged on a plate face oriented toward the light-output part of the LED substrate and arranged so that the light-output part is on the light-emitting side thereof; a plurality of diffusion lenses 27 for covering the light-emitting side of the plurality of LEDs and diffusing the light from the LEDs 24; a first reflecting sheet 29 provided with light source insertion holes through which the LEDs 24 are inserted at positions corresponding to the LEDs 24, the first reflecting sheet being laid over the front surface of the bottom plate and over the LED substrate; and a second reflecting sheet 30 arranged so as to protrude in the direction in which the side plates rise, the ends of the second reflecting sheet 30 being held between the first reflecting sheet 29 and the plurality of diffusion lenses 27, the second reflecting sheet 30 being held over the first reflecting sheet 29 by coming in contact with the diffusion lenses 27 and the first reflecting sheet 29. |
| US08899767B2 |
Grid structure on a transmissive layer of an LED-based illumination module
An illumination module includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). A grid structure is present on a transmissive layer over the LEDs, such as an output window, to form a plurality of color conversion pockets. A portion of the pockets are coated with a first type of wavelength converting material while other portions of the pockets are coated with a different type of wavelength converting material. |
| US08899763B2 |
Device for concentrating solar radiation with longitudinal mirrors and a longitudinal receiver
A device for concentrating solar radiation (4) with longitudinal mirrors (7) and a longitudinal receiver (1), has mirrors with a circular cross-section with a radius of curvature that is twice the transverse distance from the center (35) of each mirror to the central point (3) of the receiver. The width of the receiver is 1% of the transverse distance from the central point to the center (89) of the furthest mirror (32). The width of each mirror is determined according to the drift of the rays reflected when the mirror focuses the sun, prescribing an equal width for all mirrors, which is: equal to the width of the active face (2) of the receiver when mounted according to the meridian; and triple the width of the active face (2) of the receiver when mounted according to the parallel of latitude. The mirrors are installed in a contiguous manner and the receiver is installed at a height on columns (8). |
| US08899757B2 |
Portable video production system
A portable video production system includes a stand, a prompter portion, a mirror, a piece of glass, and a measuring device. The stand includes a table and a plurality of legs, and is configured to adjust a height of the legs based on a height of a user. The prompter portion includes a plurality of legs and a plurality of supports, and the supports extend between the legs of the prompter portion. The mirror is connected between first and second supports of the plurality of supports, and is configured to reflect a display of a laptop. The piece of glass is connected between third and fourth supports of the plurality of supports, and reflects the reflection of the display from the mirror to provide a reflected image to the user and to enable a video to be filmed through the glass without the reflected image appearing in the video. The measuring component is connected to the table, and extends from the table and being of a first specific length to indicate a first distance for the user to stand from the table. |
| US08899753B2 |
Ophthalmological analysis instrument and method
An ophthalmological analysis instrument for measuring a topography of a surface of an eye includes a projection apparatus and a monitoring apparatus. The projection apparatus has at least one illumination device and an aperture device. The illumination device has a first light source. The aperture device images an image pattern on a surface of an eye. The monitoring apparatus has a camera and an objective lens, wherein images of the imaged image pattern being recordable by the monitoring apparatus, and a topography of the surface being derivable from the images. A magnification of the image can be varied by means of the objective lens. |
| US08899749B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing system, SLO apparatus, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an SLO image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of SLO images obtainable by an SLO apparatus that scans a target to be captured with signal light at various focus positions in an optical axis direction of the signal light. The image processing apparatus includes a structure acquisition unit configured to acquire a specific structure of the target to be captured. The image processing apparatus includes an object image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image of the specific structure from each of the plurality of SLO images captured at various focus positions according to the specific structure. |
| US08899748B1 |
Automated detection of eye nystagmus
A system for detection of eye nystagmus in a test subject includes a camera to capture digital images in a series of sequential digital image frames of the test subject's face when the camera is located a selected distance from the test subject, and an analyzer. The analyzer includes a memory configured to store data, and a processor. The processor is configured with logic to detect and track eye movements of the test subject based upon an analysis of digital image frames captured by the camera, where eye movements are tracked via analysis of a plurality of the captured digital image frames on a sequential frame-by-frame basis. The processor is further configured with logic to provide an indication regarding whether the test subject exhibits nystagmus based upon the eye movement detection and tracking. |
| US08899745B2 |
Ophthalmic lenses modified with functional groups and methods of making thereof
Described are methods for covalently attaching one or more functional compounds to an ophthalmic lens. The method involves (a) contacting the lens with a functional compound, wherein the functional compound comprises at least one group capable of forming a covalent bond with the lens upon exposing the lens to irradiation and/or heat; and (b) irradiating and/or heating the lens produced in step (a) to covalently attach the functional compound to the lens. Also described herein are ophthalmic lens produced by the methods described herein. |
| US08899742B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording device may include corrugate mechanisms to prevent undesired bending and jamming of a recording sheet. In some examples, the image recording device may include a first corrugate mechanism, a second corrugate mechanism and a third corrugate mechanism. The first, second and third corrugate mechanisms may be configured to create a corrugated shape in a recording sheet. The second and third corrugate mechanisms, in one or more arrangements, may be located downstream of the first corrugate mechanism and an ink nozzle. The third corrugate mechanism may further be configured such that no upper contact portion thereof may be disposed at a same position, with respect to the width direction, as endmost upper contact portions of the first corrugate mechanism with respect to the width direction. In yet other examples, the third corrugate mechanism may be located downstream of a reverse sheet conveying path. |
| US08899740B2 |
Print medium conveyance device and printing device
A print medium conveyance device 40 has a tractor 44, conveyance roller 55, and clutch mechanism 83. The tractor 44 sequentially engages engagement holes formed in a line in the medium and conveys the print medium in a specific conveyance direction X. The conveyance roller 55 is disposed downstream from the tractor 44 in the conveyance direction X, and has a friction layer 59 containing an inorganic particle dispersion formed on the surface. the clutch mechanism 83 is between the conveyance motor 72 and tractor 44, and interrupts transfer of drive power from the conveyance motor 72 to the tractor 44 at least in part under a specific condition. The print medium can therefore be conveyed with high precision while damage to the print medium by excessive tension can be prevented. |
| US08899737B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling ultraviolet-curable gel ink spread of a printed image
An approach is provided for controlling ultraviolet-curable gel ink spread of a printed image. The approach involves causing, at least in part, one or more inks to be applied to a first substrate image area by one or more inkjets in a printing zone of a printer, the one or more inkjets being configured to form one or more first ink spots on the first substrate image area. The approach also involves determining a temperature of at least the first substrate image area in the printing zone. The approach further involves determining a first spot size of at least one of the one or more first ink spots. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, a temperature of at least a second substrate image area in the printing zone to be based, at least in part, on the determined first spot size. |
| US08899730B2 |
Droplet discharging head and image forming apparatus
A droplet discharging head includes: a nozzle substrate that includes a nozzle opening to discharge a droplet therethrough; a liquid chamber substrate that includes liquid pressure chambers communicating with the nozzle openings; a vibration plate arranged to face the nozzle substrate with the liquid chamber substrate interposed therebetween; piezoelectric elements that are provided to face the liquid pressure chambers with the vibration plate interposed therebetween and are arranged in a predetermined direction; a driving element provided, in a flip-chip implementation, on a flow path substrate that includes the nozzle substrate, the liquid chamber substrate, the vibration plate, and the piezoelectric elements; and a first reinforcing wire that is disposed to at least one of the flow path substrate and the driving element, has a band shape extending in a direction along a row of the piezoelectric elements, and is connected to a common electrode shared by the piezoelectric elements. |
| US08899728B2 |
Droplet discharge head and image-forming apparatus including a first and second substrate the second substrate including three plates
A droplet discharge head includes a nozzle plate provided with a nozzle opening which discharges an ink drop, an actuator substrate which forms a pressurized liquid chamber communicating with the nozzle opening, and is provided with a pressure generator changing a pressure in the pressured liquid chamber, and a common liquid chamber-forming substrate which forms a common liquid chamber to which ink which is supplied to the pressurized liquid chamber is supplied, the common liquid chamber-forming substrate includes a first plate made of a metal material, a second plate made of a resin material provided on one surface of the first plate, and a third plate made of a resin material provided on the other surface of the first plate, and the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate being integrally molded in a thickness direction. |
| US08899726B2 |
Liquid droplet ejecting head and image forming apparatus
A liquid droplet ejecting head is disclosed. The liquid droplet ejecting head includes an electromechanical transducer element; a first substrate which includes a first wiring member; a reinforcing member which is mounted on the first substrate; and a second substrate which includes a second wiring member and which is mounted on the reinforcing member, wherein liquid droplets are ejected when driving power is supplied to the electromechanical transducer element via the first wiring member and the second wiring member. |
| US08899725B2 |
Recording apparatus
A cartridge mounting mechanism includes a chamber that accommodates therein a cartridge introduced through a cartridge inlet formed as an opening directed upward, a biasing mechanism that biases the cartridge set in the chamber in an upward direction corresponding to a removal direction of the cartridge, and a holding mechanism configured to be engaged with the cartridge so as to restrict, against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, the cartridge from moving in the removal direction when the cartridge is set in the chamber, and disengaged from the cartridge to release the cartridge from the restriction against the biasing force, upon being subjected to an external operating force. |
| US08899724B2 |
Liquid-ejecting head and liquid-ejecting apparatus
A liquid-ejecting head includes a nozzle plate having a nozzle opening that serves for liquid ejection; a channel-forming substrate including pressure-generating chambers that are in communication with the nozzle opening; a pressure generator that serves to generate pressure change in a liquid in the pressure-generating chambers; and a communication plate provided between the nozzle plate and the channel-forming substrate, the communication plate having a communication channel that forms a communication between the pressure-generating chambers and the nozzle opening. The communication plate has a circulation channel that is in communication with a common liquid chamber through the communication channel, the common liquid chamber being in communication with a plurality of the pressure-generating chambers in common. |
| US08899723B2 |
Waste liquid container and image forming apparatus
A waste liquid container for storing a waste liquid discharged from an image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a first container having a single waste liquid inlet into which the waste liquid enters and a second container communicating with the first container. The first and second containers are detachably attached to each other. |
| US08899722B2 |
Wiping assembly for a fluid ejection device
A wiping assembly includes an endless belt and a plurality of rollers about which the belt is mounted. A first roller mounts a first end of the belt adjacent a first end of a belt zone while a second roller is adjacent at an opposite, second end of the belt zone. A third roller mounts a second end of the belt and is located at an intermediate position along a first orientation between the respective first and second ends of the belt zone. The third roller is translatable along the first orientation while the first roller and the second roller are non-translatable along the first orientation. The third roller is biased toward the first end of the belt zone to apply tension on the belt. |
| US08899719B2 |
Image forming method and image forming apparatus
An image forming method includes discharging an inkjet ink including a water-dispersible colorant, a wetter, a surfactant, a penetrant water-dispersible polyurethane resin having a median diameter of from 0.01 to 0.10 μm water and at least one of a polyethylene wax and a paraffin wax on the surface of the recording medium on which the inkjet ink is discharged. |
| US08899718B2 |
Printed seamless can and method of producing the same
To provide printed seamless cans in small lots having many kinds of designs, the printed seamless cans excellently reproducing the density of the area solidly printed all over the surface and forming vivid images.[Means for Solution] A printed seamless can forming at least a printed layer and a finishing varnish layer on at least the body portion on the outer surface of the seamless can, the printed layer having an image formed by the plate-type printing and an image formed by the ink-jet printing, and being covered with the finishing varnish layer. |
| US08899715B2 |
Image processing apparatus, printing apparatus, and image processing method
Provided are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of reducing color unevenness due to variations in ejection characteristics among a plurality of nozzles when printing an image using a plurality of inks. To that end, a first image which is made up a color with noticeable color unevenness and similar colors is printed onto a print medium. The user then specifies a color and a nozzle position where color unevenness has occurred. On the basis of these results, parameters are set for a correction table referenced by an MCS processor. In so doing, it becomes possible to address the factor causing the color unevenness, and mitigate the effects of color unevenness in a focused way without incurring increases in processor load, memory requirements, or processing time as compared to the case of calibrating all lattice points. |
| US08899714B2 |
Inkjet apparatus for depositing liquid crystal
An inkjet apparatus for depositing liquid crystal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an inkjet head configured to discharge liquid crystal; a liquid crystal reservoir configured to provide the liquid crystal to the inkjet head, and the liquid crystal reservoir comprises metal; a storing tank configured to supply the liquid crystal to the liquid crystal reservoir; and a heat supply device configured to supply heat to the liquid crystal reservoir, in which a separation part is disposed inside of the liquid crystal reservoir, and the separation part divides the liquid crystal reservoir into an upper storing space and a lower storing space. |
| US08899708B2 |
Image forming apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a carriage that includes a head including a black nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged and a color nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles are arrange, the black nozzle array being disposed at a position shifted in the sub-scanning direction downstream in a medium conveying direction with respect to the color nozzle array; a conveying unit configured to convey a recording medium in a sub-scanning direction; and a control unit. The control unit forms an image by the color nozzle array in a main scanning in one direction, relatively moves the recording medium to a subsequent main-scanning position thereafter, and forms an image by the black nozzle array on the image formed by the color nozzle array in a following main scanning in the other direction so as to complete an image for one scanning area. |
| US08899706B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus, including: a tank mount on which a tank is mountable; a first casing; a second casing provided with the tank mount, connected to the first casing with a shaft, and pivotable between a close position and a distant position about the shaft; a judging section configured to judge whether a tank mount state is a middle-of-mounting state; a limitation portion configured to establish a limitation state for limiting the pivotal movement of the second casing at the close position and a release state for allowing the pivotal movement at the close position; and a limitation control section configured to control the limitation portion to establish the limitation state when the tank is in the middle-of-mounting state, and control the limitation portion to establish the release state when the tank is not in the middle-of-mounting state. |
| US08899704B2 |
Refrigerator shelf
A shelf is defined by a tempered glass panel bonded to opposing flanges of a pair of metal shelf brackets carrying hooks for connection to and adjustment along vertical trackways in refrigerator compartments. Adhesive constitutes the sole means for maintaining the shelf substantially rigidly united. Each shelf bracket includes at least one abutment surface for engaging an edge of the shelf panel or a handgrip member carried thereby to assure perfect alignment between the components during curing of the adhesive. Each shelf bracket is defined by a shelf arm and a flange with the flanges having pockets housing the adhesive. The shelf arms may additionally include uppermost projections for engaging side edges of the shelf panel and/or at least one additional flange, such that side edge portions of the shelf panel can be housed between the pair of vertically spaced longitudinally offset flanges of each shelf bracket. |
| US08899702B2 |
Latch mechanism, electronic apparatus having the same, and method for removing a shell cover from a shell base using the same
An electronic apparatus includes a shell base, a shell cover and a latch mechanism including an operating component, a pivot axle and a driving axle. The operating component has an access portion and two support portions extending through the shell cover. The pivot axle extends through the support portions, and has two end parts disposed at opposite lateral sides of the support portions and coupled rotatably to the shell cover. The driving axle extends through the support portions and is received in a limit groove of the shell base. The access portion is pivotable about the pivot axle from a closed position to an open position while the driving axle is positioned in the slide direction, thereby moving the pivot axle and the shell cover relative to the shell base. |
| US08899701B2 |
S-box storage unit
A household item (12), such as a microwave oven, can be moved from a lowered storage position to a raised usable position. In the storage position the moving surface lid (14) is flat with the surrounding work surface (10) having been lowered by a manual force and held in place by a suitable catch or latching mechanism. The household item can be raised by pushing the housing slightly downwards, thus releasing the housing from its anchored position. A counterweight (15) greater than the weight of the household item is suspended by way of a wire and pulley system (1a, 1b, 1c) that in turn powers the platform and displaces the lid, on which the household item is located, upwardly. |
| US08899699B2 |
Pull-out blocking device
A pull-out blocking device for furniture parts that can be pushed into or pulled out of a basic furniture structure, the pull-out blocking device having at least one guide rail and a sequence of support elements mounted on the guide rail displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof, each support element having an upper supporting surface for abutment against a support element arranged adjacently above, a lower supporting surface for abutment against a support element arranged adjacently below and at least one further supporting surface for abutment against the support element arranged adjacently above or below. Each support element is formed as a body that connects the upper, lower, and further supporting surfaces together in an inherently rigid manner, and each support element is pivotably arranged on the guide element for movement between the blocking and releasing positions, and all the supporting surfaces are arranged outside the guide element. |
| US08899698B2 |
Braking apparatus for vehicle
A braking apparatus for a vehicle has: a hydraulic braking pressure control apparatus disposed on a base, including: a control valve unit for switching among a state where hydraulic passages to access a master cylinder are communicated with wheel brakes while the wheel brakes are interrupted from reservoirs, a state where the hydraulic passages are interrupted from the wheel brakes while the wheel brakes are communicated with the reservoirs, and a state where the wheel brakes are interrupted from the hydraulic passages and the reservoirs; pumps; suction valves; and regulators normally communicated the master cylinder with the hydraulic passages as well as interrupt the master cylinder from the hydraulic passages; wherein the suction valves are disposed on the base in positions closer to the suction port of the pumps than the control valve units and the regulators. |
| US08899694B2 |
Brake system for vehicle
A brake system for a vehicle having a VIS actuator of an intake manifold, a vacuum pipe connected to the VIS actuator, and a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum pipe may be provided, which includes a vacuum hose having one end connected to the vacuum pipe to generate additional negative pressure, wherein the vacuum hose may be connected to a vacuum chamber. The brake negative pressure may be supplemented without increasing the capacity of the vacuum pump to improve the braking performance. |
| US08899692B2 |
Method and apparatus for mining a material in an underground environment
The present disclosure provides a method for mining a material in an underground environment. The method comprises positioning a structure in an underground roadway and locating the structure so that the structure provides a reactive force when a cutting head is pushed against the material via a series of members coupled to the structure. The roadway is suitable for passage of people and transportation of machinery and removed material. The method also comprises coupling the cutting head to at least one of the members of the series of members and the series of members to the structure. Further, the method comprises forming a plurality of branch tunnel portions projecting from the roadway into the material using the cutting head and the series of members coupled to the structure, comprising repositioning the cutting head and the series of members between formation of the branch tunnel portions. At least one of the formed branch tunnel portions has a length of more than 50 m. |
| US08899691B2 |
Methods for constructing underground borehole configurations and related solution mining methods
Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. |
| US08899690B2 |
Scraper device, as well as construction machine
A scraper device for a milling drum mounted in a construction machine at a machine frame between lateral walls with a milling drum axis, with a two-part scraper blade arranged in a height-adjustable fashion behind the milling drum when seen in the direction of travel, the lower part of which can glide over the ground surface milled off by the milling drum, where the lower part of the scraper blade is adjustable in height when in operating position, it is provided that the upper part of the scraper blade is attached, at the upper end, to swivel about a swivelling axis parallel to the axis of the milling drum. |
| US08899686B1 |
Collapsible chair for leisure
Disclosed is a collapsible chair including a cylindrical main body 101 which is a major component of a collapsible chair, front and rear support poles 111 and 131 which support the main body 101 at a predetermined angle on front and rear side, respectively, seat back poles 121 and seat support poles 141 which are connected to the main body 101 to extend forward and upward, and a seat 151 whose opposite end portions are fixed by the seat back poles 121 and the seat support poles 141. The main body 101 has coupling holes 102 formed on opposite end portions thereof at a predetermined angle, first insertion holes 103 formed on opposite end portions thereof at a predetermined angle and an interval with the coupling hole 102. |
| US08899684B2 |
Second row package
An adjustable seat assembly providing a compact size with the ability to pivot or tilt the lower seat frame manually and independent of the seat back. |
| US08899672B2 |
Linkage for a foldable high chair
A linkage for a foldable high chair comprises at least a front strut frame, a rear strut frame, a chair back frame, a seat support frame, a pair of arm rests, a first link, a second link and third link assembled by pivoting with each other and a locking mechanism for keeping the foldable high chair in a use position. The seat support frame is driven by the chair back frame and drives the first slidable connector through the first link and the third link, and then the first slidable connector may drive the rear strut frame through the second link, thereby rotating the rear strut frame to the front strut frame. |
| US08899670B2 |
Roof side rail
A roof side rail is connected to a roof panel and includes a multi-sectional rail having a plurality of integrally formed ribs and bent along a shape of an upper portion of a side surface of a vehicle body, and a reinforcement rail that is combined with an inner side surface of the rail, an upper side flange is connected to the roof panel, and a lower side flange is engaged with a weather strip. |
| US08899668B2 |
Air guide structure for saddle type vehicle
An air guide structure for a saddle type vehicle for reducing the influence of a negative pressure on a rider. In an air guide structure for a motorcycle wherein a windscreen for the protection against air is provided on a front cover provided at a front portion of a vehicle body such that air is guided to the rear of the windscreen on the vehicle body to reduce a negative pressure to be generated behind the windscreen, an inlet port is provided between a central portion of a front end of the windscreen and the front cover. Further, a stepped portion that is formed stepwise in the forward and backward direction on an upper face of the front cover in the inside of the inlet port is provided, and a sectoral recessed portion is provided at a central portion of the stepped portion in the vehicle widthwise direction. |
| US08899663B2 |
Vehicle body structure
A vehicle body structure is obtained that can ensure ease of ingress/egress in a structure in which an energy absorbing member is disposed at a vehicle width direction outer side with respect to a skeleton member that forms a lower edge of an opening for ingress/egress. A vehicle body structure (10) has a rocker (20) that is long in a front-rear direction and at which a cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is a closed cross-sectional portion (20C); an outer panel (55) that covers the rocker (20) from a transverse direction outer side; and an EA member (54) for a side collision that is disposed between the rocker (20) and the outer panel (55). An opening flange (80) is formed by joining of a standing flange (60), that is disposed at a vehicle width direction outer side with respect to the closed cross-sectional portion (20C) at the rocker (20), and a standing flange (62) of the outer panel (55). |
| US08899659B2 |
Recess steps for cab access
Vehicles are described including a cab having a door opening on a side thereof, a chassis that supports the cab, two or more steps leading to the door opening, each of which is supported by the cab or the chassis, wherein the steps are placed within the recesses in the cab or chassis, and a door connected to the cab, wherein the door fits within the door opening, and the door comprises a lower door extension having a lower edge that terminates near to an upper surface of a lowermost step, the lower door extension covers a majority of the one or more recesses, and the lower door extension extends outboard to match the outboard extension of a fender or exterior cab side panel to provide a coplanar transition from the fender to the door, or from the door to the exterior cab side panel, or both. |
| US08899655B1 |
Manufacturing vehicle floor trays
The three-dimensional positions of points on a surface of a vehicle foot well are digitally measured and are stored in a memory. The stored points are used to construct an electronic model of the vehicle foot well surface. The electronic model of the vehicle foot well surface in turn is used to construct an electronic three-dimensional image of the vehicle floor tray. A vehicle tray data file is created from the electronic three-dimensional image. The data file is in turn used to make a mold for a vehicle floor tray, and vehicle floor trays are manufactured by molding polymer material in the mold. |
| US08899651B2 |
Arm rest arrangement for a motor vehicle, as well as motor vehicle with such an arm rest arrangement
An arm rest arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The arm rest arrangement includes an arm rest. The arm rest has a receptacle device displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position in a displacing direction. An arm rest carrier is arranged upon the arm rest. The arm rest is displaceable relative to the arm rest carrier between an initial position and a final position in an adjusting direction that is equidirectional to the displacing direction. |
| US08899650B2 |
Board conveying hand and board conveying device provided with the same
An adsorbent in a board conveying hand includes: a pad for adsorbing a board in contact with the board; and an elastic member interposed between the fork and the pad and provided with an adsorption passage for allowing an adsorbing fluid to pass between the fork and the pad, wherein a part of the elastic member is deformed, thus arbitrarily varying a projection amount of the pad from the fork. |
| US08899645B2 |
Universal flange lifter device
A universal lifting device adapted to lift and support large pipe flange assemblies during installation and removal. The lifting device is hoist-supported and comprises a first and second member rotatably connecting to a common support pin. The rotatable members are elongated dog-bone sections offset from one another along the pin, rotatable along parallel planes and adapted to be positioned on opposing sides of a flange. The members connect to the pin at their proximal end, while their distal end allows a lifting bolt to be positioned therethrough and into an eye of the flange. Two lifting bolts are utilized to support the flange during deployment, while the common pin is supported by a crane hoist and the two members are offset using a plurality of spacers to prevent binding. The lifting bolts are secured using a hingeable latch that prevents their dislodgement from the distal end of each rotatable member. |
| US08899641B2 |
Automotive bumper assembly
An automotive bumper assembly and compression member for use therein. The assembly including a compression member has a first compressible region that contacts an outwardly oriented facing surface of a bodyside outer element and a second compressible region composed of a foamed polymeric material that rests in contact with an inwardly oriented surface of an outer bumper cover member. The first and second compressible regions each exhibit compressibility values with the compressibility value of the second compressible region being greater than the compressibility value of the first compressible region. |
| US08899634B1 |
Adjustable door lock and associated method
An adjustable door lock may include a catch plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the door. A plurality of catch brackets may be connected to the catch plate. A catch may be adjustably connected to the catch plate and interfitted through the catch brackets. Such a catch preferably has a linear channel formed therein. A door plate may be disposed adjacent to the catch plate and adapted to be secured to the door. A locking bolt may further be housed within the door plate and may be linearly reciprocated along a first linear path passing through the door plate and the linear channel. In this way, the catch may be automatically adjusted along a second linear path orthogonally registered relative to the first linear path such that the linear channel automatically becomes axially aligned with the locking bolt as the locking bolt ingresses and egresses the catch. |
| US08899629B2 |
Connection between a drill pipe and a connector
A connection between a drill pipe (1) made of carbon- or glass fiber-reinforced plastic and a tubular, preferably metal connector (2) that is partially held in one end (3) of the drill pipe (1) and is cemented to it is characterized in that a thrust element (8) that is positively connected to the connector (2) in the region of the end (3) of the drill pipe (1), in which the connector (2) is held, presses on the outside of the end (3) of the drill pipe (1). |
| US08899627B2 |
Multiple fuel tank system
The present disclosure is directed to a mobile machine, such as hydronic surface heater designed to be transported to a potentially remote worksite and operated for an extended period of time. The machine has a fueled component, such as a burner, fueled by a fuel supply system having at least two fuel tanks that are operably connected to one another by a connection line having an electronically controlled valve therein. The valve is coupled to the machine's electrical system, such as being coupled to the output of the machine's main breaker, so as to be opened whenever the machine is operating but to be otherwise closed. The fuel supply system thus has, in effect, a single tank when the machine is running and multiple separated tanks when the machine is not running. Fuel spill risks therefore are mitigated without having to sacrifice operating time and without significantly complicating the machine's fuel supply systems or its controls. |
| US08899625B2 |
Tongue and seat belt apparatus using tongue
A tongue for a seat belt system. The tongue is configured to allow a seat belt to smoothly slide thereon at normal times and that is capable of preventing stretch of a lap belt in the event of emergency. The seat belt sliding unit includes a predetermined number of the protrusions disposed in the first and second concave portions and. The first protrusion has a flat or substantially flat end surface on the shoulder belt side, a flat or substantially flat end surface on the lap belt side, and an arc-like top end. An angle formed by the imaginary line between the topmost end of the protrusion and an arc center of an outer peripheral surface of the concave portions and the end surface on the shoulder belt side is less than an angle formed by the imaginary line and the end surface on the lap belt side. |
| US08899624B2 |
Controlled pressure casting
A method of forming metal castings, including positioning a first end of a structural member in a first mold cavity and a second end of the structural member in a second mold cavity. The first and second mold cavities being fluidly coupled to a reservoir of molten metal. Applying a main pressure to the molten metal in the reservoir to force the molten metal into the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Then, applying a first auxiliary pressure to the first mold cavity and a second auxiliary pressure to the second mold cavity to densify the casting formed in the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Also, a method for casting including maintaining a main pressure at or less than an initial, mold-filling pressure after first and second mold cavities have been filled. Additionally, a method for detecting whether a first mold cavity is sufficiently filled with molten metal by monitoring a moveable element. |
| US08899623B2 |
Motor vehicle with retractable steering wheel
A motor vehicle includes an instrument panel, a steering column defining a longitudinal axis, and a steering wheel arranged on the steering column in a region of the instrument panel. The steering wheel is configured for movement in relation to the instrument panel in a direction of the longitudinal axis towards the instrument panel from a first position to a second position. The steering column is also constructed to enable the steering wheel to move from the second position to the first position when the motor vehicle is subjected to a force caused by an accident. |
| US08899621B2 |
Steering system
A steering system includes a column shaft that is supported by a column tube so that the column shaft is able to rotate. A male serration is formed in a lower end of a lower shaft of the column shaft in an axial direction. A universal joint connects the lower shaft with an intermediate shaft. A first portion of the male serration is fitted to a serration hole of a rotor of a steering angle sensor, and a second portion of the male serration is fitted to a serration hole of a first yoke of the universal joint. |
| US08899619B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a projected member that is accommodated in a seat back, and that is projected and deployed above the seat back when inflated by a gas supply; a lateral deployment member whose upper end side is connected to the projected member, whose lower end side is connected to a front end side of a seat cushion, and that is accommodated in a lateral side of the seat cushion and a lateral side of the seat back; and a tension support member whose one end side is supported by the seat back in a portion separated from the lateral deployment member in a seat width direction and whose other end side is connected to an upper end side of the lateral deployment member or the projected member. |
| US08899615B2 |
Child buggy and storage element therefor
A carriage for transporting infants, includes a frame which is provided with first fastening elements to be used for detachably fastening a first load, which first load includes a first holder, the width of the frame being adjustable between a first, relatively small frame width and a second, relatively large frame width, the frame being provided with second fastening elements to be used for detachably fastening, in both the first frame width and the second frame width, a second load next to the first load. There is also described a carriage with a frame which is provided with fastening elements to be used for detachably fastening a holder in which one or more infants may be transported, the width of the frame being adjustable between a small and a large frame width and the width of the holder being also adjustable between a small and a large holder width. |
| US08899614B2 |
Child support apparatus
A collapsible child support apparatus includes a frame supporting a seat for the child, the frame and the seat having an open condition for seating a child in the seat and a collapsed condition. The frame includes left and right frame assemblies, each frame assembly comprising a front member, a rear member and a handle member pivotally mounted together by a hinge member to allow pivotal movement of the frame members between open and collapsed conditions. The seat includes a seat base supported by the front frame members, a seat back suspended to the handle members and a seat pivot to allow the seat back and seat base to pivot between open and closed conditions, wherein the seat back is suspended to the handle members to allow the seat back to pivot to any one of a plurality of reclined positions relative to the seat base in the open condition. Each frame assembly comprises a strut of fixed length which is connected between the seat pivot and the handle member for resisting movement of the seat pivot relative to the frame in the open condition. |
| US08899613B2 |
Folding baby stroller
A baby stroller for transporting a child is disclosed. This baby stroller has a folding mechanism to facilitate folding for easier stowing and transporting. The folding mechanism, a unique feature of the design is directed toward compactness, ease of use, reliability, and reduction in manufacturing costs. |
| US08899612B2 |
Sports article with a guide element for footwear
A sports article is adapted to cooperate with a boot, including a sports apparatus and a lateral guide element for the rear portion of the boot. The sports apparatus includes at least one positioning mechanism. The lateral guide element includes at least one complementary positioning mechanism cooperating with the associated positioning mechanism(s) of the sports apparatus in order to adjust the position of the lateral guide element on the sports apparatus. The complementary positioning mechanism(s) is/are arranged so as to enable a longitudinal positioning of the lateral guide element on the sports apparatus at two different lengthwise positions by cooperating with the same associated positioning mechanism(s), the second longitudinal position of the lateral guide element including a 180° rotation of the lateral guide element about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the top surface of the sports apparatus with respect to the first longitudinal position of the lateral guide element. |
| US08899609B2 |
T-bar mounting system for mounting an accessory to a hitch receiver
An adjustable hitch receiver system provides multiple attachment points to adequately secure accessories such a pop-up canopy to an automobile. The mounting system includes a T-bar that connects to the hitch receiver with two adjustable arms. The adjustable arms of the hitch receiver system can be equipped with different attachment arms that are configured to attach to various accessories. The two adjustable arms can be used to secure two different accessories or secure a single accessory at two attachment points. In particular, a canopy attachment arm is configured to attach to a pop-up type canopy to securely and adjustably support the canopy. |
| US08899606B2 |
Removable dropouts for bicycle frame
A bicycle frame with removable dropouts includes a bicycle frame having a left seat stay and a left chain stay joined at a left junction, and a right seat stay and a right chain stay joined at a right junction. A left dropout is removably connected to the bicycle frame at the left junction, the left dropout including a body defining an opening for receiving a rear wheel. A right dropout is removably connected to the bicycle frame at the right junction, the right dropout including a body defining an opening for receiving the rear wheel. |
| US08899601B1 |
Motor vehicle having anti-rollover device
An anti-rollover and driver and passenger side force prevention device for a motor vehicle including a plurality of three or four wheels including a one, pair or all of driven wheels that are driven by the motor connected to transmission. A main frame and springs supports the main frame above the wheels. A pair of rotatable hubs aligned along a longitudinally extending axis with one of the hubs disposed in a forward portion of the frame and the second hub disposed in an aft part of the frame. The vehicle includes an electronic control system and a servo-motor disposed on the main frame. An upper frame which is above the lower frame and rotates or tilt to the right or left when the vehicle makes a relatively sharp turn to the right or left.A mechanic/electronic controlled safety system to biases and locks tilting frame to zero degree rotation or tilt in case of fail of electronic controlled servo-motor system. |
| US08899590B1 |
Spill-free beer pong system and components thereof
A beer pong system that includes a catch component and a stabilization component. The catch component is configured to be disposed within a hollow cavity of a cup and comprises a compliant surface to aid in preventing a ping pong ball thrown into the hollow cavity from bouncing out. Versions of the catch component include a filler material-filled pouch, a filler material-filled retainer, a catch membrane, and uncontained catch material. The stabilization component stabilizes the cup in an upright position and includes, among other versions, a weight configured to be disposed within the hollow cavity of the cup. The beer pong system enables players to play beer pong with stable cups and ball retention without requiring uncontained liquid in the cup. |
| US08899587B2 |
Multiple mode card shuffler and card reading device
A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification. |
| US08899580B2 |
Sheet-type medium stacking and guiding device, as well as control system and method based on the same
Disclosed in the present invention is a sheet-type medium stacking and guiding device, also disclosed in the present invention are a control system and a method based on the same. The device comprises: a left limiting plate (14) and/or a right limiting plate (19), which locate at the outer end of a medium passage made up of a left and a right passage plate (301, 304); a driving mechanism (25), which is in transmission connection with the limiting plates and drives the limiting plates to move along the longitudinal direction of the medium. The system comprises a central control module (901), a detection module (902), a data processing module (903), an image acquisition module (904), a storage module (905) and an execution module (906). The method comprises: identifying the species of the medium to be arranged; querying the property of the medium to be arranged, obtaining the length value of the medium; calculating and outputting the servo signal for the executing component of the driving mechanism, driving the limiting plates to move to a predetermined position along the longitudinal direction of the medium. The medium arranging range can be increased by adjusting the position of the limiting plates to meet the requirements of the stacking medium with different lengths. |
| US08899578B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which may include an apparatus body, a feed tray, an image forming unit, an eject section and a first transport mechanism forming a first transport path extending between the feed tray and the eject section via the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus may also include a second transport mechanism forming a second transport path that extends between a branch position located downstream of the image forming unit on the first transport path and a merge position located upstream of the image forming unit on the first transport path. The second transport mechanism may be configured to transport the recording medium along the second transport path and reintroduce the recording medium to the first transport path from the merge position. At least one part of the second transport mechanism and the feed tray may be incorporated in a detachable unit. |
| US08899576B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeder includes a recording media storage device. The recording media storage device stores recording media and is attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a feeding mechanism to pick up and convey one of the recording media at a time. The lock member disables the recording media storage device to be detached. The overflow restriction member is disposed in the main body and changes between a restriction position closer to an uppermost part of the recording media and a withdrawal position farther from the uppermost part of the recording media. The position change mechanism is disposed in the main body and changes the overflow restriction member into the restriction position when the lock member changes into a free state in which the recording media storage device is attachable and detachable. |
| US08899575B2 |
Sheet feeding device and recording apparatus
There is disclosed a sheet feeding device which feeds a plurality of stacked sheet-like recording media one by one from a tray containing the recording media, including a sheet feeding roller which comes in contact with the uppermost layer of the recording media contained in the tray, and rotates to feed the recording medium; an inclined member including an inclined surface which is positioned on a downstream side in a feeding direction of the recording media, and inclined at an obtuse angle to the feeding direction of the recording media, and on which the fed recording media abuts; and a separating member having an uneven surface, to separate the one fed recording medium, wherein the separating member is configured to be movable between a position projecting to the inclined member and a position retreated from the projecting position, while maintaining the same inclining angle as that of the inclined member. |
| US08899574B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including: a sheet feeding section; an image forming section configured to form an image on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding section; and a control device configured to: cause the image forming section to form the image, cause the image forming section to perform a quality assurance operation, if a resource necessary for the image forming operation is not available for a predetermined time from an end of the image forming operation, and extend the predetermined time when determined that it is necessary for the user to set the sheet in the sheet feeding section prior to the image forming operation to be longer than the predetermined time when determined that it is not necessary for the user to set the sheet in the sheet feeding section prior to the image forming operation. |
| US08899567B2 |
Section signature accumulating apparatus and section signature accumulating method
A section signature stacking body where one or more section signatures are stacked in a proper appearance is formed and carried out. A section signature accumulating apparatus includes: a first carrying part configured to receive and carry the manufactured section signature; a classifying/carrying part configured to classify N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2 section signatures having the same configuration transported by the first carrying part to N different section signature accumulating parts one by one to carry the section signatures; N section signature accumulating parts configured to stock the section signatures carried by the classifying/carrying part and form a section signature stacking body where one or more sections signatures are stacked; and a second carrying part configured to carry N section signature stacking bodies discharged from the N section signature accumulating parts, respectively. |
| US08899566B2 |
Food cutting board
A cutting board wherein a pair of opposed posts are attached near an edge of a top cutting surface and include facing closed slots therein. A retaining bar is located in the slots in the opposed posts and a compression spring provides a downward bias to the retaining bar in a manner which enables the retaining bar to move vertically with respect to the cutting surface. The apparatus facilitates cutting a variety of items using a preferred type of knife commonly referred to as a chef's knife. When an item to be cut is placed on the cutting surface of the board, and the point of the knife engage the retaining bar, the cutting of an item is enhanced and facilitated through the lever action of the knife and the biased retaining bar serving as a fulcrum. |
| US08899563B2 |
Flexible volumetric structure
A flexible volumetric structure has a first spring that defines a three-dimensional volume and includes a serpentine structure elongatable and compressible along a length thereof. A second spring is coupled to at least one outboard edge region of the first spring. The second spring is a sheet-like structure capable of elongation along an in-plane dimension thereof. The second spring is oriented such that its in-plane dimension is aligned with the length of the first spring's serpentine structure. |
| US08899561B2 |
Flexible sleeve, gas spring assembly and method
A flexible sleeve dimensioned for securement to an associated end member for an associated gas spring assembly includes a flexible wall. An annular reinforcement member is embedded within the flexible wall. A retainment element that includes an element surface is disposed along the flexible wall such that at least the element surface is outwardly exposed. At least one gas spring piston, at least one gas spring assembly and at least one method are also included. |
| US08899560B2 |
Springless combination shock absorber and suspension apparatus, and method of use
A springless combination shock absorber and suspension apparatus comprising three tubes: An outer tube, a piston tube (inner tube) and a stationary (damping) tube, with a floating piston disposed in the inner piston tube, wherein the floating piston forms two chambers therein, a lower liquid chamber and an upper gas chamber. Fluid dampens shocks by passing through a two-way valve in the outer tube and may be controlled internally by a shim plate positioned over apertures or valve passageways, or, in a separate embodiment, by external adjustment of flow by rotating adjusting plates to open and close the valve passageways. The amount by which the gas chamber is reduced in compression is large enough to generate the high pressures required to produce spring-like forces. This design allows the gas pressure chamber to operate effectively as a spring. |
| US08899558B2 |
Water level sensor and heat exchanger sterilizing and humidifying apparatus having the same
A water level sensor is closely adhered to a storage tank, and a heat exchanger sterilizing and humidifying apparatus allows the water level sensor to be mounted at the outside of the storage tank, thus having a simple configuration. The water level sensor may include a holder, a cap connected to the holder so as to reciprocate within the holder, a case connected to the cap so as to reciprocate within the holder, a sensor part attached to the case to sense the water level in the storage tank, and a spring located between the holder and the cap, wherein the sensor part mounted at the outside of the storage tank and attached to the case by restoring force of the spring when the storage tank contacts the case may be closely adhered to the storage tank and thus may sense a level of water stored in the storage tank. |
| US08899555B2 |
Adjustable picket fence
A barrier is formed from at least one elongate rail and at least one vertical upright member. The elongate rail includes a web and a pair of opposed side walls which extend from the web to define a rail channel. Each upright member includes an aperture formed therein. In one implementation, a pin extending from a clip is inserted into the aperture, and the upright member, with the clip, is at least partially situated within the rail channel, wherein the clip is welded to an inside surface of the rail channel. In another implementation, a pin is inserted through the aperture, and the upright member, with the pin, is at least partially situated within the rail channel, wherein opposed ends of the pin are welded to an inside surface of the opposed side walls of the rail channel. The pin and aperture form a pivot point allowing the upright member to rotate with respect to the elongate rail. In a fence implementation, this allows the barrier to be racked in order to follow undulating terrain. |
| US08899551B2 |
Oblique mating surfaces in a valve assembly
A valve assembly includes a valve body having a body recess and a bonnet including a bonnet recess having a bonnet mating surface. The valve assembly further includes a valve cage disposed within an interior of the valve body, the valve cage including a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis and a circumferential mating protrusion extending from an outer surface in a transverse direction, the mating protrusion including an upper mating surface and a lower mating surface. The upper mating surface is disposed within the bonnet recess to be aligned with the bonnet mating surface, and the lower mating surface is disposed within the body recess to be aligned with the body mating surface, wherein the upper and lower mating surface are not parallel. Accordingly, clamping forces acting on the mating protrusion include a longitudinal and tangential component, allowing for increased clamping forces without plastically deforming the mating protrusion. |
| US08899544B2 |
Combination hold-down clamp and expansion guide apparatus for cable trays
A hold-down apparatus (10) for holding an associated cable tray on an associated support rod member includes a main body portion (100), U-shaped expansion and fixed clamp portions (102, 104), and first and second indicia (330, 332). The expansion clamp portion (102) is configured to loosely engage hold an associated bead of the cable tray relative to the associated support rod member and the fixed clamp portion (104) tightly holds the members together. The first indicia (330) is carried on a side of the main body portion (100) opposite from the fixed clamp portion (104) and the second indicia (320) is carried on a side of the main body portion (100) opposite from the expansion clamp portion (102). The indicia (330, 332) are visually distinguishable from the main body portion (100) for indicating an orientation of the fixed and expansion clamp portions (102, 104) relative to the associated cable tray. |
| US08899540B2 |
Counterbalance mechanism
A counterbalance mechanism including: a housing having a first aligned pair of through holes and a second aligned pair of through holes; a pivot nose having a third aligned pair of through holes, a fourth aligned pair of through holes and an aligned pair of arcuate slots; an energy storage device having first and second spring mounts and at least one spring, the first spring mount having at least one first flange and a pivot flange having a fifth through hole, the second spring mount having at least one second flange and a sixth through hole and the at least one spring includes first and second ends, the first end is secured to the at least one first flange and the second end is secured to the at least one second flange; a first pivot pin disposed in the first aligned pair of through holes and the third aligned pair of through holes; a stop member disposed in the second aligned pair of through holes and the aligned pair of arcuate slots; a second pivot pin disposed in the fourth aligned pair of through holes and the fifth through hole; a force magnitude adjuster arranged to control a force of the at least one spring; and, a force angle adjuster arranged to control a force direction of the at least one spring. |
| US08899538B2 |
Game hanging apparatus and method to hang a body for display
An apparatus to hang a game trophy on a support structure and to facilitate adjustment of the orientation of the game trophy relative to the support structure comprising a first member, having a dog and a protruding peg with an enlarged head, and a saddle portion adjacent to the enlarged head, and a second member having a bay opening, a bay, a recess adjacent to the bay opening, and a plurality of generally adjacent dog recesses. A method of hanging a game trophy comprises receiving the enlarged head of the peg through the bay opening to align the saddle portion of the first member with the throat of the bay of the second member, and by then receiving the dog into an aligned dog recess of the second member to releasably couple the second member to the first member. |
| US08899534B2 |
Electronic device and linkage mechanism thereof
An electronic device includes a linkage mechanism, a platform and a display module. The linkage mechanism includes a connecting structure, a bottom base and a top plate. The connecting structure includes a connecting plate, two pivoting members and a stopping member. The two pivoting members are respectively located at two opposite ends of the connecting plate. Each of the pivoting members includes a limiting piece. The stopping member is movably disposed on the connecting plate, and has two fastening portions respectively fastened to the limiting pieces. One of the pivoting members is pivotally disposed on the bottom base. The other pivoting member is pivotally disposed on the top plate. When the stopping member is moved and detached from the limiting pieces, the connecting structure is adapted to pivot relative to the bottom base and the top plate respectively. |
| US08899533B2 |
Vehicle hydraulic brake hose assembly
A hydraulic brake hose assembly includes a suspension component, a brake hose connected to the suspension component, and a support bracket connected to the brake hose and the suspension component. The support bracket includes a base having a forward edge portion, a rear edge portion and opposite side edge portions. A forward wall extends upwardly from the forward edge portion. A sidewall extends upwardly from one of the side edge portions. A single mounting opening is located on the base. An anti-rotation tab extends downwardly from the base. The suspension component includes a portion having a mounting aperture and a recess respectively corresponding with the single mounting opening and the anti-rotation tab of the support bracket. The support bracket prevents rotation of the brake hose relative to the support bracket as the support bracket is secured to the portion of the suspension component via a single fastener. |
| US08899532B2 |
Band clip
A band clip includes a body, a band integral with the body, and a clip that is attached to the body. The body has a vertical plate with a band insertion hole and a horizontal plate with a clip attachment hole. The band extends from the vertical plate. Locking holes penetrate the band at intervals. The clip includes a shaft that is fit into the clip attachment hole of the body, a wing on one end of the shaft, a band locking claw at another end of the shaft, and a body locking claw on an intermediate portion of the shaft. The band is wrapped around a group of wires and inserted into the band insertion hole. The band locking claw of the clip is inserted into and locked to a band locking hole, and the body locking claw contacts the surface of the body. |
| US08899527B2 |
Propellant transfer system and method for resupply of propellant to on-orbit spacecraft
Herein is disclosed a propellant transfer system and method for refueling on-orbit spacecraft. The system and method are configured to allow for resupply of spacecraft configured to be fueled by either a bipropellant (oxidizer and fuel) or a monopropellant (typically hydrazine). The system and method are particularly suited for resupply of satellites not originally prepared for refueling as well but the system may also be used for as satellites specifically designed for refueling. |
| US08899526B2 |
Parachute harness container with bio-contoured load distributing vest
A harness container for a parachutist has a bio-contoured support cradle or load distributing vest. The load distributing vest, which is generally U-shaped and includes an upper yoke and two straps integral with the yoke, has a multi-layer construction that includes an outer layer and an inner layer mounted on a bio-contoured pad. The outer layer and the inner layer are of corresponding shape and are sewn to one another along a reinforced edging with the pad therebetween. The upper yoke is attached to the front side of the harness container and the ends of the vest straps are attached to the main lift webs so that the vest elevates the harness container and distributes the load thereof across the jumper's shoulders, back and chest for increased comfort. |
| US08899525B2 |
Aircraft store ejector system
An aircraft store ejector systems and subsystems thereof. Embodiments can include a two-reservoir re-pressurization system wherein a remote reservoir is used to maintain desired pressure in a local ejector reservoir. The system can include a release valve having a vent valve and valve piston. The release valve can control release of pressurized gas to a pitch control valve. The pitch control valve can be configured to distribute the pressurized gas between two or more ejector piston assemblies. One or more of the ejector piston assemblies can include multiple concentric piston stages and piston chambers, the piston chambers configured to contain a volume of gas. The ejector piston assemblies can be configured to compress the volume of gas within the piston chambers as the piston stages are extended out from the aircraft. Such compression can provide a return force to the piston stages. |
| US08899524B2 |
Aircraft cabin door pressure vent system
Disclosed is an aircraft door including a handle-activated pressure relief system that avoids potentially dangerous pressure differences between the cabin and the atmosphere outside the aircraft. A flow path is created between the inboard and outboard handles on the door. A pressure vent door is located in the flow path. The vent door being is opened when either of the inboard and outboard handle assemblies are activated. Once either handle is rotated beyond a particular point, a spring in the supporting mechanics becomes over-center. At the same time, the vent door comes under the influence of a magnet, snapping the vent open. After the door has been opened, it can be relatched by operating the handles in the reverse direction. The magnet and spring hold the vent door open until the aircraft door is fully latched, sealed, and secured. Only then does the vent door sealingly close. |
| US08899523B2 |
Fire protection space for aircraft passengers provided with the aid of fuselage skin of fibre-metal laminates
This invention provides a fuselage of an aircraft or space vehicle with a fuselage section having an outer skin, wherein at least the outer skin of the fuselage section consists of a glass-fiber reinforced aluminum laminate to form a safety zone for passengers in the event of a fire. |
| US08899518B2 |
Engine debris guard
An engine debris guard for preventing tyre propelled debris striking an aircraft engine, the debris guard comprising a guard bar pivotably connected to an aircraft main landing gear having at least one wheel and tyre assembly, the guard bar being arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position wherein in the first position the guard bar extends laterally across the wheel and tyre assembly to intersect the possible trajectories between the wheel and tyre assembly and an engine of the aircraft of any tyre propelled debris. |
| US08899513B1 |
Active maple seed flyer
A flying vehicle comprises an elongated airfoil having a first end and a second end defining a longitudinal axis, the first and second ends further defining an interior opening extending therebetween and terminating at an outlet port proximal the second end; a solid fuel engine includes a fuel combustion chamber proximal the first end of the airfoil; a first manifold is coupled to the fuel combustion chamber and configured to convey a pressurized gas generated by combustion of a solid fuel; wherein the interior opening conveys the pressurized gas from the first manifold to the outlet port proximal the second end and wherein the pressurized gas is exhausted at the outlet port substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated airfoil, thereby producing thrust which imparts a rotational motion to the airfoil about a center of mass proximal to the first end, for thereby defining a rotor disk. |
| US08899512B2 |
Acoustic attenuation panel for aircraft for engine nacelle
An aircraft turbojet engine air intake structure includes an air intake lip provided with a first acoustic attenuation panel which contains a structuring skin and, as an acoustic absorption material, a porous material fastened on the skin. The air intake structure also includes a pneumatic de-icing compartment defined by the lip and by an inner partition. The first acoustic attenuation panel is of the type including an open-cell porous material which is capable of resisting a temperature of up to 200° C. and having high heat conductivity. |
| US08899511B2 |
Roll medium support device and recording device
A roll medium support device includes a shaft member including an insertion part having a rectangular shape in cross section and configured to be inserted through a center hole of a roll medium, a support member having a rectangular first insertion hole through which the insertion part is inserted so that the support member supports the roll medium from a width direction, a rotating member rotatably provided to the support member and having a rectangular second insertion hole through which the insertion part is inserted, a pair of interlocking members extending along long sides of the second insertion hole in the rotating member, and an urging member urging the interlocking members towards each other. A distance between the interlocking members is shorter than a distance between short-side surfaces of the insertion part and longer than a distance between long-side surfaces of the insertion part. |
| US08899506B2 |
Dual-bearing reel drag regulation mechanism
A dual-bearing reel drag regulation mechanism includes a drag regulation lever including an attachment potion configured to pivot about a rotation axis of the spool between a free position and a maximum position, an operating portion extending from the attachment portion to a tip of the drag regulation lever, and an intermediate positioning mechanism including a positioning member. The positioning member is retractably attached to the lateral surface of the reel unit at an intermediate position between the free position and the maximum position. The positioning member is arranged to be in a protruding state or a retracting state. The intermediate positioning mechanism is configured to cause the positioning member to make contact at the intermediate position with a contact portion of the operating portion in pivoting the drag regulation lever, when the positioning member is in the protruding state. |
| US08899502B2 |
Crusher and control method for a crusher
A method for controlling the crusher, which crusher includes at least a frame, a crushing means with a cycle, as well as an actuator for moving the crushing means. In the method, at least first data is determined, which is at least one of the following: the power input in the actuator, the crushing force, the particle distribution of the crushed material produced by the crusher, or the quantity of crushed material produced by the crusher. The cycle frequency of the crushing means is controlled on the basis of the first data. The invention also relates to a crusher, in which the cycle frequency of the crushing means is adjusted according to control data from the control unit. |
| US08899501B2 |
Spray gun with paint cartridge
A spray paint gun having a disposable cartridge inserted therein such that paint can flow through the cartridge in the spray gun without touching the spray gun. Since no part of the spray gun has paint touching it, there is no cleaning of the spray gun or its components. The cartridges can be easily inserted into the spray gun and easily removed such that different color paints can be used in the spray gun in quick succession without down time for cleaning. There is no use of solvents for cleaning, making the cartridge spray gun environmentally friendly. The disposable cartridges eliminate expensive time consuming cleaning. The cartridges can be breach loaded into the front portion of a spray gun and front portion containing the cartridge can quickly snapped into place and ready for use by a hinged connection to the rear portion or by other connection means. The cartridge may include an integrally formed or otherwise attached gasket member to perfect an airtight seal at a joint in the air passage leading from the gun's handle portion to its spray nozzle. |
| US08899500B2 |
Gas fuel injection valve
A gas fuel injection valve is provided in which a single nozzle member (11) is fixedly provided in a front end part of a valve housing (2), and this nozzle member (11) has formed therein a valve seat (13), a valve hole (45) extending through a central part of the valve seat (13), a throttle hole (46) having a smaller diameter than that of the valve hole (45) and communicating with an outlet of the valve hole (45), and a nozzle hole (48) having a larger diameter than that of the throttle hole (46) and communicating with an outlet of the throttle hole (46), wherein when an internal diameter of the throttle hole (46) is D1, a length of the hole (46) is L1, an internal diameter of the nozzle hole (48) is D2, and a length of the nozzle hole (48) is L2, L1/D1>1 (1) 1 |
| US08899498B2 |
Automotive fluid distribution system
An automotive fluid distribution system 7 is provided which has a reservoir 10 for holding fluid. The reservoir 10 has a fill aperture 14. Encircling the fill aperture 14 is a grommet seal 16. A bracket 50 is provided that is generally positionally adjustable with respect to the fill aperture 14 to hold a bottle 26 adjacent to the reservoir 10. |
| US08899497B2 |
Sprinkler with repelling magnets
A sprinkler including a first portion, a second portion arranged to rotate in reciprocating motion in a plane about a generally vertical axis relative to the first portion, responsive to impingement of a water stream on the second portion, at least a first magnet associated with the first portion and at least a second magnet associated with the second portion, the first and second magnets being magnetized to repel each other when in at least predetermined propinquity during relative rotation thereof in the plane. |
| US08899486B2 |
Data carrier with a chip and a plurality of sensors
The invention relates to a data carrier (100) with a chip (10) which stores energy (13) as well as information for contact-bound or contactless inductive communication, and with a plurality of excitable chip sensors (11) integrated in the chip (10), which, after excitation (12), pass on a signal (18) to a CPU (19) of the chip (10), in which the signal (18) is processed. The invention is characterized in that, independently of storing energy (13) as well as information by the chip (10), the excitation (12) is specifically adjustable by the chip (10) for the purpose of additionally storing information and is adaptable to the requirements of processing the signal (18) in the CPU (19). |
| US08899485B2 |
Read label used as information recording medium and method for recording information thereon
In a read label as an information recording medium and a method for recording information thereon according to the present invention, the read label includes: an adhesive layer 3; a metal film layer 4 disposed on the surface of the adhesive layer 3; and a light-transmissive protective film layer 5 disposed on the surface of the metal film layer 4. The adhesive layer 3 and the light-transmissive protective film layer 5 are larger in thickness than the metal film layer 4, and an evaporated and removed portion is formed in a part of the metal film layer 4 by radiating a laser beam from the side of the light-transmissive protective film layer 5. |
| US08899484B2 |
Imaging reader and method with enhanced aiming pattern detection
An image capture system for, and a method of, reading an optical code during a reading mode, comprise an aiming assembly including a laser for emitting a laser beam having a variable intensity, and for generating an aiming pattern from the laser beam during an aiming mode prior to the reading mode, and an imager for detecting and capturing an image of the aiming pattern and the code over a field of view by exposure over an exposure time period during the aiming mode, and for detecting and capturing an image of the code over the field of view during the reading mode. A controller is operative for controlling the intensity of the laser beam during the aiming mode by increasing the intensity of the laser beam during the exposure time period to enhance detection and capture of the aiming pattern by the imager, and by decreasing the intensity of the laser beam frame outside the exposure time period for user safety. |
| US08899480B2 |
Systems and methods for remaking ballots
Voter-generated ballots created using consumer-grade printers are remade to ballots scannable by specialized ballot scanners. The voter-generated ballots include a machine-readable indicia, such as a two-dimensional barcode, that encodes ballot information. The ballot information includes choices made by the voter and information for use in remaking the ballot. Voters wish to submit their votes using printouts from non-specialized printers such as those found at their homes or offices; yet election officials wish to tabulate votes using scanners that require specialized, high-quality ballots. The disclosed systems and methods bridge this gap. |
| US08899470B2 |
Method for bonding refractory ceramic and metal
A method is disclosed for mechanically bonding a metal component to a ceramic material, comprising providing a metal component comprising an anchor material attached to at least a first portion of one surface of the metal component; providing a ceramic material having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the ceramic material defines at least one conduit extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the at least one conduit has a first open end defined by the first surface, a second open end defined by the second surface, a continuous sidewall and a cross sectional area; positioning the ceramic material such that at least a portion of the at least one conduit is in overlying registration with at least a portion of the anchor material; and applying a bonding agent into at least a portion of the at least one conduit. |
| US08899467B1 |
Ultrasonically-assisted thermal stir welding system
A welding head assembly has a work piece disposed between its containment plates' opposing surfaces with the work piece being maintained in a plastic state thereof at least in a vicinity of the welding head assembly's stir rod as the rod is rotated about its longitudinal axis. The welding head assembly and the work piece experience relative movement therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the rod's longitudinal axis as the work piece is subjected to a compressive force applied by the containment plates. A first source coupled to the first containment plate applies a first ultrasonic wave thereto such that the first ultrasonic wave propagates parallel to the direction of relative movement. A second source coupled to the second containment plate applies a second ultrasonic wave thereto such that the second ultrasonic wave propagates parallel to the direction of relative movement. |
| US08899464B2 |
Attachment of surgical staple buttress to cartridge
A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a staple cartridge that is insertable into the end effector. The staple cartridge includes a buttress material that is selectively coupled to the staple cartridge. In some versions the buttress material may be stapled to the staple cartridge by one or more attachment staples. Such attachment staples may be inserted into staple apertures formed through an upper deck of the staple cartridge. The attachment staples may include resiliently biased legs to frictionally resist removal. In some versions the attachment staples may be sized to form an interference fit in the staple apertures. Alternatively, the attachment staples may include barbs. A staple driver may be used to decouple the attachment staples. The staple driver may include staple forming pockets to bend the legs of the attachment staple when decoupling the attachment staple. |
| US08899462B2 |
Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
An electromechanical surgical system comprises a hand-held surgical instrument including an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with a shaft assembly, the surgical instrument having at least one rotatable drive member, and an end effector configured to perform at least one function. The shaft assembly selectively interconnects the end effector and the surgical device. The shaft assembly includes a transmission housing and a force transmitting assembly for interconnecting the rotatable drive member and a rotation receiving member supported in the end effector. |
| US08899461B2 |
Tissue stop for surgical instrument
A surgical instrument for surgically joining a tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a pair of opposed jaw members, and a tissue stop. The tissue stop is mechanically engaged with a first jaw member and is configured to retain the tissue between jaw members. The tissue stop is movable between a first position, where a stopping portion of the tissue stop is disposed between a tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member, and a second position, where the stopping portion is between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a lower surface of the first jaw member. A portion of the tissue stop is made of stamped metal section and a portion of the tissue stop is made of an overmolded plastic section. |
| US08899455B2 |
Articulable shoulder strap
A combination mobile shoulder strap and stationary shoulder cushion for carrying a receptacle, via appropriate releasable connectors, without movement of the stationary shoulder cushion and without the consequences caused at least by such movement to a wearer. The combination includes a stationary shoulder cushion, a pair of mobile strap elements, and apparatus that laterally pivotally attaches the pair of mobile strap elements to the stationary shoulder cushion so as to allow the pair of mobile strap elements to carry the receptacle, via the appropriate releasable connectors, and move relative to the stationary shoulder cushion, while the stationary shoulder cushion does not move so as to eliminate the consequences to a wearer caused at least by such movement of the pair of mobile strap elements. The apparatus is underlaid by the stationary shoulder cushion so as to eliminate the consequences caused by the apparatus undesirably engaging the wearer. |
| US08899454B2 |
Hanger with foldable/removable hook
Disclosed herein is a hanger with a foldable/removable hook, of the type that is made up of an arched body and a projecting crook-shaped hook, provided with a base, which allows the removably hooking of said hook on said body, as well as a rotation thereof, with reference to the position of normal use thereof, from vertical to horizontal and vice versa, i.e. from perpendicular to parallel with respect to the arched body. In addition, when said hook is raised, so as to allow the hanger to assume a normal configuration, it has the same mechanical resistance of a common hanger with fixed hook. |
| US08899452B2 |
Plug structure
A plug structure is provided that can be installed on a container in which the thread of a container inlet for installing a cap is an outer thread, and furthermore, bubbles are not produced at the fluid surface inside the container even during fluid circulation. In a plug structure that is used in a container in which the thread of the container inlet for attaching the cap is an external thread, that is installed on the container inlet, that is capable of removing a fluid inside the container by using the siphon hose method, and that is capable of circulating the fluid that is inside the container, a fluid circulation path is provided that causes a fluid that is returning into the container during fluid circulation to fall along an external wall of a siphon hose during fluid removal. |
| US08899450B2 |
Battery-powered dosing device
Dosing device (100) for dispensing a specified vol″ ume of liquid, comprising an electromagnet (1 11) and being adapted to hold a pump (1 12) with a magnetisable pumping member (1 10) displaceable under the action of the electromagnet when the pump is held by the dosing device. The dosing device further comprises a portable voltage source (1 13) adapted to energize the electromagnet by repeated current pulses and to measure the current intensity at least once per pulse, thereby estimating the charge amount in each pulse, until a total charge amount corresponding to the speci″ fied volume of liquid to be dispensed has been supplied. A method including pulse-wise activation of an electromagnet actuating a pump having a magnetisable pumping member is also disclosed. |
| US08899448B2 |
Lockable dispensing head
A dispensing head which can be mounted on a receptacle. The dispensing head includes a pump, for surmounting the receptacle, with an actuating rod having a longitudinal axis X. A diffuser is mounted on the pump, and includes a tube opening at a dispensing orifice, with the tube being elongated along an axis Y distinct from the axis X. A lever arm controls the actuation of the pump, with the lever arm including a portion capable of coming to bear on the diffuser in order to actuate the pump. In addition, a locking member is configured such that, in a first position, the locking member allows actuation of the pump and, in a second position, the locking member prevents actuation of the pump. In a disclosed example, in the second position the tube abuts against a portion of the locking member to prevent actuation of the pump. |
| US08899446B2 |
Apparatus for mixing and dispensing multiple flowable components
An injector for co-axial-type dispensers for multiple flowable components is provided. The dispenser has a multi-chamber cartridge with a first outlet for a first flowable component arranged within a second outlet for a second flowable component. The injector includes an inner sleeve for fitting engagement with an inner wall of the first outlet of the dispenser, wherein an interior of the inner sleeve defines a first passage for the first flowable component; and an outer sleeve for fitting engagement with an outer wall of the first outlet of the dispenser. |
| US08899445B2 |
Assembly for dispensing beverage
A beverage-dispensing assembly includes a collapsible beverage container having an outlet; a pressure chamber containing the container and including a lid having an opening, the pressure chamber being operable to apply a pressure to the container; a dispensing line having an inlet end and extending through the lid opening to a dispensing tap; and a connecting element fixing the lid to the container around the outlet so as to align the lid opening with the inlet end of the dispensing line, and to fluidly connect the dispensing line inlet end with the container outlet. The connecting element may include a sealing member that closes the container outlet and a piercer connected to the inlet end of the dispensing line that is configured to pierce the sealing member to fluidly connect the inlet end of the dispensing line to the container outlet in response to the pressure applied to the container. |
| US08899443B2 |
Container assembly with flexible seal
A storage container assembly comprises, a storage receptacle, a removable lid, and a seal. The storage receptacle has a base and a continuous sidewall connected to the base. The sidewall has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The lid has a main body that covers at least a portion of the storage receptacle. The lid has a first and a second receiving channel. The seal has a securing member and a blade portion. The securing member goes into the first receiving channel of the lid to connect the seal to the lid. The blade portion of the seal contacts the interior surface of the sidewall. The exterior surface of the sidewall contacts the second receiving channel. The sidewall of the storage receptacle is within the second receiving channel. The blade portion forms a generally fluid tight seal with the sidewall while the sidewall contacts the second receiving channel. |
| US08899442B2 |
Synthetic resin spout stopper
An improved synthetic resin spout stopper to be combined with a discharge port of a container is provided. The spout stopper does not pose difficulty in breaking an annular score formed in an annular flange wall, when discarding the container. Damage to the annular score is avoided even if a considerably great impact is applied to the spout stopper owing to a fall of the container. Damage to the annular score is also avoided even when ultrasonic welding is adopted for welding the container and the spout stopper together. In an inner peripheral edge part of the annular flange wall, an annular additional score is disposed adjacent to the annular score radially outwardly of and/or radially inwardly of the annular score. |
| US08899441B2 |
Cup sleeve
The present invention relates to a heat-isolating cup sleeve, which comprises a main body and at least one fixer disposed on the main body and able to be folded inwards to insert between a cup and the cup sleeve. The present invention employs a die-cutting part and folds inwards the die-cutting part to form the fixer similar to a wedge, so as to increase inner tensile forces of the cup sleeve sleeving a cup so that the cup sleeve is in a tensioning state and closely attaches with the cup. Therefore, the cup sleeve is difficult to slide from the cup. When the beverage is cooled, the cup sleeve is conveniently taken down from the cup, and is simple and environmental. |
| US08899438B2 |
Quick attaching chafing dish handle configured for safe chafing dish placement and removal and for nesting chafing dish storage
A chafing dish with handles allows a safe, efficient, and professional-appearing exchange and serving of food, keeping the servers hands away from the outer edge of the chafing dish where hot steam rises from the water pan. The chafing dish handles of the present invention are formed as part of a closed loop frame. The frame consists of rail members that are configured to align with and to be positioned beneath the chafing dish ledge. The rail members form a rectangular, depending on the shape of the chafing dish, structure. Handle members extend from the rail members on opposed sides of the frame and extend in a manner that does not prevent the lid placement or the nesting of chafing dishes in storage. |
| US08899436B2 |
Food packaging with a lid and closure system for packaging
The packaging for a food product is provided with a container having an opening delimited by a frame, the frame having a radially inner side wall, and a lid. The lid can move between an open position and a closed position in which it closes off the opening. A measuring utensil with a bowl can be positioned in the plane of the frame. The inner side wall of the frame is provided with a retaining member which has a base extending from the frame towards the central axis of the container and that is extended by a tab extending upwards some distance from the inner side wall. The retaining member delimits, with the inner side wall, a slot-like housing capable with a small amount of clearance of accommodating a wall portion of the bowl. |
| US08899434B2 |
Three-dimensionally hinged clamshell packaging system having a standing feature
A clamshell packaging system having a first side portion, a second side portion, and a base portion is provided with a three-dimensional hinge structure and a standing feature. The first side portion is attached to the base portion via a first hinge joint and the second side portion is attached to the base portion via a second hinge joint wherein the second side portion is closeable upon the first side portion to provide an enclosed clamshell. The base portion further includes a third hinge joint and a fourth hinge joint each of which extends between the first hinge joint and the second hinge joint in a direction that is generally transverse to at least a portion of each of the first hinge joint and the second hinge joint. The base portion additionally has at least one flat portion disposed between the third hinge joint and the fourth hinge joint upon which the clamshell packaging system is standable. |
| US08899432B2 |
Load dispersing member for while-in-use electrical box cover
A while-in-use electrical box cover includes a base and a hood. The base has a box-like structure and an open front face and includes a base hinge mount. The hood has a front wall for covering the open front face of the base and includes a hood hinge mount. A hinge pin joins the base hinge mount and the hood hinge mount in a pivoting configuration. An accepting member including a first contact surface extends from the base hinge mount. A load dispersing member included on the hood has a second contact surface configured to engage the first contact surface when the hood pivots to a fully open position. Engagement of the first contact surface and the second contact surface creates a stress in the hood, and the load dispersing member disperses the stress away from the hood hinge mount. |
| US08899430B2 |
Freight container
A freight container (1) which, for loading freight therein, comprises a bottom (6), a roof (7), two end walls (2) extending between the bottom and the roof, as well as two longitudinal side walls (9, 11) connected to said bottom and said roof, at least one end wall being provided with a hinged door(4, 5) comprising at least two door parts (4, 5), which are each connected by hinge constructions (21, 23, 25) on one side to a frame beam (3) extending between the bottom and the roof, which door parts can be locked from outside by an operator. |
| US08899429B2 |
Closing arrangement
A closing arrangement includes a neck having an end closed by a wall and an associated cap. The end of the neck is provided with a weakening line that surrounds the neck. The cap is provided with an opening promoting device arranged for engaging with a further opening promoting device of the wall to separate at least a part of the wall of the neck along the weakening line. |
| US08899428B2 |
Wine bottle with the wine in permanent contact with the cork
A bottle including a main body and a bottle neck which accommodates a cap, where the bottle neck includes interior walls in contact with the cap and exterior walls not in contact with the cap. At least part of the exterior walls is located inside the bottle. When the bottle is filled with wine and the bottle is in vertical position, the fill level of wine reaches a point of the exterior walls of the bottle neck that is inside the bottle, causing the wine to be in permanent contact with the cap. Therefore, the construction allows for the possibility of not having to store the bottle in horizontal position to guarantee the correct conservation of the wine and the cork. |
| US08899425B1 |
Tool caddy for automobile lift
In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a tool caddy is removably mountable to a fixed portion of an automobile lift. The tool caddy is generally rigid, having a conical section and a cantilevered section. A U-shaped mounting bracket is adapted to be placed atop and/or around any fixed rectangular/square section of the lift. The conical section is shaped to accommodate an impact gun or other similarly sized and/or shaped tool. The cantilevered section has several portals disposed in a surface thereof for holding smaller tools. The tool caddy will secure in place, when it is A) wedged at least partially through the triangular opening of a truss, B) rested atop a rectangular portion of a beam of a truss, or C) slid along a beam until the top plate of the mounting bracket is wedged into a portion of the truss where the triangular section meets the beam. |
| US08899422B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for enrichment of plastic materials derived from electronics shredder residue
A method for separating a mixture of solid materials can includes a sorting step based on differences in X-Ray transmission of different materials and a density sorting step at an elevated density. The mixture of solid materials can be a plastic-rich mixture recovered from waste electrical and electronic equipment. The mixture of solid materials can include plastics that contain brominated flame retardants. In some cases, a XRT or DEXRT sorter is used to remove the majority of plastics that contain brominated flame retardants from the mixture. |
| US08899410B2 |
Conveyor underguard
A conveyor underguard that is adapted for use with a conveyor having a pair of spaced apart side channels, each having a lower flange and a plurality of openings on each flange, includes a guard surface and a pair of mounting members, each extending outwardly generally parallel to the guard surface and defining fastener openings. The fastener openings are spaced apart in a manner that aligns with the through-openings of the conveyor. A pair of side members connect the guard surface with the mounting members in a manner that offsets the guard surface from the mounting members away from each flange. The conveyor underguard is defined by a polymeric material body having a planar body pan integrally connected to opposed first and second side walls and to first and second end walls. A first side flange is integrally connected to the first side wall and extends for an entire length of the first side wall. A second side flange is integrally connected to the second side wall and extends for an entire length of the second side wall. Multiple mounting flanges are integrally connected to and extend away from each of the first and second side flanges. Each of the mounting flanges has an elongated aperture. Multiple equally spaced and parallel slots are created in a surface of the body pan. |
| US08899409B2 |
Conveyor belt link having wear resistant portion
A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link. |
| US08899404B2 |
Adaptable screening checkpoint
The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for efficient passenger belonging screening at security checkpoints. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for tracking, analyzing, and collecting information in order to improve efficiency at security checkpoints. |
| US08899401B2 |
Differential detection coin discrimination systems and methods for use with consumer-operated kiosks and the like
Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, generating a contour signal by digitizing the sensor signal, identifying an active interval in the contour signal by eliminating the segments of the contour signal which are close to zero, and detecting the coin approach, pivot and departure points (coin features) from the contour signal in the active interval. The coin features can be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin. |
| US08899399B2 |
Banknote processing machine and banknote processing method
A controller 50 of a banknote processing machine 10 is configured to selectively perform a leaving mode, in which the banknote is fed out from each of the storing/feeding units 28, transported to the first cassette (recycle cassette 42) by the transport unit 24, and stored and left in the first cassette, when the first cassette is accommodated in the cassette accommodation unit 40. |
| US08899398B2 |
Apparatus and method for water bottle return
An apparatus and method for receiving a recyclable product is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the apparatus includes: a structure defining an interior cavity, the structure having a plurality of walls; a bottle return mechanism for determining when a bottle has been received within the interior cavity, comprising: an elongated cylinder providing a passage into the interior cavity, the elongated cylinder having an inlet opening proximate to an exterior of the enclosed structure and an outlet opening proximate to the interior cavity; a bottle return mechanism configured to provide an output when a bottle has been inserted into the elongated cylinder; and a dispensing rack secured to one of the walls of the enclosure. |
| US08899396B2 |
Clutch device
A clutch device includes; i) a clutch mechanism including a friction engagement member capable of rotating relative to a rotating member and a clutch member that is supplied with restoration force in a direction in which the clutch member departs from the friction engagement member by a restoration spring; and ii) a cam mechanism including; a cam member that is arranged in parallel to the clutch mechanism along a rotation axis line of the rotating member and that is incapable of rotating relative to the rotating member; and a cam follower capable of rolling on a cam surface that exists between the cam member and the clutch member. The cam angle is set to make torque applied to the clutch member due to reaction force accompanied by friction engagement with the friction engagement member larger than torque applied to the clutch member by thrust force caused by an activation of the cam mechanism. |
| US08899395B2 |
Selectable one-way torque transmitting device using control rail
A torque transmitting device for use in an automotive transmission is provided. The device includes a first annular race and a second annular race disposed concentrically around the first annular race. First and second locking elements are pivotally connected to one of the first and second annular races. The first locking element is moveable to rotationally fix the first annular race to the second annular race in a first rotational direction to transfer torque therebetween. The second locking element is moveable to rotationally fix the first annular race to the second annular race in a second rotational direction to transfer torque therebetween, where the second rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction. A control rail is disposed adjacent to the first and second annular races. The control rail has indentations formed therein and is moveable to allow the torque transmitting device to be selectively engaged. |
| US08899394B2 |
Hydraulic control apparatus for hydraulic torque converter
A hydraulic control apparatus may be provided with a lock-up clutch operated or not by hydraulic pressure difference between an engagement-side oil chamber and a disengagement-side oil chamber and may include a first hydraulic line supplying hydraulic pressure to the disengagement-side oil chamber or exhausting the hydraulic pressure from the disengagement-side oil chamber, a second hydraulic line supplying hydraulic pressure to the engagement-side oil chamber or exhausting the hydraulic pressure from the engagement-side oil chamber, and a third hydraulic line connected to a slip switch valve, and selectively exhausting through the slip switch valve the hydraulic pressure supplied to the engagement-side oil chamber. |
| US08899388B2 |
Brake beam assembly
A low weight and low cost brake beam assembly having high static strength and fatigue resistance having two independent brake heads each including a receiving section for receiving and retaining an end of a tension member, an end of a compression member and a portion of an end extension. |
| US08899387B2 |
Valve assembly
A valve assembly including a housing (24′) provided with an inlet port (12′), a delivery port (14′), and an exhaust port (16′), the valve assembly further including a first movable element (32′), a first valve member (34a′) and a second valve member (26a′), the first movable element (32′) being engageable with the first valve member (34a′), engagement of the first valve member (34a′) and first movable element (32′) substantially preventing flow of fluid between the inlet port (12′) and the delivery port (14′), and the first movable element (32′) also being engageable with the second valve member (26a′), engagement of the second valve member (26a′) with the first movable element (32′) substantially preventing flow of fluid between the delivery port (14′) and the exhaust port (16′), the valve assembly further including a second movable element (26′) which divides the housing (24′) into a control chamber (22′) and a main chamber (30′) and which is movable relative to the housing (24′) under the influence of fluid pressure in the control chamber (22′) and main chamber (30′), wherein the first valve member (34a′) extends from the housing (24′) towards the first movable element (32′) through an aperture provided in the second movable element (26′). |
| US08899385B2 |
Systems for retarding the speed of a railcar
Systems for retarding the speed of a railcar comprise: a brake; a hydraulic actuator moving the brake between a closed position in which the brake applies braking pressure on a wheel of the railcar and an open position in which the brake does not apply braking pressure on the wheel of the rail car; a hydraulic circuit comprising a first manifold and a second manifold; a pump configured to pump hydraulic fluid into at least one of the first manifold and the second manifold; and a logic element controlling pressure of the fluid in the first manifold such that when the wheel enters the brake and forces the brake towards the open position. The logic element reacts to maintain a selected pressure in the first manifold, thus causing a selected braking pressure to be applied by the brake on the wheel of the railcar. |
| US08899383B2 |
Elevator door monitor and drive safety apparatus
A safety apparatus for elevator apparatuses which can move a cab by way of a drive, including: a first safety circuit, which has a closed conduction state and an open conduction state, with an interrupting apparatus for interrupting the drive depending on the conduction state of the first safety circuit, a safety device, which includes at least two sensors, which can be switched between at least two switching states depending on the closing state of the elevator door. In order to be able to improve the susceptibility to maintenance, a switching unit is provided which can be switched between at least two switching states by connection to the safety device and is designed to effect the closed and/or open conduction state of the first safety circuit. |
| US08899378B2 |
Compressor intake muffler and filter
A compressor assembly having a high velocity muffler system which produces a particle-free compressor pump feed while reducing noise output from the compressor assembly during compressing operations. The high velocity muffler system is maintenance-free and comprises an inertia filter. The compressor assembly uses a method for producing a compressor pump feed and reducing noise during compressing operations by processing a gas through the high velocity muffler system which has an inertia filter and a muffler chamber to produce a compressor pump feed which can be compressed by a pump assembly. |
| US08899377B2 |
Acoustically optimized air conditioning components
Systems and methods for sound damping in air conditioning systems in an aircraft is provided. In one embodiment, an air conditioning conduit can comprise a sound-damping wall that at least partially encloses a continuous hollow space for guiding the air. The wall comprises a multilayer design with a core layer and at least one first cover layer. The core layer comprises a sound-absorbing open-pore core material so that the wall shows an acoustic effect. The first cover layer is airtight, is arranged on the external surface of the core layer, and is two-dimensionally connected to the core layer. The two-dimensional connection between the core layer and the first cover layer causes a composite effect in such a manner that the wall is self-supporting and has a structural function in order to be able to transfer mechanically-occurring loads to structural parts of the aircraft. |
| US08899376B2 |
Cushioning device and metal cover
The present invention has an object of providing a cushioning device having a stable and superb vibration-damping property and a metal cover attachable by use of the cushioning device. A cushioning device, which is to be located between an exhaust manifold as a vibration source and a heat insulator as a connection target and connects the exhaust manifold and the heat insulator to each other and cushions transmission of a vibration from the exhaust manifold to the heat insulator, includes a multi-stage coiled and spiral spring for cushioning the vibration, a grommet for joining the multi-stage coiled and spiral spring and the heat insulator to each other, and a collar member located between an attaching bolt tightened to the exhaust manifold and the multi-stage coiled and spiral spring. The multi-stage coiled and spiral spring is formed of a wiring member having a spiral shape as seen in a plan view. |
| US08899365B2 |
Hydraulic excavator
A hydraulic excavator basically includes a lower traveling unit, an upper revolving unit, a counterweight, a machine compartment, a first handrail, a second handrail and a pair of antenna supporting parts. The upper revolving unit is revolvably mounted on the lower traveling unit. The counterweight is disposed on the upper revolving unit. The machine compartment is disposed in front of the counterweight on the upper revolving unit. The first and second handrails are disposed on the machine compartment. The antenna supporting parts are configured to support a pair of antennas. The antenna supporting parts are respectively connected to the first and second handrails. |
| US08899359B1 |
Locomotion system for robotic snake
At least one serpentine body is provided for traversing an area under a flexible object. The serpentine body has a front end that is selectively positionable in a desired direction and a plurality of portions. The portions include a first portion and a second portion positioned aft of the first portion. The serpentine body traverses an area when the first portion is in a first configuration and the second portion is in a second configuration. |
| US08899358B2 |
Interface design of TSP shear cutters
A method of forming a cutting element is disclosed, wherein the method includes forming a substrate body, forming an intermediate layer on the substrate body, forming a diamond table, and positioning the diamond table on the intermediate layer, such that the intermediate layer is disposed between the substrate body and the diamond table. The intermediate layer has a base portion having a base height and a ring portion having a ring height HR, wherein the intermediate layer has a height HT equal to the sum of the base height and ring height. The diamond table has a cutting layer having a cutting layer diameter D1 and a cutting layer height HE and a protrusion having a protrusion diameter D2 and a protrusion height HP. |
| US08899352B2 |
System and method for drilling
This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled. |
| US08899348B2 |
Surface gas evaluation during controlled pressure drilling
A system and method have a choke in fluid communication with a rotating control device. The choke controls flow of drilling mud from the rotating control device to a gas separator during a controlled pressure drilling operation, such as managed pressure drilling (MPD) or underbalanced drilling (UBD). A probe is in fluid communication with the drilling mud between the choke and the gas separator. During operations, the probe evaluates gas in the drilling mud from the well passing from the choke to the gas separator. |
| US08899346B2 |
Perforating assembly control
A perforating assembly includes a material that can respond to a magnetic field by changing shape multiple times and causing a fire control circuit to activate and deactivate. The material may be a magnetic shape-memory alloy and can change shape when the magnetic field is removed or inverted. When the material changes shape, the material can cause another component of the perforating assembly to change position to activate or deactivate the fire control circuit, as desired. |
| US08899345B2 |
Fast-action harrow-disc coupling
A fast-action harrow-disc coupling for fixing a harrow disc (1) to the corresponding hub (2), which is characterized in that it consists of a planet wheel (4) fixed to the corresponding hub (2), the planet wheel (4) being provided on its front face and centrally with a frustoconical projection (5) having a polygonal base, with a section of a threaded shank (6) protruding centrally from the frustoconical projection (5); it being envisaged that the corresponding disc (1) is provided with a central hole (7) for positioning the polygonal base of the frustoconical projection (5), the disc (1) being fixed by means of the thread of a nut (12) onto the section of the shank (6) corresponding to the frustoconical projection (5), with the arrangement, in between, of a plate (9) having a cavity (10) with a central hole (11) for positioning the frustoconical projection (5) and allowing passing out of threaded shank (6), respectively. |
| US08899343B2 |
Replacing contiguous breakpoints with control words
In an embodiment, a first execution path in a program is determined that has been executed a largest number of times, as compared to at least one other path in the program. Swapped instructions are replaced in the program with breakpoints, wherein the swapped instructions are not on the first execution path. The breakpoints that are not on the first execution path and that are contiguous to each other are replaced in the program with a control word. |
| US08899342B2 |
Safety apparatus
A safety apparatus is disclosed for inhibiting an outbreak of an electrical fire within an electrical box. The apparatus includes a heat sensitive device which is disposed within the electrical box for sensing a potentially hazardous temperature rise within the electrical box caused by an electrical fault in the electrical box. A control device is associated with the heat sensitive device such that the control device is activated by the heat sensitive device when the heat sensitive device senses the potentially hazardous temperature rise within the electrical box. The electrical fire inhibiting device has a dormant mode and a fire extinguishing mode. The arrangement is such that when the control device is activated by the heat sensitive device, the control device switches the fire inhibiting device from the dormant mode to the fire extinguishing mode so that the outbreak of the electrical fire within the electrical box is prevented. |
| US08899339B2 |
Systems and methods for regulating flow in a wellbore
Isolation systems for use in a wellbore include two or more tubular segments and at least one coupling assembly. The at least one coupling system is adapted to couple the first and second tubular segments together. The at least one coupling system is further adapted to block at least a portion of the wellbore annulus. The at least one coupling system is further configured as a leaky isolation assembly to separate the wellbore annulus into at least two isolated zones when disposed in the wellbore. At least one isolation zone has at least two outlets including a first outlet through an opening into the tubular and a second outlet past the leaky isolation assembly. The isolation system is configured to provide the isolation with hydraulics during well operation that preferentially drives fluids through the first outlet and at least substantially prevents fluid from passing the isolation assembly. |
| US08899335B2 |
Downhole tool
A downhole bypass valve comprises a tubular body including a side port and a sleeve axially movably mounted in the body and normally biased to a closed position to close the side port. An activating device is configured to be pumped or dropped into the body to engage the sleeve and permit movement of the sleeve to an open position and open the side port. A latch has a part in the body and a part in the activating device, the parts of the latch configured to engage and retain the sleeve in the open position. The activating device is further operable to disengage from and translate through the sleeve and the parts of the latch are further operable to disengage and permit the sleeve to return to the closed position. |
| US08899331B2 |
Carbon sequestration in depleted oil shale deposits
A method and apparatus are described for sequestering carbon dioxide underground by mineralizing the carbon dioxide with coinjected fluids and minerals remaining from the extraction shale oil. In one embodiment, the oil shale of an illite-rich oil shale is heated to pyrolyze the shale underground, and carbon dioxide is provided to the remaining depleted oil shale while at an elevated temperature. Conditions are sufficient to mineralize the carbon dioxide. |
| US08899324B2 |
Methods and apparatus to sample heavy oil in a subterranean formation
A method for sampling fluid in a subterranean formation includes reducing a viscosity of the fluid, pressurizing a portion of the subterranean formation, and collecting a fluid sample. Specifically, a viscosity of the fluid in a portion of the subterranean formation is reduced and a portion of the subterranean formation is pressurized by injecting a displacement fluid into the subterranean formation. A sample of the fluid pressurized by the displacement fluid is then collected. |
| US08899316B2 |
Downhole isolation tool having a ported sliding sleeve
A downhole isolation tool for insertion in a wellbore, for allowing, when a ported sliding sleeve thereof is slidably positioned in a first position and when coupled to a lower end of said pump apparatus, fluids within a hydrocarbon formation to be drawn through such tool and allowed to pass to the pump apparatus for pumping uphole, and when such sliding sleeve is positioned in a second position and decoupled from said lower end of the pump assembly, for preventing said fluids from passing therethrough and uphole. |
| US08899315B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for isolating portions of a wellhead from fluid pressure
A wellhead system includes a bypass sleeve for temporarily isolating portions of a wellhead assembly from pressurized fracing fluid. The bypass sleeve may include a generally tubular body having a tool interface, a lock ring disposed at least partially around the body, and an anti-rotation device coupled to the body. The anti-rotation device includes a resilient member disposed in a cavity in the body, and an anti-rotation member biased away from the body by the resilient member. The anti-rotation member extends radially outward from the body. |
| US08899309B2 |
Ventilation device
A first element and a second element are disposed in postures such that the length directions of the elements are parallel to each other. The first element is disposed in a posture such that a pair of opposing surfaces where a longitudinal flow passage is open is parallel to one main plate. The second element is disposed in a posture such that a pair of opposing surfaces where a longitudinal flow passage is open is parallel to the one main plate. A mixing flow passage formed as a result of the first element and the second element being disposed with a gap therebetween in a facing direction of side plates is provided between a transverse flow passage of the first element and a transverse flow passage of the second element. |
| US08899307B2 |
Cooling device
A cooling device includes a base, first and second heat generating parts connected to the base, first and second passages formed in the base and a partition wall disposed in the base. Liquid refrigerant flows through the first and the second passages for cooling the first and the second heat generating parts, respectively. The first and the second passages are stacked one above the other through the partition wall in the base. The partition wall includes a first region opened to allow liquid refrigerant in the first passage to flow into the second passage and a second region located on the side of the first region to allow liquid refrigerant in the first passage to flow toward the downstream end of the first passage. The first region is formed such that an opening area of the first region is greater than an opening area of the first passage. |
| US08899305B2 |
Crystallizer for continuous casting
Crystallizer for continuous casting, having a monolithic structure defined by lateral walls in the thickness of which channels (11) are made in which a cooling liquid flows. The channels (11) are geometrically sized so as to define, in a zone substantially astride the meniscus (M), an increased transit speed of the cooling liquid, wherein by increased speed it is intended that in at least some of the cooling channels (11) the speed of transit of the cooling liquid is greater in the zone astride the meniscus (M) compared with a zone below or above said zone astride the meniscus (M). |
| US08899303B2 |
Ceramic core with composite insert for casting airfoils
A multi-wall ceramic core for casting an airfoil with one or more internal cooling passages is made by preforming at least one fugitive core insert, then forming at least one core insert in-situ adjacent and fused to the at least one preformed core insert by introducing fluid fugitive pattern material into a composite core insert mold whereby the fugitive core inserts are integrally connected as a single composite core insert that includes features to form internal passage surfaces in the core when the composite core insert is removed. The composite core insert is placed in a core molding die cavity, and a fluid ceramic material is introduced into the die cavity to form the ceramic core body incorporating the fugitive composite core insert therein. |
| US08899301B2 |
Methods and systems for deployment of curtains
A privacy curtain system is described that includes a curtain having a plurality of curtain release mechanisms attached thereto, the curtain release mechanisms each having a rod engaging member extending therefrom. The system also includes a plurality of rods each comprising a lower hooking member configured to engage one of the rod engaging members. The curtain release mechanisms are operable to cause a portion of each rod engaging member to release from the respective curtain release mechanism. |
| US08899297B2 |
Rolling door, in particular fast-moving industrial door
A rolling door having a door leaf and guides arranged on both sides, each of which includes a vertical portion and a spiral portion, wherein the door leaf is received in the spiral portions in the form of non-contacting winding layers when the rolling door is in the opened condition. A drive mechanism for operating the rolling door has a motor, a drive shaft and drive organs. The drive organs are arranged on both sides of the door leaf and the drive shaft establishes a driving connection between the drive organs. In one embodiment, the drive shaft is arranged in the central area of the spiral portions of the guides of both sides and extends from one side of the door to the other. Hereby a rolling door is obtained whose structural height in the area of the door lintel is reduced while maintaining a small installation depth. |
| US08899293B2 |
Component mounting machine
In a component mounting machine including a tape feeder removing a top tape from a carrier tape of a component supply tape so as to expose a component on the carrier tape so that the component is sucked by a suction nozzle; and a waste tape collection box collecting the top tape removed from the carrier tape, a top-tape drawing member for catching and drawing out the top tape is drawably provided at a place where the top tape removed from the carrier tape is hanging down from the tape feeder into the waste tape collection box (for example, a top opening portion of the waste tape collection box). |
| US08899291B2 |
Laminating apparatus
A laminating apparatus is provided which causes a resin film to completely conform to protruding and recessed portions of a substrate, and which makes the film thickness of the conforming resin film uniform on a stricter level. To this end, the laminating apparatus includes a laminating mechanism including: an enclosed space forming receiver capable of receiving a provisionally laminated body therein; and a pressure laminator for applying pressure to the provisionally laminated body in non-contacting relationship in an enclosed space formed by the enclosed space forming receiver to form an end laminated body from the provisionally laminated body. |
| US08899289B2 |
Joint method, joint apparatus and joint system
When joining a processing target substrate and a supporting substrate together by suction-holding the processing substrate and the supporting substrate respectively on a first holding unit and a second holding unit arranged to face each other and pressing the second holding unit toward the first holding unit while heating the substrates by heating mechanisms of the holding units, the present invention preheats at least the processing target substrate before suction-holding the processing target substrate on the first holding unit to suppress generation of particles when joining the processing target substrate and the supporting substrate together so as to properly perform the joining of the processing target substrate and the supporting substrate. |
| US08899284B2 |
Fluid receiver having removable sleeve
Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base. |
| US08899279B2 |
Method for compressing gaseous fuel for fuelling vehicle and device for implementation thereof
This present invention relates to a preparation of gaseous fuel (natural gas for example) for its further transfer under pressure to fuel tank of a vehicle 22. This object is achieved by a method for compressing gas by alternate transfer of gas into two vertically arranged compressing vessels 1 and 2, its compression and forcing into high-pressure vessels by filling the compressing vessels 1 and 2 with working fluid 30 under pressure by means of a hydraulic drive 5. A novelty of this method lies in that, each cycle of gas 29 compressing and its forcing out of the compressing vessels 1 and 2 is performed until these vessels are fully filled with the working fluid 30 contained in the compressing vessels 1 and 2 and alternately forced out of one compressing vessel into the other in response to a signal sent by fluid-level sensor 4. |
| US08899277B2 |
Manufacturing method of medical textiles woven from chitosan containing high wet modulus rayon fibre
An anti-“Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)” chitosan containing antibacterial High Wet Modulus (HWM) rayon fiber textile for medical usage is made of the steps as following: chitin flakes made from natural shrimp or crab shells are deacetylated to generate chitosan with a high deacetylation degree of 90% or more. Next chitosan is dissolved in acetic acid and regenerated by caustic soda to form a chitosan antibacterial nanoparticles slurry, then added to HWM viscose rayon process, and spinning to produce a chitosan containing antibacterial HWM rayon fiber. The antibacterial amino groups of chitosan and the hydroxyl groups of rayon cellulose combine together via hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the fiber becomes the anti-MRSA antibacterial HWM rayon fiber containing amino groups (—NH3+). Finally the resulting HWM rayon fiber is conducted via a yarn spinning or/and weaving process to procure a medical textile with chitosan content. |
| US08899273B2 |
Inflatable device for blocking chimney flues or other ducts
An inflatable device for blocking a chimney flue or other duct is in the form of a plastics bag 1 having an inflation tube 2 that opens through the wall of the bag 1 into a flexible, tubular sleeve 4 that is sealed circumferentially to the bag-wall at each of its opposite ends 5,6 within the bag 1. The sleeve 4 is vented into the bag 1 via diametrically-opposed apertures 7 mid-way between its ends 5,6 so that on inflation of the bag 1 the sleeve 4 limits distention of the bag 1 longitudinally of the sleeve 4 to a flatish form. The bag 1 is constructed of two plastics sheets 8,9 that are sealed together in a peripheral rim 10 with the two ends 5,6 of the sleeve 4 sealed centrally to the two sheets 8,9 respectively, and with an open end of the inflation tube 2 sealed through the bag-wall centrally within one end 5 of the sleeve 4. The rim 10 of the bag 1 is bowed inwardly to allow for limited ventilation of the otherwise-blocked chimney flue or duct. |
| US08899272B2 |
Flow restrictor
A flow restrictor includes an exterior tube and an interior tube disposed within the exterior tube. A first flange is disposed at a distal end of the interior tube. An annular rib extends proximally from the first flange and has an interior diameter greater than an exterior diameter of the exterior tube. A second flange is disposed at a proximal end of the exterior tube. A ring member is disposed around the exterior tube between the annular rib of the first flange and the second flange. |
| US08899268B2 |
Discharge arm assembly for pumping units
A discharge arm assembly for a truck or trailer-mounted pumping unit comprises a jumper line which is connected to the outlet of the pumping unit, a base unit which is connected to the outlet of the jumper line, and an articulated arm which is connected to the outlet of the base unit. The base unit includes a base conduit which is rigidly secured to the truck or trailer and a swivel arm which is rotatable about a generally vertical axis. The articulated arm comprises a first generally straight pipe which is connected to the swivel arm by a generally 90° elbow. A brace member comprises a first end which is connected to the swivel arm and a second end which is connected to the first pipe to thereby support the first pipe for movement in a generally horizontal plane. |
| US08899264B2 |
Gas valve with electronic proof of closure system
This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a valve body having an interior and an exterior, a valve or valve sealing member positioned in the valve body, a sensor element (e.g., a magnet and/or a ferrous core) secured relative to the valve sealing member and a sensor (e.g., a magnetic field sensor) positioned outside of the interior of the valve body. The valve sealing member may be movable between an opened position and a closed position, and the sense element may move with the valve sealing member. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the valve sealing member and communicate that position to a valve controller. |
| US08899261B2 |
Trap apparatus for condensate water and drain apparatus for condensate water installed on the same
The present invention relates to a trap apparatus for condensate water and the drain apparatus for condensate water installed on the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a trap apparatus for condensate water, constructed such that acidic condensate water is passed through a neutralizing agent and trapped in the apparatus, and the drain apparatus for condensate water installed on it. |
| US08899258B2 |
Drain valve and method for operating a drain valve
A drain valve includes an inlet plenum, a first orifice downstream from the inlet plenum, a second orifice downstream from the first orifice, and a fluid passage between the first and second orifices. A piston having a first position and a second position has a first surface area exposed to the fluid passage when the piston is in the first and second positions and a second surface area exposed to the inlet plenum when the piston is in the second position. |
| US08899256B2 |
Cartridge hydraulic coupler and method of use
A male and female set of hydraulic coupler cartridges mate such that one part of the coupler can be left in place, e.g. the female coupler, with the other portion of the coupler, e.g. the male coupler, being removably connected or disconnected. Valves within each cartridge comprise an actuator and springs within each cartridge urge the valves into a closed, sealing position. When the cartridges mate, spring and/or fluid pressure within the cartridges operates to either allow or disallow fluid flow. Once the cartridges are mated, their respective springs are partially compressed and movement of one of the valves operates to compress one spring and correspondingly decompress the other. The cartridges can therefore be mated and unmated, e.g. subsea, while fluid flow is prevented through them during the mating and unmating. |
| US08899254B1 |
Valve removal tool and method
Valve removal tool and method for removing older corporation valves/valves from pressurized lines such as water mains without depressurization. The removal tool is temporarily fastened to a saddle around the water main and includes a valve through which a tool may be inserted to grasp and unscrew the old valve and withdraw the old valve through the valve in the tool. The tool also allows placement of a plug in the opening in the water main left by the removal of the tool. Typically a cap is placed over the opening in the saddle to provide a final seal in the event the plug leaks or is somehow dislodged. |
| US08899250B1 |
Tiltable sunshade
A tiltable sunshade (12) includes a pole (111) rotatably receiving a rod (573) around which a helical spring (579) is mounted. The helical spring (579) can be rotated by operating a handle (213) to cause movement of a follower (599) in the pole (111) between a folded position and an unfolded position and an optional tilted position to fold ribs (451), unfold the ribs (451), and optionally tilt the ribs (451), respectively. When the follower (599) is in the unfolded position or the tilted position, if a canopy (475), the ribs (475), or stretchers (451) of the tiltable sunshade (12) is subjected to an external force causing the runner (297) to move along the longitudinal axis of the pole (111), the helical spring (579) is compressed by the follower (599) and undergoes elastic deformation, providing a buffering effect to the external force. |
| US08899243B2 |
Adjustable applicator
The present invention generally is an adjustable applicator employed for application of a cosmetic or a care product such as for application of mascara, coloring strands of hair, for dental flossing or for applying pharmaceuticals or cleaning agents. The invention discloses an adjustable applicator comprising an applicator element having a bore, a filament wherein the filament is housed inside the bore of the applicator element and a clasping means wherein the applicator element angularly deforms when a force is applied on the clasping means. Also disclosed is a device for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising said adjustable applicator. |
| US08899236B2 |
Minimally invasive surgical stabilization devices and methods
The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes. |
| US08899233B2 |
Method for enabling transfer of an object from an interior of an airlock to a pressure vessel attached to the airlock
A method for enabling transfer of an object from an interior of an airlock to a pressure vessel attached to the airlock and ensuring that an exterior door of the airlock cannot be opened when the interior of the airlock is pressurized includes actuating a first selector from a first position to a second position whereby the first selector causes the exterior door to be locked and sealed. Thereafter, actuating a second selector from a first position to a second position thereby closing a vent from the interior of the airlock to the atmosphere. Thereafter, actuating a third selector from a first position to a second position thereby opening a vent between the interior of the airlock and the pressure vessel thereby enabling a door between the interior of the pressure vessel and the interior of the airlock to be opened. |
| US08899232B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving the comfort of CPAP
A low-cost CPAP apparatus in which, upon detection of the transition from inhalation to exhalation, the blower motor is de-energized to allow it to freewheel. When the pressure in the patient mask (or whatever interface is utilized) reaches a minimum pressure level during exhalation, the motor is re-energized and its speed is controlled so to maintain the pressure at a level suitable for exhalation. Upon detection of the transition from exhalation to inhalation, the motor speed is increased to provide higher pressures in the patient mask suitable for inhalation. |
| US08899230B2 |
Aerosol therapy device with high frequency delivery
The present invention relates to an aerosol therapy device, wherein an aerosol is generated in an aerosol generating device and is supplied through a nosepiece to a patient's nasal cavities via a single pulsed main aerosol flow. |
| US08899228B2 |
Combination pressure therapy for treatment of chronic pain
A method according to an embodiments includes administering at least two Cyclic Variations in Altitude Condition (CVAC) sessions to a mammal disposed in a pressure vessel unit. The at least two CVAC sessions each have a duration of at least twenty minutes. The at least two CVAC sessions each include a start point of ambient pressure at a delivery site, an end point of ambient pressure at the delivery site, and a plurality of atmospheric pressure targets executed between the start point and the end point. The administering is configured to treat at least one of loss of sensation and chronic pain. |
| US08899220B2 |
Archery apparatus, system, and method with automatic device activation
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for automatically activating and/or controlling one or more accessory devices for an archery apparatus, including circuitry for automatically activating and/or controlling one or more electrical or electronic accessory devices in response to, for example, the bow string of the archery apparatus being drawn. The electrical or electronic accessory devices can include a sight light, a stabilizing light, a spot light, a video recorder, a photographic camera, an audio enhancement pickup, a fishing reel, a range finder, sights, a lighted quiver, and a game call. |
| US08899218B2 |
Shooting bow
A trigger assembly for a crossbow or other weapon system. The trigger assembly includes a trigger arm coupled between a trigger and a sear. The trigger arm is not parallel to the line of fire, thereby allowing for increased mechanical advantage and a smoother, safer trigger pull. The trigger assembly incorporates various safety measures, including a dry fire mechanism which prevents the unintentional damaging and potentially dangerous release of the bowstring before an arrow is positioned on the rail of the crossbow. The trigger assembly allows for various adjustments to vary the trigger length and pull, while maintaining smoothness and preventing the unintentional or inadvertent release of the bowstring. |
| US08899216B2 |
Machine for launching targets with improved contact surfaces
A machine for launching disk-shaped targets has two faces located on each side of an edge. The machine includes means for loading a target into a launch area, an arm for launching the target placed in the launch area and a surface guiding the target by means of contact with at least one of the aforementioned faces thereof. The guiding surface has at least one portion wherein the areas that come into contact with the face of the target are not continuous. The machine is particularly suitable for shooting practice, such as archery. |
| US08899215B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation valve
An EGR valve includes an aluminum valve body, an outer metal ring, an inner resin ring, a butterfly valve, and a seal ring. The valve body includes a gas passage therein. The gas passage is part of an EGR passage, through which EGR gas is returned from an exhaust passage to intake passage of an engine. The outer ring has a cylindrical shape, and is fixed and disposed on an inner wall of the gas passage. The inner ring has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed on an inner peripheral wall of the outer ring. The butterfly valve opens or closes an inside of the inner ring, and includes a seal fitting groove at an outer peripheral edge of the butterfly valve. The seal ring is fitted into the groove, and seals a clearance between the butterfly valve and the inner ring when the butterfly valve is closed. |
| US08899211B2 |
Controlling cylinders based on intake vacuum during engine start
An internal combustion engine is started by performing fuel supply into part of a plurality of cylinders included in the internal combustion engine. After the magnitude of the negative pressure produced in intake piping of the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined reference value, fuel supply into the remaining cylinder(s) is started. |
| US08899210B2 |
Drive circuit for electromagnetic fuel-injection valve
A drive circuit for driving an electromagnetic fuel-injection valve, the drive circuit varying an application sequence of a drive voltage, which is supplied from a step-up power supply to a fuel-injection valve for conducting injection multiple times in a single stroke of an internal-combustion engine, between the first injection and the second and subsequent injections, and setting the application sequence such that the consumption of power from the step-up power supply in the first injection becomes smaller than the power consumption in one of the second and subsequent injections. |
| US08899207B2 |
Cylinder head for an engine
A cylinder head for an engine is provided comprising a monolithic structure forming an upper deck, a fire deck, at least one coolant jacket and a cavity to accommodate a fuel injector or an ignitor therein, the cavity defined by a wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck. The wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck, as well as other features of the cylinder head, are preferably arranged to support the fire deck against a deflection thereof by transmitting a mechanical load introduced on a flame face of the fire deck to the upper deck. A method of increasing the stiffness of the cylinder head is also provided. |
| US08899204B2 |
Engine starting apparatus for idle-stop vehicle
The total length of starter harness 7 for exclusive use for connecting a starter for an engine and plus-side terminal 4a of in-vehicle battery 4 is increased by providing a surplus redundant segment 21 to increase resistance in harness 7 beyond length required for laying the harness in an engine room. Redundant segment 21 is collected in a form of rod by forming a two-fold portion by folding a portion of the single continuous harness 7, and further folding the two-fold portion twice, and fixed through harness holder 23 to bracket 22 of battery tray 25. Without using a resistor receiving limitation of the heat resistance, it is possible to suppress a voltage drop at the time of restart, problematical in a vehicle having an idle-stop function. A required resistance is obtained by increasing the length redundantly, so that a temperature increase of harness 7 is small. |
| US08899202B2 |
Fuel injection device
A fuel injection device comprising electricity-generating means generating electricity by rotation of an engine and outputting a predetermined signal, and a solenoid valve injecting fuel; the valve being opened as a result of a drive current applied to a coil, and the fuel being injected into an intake passage of the engine at a predetermined timing during the rotation of the engine; to ensure that the flow rate required during high-speed operation can be adequately provided in a fuel injection device for injecting/supplying fuel to an engine. The electricity-generating means is an alternating current generation means attached to the engine in a crank angle position at which an output is generated in synchronization with the intake timing of the engine; the signal is an injection command signal applied to the solenoid valve as an alternating-current drive current; and the applied voltage increases with increased engine speed. |
| US08899199B1 |
Camshaft phaser and lock pin thereof
A camshaft phaser for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor rotatable about a camshaft axis is disposed coaxially within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes to define advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is slidably disposed along a lock pin axis within the rotor for selective engagement with a first lock pin seat and for selective engagement with a second lock pin seat. The lock pin has a lock pin width in a circumferential direction relative to the camshaft axis and a lock pin length perpendicular to the lock pin width and to the lock pin axis such that the lock pin width is less than the lock pin length. |
| US08899198B2 |
Fastening assembly of a camshaft adjuster
A fastening assembly for fastening a camshaft adjuster to a camshaft, having an input part that can be brought into driving engagement with a crankshaft, an output part that is non-rotationally connected to the camshaft, the output part being mounted rotationally adjustably with respect to the input part, and a control mechanism, by which a rotational angle position between the input and output parts can be adjusted. The output part is provided with a central axial opening penetrated by an end section of the camshaft. The end section has a thread-bearing thread section, which is screwed together with a tension nut acting on the output part such that the output part and the camshaft are axially loaded for the non-rotational connection thereof. To this end, the tension nut is elastically loaded in the axial direction or relieved in the axial direction. |
| US08899196B2 |
Variable valve lift apparatus
A variable valve lift apparatus may include a camshaft, a cam piece having first cams having lift amounts that are different formed at one side thereof, a first cam protrusion portion formed near the first cams that is slidably disposed on the camshaft to rotate with the camshaft, a first guide pin that protrudes on one side of an exterior circumference of the first cam protrusion portion, a first guide that is disposed to correspond to the first cam protrusion portion and in which a first guide groove is formed thereon to move the first cam piece in one direction along the camshaft according to the rotation of the first guide pin, and a first operation portion that moves the first guide toward the first cam protrusion portion such that the first guide pin is inserted into the first guide groove of the first guide. |
| US08899195B2 |
Electro-hydraulic variable valve lift apparatus
An electro-hydraulic variable valve lift apparatus may include an hydraulic pump body installed in an engine, a piston provided to reciprocate within the hydraulic pump body and forming an hydraulic pump chamber together with the hydraulic pump body, an hydraulic pump cam disposed to be in contact with the piston and enabling the piston to reciprocate according to a rotation thereof, a retainer provided to be slidable along the piston between the piston and the engine and forming a retainer chamber with the engine, a retainer spring elastically supporting the retainer, an oil control valve allowing the hydraulic pump chamber and the retainer chamber to selectively communicate with each other, a valve opening and closing unit communicating with the hydraulic pump chamber and opened or closed according to oil pressure supplied from the hydraulic pump chamber. |
| US08899192B2 |
Methods and systems for managing a clearance gap in a piston engine
A piston engine may include a heat pipe capable of transferring heat away from a portion of the piston engine such as a combustion section. The heat pipe may be included as part of a piston assembly, a cylinder, or both. The heat pipe may be filled with a suitable heat pipe fluid that may undergo a phase change such as, for example, water, ethanol, ammonia, sodium, other fluids or combinations thereof. Boiling and condensing of the fluid within the heat pipe may utilize the latent heat of the fluid during heat transfer. Multiple heat pipes may be used in some instances. |
| US08899189B2 |
Pressure-applying garment for animals
A garment to reduce an animal's anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof. The garment may include a central portion, flaps extending from opposite sides of the central portion, and, in some cases, a cinching member that extends from a central area of the central portion. The flaps may be fastened together around the chest and stomach of the animal, and the cinching member may be fastened to the central portion or one or more flaps to tighten the garment further, applying pressure to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, or over-excitement. Straps may be provided to secure the garment to the animal's neck. One material that may be used in making the garment is a fabric made of 55% cotton, 35% polyester, and 10% spandex. The animal may generally be any animal with four legs, for example, a dog or cat, or two arms and two legs, for example, a monkey. |
| US08899186B2 |
Oral care devices, methods, and compositions
Oral care devices (including cleaning devices and delivery devices), oral care compositions, and related methods for using such devices and compositions are disclosed herein. A cleaning device may include a plurality of bristles and a plurality of tongue scrapers. A delivery device may include a delivery surface that is configured to retain an oral care composition. The oral care composition may include an incentivizing agent to entice an animal to lick the disclosed cleaning and/or delivery devices and may be in the form of a foam, liquid spray, gel or paste. The oral care composition may be dispensed onto a surface of a cleaning and/or delivery device. The device and composition may then be presented to an animal. The animal may lick the surface of the device. The licking action of the animal in licking the oral care device may clean the oral cavity and/or deliver an oral care composition. |
| US08899177B2 |
Methods and compositions for increasing the hatchability of hatchery eggs
Provided is a method for the hatching of hatchery eggs including: (a) treating the egg shell surface with a coating composition including a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of the egg's shell; and (b) incubating the egg under conditions to cause hatching to occur; wherein the yield of hatching of the hatchery eggs is improved as compared to control eggs not treated as defined in (a). Further provided is a composition for the treating of hatchery eggs prior to incubation, where the composition includes a coating agent, and where the composition improves the hatching yield of the hatchery eggs. |
| US08899176B2 |
Adhesive agent applying apparatus and adhesive agent applying method for absorbent article
An adhesive agent applying apparatus has an ejecting section that ejects a thermoplastic adhesive agent and applies the thermoplastic adhesive agent onto one surface of a continuous sheet, traveling in a predetermined travel path and relevant to an absorbent article, by ejecting the thermoplastic adhesive agent from the ejecting section. The apparatus includes a contacting-detaching mechanism that causes relative movement between the continuous sheet and the ejecting section along a contacting-detaching direction, an ejecting mechanism that performs an ejecting operation of the thermoplastic adhesive agent from the ejecting section, and a controller that controls the contacting-detaching mechanism and the ejecting mechanism. The controller controls, when a travel speed of the continuous sheet is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the contacting-detaching mechanism and the ejecting mechanism in such a manner that, while causing the ejecting section to be in contact with the one surface of the continuous sheet, the thermoplastic adhesive agent is ejected from the ejecting section, and, when the travel speed is less than or equal to the threshold value, controls the contacting-detaching mechanism and the ejecting mechanism in such a manner that the ejection of the thermoplastic adhesive agent from the ejecting section is stopped and that the continuous sheet and the ejecting section come to a spaced apart state at the time the ejection is stopped or after the ejection has been stopped. |
| US08899175B2 |
Apparatus and method for dispensing liquid crystal material
A liquid crystal material dispensing apparatus includes a spacer height measuring unit for measuring a height of a spacer on a substrate, and a liquid crystal material dispensing system for determining an amount of the liquid crystal material to be dispensed on the substrate based upon the measured spacer height and for dispensing the liquid crystal material onto the substrate. |
| US08899173B2 |
Nozzle for adhesive coater
A nozzle assembly configured to form one or more adhesive lines extending in a machine direction on an upper surface of a fibrous web continuously running in the machine direction has first, second and third working regions arranged in this order from upstream toward downstream in the machine direction. The first working region is adapted to come in close contact with the fibrous web fully in a width direction of the fibrous web. The second working region including first partitioning regions is arranged intermittently in a cross direction orthogonal to the machine direction and adhesive outlets each defined between each pair of the adjacent first partitioning regions. The third working region includes second partitioning regions arranged intermittently in the cross direction downstream of the first partitioning regions and stepped regions each defined between each pair of the adjacent second partitioning regions. |
| US08899166B2 |
Active adaptive gyrostabiliser control system
A gyrostabilizer control system and method for stabilizing marine vessel motion based on precession information only. The control system employs an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) precession controller (60). This system operates with a gain factor that is always being gradually minimized so as to let the gyro flywheel (12) develop as much precession as possible—the higher the precession, the higher the roll stabilizing moment. This continuous gain change provides adaptation to changes in sea state and sailing conditions. The system effectively predicts the likelihood of maximum precession being reached. Should this event be detected, then the gain is rapidly increased so as to provide a breaking precession torque. Once the event has passed, the system again attempts to gradually decrease the gain. |
| US08899164B2 |
Embroidery frame transport device and sewing machine
An embroidery frame transport device includes a carriage, a first drive portion, a drive switching portion, and a rotary drive portion. The carriage is provided with an embroidery frame that is rotatable. The first drive portion includes a first transport mechanism and a first drive source. The first transport mechanism transports the carriage in a first direction. The first drive source drives the first transport mechanism. The drive switching portion shuts off transmission of drive power to the first transport mechanism from the first drive source when the first drive portion transports the carriage to a specified position in the first direction. The rotary drive portion causes the embroidery frame to rotate using the drive power of the first drive source, in a state in which the transmission of the drive power from the first drive source to the first transport mechanism is shut off by the drive switching portion. |
| US08899154B2 |
Rock breaking
An auxiliary cartridge for use in rock breaking is disclosed which comprises an elongate body, an end closure at each end of the body and a charge of combustible material in the space defined by the body and the end closures. One of the end closures includes a frangible membrane which closes off a charge of combustible chemicals. On being subjected to the pressure of an external ignition of fast burning combustible material, the membrane fails and permits flame to flash through it from externally of the auxiliary cartridge to internally thereof thereby to ignite said charge. |
| US08899153B2 |
Printing machine and method of operating the machine to avoid undesired vibrations
A method and an apparatus for operating a printing press determine the vibration behavior of at least one impression cylinder of the printing press, with the avoidance or suppression of undesirable vibrations such as resonant vibrations by utilizing measures in the range of the critical frequencies which trigger the vibrations. During operation of a printing press of this type, undesirable vibrations occur which cause quality impairments in relation to the printed image. The invention reduces quality impairments of this type. The problem is solved by performing targeted loading of the drive of the impression cylinder of the printing press with an exciting signal of the power output to cause vibrations of the impression cylinder, and determining critical frequencies in the resonant frequency spectrum of the impression cylinder using the vibrations which are caused. |
| US08899151B2 |
Methods of producing and distributing printed product
A method of producing and distributing printed product applies aqueous solution to a print medium to define non-image and image areas of the print medium, and contacts the non-image area and the image area with ink. Ink is transferred substantially only to the image area of the print medium to produce the printed product. The printed product is distributed to an end user. |
| US08899150B2 |
Reduction of print head temperature by disrupting air from heated webs of print media
Systems and methods are provided for reducing the temperature of print heads of a printer in a multi-printer environment. The system comprises a receiving printer operable to receive a web of print media heated by an upstream dryer. The system further comprises an airflow generator located immediately before the heated web enters the receiving printer, the airflow generator operable to project impinging air that deflects warm air proximate to the heated web. |
| US08899145B2 |
Grill inserts and tool for the same
A tool for removing an interchangeable cooking insert from a grill has a handle end and an engagement end. A handle extends from the handle end toward the engagement end. A support arm extends from the handle toward the engagement end. The support arm has a first lateral edge defining a first lifting hook and a second lateral edge defining a second lifting hook. The first lifting hook and second lifting hook are configured to engage a portion of the cooking insert. A support pin extends across the support arm between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. A latch member is pivotally coupled to one of the support arm and the handle. The latch member includes a first end selectively engageable with a portion of the cooking insert and a second end extending through the handle for actuation of the latching member by a user. |
| US08899143B2 |
Hydraulic control system having variable pressure relief
A hydraulic control system is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a pump configured to pressurize a fluid, an actuator, a position sensor associated with the actuator and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the actuator, and a circuit fluidly connecting the pump to the actuator. The hydraulic control system may also have a valve associated with the circuit and configured to move from a first position, at which fluid relief from the circuit is inhibited, toward a second position, at which fluid is relieved from the circuit through the valve, when a pressure of fluid within the circuit exceeds a threshold setting of the valve. The hydraulic control system may additionally have a controller in communication with the position sensor and the valve. The controller may be configured to selectively cause adjust the threshold setting of the valve based on the first signal. |
| US08899142B1 |
Bolt carrier assembly
A convertible gas piston conversion system for the AR-15, AR-10, or their variant rifle platforms is provided to convert the platform from a direct impingement gas system to a piston driven operating system. The conversion system includes a gas block having a barrel bore and two piston cylinder bores one on either side of the gas block. One of the piston cylinder bores is for utilization of the AR-15 rifle and the other of the piston cylinder bores is for utilization of the AR-10 rifle, making this piston system convertible for either the AR-15, AR-10, or any of their variant rifle platforms. A piston cylinder is inserted into the gas block via the piston cylinder bore and a piston is actuated inside the piston cylinder to cycle the rifle. A connecting link is coupled between the piston and an op-rod making the gas systems length adjustable by simply replacing the connecting link. The op-rod acts directly upon a carrier lug to cycle the rifle and a compression spring or the like returns the piston back into the battery within the piston cylinder. An op-rod bushing guides the op-rod throughout travel. A bolt carrier includes a lug and an anti tilt/anti wear device. The bolt carrier provides a lug for the op-rod to impinge upon to cycle the rifle. The anti tilt/anti wear bolt carrier device installs into the rear of the bolt carrier to minimize damage and wear to the buffer tube and upper receiver from a condition identified as carrier tilt. |
| US08899139B2 |
Explosive device disruptor system with self contained launcher cartridges
A disruptor system includes a plurality of launcher cartridges each including a casing having a closed rearward end and an open forward end defining a cavity. A propellant and payload are carried within the cavity proximate the rearward end. A mounting base is included, having a breach portion defining a back surface and a plurality of barrel portions terminating at a forward end. Each barrel portion defines a bore, the bore open at the forward end. Each bore receives one of the plurality of launcher cartridges. A firing mechanism is coupled to each of the plurality of cartridges. |
| US08899138B2 |
Firearm having a handle assembly for charging and forward assist
A firearm includes a receiver defining a receiver bore and a bolt carrier disposed in the receiver bore. The bolt carrier is moveable relative to the receiver along a longitudinal axis between a firing position and a rearward position. A hand guard is coupled to the receiver and an elongated member is fixed relative to the bolt carrier in the hand guard. A handle assembly is slideably engaged with the elongated member in the hand guard and the handle assembly is moveable toward the receiver to define a charging motion. The bolt carrier presents a first surface and the handle assembly terminates at a terminal surface aligned with the first surface along the longitudinal axis. The terminal surface of the handle assembly abuts the first surface of the bolt carrier when the handle assembly is moved in the charging motion. |
| US08899135B2 |
Cutting tool setting system
A cutting tool setting system contains a tool head for the settable holding of a cutting tool, the head having an adjustment device for the cutting tool. The cutting tool setting system has a setting tool which can be mechanically removably engaged in the tool head at an interface for adjusting the adjustment device in the tool head. The setting tool contains a shaft body having a key part. A key engagement for actuating the adjustment device is designed on the tool head. The key part can be displaced relative to the shaft body in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the body in order to selectively couple and release the key part of the setting tool and the key part at the interface of the tool head. |
| US08899133B1 |
Hydraulic puller device
A hydraulic puller device for pulling bearings, gears, wheels and pulleys from objects such as shafts and axles and other machine parts. The hydraulic puller device includes a mobile base assembly, a jaw assembly being mounted to the base assembly and including a plurality of jaw members, a press assembly being mounted to the base assembly for urging against an object to facilitate the removal of a press fitted work piece, and a control assembly being in fluid communication with the base assembly, the jaw assembly and the ram assembly. |
| US08899131B2 |
Driveline product for selective coupling of multiple inputs and multiple outputs
A driveline product including first and second inputs having input rotational axes, first and second outputs having output rotational axes, a transfer coupling between at least one of the input rotational axes and at least one of the output rotational axes, and at least two selective couplings operatively coupled between the inputs and the outputs for operation selective between at least two drives powered by at least one of two prime movers. |
| US08899128B2 |
Steering device
A steering device includes: an inner column; an outer column that includes a left-right pair of outer column half bodies having holding surface portions formed on respective inner surface sides thereof, the two holding surface portions together constituting a holding inner peripheral surface for holding an outer peripheral surface of the inner column; a pivot bracket in which hanging side portions are formed on either width direction side of a pivot upper portion; a fixing bracket provided with fixing side portions on either width direction side; and a clamping tool. Respective width direction outside surfaces of the two outer column half bodies are sandwiched between the two hanging side portions of the pivot bracket, and the two fixing side portions of the fixing bracket are connected such that the two width direction outside surfaces of the two outer column half bodies can be clamped and released by the clamping tool. |
| US08899124B2 |
Industrial robot
An industrial robot includes a support body, a moving platform, a pivot shaft, a plurality of driving devices, a plurality of transfer branch joints, and a base. The support body includes a main body, and an installing portion opposite to the main body; the pivot shaft is rotatably connected with the main body and the moving platform; the driving devices are positioned at a bottom of the main body; each transfer branch joint is movably connected with the moving platform and one corresponding driving device; the installing base includes a bottom base, and two supporting arms extending from opposite sides of the bottom base; the bottom base and the two supporting arms cooperatively forming a receiving space; the bottom base and the two supporting arms are detachable in relation to the installing portion and the main body; the main body is received in the receiving space. |
| US08899115B2 |
Method and system for locating a laser vibrometer during non-contact scanning
A method and system are provided for inspecting a surface of an object with an optical scanner and a laser vibrometer. The method includes the steps of: (a) mapping at least a portion of the object surface using the optical scanner; (b) projecting a beam of light from the laser vibrometer onto the object surface at a measurement point; (c) locating the measurement point relative to the object surface using the optical scanner; and (d) measuring a position of the object surface using the laser vibrometer to determine, for example, a deflection of the object surface. |
| US08899114B2 |
Energy intensity transformation
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08899113B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting a tube
An apparatus for inspecting a tubular workpiece may include a probe assembly and a rotation mechanism. The probe assembly may include a transducer array positionable adjacent to an inner surface of the tubular workpiece. The probe assembly may generate transmitted sound waves and may receive reflected sound waves. The rotation mechanism may rotate the probe assembly relative to the tubular workpiece in a manner such that the transducer array passes over the inner surface in a circumferential direction during transmission of the transmitted sound waves. |
| US08899112B2 |
Gyro sensor and electronic device including the same
A gyro sensor includes: a driving mass; a detection mass connected with the driving mass; a driving connection one end and the other end of which are connected with the driving mass and an anchor, respectively; an island connected with the anchor, and disposed with a clearance left between the island and the driving mass in such a manner as to be electrically connected with the driving mass; and a projection provided at least either on the surface of the driving mass opposed to the island, or on the surface of the island opposed to the driving mass. The driving unit includes a movable electrode unit connected with the driving mass, and a fixed electrode unit. The minimum distance between the driving mass and the island is longer than the driving amplitude of the driving mass and shorter than the maximum amplitude of the movable electrode unit. |
| US08899111B2 |
Device for measuring forces generated by an unbalance
A device for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a rotor, said device comprising a stationary frame, a first bearing, measuring shaft mounted rotatably about its shaft axis in the first bearing, a mounting means provided on the measuring shaft designed for attachment of the rotor, wherein the rotor is designed to be balanced in at least one compensating plane, a second bearing pivotally supporting the first bearing about a pivot axis which intersects the shaft axis and being supported on the stationary frame, a first force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting about the pivot axis, and a second force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting on the measuring shaft and on the second bearing in a direction intersecting the shaft axis. |
| US08899110B2 |
Pedaling motion measuring device and pedaling motion sensor device
The inventive pedaling motion measuring device includes: a measurement body unit having a first sensor unit for sensing the number of rotation of a wheel by sensing the motion of the wheel of a bicycle, and second sensor units arranged at right and left crank arms for sensing magnitude and direction of a force applied to each of the right and left crank arms. The first work calculation unit calculates work performed by the bicycle based on the number of rotation of the wheel sensed by the first sensor unit. The second work calculation unit calculates work provided to the crank member by the user within a prescribed time, based on the magnitude and direction of the force applied to each of the right and left crank arms and sensed by the second sensor units. The efficiency calculation unit calculates the efficiency of the bicycle. |
| US08899107B2 |
Downhole determination of asphaltene content
A system and method for determining the asphaltene content of a downhole oil sample are provided. In one example, the method includes obtaining a hydrocarbon sample from a hydrocarbon formation of a reservoir at a given depth using a downhole tool. A liquid phase of the hydrocarbon sample is isolated within the downhole tool and the liquid phase is subjected to downhole analysis within the downhole tool to create a chromatography sample. The downhole analysis is based at least partially on size exclusion chromatography. A first property of the chromatography sample is measured to obtain a measured value, and a second property of the chromatography sample is estimated based on the measured value and known calibration curves. |
| US08899106B2 |
Method for detecting structural stability of object area and apparatus for the same
A method and apparatus are provided for detecting a structural stability of an object area. The method and apparatus include disposing a plurality of electrodes in the object area along a depth direction of the object area, surrounding the electrodes with a filling material; measuring a micro potential difference via the electrodes, generating a micro potential difference when the filling material is deformed by a force according to a change of the object area; and determining the structural stability of the object area based upon the measured micro potential difference. |
| US08899105B2 |
Slim capacitance sensor for downhole applications
A capacitive pressure sensor includes a stator which encircles a portion of a cylindrical diaphragm. This encircling forms a circumferential gap between the sidewalls of the stator and the diaphragm. Therefore, a greater area “A” can be achieved in smaller diameter sensor footprint than prior art designs and yet still detect relatively small changes in capacitance. Additionally, the width “g1” of the gap can be wider than prior art designs without negatively affecting capacitance detection. A bonding agent which has a melting temperature of about half that of bonding agents used in prior art designs, secures the stator to the diaphragm and reduces oxidation issues during assembly, thereby decreasing manufacturing time and cost. To ensure proper side-to-side alignment of the stator relative to the diaphragm, a centering sleeve, which is removed after bonding, is placed over as stub at the upper end of the diaphragm. |
| US08899093B2 |
Drawing support for a sheet metal drawing machine
A drawing support for a metal sheet drawing machine. In one implementation the drawing support is constructed of a plurality of plates positioned in series one after the other and coupled together so that at least a portion of the plurality of plates are compressed one against the other. In one implementation each of the plurality of plates has a window through which metal sheet to be drawn may pass, and a holder for holding the metal sheet when it is drawn. |
| US08899088B1 |
Pipe homing tool and method
A pipe homing tool includes a plurality of clamps each having a clamp cavity, a chain extending through the clamp cavity of each of the plurality of clamps and a binder engaging the chain and adapted to selectively shorten and lengthen the chain. |
| US08899085B2 |
System and method for forming a metal beverage container using blow molding
A system and method of manufacturing a metal vessel may include providing a preform formed of a work hardened metal that includes an open portion, a closed end portion, and body portion. The body portion of the preform may be preheated in a manner that limits heat being applied to the open portion and closed end portion of the preform. The preheated preform may be blow molded. |
| US08899084B2 |
Magnetic pulse welding and forming for plates
A method of welding two workpieces together is described. A conductor in electrical communication with a pulse circuit is provided. A portion of the second workpiece is located adjacent the conductor. The two workpieces are also located together. A portion, or all, of one workpiece is welded to the other by applying a pulse current to one of the workpieces. A method of forming a workpiece is disclosed using a pulse current to move the workpiece into a desired shape. |
| US08899083B2 |
Lock
A lock (100) is described, comprising: a body (1) suitable for defining a housing (2) having a main development direction (D) along a direction of insertion (I) of the key; a first rotor (30) suitable for being rotationally housed inside said housing (2) of such a body (1) around the main development direction (D) of such a body (1), said first rotor (30) being suitable for defining a further housing to receive a second rotor (40) that can rotate inside said first rotor (30) around the main development direction (D) of such a body (1). The lock (100) is characterized in that said second rotor (40) can be rotated by the key between a position of disengagement and a position of engagement with said first rotor (30), in said position of engagement said first rotor (30) and said second rotor (40) being suitable for translating as a unit along the main development direction (D) of the body (1) to reach a position in which the lock (100) is actuated. |
| US08899080B1 |
Cinch lock apparatus and method
A system for securing an item is disclosed. The system may include a length of flexible cable, a connector, and a lock. The connector may selectively connect a first portion of the cable and a second portion of the cable to form a loop in the cable. The connector may comprise a base comprising a first aperture containing the first portion of the cable and a corner. The connector may further comprise a blocker. The blocker may occupy a blocking position wherein the blocker cooperates with the base to maintain the second portion bent around the corner. The lock may selectively secure the blocker with respect to the base and maintain the blocker in the blocking position. |
| US08899078B2 |
Glass sheet stabilizing system, glass manufacturing system and method for making a glass sheet
A stabilizing system is described herein that reinforces a bowed profile of a downward moving glass sheet which helps to reduce the creation of stress within the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also form a rigid zone within the glass sheet which blocks or dampens any disturbances (motion) to the glass sheet that is caused by the scoring and separating of the glass sheet from transferring up the glass sheet. In yet another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also flatten the glass sheet before the scoring and separating of the glass sheet which is desirable because it enables a laser scoring mechanism to cut the glass sheet with the required edge straightness and avoids having to perform another precision cutting process. |
| US08899074B2 |
Methods of natural gas liquefaction and natural gas liquefaction plants utilizing multiple and varying gas streams
A method of natural gas liquefaction may include cooling a gaseous NG process stream to form a liquid NG process stream. The method may further include directing the first tail gas stream out of a plant at a first pressure and directing a second tail gas stream out of the plant at a second pressure. An additional method of natural gas liquefaction may include separating CO2 from a liquid NG process stream and processing the CO2 to provide a CO2 product stream. Another method of natural gas liquefaction may include combining a marginal gaseous NG process stream with a secondary substantially pure NG stream to provide an improved gaseous NG process stream. Additionally, a NG liquefaction plant may include a first tail gas outlet, and at least a second tail gas outlet, the at least a second tail gas outlet separate from the first tail gas outlet. |
| US08899068B2 |
Refrigerator comprising vacuum space
This invention relates to refrigerators, and more particularly to a refrigerator in which a vacuum space is formed between an outer case and an inner case of a body thereof for enhancing a heat insulating function. The refrigerator includes a body having a storage space for storing a predetermined storage object, wherein the body includes an inner case having the storage space, an outer case having an inside surface spaced a predetermined gap from an outside surface of the inner case to house the inner case, and a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case sealed to maintain a vacuum state for heat insulating between the inner case and the outer case. |
| US08899061B2 |
Advanced multi-purpose, multi-stage evaporative cold water/cold air generating and supply system
An industrial heat load evaporative cooling system. The system includes multiple cooling towers and includes cooling coil heat transfer equipment locally associated with an industrial heat load, with the system subject to command and control equipment. |
| US08899059B2 |
External condenser and light assembly
The present invention relates generally to an external condenser and light assembly and, more particularly, to an improved external air conditioning condenser and housing that is designed to additionally serve as a light assembly for an emergency vehicle. The condenser housing is mounted to the exterior of the emergency vehicle, which improves the performance of the emergency vehicle's air-conditioning system. The design of the condenser housing also allows it to serve as a light assembly on which emergency vehicle lights are mounted. The condenser housing and light assembly structure thereby provides for proper air conditioning functionality without occupying space on the exterior of the vehicle that would more preferably be occupied by emergency lighting. |
| US08899058B2 |
Air conditioner heat pump with injection circuit and automatic control thereof
Heating equipment, including a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger, and a first expansion valve that decompresses a refrigerant flowing from the second heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger, are connected so as to circulate the refrigerant. A third heat exchanger provides heat of the refrigerant flowing from the second heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger to the refrigerant flowing from the first heat exchanger toward the compressor. An injection circuit merges part of the refrigerant flowing from the second heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger with the refrigerant that is sucked by the compressor. An injection expansion valve is installed in the injection circuit and decompresses the refrigerant flowing in the injection circuit. A fourth heat exchanger is installed in the injection circuit to supply heat of the refrigerant flowing from the second heat exchanger toward the first heat exchanger to the refrigerant flowing in the injection circuit. |
| US08899057B2 |
Control systems and methods for modular heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems
Embodiments of a modular air conditioning (AC) unit include a base unit, a blower mounted to the base unit, and at least one heat exchanger module assembled to the base unit and communicatively coupled to the blower to form a modular AC circuit. The modular AC unit also includes a controller communicatively coupled to at least one component of the modular AC circuit and adapted to independently control operation of each of the components of the modular AC circuit. |
| US08899054B2 |
Cooling devices and methods for use with electric submersible pumps
Cooling devices for use with electric submersible pump motors include a refrigerator attached to the end of the electric submersible pump motor with the evaporator heat exchanger accepting all or a portion of the heat load from the motor. The cooling device can be a self-contained bolt-on unit, so that minimal design changes to existing motors are required. |
| US08899053B2 |
Cryogenic refrigerator
A cryogenic refrigerator includes a cylinder configured to be fed with a refrigerant gas, a displacer configured to reciprocate in the cylinder, a drive unit configured to cause the displacer to reciprocate in the cylinder, and a connecting mechanism connecting the drive unit and the displacer. The connecting mechanism includes an output shaft extending from the drive unit toward the displacer, an engagement pin provided through the output shaft to extend in directions to cross the reciprocating directions of the displacer, a rotation prevention mechanism configured to engage with the engagement pin to prevent a further rotation of the displacer when the displacer rotates, and a lid body fixed to an end portion of the displacer and engaging with the output shaft. |
| US08899051B2 |
Gas turbine engine flange assembly including flow circuit
The disclosure is directed to a unique apparatus having a gas turbine engine flange assembly. Also disclosed is a unique system having a gas turbine engine flange assembly in which a fluid flow circuit is provided. Also disclosed are apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engine flange assemblies, in which a fluid flow circuit extends between flanges or from a cavity within a turbine engine case to an interior portion of a flange assembly. |
| US08899048B2 |
Low calorific value fuel combustion systems for gas turbine engines
A combustion system for a gas turbine engine includes a housing defining a pressure vessel. A master injector is mounted to the housing for injecting fuel along a central axis defined through the pressure vessel. A plurality of slave injectors is included. Each slave injector is disposed radially outward of and substantially parallel to the master injector for injecting fuel and air in an injection plume radially outward of fuel injected through the master injector. The master injector and slave injectors are configured and adapted so the injection plume of the master injector intersects with the injection plumes of the slave injectors. The slave injectors can be staged for reduced power operation. |
| US08899044B2 |
Surface tension mediated conversion of light to work
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for converting light energy to mechanical energy by modification of surface tension on a supporting fluid. The apparatus comprises an object which may be formed as a composite object comprising a support matrix and a highly light absorptive material. The support matrix may comprise a silicon polymer. The highly light absorptive material may comprise vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VANTs) embedded in the support matrix. The composite object is supported on a fluid. By exposing the highly light absorptive material to light, heat is generated, which changes the surface tension of the composite object, causing it to move physically within the fluid. |
| US08899040B2 |
Compressor bypass
A power system includes a natural gas engine, a first turbine receiving an exhaust from the engine, and a second turbine having an inlet fluidly connected to an outlet of the first turbine. The power system also includes a compressor driven by the first turbine. The compressor has an outlet fluidly connected to the engine. The power system further includes a bypass system directing a fluid from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet of the second turbine. |
| US08899037B2 |
Stirling engine
The present invention provides a Stirling engine capable of effectively recovering heat from exhaust gas flowing through a flue, and connecting a heating portion 10 and a regeneration portion 5 with each other through an operation gas tube without providing a flow passage separating portion 110, and the heating portion 10 includes a heating portion head 10a and a heat-transfer tube group, the heating portion head 10a includes first through holes 30R and second through holes 30S, the first through holes 30R are formed closer to a center region of the heating portion head 10a as compared with the second through holes 30S, one ends of U-shaped tubes are mounted in the first through holes 30R and the other ends of them are mounted in the second through holes 30S, and parallel exhaust gas flow passages is formed between the U-shaped tubes. |
| US08899029B1 |
Exhaust apparatus for decreasing reversion of cooling liquid in a marine propulsion system
Apparatuses for marine propulsion systems having an internal combustion engine comprise an exhaust conduit conveying exhaust from the internal combustion engine; a cooling jacket on the exhaust conduit; and a cooling passage between the exhaust conduit and the cooling jacket. The cooling passage guides flow of cooling liquid from upstream to downstream towards a location where the cooling liquid is mixed with exhaust in the exhaust conduit. First and second baffles are axially spaced apart and extend transversely with respect to the cooling passage so as to disperse the flow of cooling liquid at the location where the cooling liquid is mixed with the exhaust, thereby reducing reversion of cooling liquid in the exhaust conduit. At least one catalyst and at least one oxygen sensor are disposed in the exhaust conduit. The oxygen sensor is adjacent to and oriented parallel to a downstream face of the catalyst so that exhaust flows perpendicularly across the sensor. |
| US08899028B2 |
Particulate matter processing apparatus
Aggregation of particulate matter is facilitated. Provision is made for an electrode that is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine with a voltage to be applied thereto being able to be changed, a detection device that detects an electric current passing through the electrode, a determination device that determines whether a pulse current has been generated in the electric current detected by the detection device, and a control device that reduces the voltage to be applied more than that at this time in cases where a determination has been made by the determination device that a pulse current has been generated. |
| US08899025B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for reducing an emission from a combustion reaction
The invention is directed at systems and process for reducing or eliminating the emissions of one or more undesirable substances. The systems include a heat storage device an emission reduction device, one or more valves, and one or more exit points. |
| US08899023B2 |
Catalyzed SCR filter and emission treatment system
Provided is an emission treatment system and method for simultaneously remediating the nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and gaseous hydrocarbons present in diesel engine exhaust streams. The emission treatment system has an oxidation catalyst upstream of a soot filter coated with a material effective in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx by a reductant, e.g., ammonia. Also provided is a method for disposing an SCR catalyst composition on a wall flow monolith that provides adequate catalyst loading, but does not result in unsuitable back pressures in the exhaust. |
| US08899022B2 |
Apparatus for the aftertreatment of the exhaust gases of diesel engines
An exhaust gas aftertreatment device, including a bent exhaust pipe, a mixing pipe having a closed end at the exhaust pipe bend and a bell-shaped widened portion in at least partial contact with the exhaust pipe at its opposite end, and a nozzle connected to a receptacle in the mixing pipe closed end for injecting an additive into the exhaust gases, with a mixing zone in the exhaust pipe between the urea nozzle and the exhaust pipe outlet in which the exhaust gases flow around the mixing pipe symmetrically and form a double eddy in the mixing pipe. |
| US08899021B2 |
Reagent dosing system and method of dosing reagent
A method of dosing a reagent into an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine having an SCR catalyst, the method comprising injecting reagent from a reagent tank into the exhaust gas stream at a position upstream of the SCR catalyst using a reagent injector in accordance with a first dosing schedule in order to remediate a predetermined proportion of NOx in the exhaust gas stream, the first dosing schedule being associated with a first range of engine operating conditions; and injecting reagent from the reagent tank into the exhaust gas stream at a position upstream of the SCR catalyst using a reagent injector in accordance with a second dosing schedule in order to enable heat transfer between the reagent injector and said injected reagent, the second dosing schedule being associated with a second range of engine operating conditions. |
| US08899020B2 |
Apparatus and method for assisting selective catalytic reduction
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for vaporizing a fluid to improve performance of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst. A vaporizer including a plurality of flow channels having an increased surface area may facilitate vaporization and mixing of the fluid in, e.g., an engine exhaust or gas containing nitrous oxides. The vaporizer may be located in an exhaust system downstream of a fluid injection site and upstream of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The exhaust discharged from the selective catalytic reduction catalyst may have a reduced concentration of nitrogen oxides. |
| US08899018B2 |
Optimized exhaust after-treatment integration
Through the use transfer functions, or other modeling types, directed toward the individual operation of an engine and after-treatment subsystems, an optimizer determines the trade-offs between fuel consumption, urea consumption, and reduction of NOx and PM emissions for each component of the integrated system. Evaluation of these trade-offs permits the optimizer to dictate how each component should be controlled, or adjusted, to achieve optimal fuel (and urea) consumption while meeting the constraints bounding the solution. Response characteristics can be triggered by adjusting certain engine operating levers in order to achieve optimal performance of the integrated system. |
| US08899017B2 |
Exhaust treatment unit
An exhaust treatment unit treats exhaust gas from an engine of a work vehicle. The exhaust treatment unit includes a diesel particulate filter device, a selective catalytic reduction device, a first support component and a second support component. The diesel particulate filter device treats the exhaust gas. The selective catalytic reduction device treats the exhaust gas. The first support component supports the diesel particulate filter device. The second support component supports the selective catalytic reduction device and the first support component. The first support component is detachable from the second support component. |
| US08899008B2 |
System and method for heat recovery in a gas turbine engine
A system includes an anti-icing heat recovery system, which includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a variable speed fan. The first heat exchanger is configured to receive a working fluid from an exhaust section of a gas turbine engine and to transfer heat from the working fluid to a cooled intermediate heat transfer medium to generate a heated intermediate heat transfer medium. The second heat exchanger is configured to receive the heated intermediate heat transfer medium from the first heat exchanger and to transfer heat from the heated intermediate heat transfer medium to air entering the gas turbine engine. The variable speed fan is configured to urge the working fluid from the exhaust section of the gas turbine engine through the first heat exchanger. |
| US08899004B2 |
Locking headplate for adjustable saddle tree
A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected plates for securing to a saddle tree head portion, a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, and at least one supplemental locking mechanism for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The hingedly connected plates include apertures for receiving a portion of the rotatable displacing element therethrough, the apertures defining at least one cross-sectional dimension that is greater than a corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the rotatable displacing element. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided. |
| US08899000B2 |
Architectural membrane and method of making same
An architectural membrane assembly including an interior membrane layer having a first inner surface, an exterior membrane layer having a second inner surface, an aerogel material disposed between the interior membrane layer and the exterior membrane layer, wherein the first and second inner surfaces are adjacent to the aerogel material and a vapor barrier deposited on one of the first and second inner surfaces. |
| US08898998B1 |
Method to manufacture paneling or flooring strips from wooden barrel staves
Disclosed is a novel wall or ceiling paneling or flooring manufactured from curved cask staves used in the aging of liquors, including wine and whiskey, having a desirable patina that emits a scent having a bouquet associated with the bouquet of the fermented liquor that was aged in the cask, as well as a method to manufacture the paneling or flooring that includes the steps of first straightening the curved staves, and then scrapping a portion of the stained surface layer of the stave to remove any splintering that may have occurred during the stave straightening process. The straightened, scraped stave is affixed to a wall or predetermined sub flooring surface with the stained surface layer remaining exposed for viewing or foot traffic and to permit the release of the wine, whiskey or other spirit bouquet into the room. |
| US08898996B2 |
Method for forming a retaining wall, and corresponding retaining wall
A method for forming a cementitious retaining wall is described. The method includes the step of defining on an earth surface an outline of the wall to be formed. The outline delimits an area of earth to be excavated. The method also includes the step of compacting the area. After compaction, the earth underneath and adjacent to the area is densified, which provides stability to the earth during excavation and after the wall is formed. The method also includes the step of excavating the earth from the area compacted to an initial depth, thereby creating a wall cavity. The method further includes the step of compacting the bottom surface of the wall cavity and subsequently excavating the earth from the compacted bottom surface. This step can be repeated as much as required, under a final depth of the wall cavity is reached. Once the final depth is reached, the wall cavity can be filled at least partially a cementitious material so as to form the retaining wall. |
| US08898983B2 |
Waffle slab interlocking wall
A waffle slab interlocking wall, including slab columns, slab beams, and interlocking building blocks. At least one interlocking building block is embedded in a space enclosed by at least one slab column and at least two slab beams or by at least two slab columns and at least one slab beam. The interlocking building block includes an external faceplate and an internal faceplate which are spliced by a connecting piece. |
| US08898980B2 |
Pullout resistant pintle and anchoring system utilizing the same
A high-strength pullout resistant pintle and anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The modified veneer tie utilizes ribbon pintles formed from a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The ribbon pintles hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with receptor portions of a wall anchor and are dimensioned to preclude significant lateral, vertical and horizontal movement. |
| US08898979B2 |
Visual patterning for a cover system using modular units on a patterned backing
A modular panel unit according to one embodiment includes a major subunit adapted for being secured to a keyed backing panel, and at least one minor subunit. The major subunit includes at least one connector adapted for coupling to a corresponding connection feature of the keyed backing panel in order to secure the major subunit to the keyed backing panel; and one or more coupling features. Each minor subunit includes: one or more couplers adapted for coupling to the one or more coupling features of the major subunit in order to secure the minor subunit to the major subunit. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08898978B2 |
Innovative batten system for roof tile installation
A roof tile installation assembly having a plurality of battens, each having a front end portion and a back end portion, and defining a channel between the front end portion and the back end portion, and at least one roof tile having a front end and a back end, the back end having a downwardly protruding flange. In use, the plurality of battens are preferably arranged parallel to one another on a rooftop so that the front end portion of each batten is toward the eave of the rooftop and the back end portion of each batten is toward the peak of the rooftop, and each roof tile flange is preferably arranged to be received by a batten channel so that the roof tile is substantially constrained from moving forward or backward relative to the batten so that the front end of each roof tile is arranged to be supported by the next adjacent batten. |
| US08898973B2 |
Building cavity ventilation system
A system for ventilating the cavity of a fixed or movable window or door construction of a building, the window or door having an upper sill or header and a low sill provided with weep holes and a pair of jamb elements, the system comprising a vent member operative associated with the upper sill portion, the vent member is in fluid communication with the upper sill at one end thereof and also with the interior of the building at an opposite end thereof, the vent member extends vertically above the upper sill a distance sufficient to vent pressure within the cavity to the interior of the building so that water is caused to be readily conveyed out of the weep holes regardless of any pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the building. |
| US08898972B2 |
Quick assembling floor mat and components thereof
A quick assembling floor mat has multiple reinforced plastic bars and multiple connecting strips. Each reinforced plastic bar has a body, a mounting seat formed on the top surface of the body, at least one metal reinforcing sheet mounted in the body to enhance the structural strength of the body and two connecting grooves respectively formed in the sidewalls of the body. Each one of the connecting strips is connected to two adjacent reinforced plastic bars and has two enlarged ends respectively formed on and protruding from the sides of the connecting strip and corresponding to the connecting grooves of the two adjacent reinforced plastic bars. The reinforced plastic bars only use a small amount of a metal material to reinforce, and this can reduce the cost of materials and can maintain the rigidity and the intensity of the quick assembling floor mat. |
| US08898970B2 |
Photovoltaic roofing systems with inner corner flashings
The present invention relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy and provides inside corner flashings useful for flashing photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic roofing elements are disposed in a staggered configuration. |
| US08898969B2 |
Net-zero energy curtain wall
Curtain walls according to embodiments of the present disclosure integrate a variety of energy producing and/or energy saving features and may be used to clad buildings to achieve net zero energy or low energy ratings. A curtain wall may comprise: a support frame; a grid assembly attached to the support frame; and, panels and cassettes each comprising a prefabricated unit attached to a frame; wherein the assembly is configured for ease of attachment of the frames carrying the prefabricated units. A wide range of different panels and cassettes with different functions can be integrated into the curtain wall, such as glazing, electrochromic, solar, photovoltaic (PV) and aluminum. |
| US08898967B2 |
Fixture for solar modules
Disclosed is a fixture for external frame sections (1) of solar modules on a profiled support (2). Said fixture comprises a clamping piece support (3) which can be moved in a guided manner on the profiled support (2) in the longitudinal direction of the profiled support (2) and can be braced with the profiled support (2) so as to enclose a frame section (1) of the solar module and a clamping piece (4) that is guided within the clamping piece support (3). The clamping piece (4) is designed as a double-angled profiled element which has legs (4.1, 4.2) extending in opposite directions. The upper leg (4.1) embraces the frame section (1) of the solar module while the lower leg (4.2) is disposed in and on the clamping piece support (3) so as to be vertically adjustable in a guided manner in the moving direction (7). |
| US08898962B2 |
Building roof system
The invention relates to a roof structure which can be formed from a reduced number of components with respect to a conventional structure. The structure is typically pitched or sloped and comprises a series of spaced apart trusses which are spanned by roof panels which form the external face of the roof. The panels are interlinked or engaged and may in one embodiment be provided with an inner face of insulating material. In one embodiment the panels and/or other components, such as the trusses, may be formed from plastics material. |
| US08898960B2 |
Eavestrough cover
An eavestrough having a front wall, rear wall and top wall with a foraminous membrane extending between the rear wall and front wall, and a recess formed between the eavestrough top wall and the foraminous membrane which permits reversal of water flow flowing towards the recess. |
| US08898955B2 |
Synthetic symbiotic system as soil additives to deliver active ingredients through plant roots for enhanced plant and crop yield
A plant growth support medium is described to enhance soil characteristics and provide where required, improved water, or nutrient contents. La addition the medium can be inoculated with microorganisms to aid soil characteristics and provide interactions within micron-scale environment between plant roots, water, nutrients and where applicable, bacteria and root exudates. This micro-environment provides direct delivery of active ingredients to the plant roots. The medium comprises a polymeric material having a primary pore size of greater than 30 micron. The walls of the pores are elastic, enabling the pore to swell in size to retain water, solutes or other biologically useful components and allow root penetration through them. Sulphonation of the walls renders the walls more hydrophilic so attracting water into the pores and also increasing the wall elasticity. Capillaries can be provided to interconnect pores and allow root penetration into the medium. The pore walls can be granular in character to allow water, nutrient and where applicable, bacterial metabolites and messenger molecules passage between adjacent pores and plant roots. |
| US08898954B2 |
Combined greenhouse
A combined greenhouse has a foundation bed, an outer wall assembly, a temperature control assembly, a roof and a plant bed. The foundation bed has multiple stands and a reinforcing device. The outer wall assembly is mounted on the foundation bed and has four walls and an outer frame. Each wall has a base frame and a transparent device. The outer frame is mounted outside the wall that is mounted on the front stand of the foundation bed. The temperature control assembly is mounted in the foundation bed and has a ventilating device, a water-wall device and an air-sucking device. The roof is mounted on the outer wall assembly and has multiple roof mounts. The plant bed is mounted on the reinforcing device and each has two end frames, at least one linking frame, a baseboard, a plant net and multiple resisting boards. |
| US08898951B2 |
Double fishing lure
A fishing lure includes a leading lure body shaped like a fish; and a trailing lure body shaped like a fish. The leading lure body includes a passage therethrough to enable a fishing line to slidably pass through the passage for connection to the trailing lure body. The trailing lure body includes a front portion and a curved front surface. The front portion of the trailing lure body is weighted such that the trailing lure body tends to sink front portion first in water. The curved front surface of the trailing fishing lure facilitates a swimming motion for the trailing lure body when the trailing lure body moves through water, and tends to lift the trailing lure body if the trailing lure body is pulled through water. |
| US08898948B1 |
Flip attachment adapters, devices, systems and methods for firearms
Foldable and flippable adapter devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching accessories, such as grips and lights to firearms. Adapters can include a slidable thumb switch for locking a swinging plate with side rails to a main plate, and spring loaded detents for locking the swinging plate in substantially vertical orientations. A folding rail adapter can be substituted for the existing rail system on firearms to allow the rail to be directly attached to the firearm. A flipping rail adapter can have a pivotal lever which supports a folding rail in an open position. Springably biased detent pins allow the lever to lock open. Pushing the lever back will overcome the springs so that the pins can pass out of the detents allowing the folding rail to move to a folded position. |
| US08898947B2 |
Open chamber mechanism
Aspects described herein relate to an open chamber gun mechanism comprising a frame and a cylinder assembly that forms an open chamber positioned for rotation within the frame, said open chamber including an insert positioned within the open chamber, the insert forming an expandable region between the open chamber and cylinder. According to one embodiment, the insert is configured to deflect into the expandable region upon firing the open chamber gun mechanism. |
| US08898945B2 |
System and method for hanging picture frames
A system and method for hanging a picture frame on a wall, comprising the steps of providing a picture frame with a hanger, for receiving a nail therein and a marking device temporarily secured to the picture frame and disposed near the void for receiving the nail; pressing the picture frame with the marking device protruding out from the picture frame, so that the marking device makes a perceivable mark on the wall, then removing the marking device; inserting a nail, screw or a length adjustable wall auger into the wall at the mark; and hanging the picture with the hanger so that the nail, screw or a length adjustable wall auger occupies some of the space earlier occupied by the marking device. |
| US08898940B1 |
Hazardous-rated exit sign and floodlights
An exit sign includes an explosion-proof housing having a first chamber and a second chamber within the housing separated by a divider wall, a bottom plate attached to said housing and defining an interface between said housing and said bottom plate, and a window, disposed in said bottom plate, containing a clear glass or plastic window pane and located proximate to said first chamber of said housing, wherein a volume of said first chamber, a housing wall thickness surrounding said first chamber, a divider wall thickness, and a window pane thickness are arranged and designed according to an expected internal explosion pressure within said first chamber, and wherein a volume of said second chamber, a housing wall thickness surrounding said second chamber, and a divider wall thickness are arranged and designed according to an expected internal explosion pressure within said second chamber. The exit sign includes a generally planar sign panel coupled to said housing at said window, an indicium disposed on said sign panel, a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed within said second chamber of said housing and directed to shine light through said window into said sign panel, and at least one floodlight comprising one or more light emitting diodes directed to illuminate a region in proximity with said exit sign. |
| US08898934B2 |
Article of footwear with flexible reinforcing plate
A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure includes a reinforcing plate. The reinforcing plate includes a first flange portion corresponding to a big toe of a foot and a second flange portion corresponding to a ball region of a foot. The first flange portion and the second flange portion each include a cleat member. |
| US08898932B2 |
Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component
An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure. |
| US08898931B2 |
Folded loop fastening system for an article of footwear
A lacing element for a fastening system of an article of footwear is formed using a continuous strip of material that is folded across itself in a series of different directions to produce a plurality of folded loops. A first group of exposed folded loops form eyestays for a lace, with each eyestay being formed by a trailing edge of one exposed loop and a leading edge of an adjacent exposed loop. The trailing edge and the leading edge are formed by folded regions in the continuous strip of material that are points of contact for the lace. A second group of secured folded loops are disposed below the exposed loops and are used to attach the lacing element to an upper of the article of footwear. |
| US08898927B2 |
Apparatus and methods for drying material
Exemplary embodiments or implementations are disclosed of systems for drying materials and control apparatus and methods relating to material drying systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a control apparatus for a material drying system is configured to select one or more heat sources from a plurality of heterogeneous heat sources for drying the material. The selecting is performed based on one or more sensor inputs. The control apparatus controls the selected heat source(s) to provide heat to dry the material. In some configurations, a material drying system operates as a typical heat pump only when more cost-effective auxiliary heat cannot be provided to maintain a drying temperature. |
| US08898920B2 |
Linen folding template
A folding template for a fitted sheet includes an elongated panel having a length slightly greater than the neutral width of an elastic end of the fitted sheet, and a width that is less than one-third the length of the fitted sheet. The panel is divided into four segments separated by a hinge configured so that the panel can be folded laterally inward with the fitted sheet engaged around the panel. In a method for folding a fitted sheet, the folding template is engaged in one elastic end of the sheet, spanning the width of the sheet. The template is repeatedly flipped over width-wise along the fitted sheet while maintaining the length of the template intact. Once the template reaches the opposite end of the sheet, the panel is folded inward on itself to a reduced configuration including the fitted sheet. |
| US08898915B2 |
Twin-beam laser module for use with a laser sight
A twin-beam laser module has a housing having a first cylindrical space and a second cylindrical space, which are adjacent and parallel in axial direction to each other. A first laser assembly is directly secured inside the first cylindrical space to output a first laser beam, and an outer cylindrical casing is positioned inside the second cylindrical space. A second laser assembly is provided inside the outer cylindrical casing to output a second laser beam, and an adjustment apparatus adjusts the orientation of the outer cylindrical casing so as to align the first laser beam and the second laser beam to be parallel to each other. |
| US08898912B2 |
Spoon delivery device
A device comprising a handle and a bowl shaped so the bowl fits easily into the mouth of a patient. The bowl has prepackaged within a mixture of a gelatin or natural food such as applesauce or pudding and in some embodiments having a medicament mixed with the carrier medium in a medically efficient amount. |
| US08898910B2 |
Cutter
A cutter formed by detachably attaching a replaceable blade to a cutter body. The cutter body can include a main body block and slide block. The main body block includes a main body supporting section supporting the replaceable blade back face, and a main body connecting section connecting with the replaceable blade from the front face side. The slide block includes a rear side supporting section supporting the replaceable blade back face, a slide connecting section connecting with and retracting the replaceable blade toward the rear side, and a back side protruding section protruding on the back side in a thickness direction. When attached, the replaceable blade elastically deforms to curve in the thickness direction, the slide block presses toward a main body block side in the thickness direction by elastic force of the replaceable blade, and the back side protruding section engages with a main body block engaged section. |
| US08898907B1 |
Assembly, system and method for automated vertical moment connection
An automated assembly, system and method for a narrow-gap Electroslag-welded moment connection welded between horizontal beam to vertical column flanges includes vertical column doubler plates affixed to the column web and horizontal beam doubler plates affixed to the beam web with alignment of the respective webs/doubler plates to carry the moment load through the vertical support columns. An embodiment includes a radius in each horizontal beam doubler plate. The assembly, system and method are readily applicable to overdesign moment load factors. |
| US08898905B2 |
Manufacture of a filter screen
A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth. |
| US08898902B2 |
Printing system, printing apparatuses, and methods of forming nozzles of printing apparatuses
A printing apparatus includes: a flow channel plate including, a pressure chamber, a nozzle including an outlet through which ink contained in the pressure chamber is ejected, and a trench disposed around the nozzle, and the outlet extending into the trench; a piezoelectric actuator configured to provide a change in pressure to eject the ink contained in the pressure chamber; and an electrostatic actuator configured to provide an electrostatic driving force to the ink contained in the nozzle. |
| US08898899B2 |
Apparatus and method for encapsulating fluid in a shock absorber and a shock absorber manufactured thereby
Disclosed is a fluid encapsulating apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a fluid injection nozzle for injecting gas and oil into a tube of the shock absorber through a fluid injection aperture formed in the tube; a position securing mechanism supporting a seal unit of the shock absorber at a certain position in cooperation with a supporter provided to a piston rod of the shock absorber during oil injection; and a seal securing mechanism sealingly securing the seal unit after injection of the gas and oil. Shock absorbers manufactured thereby are also disclosed. |
| US08898897B2 |
Method of making user-friendly USB male connector
A new method for making and manufacturing the User-Friendly USB Male connectors which is faster, lower cost, more energy efficient, waterproof and reliable, with no expensive tooling and molding required, having better quality and being easily adaptable for automated assembly. |
| US08898896B2 |
Method of making a connection component with hollow inserts
The invention relates to a method for making a connection component that comprises a set of conducting inserts to be electrically connected with another component, said inserts being hollow. |
| US08898893B2 |
Method and apparatus for applying fluid during a placement cycle
Disclosed herein is a method for applying a fluid to a component during a placement cycle. The method includes providing a component placement machine including a housing having a frame attached thereto, the frame having a pick and place head. The method includes providing a fluid application station contiguous with the housing and adapted to apply fluid to the component, moving the housing to a pick location, picking the component from a supply of components using the pick and place head, moving the housing to a location, applying fluid to the picked component, and placing the picked component with the fluid applied onto the printed circuit board at the location. The fluid application step is accomplished during the moving step or placing step. The method may further include repeating the steps for another component where the fluid application step is accomplished during the repeated picking step of the additional component. |
| US08898891B2 |
Method for fabricating a printed circuit board having differential trace profile
Circuit boards and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. The circuit boards carry high-speed signals using conductors formed to include lengthwise channels. The channels increase the surface area of the conductors, and therefore enhance the ability of the conductors to carry high-speed signals. In at least some embodiments, a discontinuity also exists between the dielectric constant within the channels and just outside the channels, which is believed to reduce signal loss into the dielectric material. |
| US08898887B2 |
Method for controlling gap in circuit breaker
Disclosed is a method for controlling a gap in a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker configured to interrupt a circuit by separating a movable contactor from a fixed contactor as a cross bar is pressed to be rotated by a pressing member due to bending of a bimetal, the method including: a gap forming step of bending the bimetal by apply of a set current, in a state where the pressing member is coupled to a coupling hole so as to be freely-movable, the coupling hole formed at an upper part of the bimetal; and a gap fixing step of interrupting the set current when a prescribed time has lapsed, and of welding the pressing member to the bimetal. |
| US08898886B2 |
Method of making laminated ceramic electronic component
A method for producing a laminated ceramic electronic component includes the steps of preparing ceramic green sheets, transferring an inner conductor pattern layer and a lead conductor pattern layer formed on a support on the ceramic green sheets to form the inner conductor and the lead conductor on the ceramic green sheets, laminating the ceramic green sheets to cover the inner conductor and the lead conductor, and firing the ceramic laminated product. In the step of forming the inner conductor and the lead conductor, the inner conductor pattern layer is transferred onto the ceramic green sheet a plurality of times so as to overlap each other, thereby forming the inner conductor, and the lead conductor pattern layer is transferred onto the ceramic green sheet, wherein the number of times of the transferring is less than the number of times of the transferring of the inner conductor pattern layer. |
| US08898878B2 |
Method for attaching exterior component
There is provided a method for attaching an exterior component. When attaching an exterior component to a bumper, an attachment member for a first attaching hole of the bumper fixed to the vehicular main body is detached, and then the attachment member is inserted into a first through-hole of the exterior component and the first attaching hole and fixed, thereby temporarily fixing the exterior component. A marking is put on a temporarily fixed portion where a second through-hole faces the bumper, and the exterior component is temporarily detached. A third attaching hole is formed by boring a hole in the marking of the bumper, and then a well nut is fitted into the exterior component, enabling the exterior component to be attached through the first and second through-holes. Accordingly, the marking and positioning of the exterior component can be easily performed without detaching the bumper. |
| US08898877B2 |
Mounting device for vehicle door hinge
Disclosed are a method and a mounting device for installing a vehicle door hinge. More specifically, the mounting device f includes a jig frame, at least one clamping unit which is mounted to the jig frame and fixes the jig frame to a side panel and at least one mounting unit which is connected to the jig frame and is configured to install a door hinge which may be mounted to the side panel. In particular, the mounting unit is rotatable based on a slope dispersion of the side panel. |
| US08898876B2 |
Barbed fittings, fitting insertion tools and methods relating to same
Barbed fittings having elongated bodies defining open ends and an internal fluid carrying passage interconnecting the ends are disclosed herein, with at least one end having a barb with a reduced outer diameter and/or taper angle to reduce the amount of insertion force necessary to install the fittings, thereby making the fittings easier to insert in conduit and/or other fluid carrying components. To also make the fittings easier to install, a barbed fitting insertion tool is disclosed having a body defining a fitting receptacle in a front portion of the body and a handle portion in the rear portion of the body for gripping and inserting fittings located in the fitting receptacle into conduit. The fitting receptacle having a locking mechanism for securing the fittings to the tool and preventing unintentional removal of same from the tool. |
| US08898874B2 |
Method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece
To fabricate a plurality of piezoelectric vibrating pieces while firmly preventing a defect, a crack, or a breakage from being brought about at a wafer in the midst of fabrication, there is provided a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece which is a method of fabricating a plurality of piezoelectric vibrating pieces from a wafer S, the method including a film forming step of respectively forming metal films M on both faces of the wafer, a patterning step of removing a region of the metal film on an inner side of an outer peripheral end of the wafer by a constant distance H, thereafter, patterning the metal film M to outer shapes of the plurality of piezoelectric vibrating pieces, an outer shape forming step of forming outer shapes of the plurality of piezoelectric vibrating pieces at the wafer a size of which is reduced by an amount of the constant distance by selectively removing the wafer by wet etching by constituting a mask by the patterned metal film, and a removing step of removing the metal film. |
| US08898871B2 |
Operation cord, and operation apparatus for sunlight shielding apparatus
Provided is an endless operation cord that is easy to replace. The present invention provides an operation cord including: a main cord having one and the other ends; a first coupling part disposed at the one end; and a second coupling part disposed at the other end. The first and second coupling parts can be coupled together directly or via a coupling member and can be coupled or uncoupled by means of a relative rotation between the adjacent coupling parts or between the adjacent coupling parts and coupling member or a relative movement in a direction other than a length direction of the main cord between the adjacent coupling parts or between the adjacent coupling parts and coupling member. |
| US08898869B2 |
Male touch fastener element
A touch fastener has a base and an array of discrete fastener elements each extending from the base and together forming with the base a contiguous mass of resin. Each discrete fastener element includes a stem rising from the base, and a head overhanging the base from a front side of the stem to a distal edge, the front side of the stem, an underside of the head, and an upper surface of the base together forming, in side profile, a generally curved retention space boundary surface such that the boundary surface forms, at its innermost extent, a retention cavity defined between curvature discontinuities spaced from both the base and the distal edge. |
| US08898868B2 |
Fastening system
A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20. |
| US08898867B2 |
Mounting device
A mounting device with one metallic base plate, from which a plurality of mounting eyelets protrude. The mounting device is obtainable by incising a plurality of arc-shaped eyelet blanks while leaving two connection sections per eyelet blank into the surface of the base plate and production of the mounting eyelets by bending the eyelet blanks out of the base plate around a bending edge in the area of the connection sections. At least part of the eyelet blanks are arranged as groups of eyelet blanks with the latter being nested to each other. Preferably, the groups of eyelet blanks are arranged rotated relative to each other. |
| US08898866B2 |
Clip
A clip capable of connecting to the panel member may include a clip body and a sealing body. The clip body includes an anchor that is capable of being engaged with an attaching hole formed in the panel member, and a support portion that is arranged and constructed to be pressed to a surface of the panel member when the anchor is engaged with the attaching hole of the panel member. The sealing body includes a lip portion that is positioned in an inner side of an outer circumference of the support portion. |
| US08898865B2 |
Seat belt adjuster
An improved seatbelt adjuster for holding the lap seatbelt to the shoulder belt of an automobile seatbelt. The seatbelt adjuster prevents the shoulder belt from rubbing against the neck of a wearer. The adjuster is made of a single unitary piece and therefore cannot be separated. A frame member formed of resilient material has a front portion, rear portion, top edge, bottom edge and space between the front and back portions for containing the lap seatbelt. A parallel pair of dual gussets and rails is molded into the back portion to increase the stiffness of the flap member particularly to prevent it spreading open in hot weather. A snap clip has been added to the flap to avoid inadvertent release in hot weather. A horn gate has been added to the slot to prevent snagging on clothing. |
| US08898863B2 |
Axial saw cotton seed reclaimer
A reclaimer cylinder for use in reclaiming cotton seeds containing spinnable lint from partially ginned cotton seeds utilizes channel saws mounted axially on a cylindrical body with axially closely spaced teeth that virtually eliminate the variation in likelihood the teeth will fail to grasp the fibers present on such cotton seeds. Triangular grid bars facilitate removal of fully ginned seeds that are not entrained in fibers of other seeds. |
| US08898859B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a secured tube secured horizontally to the front surface of the main body of the cleaner and sucks in dust from the outside due to a motor in the main body; a pair of securing members which secure two ends of the secured tube to the main body and convey the sucked-in dust to a filter in the main body; and a suction tube which is rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the secured tube and rolls along the surface to be cleaned, and in the cylindrical surface of which are formed dust-suction holes for sucking in dust. Because the suction tube in which the plurality of dust-suction holes are formed is rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the secured tube, the suction tube continuously turns while cleaning bedding by pushing or pulling the main body, and thus the bedding is not sucked into the secured tube. |
| US08898857B2 |
Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same
A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber and having first and second opposed ends and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends. A separated material collection chamber surrounds at least a portion of the cyclone chamber and is communication therewith via a separated material outlet. The separated material collection chamber is spaced at least about 0.5 inches from the cyclone chamber. In addition, the separated material collection chamber is spaced from the bottom of the cyclone by at least about 0.5 inches. |
| US08898856B2 |
Dirt cup with secondary cyclonic cleaning chambers
A vacuum cleaner has a body including a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on the body. The dirt collection vessel includes a dirt cup having a side wall and a bottom wall, a tangentially directed inlet in the side wall and an axially directed outlet. An inside surface of the side wall includes ribbing to help remove dirt and debris from the airstream and improve vacuum cleaner performance and efficiency. |
| US08898854B2 |
Plug storage structure of cleaning robot
An plug storage structure of a cleaning robot is presented. A charging structure includes a charging base and a main body of an electronic device. The charging base includes a charging terminal and a projecting portion. The main body has an external housing, charging plugs and an plug storage device. When the main body reaches the charging base, the projecting portion triggers the plug storage device, so that the charging plugs protrude from the external housing, so as to be connected to the charging terminal. When the main body leaves the charging base, the plug storage device automatically receives the charging plugs inside the external housing, so as to keep the plugs of the cleaning robot received inside the external housing during cleaning, thereby preventing the plugs of the cleaning robot from colliding with and damaging adjacent furniture. |
| US08898852B2 |
Air burst to clear detection window
An apparatus including a housing having at least one window, an air burst nozzle positioned atop the housing and aimed at the window, a compressed air source, an air control solenoid connected to the air burst nozzle, the compressed air source, and a support box. The compressed air source provides compressed air to the air control solenoid. A timer module directs a magnetic valve of the support box to supply power to the coil of the air control solenoid in order to engage the solenoid. When the air control solenoid is engaged, compressed air is provided to the air burst nozzle. The air burst nozzle directs a burst of air at the window of the housing to clear it of any particulates. In accordance with user programming of the timer module, the process is then repeated at regular intervals. |
| US08898850B2 |
Wiper blade
A wiper blade includes a main lever, a movable member, and a rubber blade. The main lever can be coupled to a wiper arm. The main lever includes a longitudinally intermediate portion, a first end defined by at least one of two longitudinal ends, and a first holding portion. The first holding portion is arranged closer to the first end than the longitudinally intermediate portion. The movable member is pivotally coupled to the first end and includes a second holding portion. A rubber blade is held by the first holding portion and the second holding portion. A coupling portion between the main lever and the movable member is located outward from the first holding portion in the longitudinal direction of the main lever. |
| US08898847B2 |
Bucket arrangement and method of using the same
An improved apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for cleaning tools, utensils, and other objects. The apparatus comprises a container, a first wiping element that is submerged in a liquid in the container capable of removing undesirable material from at least a portion of the object and a second wiping element mountable to the container that is capable of removing excess moisture from the object. The object undergoes at least a two-step wiping comprising a first wiping against the first wiping element while submerged in the liquid and a second wiping against the second wiping element after being at least partially removed from the liquid. The apparatus of the invention reduces the potential for serious injuries from cuts or abrasions from contact with the objects and is more sanitary than systems currently used in the prior art. The apparatus of the invention may also be easily disassembled for cleaning. |
| US08898845B2 |
Brush mandrel for PVA sponge brush
A cleaning device for cleaning substrates is provided. The cleaning device includes a generally cylindrically-shaped brush mandrel and a cylindrical brush. The brush mandrel has a body section with an outer surface positioned about a central axis. The outer surface is interrupted by an engagement member having primary features adjacent secondary features. The brush has a hollow bore formed around the brush mandrel with an inner surface interrupted by a second engagement member which mates the first engagement member. The primary features flow in a direction generally perpendicular to a rotational direction of the brush mandrel around the central axis and include a first surface which is generally perpendicular to the outer surface. The secondary features include a second surface which flows in a direction generally perpendicular to the first surface and along the central axis. No primary feature includes a radially obstructing feature formed over any secondary feature. |
| US08898844B1 |
Mopping assembly for a mobile robot
A robot cleaning system for mopping floors is disclosed. The mopping assembly includes a reservoir with a dispenser for outputting fluid to a cleaning cloth. The rate at which fluid is dispensed is regulated with an air inlet in contact with the cleaning cloth. When the cloth is dry, more fluid is dispensed. When the cloth is damp, less fluid is dispensed. The dispenser in the exemplary embodiment also includes a wick configured to conduct the cleaning fluid directly to the cleaning cloth. |
| US08898828B2 |
Food preparation sink
Food preparation sinks are disclosed which have an integral raised work area that is rinsed by an automatic system. Food waste or the like present in that area can be washed into a sump above a drain, and the weight of the waste and water in the sump is enough to automatically drive them through a baffle to a garbage disposal, without requiring the baffle to be manually opened. An automatic controller system coordinates water flow and garbage disposal operation, and the water supply can be linked to the sink below the sink rim to save counter top space. In some forms multiple rinsing nozzles are provided which pulse in altering fashion. |
| US08898827B2 |
Sink installation and method of installing a sink
A waterproof sink insert (124, 124′, 124″, 124′″, 124″″) for installing an under-mount sink (108) in a built-up surround (104) having a non-waterproof support structure (116) so as to inhibit water damage to the support structure. The sink support insert is mounted within an insert opening (128) formed in the support structure. The sink support insert comprises a mounting region (144) located radially inward from the outer periphery (148) of the sink support insert. The sink is secured to the sink support structure within the mounting region. The sink support insert may optionally include one or more apertures (136) for receiving a faucet or other sink appurtenance(s). |
| US08898825B2 |
Baby bath seat with hanger
A baby bath seat assembly includes a support member having a mounting bracket that clamps onto a tub wall and carrying a support that extends downwardly into the tub. The support carries a base on which the seat is mounted to turn through approximately 180°, and a detent mechanism releasably locks the seat in any selected position. |
| US08898824B2 |
Method of manufacturing a side door for a walk-in tub
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a door for a walk-in bathtub, which comprises forming a tub door cap from an acrylic sheet, wherein the tub door cap has an outer shape defining a door for a walk-in tub; forming a channel into a surface of the tub door cap along a peripheral area thereof; forming a threshold portion configured to mate with the channel in the tub door cap and extend outwardly from the tub door cap; and the tub door cap is then adhered to the threshold portion of the door to form a walk-in tub door. The acrylic sheet that forms the tub door cap may be cast acrylic or it may be reinforced by co-extruding with thermoplastic, adding a reinforcing filler and/or fiberglass. A walk-in bathtub door made by the method described above and a walk-in bathtub assembly having a door made by the method described above are also provided herein. |
| US08898822B2 |
Athletic collar
A device includes a collar and at least one pad. The collar is configured for wearing by a user, the collar having a plurality of pad receptacles. The at least one pad is configured for coupling with a selected one of the plurality of pad receptacles, the pad having an elastic portion configured to limit movement of a user. |
| US08898819B2 |
Form-fitting protective headwear
Provided are a protective headwear and method of manufacturing the headwear. The headwear includes a body, band and plurality of protective inserts. The body has an opening and a crown, and is configured to fit a head of a person. The band extends from and about the opening of the body to the interior of the body and partially toward the crown. The band is free floating with respect to the body and configured to fit the head of the person. The band includes a plurality of pockets disposed about a base stitching that secures the band to the body. The protective inserts are configured to be received into the pockets to provide a protective function to the head of the person. The protective inserts are disposed adjacently to one another about the band and extend from the base stitching of the band to the crown of the body. |
| US08898817B1 |
Interchangeable patch device
An interchangeable patch device including a base portion having a rear side entirely covered with an adhesive that is attached to an item, such as clothing, and an indicia-bearing top portion removably attached to the base portion via a first zipper track continuously disposed along a base perimeter which releasably interlocks with a second zipper track disposed along a perimeter of the top portion. An internal cavity defined by a bottom side of top portion, a top portion wall, the second zipper track, and the base portion front side is provided to store small objects therein, such as a cellular phone, business cards, and pens. |
| US08898816B2 |
Women's sports top with integrated pocket assembly
A garment top includes a body fabric designed for covering a chest of a wearer, and a pocket assembly formed with the body fabric. The pocket assembly comprises a front and a back cooperating to form a pocket for holding an article proximate the chest of the wearer. The back of the pocket assembly incorporates a radiation barrier adapted for residing between the article and the wearer. |
| US08904557B2 |
Solution for continuous control and protection of enterprise data based on authorization projection
Extracting data from a source system includes generating an authorization model of the data protection controls applied to the extracted data by the source system. The authorization model is used to map the data protection control applied to the extracted data to generate corresponding data protection controls provided in target system. The extracted data is imported to the target system including implementing the corresponding data protection controls. |
| US08904556B1 |
Multi-level security display with secure input/output
A method and system for securely distributing human-machine input/output to multi-level displays in a multi-level security environment is disclosed. The method and system in accordance with the present disclosure provides the ability to take input from common input devices and manages the input to ensure that the input is delivered only to the intended security domain/level and that the input is delivered only to the intended display element within the intended security domain/level. Furthermore, architectures configured for supporting the multi-level security display with secure input/output are also disclosed. |
| US08904555B2 |
Computer implemented system for facilitating configuration, data tracking and reporting for data centric applications
A computer implemented system for facilitating configuration, data tracking and reporting for data centric applications and a method for performing the same have been disclosed. The system enables an enterprise to quickly move from paper based tracking to web based mode by configuring metadata. Also, the system hosts multiple tenants on a single server and enables creation of workspace to enable users within a tenant to securely view the data based on his/her permission levels. Additionally, the system classifies the resources as ‘Human’ and ‘Non-Human’ resources and further as static resources which are shared metadata across tenants and non-static resources which are applicable only to a particular tenant. Thus, the system enables common information to be shared easily across various organizations while securing the data via workspaces. Furthermore, the system includes report creation and dashboard generation capability using data from within the system as well as from external databases. |
| US08904554B2 |
System and method for selectively redacting information in electronic documents
A computer implemented system and method is provided for imposing access controls on selective portions of electronic documents by defining data attributes as conditions for access to particular information in a document. Commands from a redactor identify at least one portion of an electronic document to be subject to access control. A set of selectable access control directives defining conditions for accessing the identified portions is presented to the redactor. Access control is imposed on the identified portions in accordance with the defined conditions in response to receiving the selective access control directives. |
| US08904553B2 |
Resource expression for access control
Various embodiments of systems and methods for providing an expression of a resource for access control are described herein. One or more business security profiles associated with a user are received. The business security profile is defined including a resource expression. The resource expression can include a resource expression with a quantifier or the resource expression without a quantifier. Further, a net profile of the user is computed using symbolic calculus on the resource expression of the one or more business security profiles. The net profile of the user includes a set of granted resources and a set of denied resources. Based upon the computed net profile, access to a resource is authorized for the user. |
| US08904549B2 |
Server system, control method, and storage medium for securely executing access to data of a tenant
In a multitenant service, security of the entire service is guaranteed by logically separating data for each tenant, and performing control to prevent access to data of another tenant. In an operation of the multitenant service, there are some special cases in which an access to data of another tenant becomes necessary. Further, processing executable across tenants needs to be subjected to restrictions on an executor of the processing and a processing target in addition to restrictions on a processing content. In data access control of the multitenant service, a control operation to determine whether processing is executable across tenants for each API and a control operation to determine whether processing is executable across tenants according to tenant categories of the executor and the processing target are performed. |
| US08904547B2 |
Notification upon exposure to offensive behavioral patterns in collaboration
A system and method for protecting a user from offensive behavior in communications and notifying the user and/or an enforcement entity of the offensive behavior. The offensive content analysis system monitors communications between users for offensive behavior. The offensive content analysis system may measure the level of current offense in the communication and determine a historical offensive behavior pattern for the user. The offensive content analysis system may then determine if the offensive behavior, both current and historical, rises to a threshold behavior level. The offensive content analysis system may take notification action if the offensive behavior meets the threshold level. |
| US08904546B2 |
Digital rights management method and digital rights management-enabled portable device
A DRM method and DRM-enabled portable device for controlling playback of DRM content on the basis of content usage log is disclosed. A digital rights management method for a portable device of the present invention includes playing a content item recording, when an abnormal playback stop event is detected, a stop time point in a playback session of the content item on a usage log and controlling a next playback of the content item with reference to the recorded stop time point. The DRM method and DRM-enabled portable device of the present invention further manages the licenses issued for the DRM content stored in the portable device by updating the licenses even when the DRM content are abnormally closed during its playback session. |
| US08904544B2 |
Restrictions to data transmission
Data received at, or created on, a device may be tagged as corporate dependent upon a service over which the data is received or an application in which the data is created. When a user attempts to insert tagged data into a data item that is to be transmitted by the device, the insertion may be prevented. Similarly, the transmission of tagged data may be restricted to only occur on a secure service. |
| US08904541B2 |
Performing security assessments in an online services system
A system and method for performing security assessments in an online services system. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an accepted security assessment agreement from a user, where the security assessment agreement is associated with a software application utilized in an online services system. The method also includes receiving configuration data associated with the software application; receiving scanning data associated with the software application; and sending the configuration data and scanning data to one or more security assessment systems. |
| US08904540B1 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating hygiene of a computer
A method and apparatus for evaluating hygiene of a computer are described. In some examples, attributes of an operating system on the computer are analyzed to assign values to operating system state variables. Attributes of application software installed on the computer are analyzed to assign values to application software state variables. Weights are assigned to the operating system state variables and the application software state variables based on the respective values thereof. A hygiene rating for the computer is determined based on the weights, the hygiene rating indicative of the propensity of the computer to attract malware. |
| US08904539B2 |
Location constraints for template access and form activities
A system and method for limiting access to one or more forms based on a location constraint is described. A form access module retrieves one or more forms on a portable computing device, determines a location of the portable computing device, determines whether the location of the portable computing device is within a region where form access is granted, granting access to the one or more forms responsive to the location of the portable computing device being within the region, receiving strokes from a first user in at least one field on the one or more forms and storing the one or more forms and the strokes received on the one or more forms. |
| US08904538B1 |
Systems and methods for user-directed malware remediation
A computer-implemented method for user-directed malware remediation may include 1) identifying a window within a graphical user interface of a computing environment, 2) identifying a user-directed interface event directed at the window, 3) determining, based at least in part on the user-directed interface event, that a process represented by the window poses a security risk, and 4) performing a remediation action on the process based on determining that the process poses the security risk. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08904533B2 |
Determining heavy distinct hitters in a data stream
A data traffic monitor for determining a heavy distinct hitter (HDH) in a data stream, the data stream comprising a plurality of element-value (e,v) pairs, includes a HDH module, the HDH module configured to receive the plurality of (e,v) pairs from the data stream; and a counter block in communication with the HDH module, the counter block comprising a plurality of hash functions, and further comprising a respective pair of distinct counting primitives associated with each hash function of the plurality of hash functions, wherein each of the plurality of (e,v) pairs is added to one of the distinct counting primitives of the respective pair of distinct counting primitives for each of the plurality of hash functions in each of the plurality of counter blocks. |
| US08904529B2 |
Automated deployment of protection agents to devices connected to a computer network
Network traffic is monitored to detect attempted inter-network communications, including attempts by devices internal to the network to communicate with resources external to the network and attempts by devices external to the network to establish VPN sessions with resources internal to the network. Upon detecting an attempted inter-network communication, the device responsible for initiating such communication is identified. Then, it is determined whether the identified device is running a valid protection agent. If so, the attempted inter-network communication is permitted. If not, the attempted inter-network communication is blocked in compliance with a network security policy and the identified device is prompted to download and install a protection agent from a designated storage location, or to activate a previously installed protection device. The prompt may include a hyperlink for initiating download of the protection agent. |
| US08904526B2 |
Enhanced network security
A system may receive a plurality of security threats and categorize each security threat in the plurality of security threats into security threat categories. The system may then determine, based at least in part upon an instance of a security threat category, a future occurrence of the security threat category and determine, based at least in part upon the future occurrence of the security threat category, that the security threat category is an emerging threat. |
| US08904522B1 |
Universal communications gateway
The disclosure relates to a classification system which includes a classification circuit which may determine a classification of a signal based on comparing signal data received via a sensor to data in a database. The classification circuit may determine an interface protocol based on the classification. |
| US08904518B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program distribution system
An information processing device includes an external connection unit which connects to an external device; and a communication control unit which obtains data from a first virtual machine, transmits the data to a second virtual machine, and transmits, to the external connection unit, transmission completion information indicating that the data is already transmitted to the second virtual machine. The external connection unit (i) determines, based on the transmission completion information, whether or not a virtual machine is the second virtual machine to which the data is already transmitted, when the external connection unit receives, from the virtual machine, a request for a connection to the external device, and (ii) permits a connection between the virtual machine and the external device, when the external connection unit determines that the virtual machine is not the second virtual machine to which the data is already transmitted. |
| US08904517B2 |
System and method for contexually interpreting image sequences
A system and method for contextually interpreting image sequences are provided. The method comprises receiving video from one or more video sources, and generating one or more questions associated with one or more portions of the video based on at least one user-defined objective. The method further comprises sending the one or more portions of the video and the one or more questions to one or more assistants, receiving one or more answers to the one or more questions from the one or more assistants, and determining a contextual interpretation of the video based on the one or more answers and the video. |
| US08904516B2 |
System and method employing an agile network protocol for secure communications using secure domain names
A system for connecting a first network device and a second network device includes one or more servers. The servers are configured to: (a) receive, from the first network device, a request to look up a network address of the second network device based on an identifier associated with the second network device; (b) determine, in response to the request, whether the second network device is available for a secure communications service; and (c) initiate a virtual private network communication link between the first network device and the second network device based on a determination that the second network device is available for the secure communications service, wherein the secure communications service uses the virtual private network communication link. |
| US08904513B2 |
Apparatus and method for filtering IP packets
The method can be implemented on a processor executing software instructions stored in memory. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes receiving an Ethernet frame, wherein the Ethernet frame comprises a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) header, wherein the TCP header comprises a TCP header length value. When the Ethernet frame is received, the TCP header length value is compared to a predetermined value. |
| US08904504B2 |
Remote keychain for mobile devices
An app of a mobile device registers the mobile device for a remote credential server (RCS) and receives a device token. When a credential for a remote asset is supplied on the mobile device it is routed to the RCS and stored external to the mobile device but referenced on the mobile device via an asset token. When the credential is needed, the device token and the asset token permit the RCS to authenticate and return the credential to or on behalf of the mobile device so that the mobile device can authenticate to and access the remote asset. |
| US08904496B1 |
Authentication based on a current location of a communications device associated with an entity
There is disclosed a method and system for use in authenticating an entity in connection with a computerized resource. An authentication request is received from entity for access to computerized resource. An input signal is received from a communications device associated with entity. The input signal comprises current location of communications device. The current location of communications device is derived from input signal. A location history in connection with communications device is captured. The location history comprises a record of discrete locations visited by communications device over a period of time. An analysis is performed between current location of the communications device and location history in connection with communications device. An authentication result is generated based on analysis between current location of communications device and location history in connection with communications device. The authentication result can be used for authenticating entity. |
| US08904490B2 |
Method and apparatus for a non-revealing do-not-contact list system
A method and apparatus for a non-revealing do-not-contact list system in which a do-not-contact list of one-way hashed consumer contact information is provided to a set of one or more entities. The set of entities determine whether certain consumers wish to be contacted with the do-not-contact list without discovering actual consumer contact information. |
| US08904484B2 |
System and method for client-server communication facilitating utilization of authentication and network-based procedure call
System and method for setting up a data communication are disclosed. Method includes facilitating authenticating a module of a client computing device for the data communication. Method includes facilitating authenticating a module of a server for the data communication. Method includes authenticating an encoding for a network-based procedure call interface for the server. Method includes binding the network-based procedure call interface to a protocol for a gateway interface of the server. Method includes facilitating verifying that a message size of a message transmitted to a module of the client computing device or to a module of the server is within a message size range. Method includes facilitating creating a tunnel to a module of the server, wherein the tunnel is for the data communication. Method includes facilitating creating a channel within the tunnel, wherein the channel is for the data communication. |
| US08904483B1 |
Serving approved resources
First data that identifies forbidden resources hosted outside a network that client devices on the network are not permitted to access, and second data that associates, for each forbidden resource, a permitted resource that the client devices on the network are permitted to access is maintained. Each permitted resource offers comparable services as its associated forbidden resource. A request from a client device for a forbidden resource is intercepted. The request is redirected to a permitted resource associated with the requested forbidden resource. |
| US08904481B2 |
Method and system for implementing a dynamic verification value
A method is disclosed, which includes receiving a message including an account identifier and a first verification value. The method uses the account identifier to select a dynamic verification value process from at least two dynamic verification value processes. Then, using the selected dynamic verification value process, a second verification value is determined. Next, the method determines if the first verification value and the second verification value match or are within an expected range. |
| US08904479B1 |
Pattern-based mobile device unlocking
A computer-implemented method of authenticating a user with a computing device is disclosed. The method involves displaying a grid of selectable visually-distinguishable graphical elements on a device display, receiving from a user of the device a drawn pattern across the selectable graphical elements, comparing the received drawn pattern to information representing a stored authentication pattern for the user, and unlocking access to functions on the device if the received drawn pattern substantially matches the stored authentication pattern. |
| US08904478B2 |
Inspecting code and reducing code size associated to a target
Code is associated to a target based on an inspection of the code. A target may be a device or a user. A number of code components may be inspected at one time and then transferred or otherwise associated to a target based on the target's profile. A code component may be a policy of an information management system. |
| US08904472B2 |
Validation of consistency and completeness of access control policy sets
Consistency and/or completeness of access control policy sets may be validated and/or verified. An access control policy set may be received. The access control policy set may include access control policies that allow or disallow access to computing resources. Individual ones of the access control policies may include one or more attributes. The one or more attributes of a given access control policy may be ordered into a predetermined order responsive to the one or more attributes of the given access control policy lacking the predetermined order. A decision tree may be generated based on the access control policies. The decision tree may be analyzed to determine one or more of (1) whether one or more of the access control policies are incomplete, or (2) whether one or more of the access control policies are inconsistent with one or more other ones of the access control policies. |
| US08904471B1 |
Policy system for E-procurement
A method for utilizing a policy system in the requisitioning of goods or services over a network, the network connected to a server, thereby allowing communication between the server and a plurality of users, each user having a login ID and belonging to one of a plurality of classes, the method comprising: the server storing each user's login ID, each user's class information, and a plurality of policies, wherein the class information comprises the identification of each class to which the user belongs, and each policy is associated with a class; a user logging into the server using the user's login ID; the user providing search input to the server; the server processing the search input; the server determining the appropriate policies, wherein the appropriate policies are policies that are determined to be associated with the user's class information; and the server providing the appropriate policies to the user. |
| US08904470B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing media distribution
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain a delivery session with a set top box for streaming of media content thereto where the media content is multiple content from a plurality of media sources, maintain retrieval sessions for each of the plurality of media sources where the controller switches between the retrieval sessions to obtain the media content while maintaining the delivery session, and temporarily store the media content in a buffer for the streaming to the set top box using the delivery session. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08904469B2 |
Distribution of ambience and content
A system for supporting entertainment distribution via at least one network comprises a content provider (100) for distributing a program; a metadata provider (102) for distributing metadata, the metadata including a content reference identifier of the program and data relating to ambience complementing the program. The system further comprises a user terminal (118) comprising an input (106) for receiving the metadata; an input (106) for receiving the program using the content reference identifier; a rendering unit (116) for rendering the received program; an ambience generator (108) for generating an ambient effect different from audio or video; and an ambience controller (110) for controlling the ambience generator synchronously with the rendering of the content, based on the received data relating to ambience complementing the program. |
| US08904462B2 |
System and method for communication resource information
A system for communicating resource information may include a resource reservation proxy module to receive a first signal including resource request information. The resource reservation proxy module may be associated with a first environment associated with a requesting application. The resource reservation proxy module may process the received resource request information into a resource request packet, and communicate the resource request packet utilizing an environmentally independent communication protocol. A resource reservation handler module may receive the communicated resource request packet. The resource reservation handler module may be associated with a second environment associated with a resource management application. The resource reservation handler module may process the received resource request packet into a second signal including the resource request information. |
| US08904458B2 |
System and method for pre-caching a first portion of a video file on a set-top box
A method of pre-caching video content is provided and includes measuring an available bandwidth of a data connection to a set top box. The available bandwidth measurement can be an average available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box or a minimum available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box. Each of a plurality of video files is divided into a first portion and a second portion and the size of each first portion is based on the available bandwidth measurement. The first portion of each of the plurality of video files is downloaded over the data connection and stored in a memory within the set top box. A list is displayed at a display device and includes a list of video titles that correspond to the plurality of video files that have only a first portion downloaded to the memory. |
| US08904446B2 |
Method and apparatus for indexing content within a media stream
An approach provides indexing of media content capable of effectively controlling playback availability of the vast variety of media content. A recording of a video session associated with a media stream is initiated. A portion of the video session is selected. And an index for playback of the selected portion and for playback of the video session is configured, wherein the selected portion is played back when the video session is unavailable for playback. |
| US08904445B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage bandwidth allocations in media delivery networks
A disclosed example method to manage network bandwidth allocation in a media delivery environment involves detecting insufficient bandwidth available to deliver requested media to a media receiver and presenting user-selectable options via the media receiver to allocate bandwidth to deliver the requested media to the media receiver. The example method also involves receiving a first user selection of one of the user-selectable options and implementing the selected one of the user-selectable options specifying a second user selection identifying a particular media stream to be delivered at a media quality that is lower than a higher media quality previously selected for that particular media stream. |
| US08904441B2 |
Systems and methods for providing program suggestions in an interactive television program guide
An interactive television program guide application is provided that queries a user regarding the user's interest in television programs and suggests television programs to the user based on the user's responses. The interactive television program guide application identifies a television program that is potentially of interest to the user. The interactive television program guide application then queries the user regarding the user's interest using questions that are formulated based on attributes associated with the identified television program. Using the user's responses to the questions, the interactive television program guide application identifies and suggests one or more television programs to the user. |
| US08904439B2 |
Program guide system with combination category search
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which the program guide may provide the user with a selectable list of combination categories. Combination categories are composed of multiple simple categories such as sports, news, comedy, movies, children, etc. Program listings are supplied to the program guide. At least some of the program listings are associated with combination categories. A combination category build process may be used to assign combination categories to program listings. The user is able to use the selectable categories list to quickly identify programming of interest. |
| US08904438B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing mini electronic program guide information in a digital broadcast receiver
A method and apparatus for providing Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information in a digital broadcast receiver, in which upon receipt of a request for EPG information from a viewer in a situation where specific broadcast content is being broadcasted, at least one pop-up window is sequentially activated in a partial region of a full screen, and at least one of the specific broadcast content and EPG information about broadcast content selected by the viewer is displayed on each of the activated at least one pop-up window. |
| US08904430B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time viewer interaction with a media presentation
Real-time participation within a media presentation is disclosed. A participant overlay may be generated by preprocessing a media presentation to extract a time-variant metadata stream associated with one or more interactive regions depicted in the media presentation. The participant overlay includes simulated physics, which may include boundaries of the interactive regions defined in accordance with content in said media presentation. A participant's interaction with said media presentation through the interactive regions may be captured and combined with the media presentation for display on a display. The interaction may comprise a user action upon one or more elements in the media presentation, a user action expressed in the media presentation through an avatar, or a user action in said media presentation in connection with a game element. |
| US08904425B2 |
Method for controlling and implementing blackout in IPTV networks
A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast. |
| US08904423B2 |
Web to video-on-demand system, authentication engine and method for using same
A system, an authentication engine and a method are described herein for authenticating an end user and associating their set-top box with a third party web based application to stream a third party video to the set-top box. In one example, the end user may utilize a client device (e.g., computer, laptop computer, smart phone) to access via the internet the third party video provider which lists a number of videos that the end user could watch on their television. The end user would select one of the videos to watch and then their cable provider would stream the video to the end-user's set-top box to be displayed on their television. To enable this service, the authentication system authenticates the end user and associates their set-top box with the third party video provider's web based application. |
| US08904420B2 |
Content recognition and censorship
A method for controlling the output of media content, particularly audio content, to a user in relation to an apparatus, such as a set-top-box, having an input, for receiving media content, and an output, for providing the media content to an output device such as a television or other display device. Media content is received at the input and then analysed using a media content recognition unit. The media content recognition unit undertakes the step of identifying portions of the received media content that contain undesired content, such as offensive language. The output of media content to a user is then controlled, based on any identified undesired content, to prevent the output of content when the identified undesired portions are to be output. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also provided. |
| US08904417B2 |
Receiving device and method, transmitting device and method, and program
The present disclosure provides a receiving device including, a receiver that receives AV content, a detector, an acquirer, a tentative reservation registering part, and a definitive reservation registering part. |
| US08904416B2 |
Content playback apparatus, content playback method, program, and integrated circuit
A content playback apparatus (100) includes: a viewing target content obtaining unit (20) obtaining the viewing target content; a viewer detecting unit (10) detecting a first viewer who views the viewing target content played back by the content playback apparatus; a viewer content selecting unit (204) selecting, from among viewer contents, a viewer content having a matching degree higher than a predetermined threshold, the matching degree indicating an amount of common points between the first viewer detected by the viewer detecting unit and a second viewer who views a same content as the viewing target content under temporally or spatially a different condition, and each of the viewer contents including information of video or sound of the second viewer; and a content playback unit (30) playing back the viewing target content obtained by the viewing target content obtaining unit and the viewer content selected by the viewer content selecting unit. |
| US08904407B2 |
Asynchronously refreshing, networked application with single-threaded user interface
An invention is disclosed for updating a networked, single-threaded application's data model without blocking the application's entire user interface. In embodiments of the invention, a client executes a networked application with a single-threaded user interface that communicates with a server to refresh its data model. The client sends a message to the server that requests a refresh of the data model. Before the data model has been refreshed, the client receives local user input to perform an action on the data model. The client sends a message to the server to cancel the refresh. When the client receives an acknowledgement from the server that the refresh has been cancelled, the client performs the action. After performing the action, the client sends a second message to the server that requests a refresh of the data model, and then refreshes the data model upon receiving the refreshed data model from the server. |
| US08904406B2 |
Coordination of tasks executed by a plurality of threads using two synchronization primitive calls
To coordinate tasks executed by a plurality of threads that each includes plural task sections, a call of a mark primitive to mark a first point after a first of the plural task sections is provided. Also, a call of a second primitive is provided to indicate that a second of the plural task sections is not allowed to begin until after the plurality of threads have each reached the first point. |
| US08904405B1 |
System and method for managing mainframe computer system usage
In mainframe computer system, workload tasks are accomplished using a logically partitioned data processing system, where the partitioned data processing system is divided into multiple logical partitions. In a system and method managing such a computer system, each running workload tasks that can be classified based on time criticality, and groups of logical partitions can be freely defined. Processing capacity limits for the logical partitions in a group of logical partitions based upon defined processing capacity thresholds and upon an iterative determination of how much capacity is needed for time critical workload tasks. Workload can be balanced between logical partitions within a group, to prevent surplus processing capacity being used to run not time critical workload on one logical partition when another logical partition running only time critical workload tasks faces processing deficit. |
| US08904400B2 |
Processing system having a partitioning component for resource partitioning
A processing system includes a resource that is accessible by a processor and resource partitioning software executable by the processor. The resource partitioning software may be executed to establish a resource partition for the resource. The resource partition defines a set of rules that are used to control access to the resource when a request for the resource is received from a software application and/or process. |
| US08904393B2 |
Transaction aggregation to increase transaction processing throughput
Provided are techniques for increasing transaction processing throughput. A transaction item with a message identifier and a session identifier is obtained. The transaction item is added to an earliest aggregated transaction in a list of aggregated transactions in which no other transaction item as the same session identifier. A first aggregated transaction in the list of aggregated transactions that has met execution criteria is executed. In response to determining that the aggregated transaction is not committing, the aggregated transaction is broken up into multiple smaller aggregated transactions and a target size of each aggregated transaction is adjusted based on measurements of system throughput. |
| US08904392B2 |
Shared performance monitor in a multiprocessor system
A performance monitoring unit (PMU) and method for monitoring performance of events occurring in a multiprocessor system. The multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of processor devices units, each processor device for generating signals representing occurrences of events in the processor device, and, a single shared counter resource for performance monitoring. The performance monitor unit is shared by all processor cores in the multiprocessor system. The PMU is further programmed to monitor event signals issued from non-processor devices. |
| US08904391B2 |
Policy-based access control approach to staff activities of a business process
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for dynamically binding business process activities to human entities at deployment time. Identification information about a staff activity in a business process is received from a process server at an access control system external to the process server. Responsive to initiation of the business process, the staff activity is resolved at the access control system at runtime by assigning the staff activity to a user based on an access policy of the access control system to form a staff activity assignment. The staff activity assignment is communicated from the access control system to the process server. The process allows the development of the business process to be entirely decoupled from staff activity resolution at runtime. |
| US08904389B2 |
Determining performance states of components in a virtual machine environment based on performance states of related subcomponents
Techniques promote monitoring of hypervisor systems by presenting dynamic representations of hypervisor architectures that include performance indicators. A reviewer can interact with the representation to progressively view select lower-level performance indicators. Higher level performance indicators can be determined based on tower level state assessments. A reviewer can also view historical performance metrics and indicators, which can aid in understanding which configuration changes or system usages may have led to sub-optimal performance. |