| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08920709B2 |
Cooling plate for a metallurgical furnace
A cooling plate (10) for a metallurgical furnace comprises a body (12) with a front face (14) and an opposite rear face (16), as well as coolants channel (18) therein; a plurality of lamellar ribs (24) on its front face, two consecutive ribs (24) being spaced by a groove (22); and inserts (26) fixed in the grooves (22) and projecting from the front face (14). The inserts (26) have an upper side projecting from the bottom edge of the rib directly above, which is configured so as to form a collecting surface (28) on which, in use, furnace burden material accumulates up to the top edge (32) of the rib (24) directly above. |
| US08920707B2 |
Composite heat-dissipation substrate and manufacturing method of the same
The present disclosure provides a composite heat-dissipation substrate and a method of manufacturing the same. The composite heat-dissipation substrate includes a first ceramic layer having insulating properties, a second porous ceramic layer and a metal layer, wherein the first ceramic layer and the second ceramic layer are continuously connected to each other so as not to form an interface therebetween, and the metal layer is infiltrated into plural pores of the second ceramic layer to be coupled to the ceramic layers, whereby interfacial coupling force between the ceramic layers and the metal layer is very high, thereby providing significantly improved heat dissipation characteristics. |
| US08920706B2 |
Method for hot isostatic pressing a substrate
Disclosed is a method for hot isostatic pressing a substrate. At first, a metal container is provided. Powder is filled in the metal container before the metal container is located in an oven. The metal container is subjected to isostatic pressing that includes heating and pressing. Thus, the metal container shrinks and presses on the powder evenly and turns the powder into a nugget. The metal container is moved out of the oven and broken to release the nugget. A substrate is cut from the nugget. With the hot isostatic pressing, the substrate exhibits only a few flaws and is large, fine, homogenous and strong so that the substrate is not vulnerable to deformation in a high-pressure environment. |
| US08920700B1 |
Telescopic nanotube device for hot nanolithography
A device for maintaining a constant tip-surface distance for producing nanolithography patterns on a surface using a telescopic nanotube for hot nanolithography. An outer nanotube is attached to an AFM cantilever opposite a support end. An inner nanotube is telescopically disposed within the outer nanotube. The tip of the inner nanotube is heated to a sufficiently high temperature and brought in the vicinity of the surface. Heat is transmitted to the surface for thermal imprinting. Because the inner tube moves telescopically along the outer nanotube axis, a tip-surface distance is maintained constant due to the vdW force interaction, which in turn eliminates the need of an active feedback loop. |
| US08920699B2 |
Process for producing molded product, and heat-exchange membrane element
A molded product including a film bonded to a resin frame is produced by a method including: 1) reinforcing the film with a solvent-soluble or solvent-disintegrable reinforcing layer; 2) inserting the reinforced film in an injection mold; 3) feeding a resin to the mold to attach a frame body to the reinforced film while injection molding the resin frame; and 4) treating the resulting injection molded product with a solvent to remove the reinforcing layer. This production process can establish a technique capable of bonding (integrally molding) the film solely to the frame body, regardless of the size of the film. The film may preferably be an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene film, and the moisture-permeable resin may preferably be combined with the expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene film. |
| US08920698B2 |
Production method for a workpiece composed of a fibre-composite material
The present invention relates to a production method for a workpiece (15) composed of a fibre-composite material, having the following steps: at least one support means (3) is provided. A main material (6) composed of a pre-impregnated fibre semi-finished product and/or of a secondary material (7) are/is applied to the at least one support means (3) in order to form at least two blank-mould areas (1, 10), in such a manner that at least one of the at least two blank-mould areas (1, 10) has the main material, and at least one of the blank-mould areas (1, 10) has the secondary material. The blank-mould areas (1, 10) are pressure-bonded to one another to form a workpiece blank (14) such that the at least one support means (3) is provided on a surface of the workpiece blank (14). The at least one support means (3) and the secondary material (7) are removed from the workpiece blank (14) in order to form the workpiece (15). |
| US08920697B2 |
Method for building three-dimensional objects in extrusion-based additive manufacturing systems using core-shell consumable filaments
A consumable filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the consumable filament comprises a core portion of a first thermoplastic material, and a shell portion of a second thermoplastic material that is compositionally different from the first thermoplastic material, where the consumable filament is configured to be melted and extruded to form roads of a plurality of solidified layers of a three-dimensional object, and where the roads at least partially retain cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the core portion and the shell portion of the consumable filament. |
| US08920695B2 |
Method of producing liquid crystal polyester composition
A method of producing a liquid crystal polyester composition, the twin-screw extruder including a cylinder having a supply port for supplying the liquid crystal polyester, a first addition port for adding the filler other than fibrous fillers and a second addition port for adding a fibrous filler which are provided downstream of the supply port, and a screw provided with kneading portions on the upstream side and downstream side of the first addition port, a resin temperature (T1) of the liquid crystal polyester after kneading in the nearest upstream kneading portion satisfying formula (1), and a resin temperature (T2) of the liquid crystal polyester after kneading in the nearest downstream kneading portion satisfying formula (2): FT−100(° C.)≦T1≦FT+20(° C.) (1) FT−100(° C.)≦T2≦FT+30(° C.) (2) wherein FT represents the flow starting temperature of the liquid crystal polyester. |
| US08920694B2 |
Methods of forming at least one of a composite product and an arrow shaft, material layering devices, composite products, and arrow shafts
A material layering device may include a first pinning roller and a second pinning roller. A distance between the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller is less than a diameter of a substrate. The device also includes a return system, wherein the return system comprises a plurality of rollers. The device also includes a belt, which may have a first loop portion disposed between and protruding beyond the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller. The first loop portion also wraps about an intended substrate along an arc greater than about 180 degrees. The device further includes a feed portion coupled to the first loop and extending outwardly from the second pinning roller opposite the first loop and providing a surface upon which a sheet can be placed. Furthermore, the device also includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to one of the rollers. |
| US08920692B2 |
Method for recycling relief image elements
Used flexographic printing members and unused flexographic printing precursors can be recycled for reuse. This recycling can be achieved by melting a laser-engraveable layer of a flexographic printing precursor or a laser-engraved layer of a flexographic printing member to form a melt, and reforming the melt into a new laser-engravable flexographic printing precursor. The laser-engraveable layer or laser-engraved layer comprises one or more thermoplastic elastomeric nanocrystalline polyolefins that can also be mixed with non-nanocrystalline polymers. |
| US08920686B2 |
Radiation converter material, radiation converter, radiation detector, use of a radiation converter material and method for producing a radiation converter material
A radiation converter material includes a semiconductor material used for directly converting radiation quanta into electrical charge carriers. In at least one embodiment, the semiconductor material includes a dopant in a dopant concentration and defect sites produced in a process-dictated manner in such a way that the semiconductor material includes an ohmic resistivity in a range of between 5·107 Ω·cm and 2·109 Ω·cm. Such a radiation converter material is particularly well matched to the requirements in particular in human-medical applications with regard to the high flux rate present and the spectral distribution of the radiation quanta. In at least one embodiment, the invention additionally relates to a radiation converter and a radiation detector, and a use of and a method for producing such a radiation converter material. |
| US08920681B2 |
Electrically conductive polymers with enhanced conductivity
An electrically conductive polymer linked to conductive nanoparticle is provided. The conductive polymer can include conductive monomers and one or more monomers in the conductive polymer can be linked to a conductive nanoparticle and can include a polymerizable moiety so that it can be incorporated into a polymer chain. The electrically conductive monomer can include a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene as a conductive monomer. The electrically conductive polymer having the conductive nanoparticle can be prepared into an electrically conductive layer or film for use in electronic devices. |
| US08920680B2 |
Methods of preparing carbonaceous material
Methods and apparatus relate to methods of making carbonaceous material or coating from a precursor. Oxidation of hydrocarbons forming the precursor occurs upon adding an oxidation agent to a mixture of the precursor and a solvent for the precursor. The oxidation of the hydrocarbons yields constituents that are insoluble in the solvent and may not melt. The constituents that are insoluble in the solvent may further coat solid particles, if the solid particles are provided in the mixture. Carbonization of solids recovered by separation from liquids in the mixture increases carbon weight percent of the constituents that are insoluble in the solvent. The methods result in products that provide the carbonaceous material or coating and are suitable for use in electrodes. |
| US08920679B2 |
Fluorinated silylethynyl pentacene compounds and compositions and methods of making and using the same
Fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes and compositions containing fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes are disclosed. Methods of making and using fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes and compositions containing fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes are also disclosed. |
| US08920677B2 |
Scintillator material and scintillation detector
A scintillator material is made of a zinc-oxide single crystal grown on a +C surface or a −C surface of a plate-shaped seed crystal of zinc oxide including a C surface as a main surface. The zinc-oxide single crystal contains In and Li. In response to an incident radiation, the scintillator material emits fluorescence of less than 20-ps fluorescence lifetime. |
| US08920671B2 |
Environmentally-friendly functional antifoaming agent using loess
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a functional defoaming agent composition, and more particularly to an environmentally-friendly defoaming agent composition containing loess. In an aspect, a loess-based, environmentally-friendly functional defoaming agent includes: 1-20 wt % loess; 10-30 wt % silicone resin having a kinematic viscosity of 10-50,000 cst; 1-5 wt % thickening agent; 1-10 wt % natural surfactant; 1-10 wt % water-purifying agent; and 60-80 wt % water. In another aspect, a loess-based, environmentally friendly functional defoaming agent includes: 1-20 wt % inorganic mixture of loess with at least one selected from among elvan, tourmaline and germanium; 10-30 wt % silicone resin having a kinematic viscosity of 10-50,000 cst; 1-5 wt % thickening agent; 1-10 wt % natural surfactant; 1-10 wt % water-purifying agent; and 60-80 wt % water. |
| US08920667B2 |
Chemical-mechanical polishing composition containing zirconia and metal oxidizer
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition and a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the chemical-mechanical polishing composition. The polishing composition comprises (a) abrasive particles, wherein the abrasive particles comprise zirconia, (b) at least one metal ion oxidizer, wherein the at least one metal ion oxidizer comprises metal ions of Co3+, Au+, Ag+, Pt2+, Hg2+, Cr3+, Fe3+, Ce4+, or Cu2+, and (c) an aqueous carrier, wherein the pH of the chemical-mechanical polishing composition is in the range of about 1 to about 7, and wherein the chemical-mechanical polishing composition does not contain a peroxy-type oxidizer. |
| US08920666B2 |
Etching method and photomask blank processing method
Disclosed herein is a dry etching method for a work layer formed over a substrate, including the steps of forming a hard mask layer over the work layer formed over the substrate, forming a resist pattern over the hard mask layer, transferring the resist pattern to the hard mask layer by first dry etching conducted using the resist pattern, and patterning the work layer by second dry etching conducted using a hard mask pattern obtained upon the transfer to the hard mask layer, wherein after the hard mask layer is patterned by the first dry etching, the patterning of the work layer by the second dry etching is conducted through changing the concentration of an auxiliary ingredient of a dry etching gas, without changing a main ingredient of the dry etching gas, in an etching apparatus in which the first dry etching has been conducted. |
| US08920655B2 |
Method for organics removal from mineral processing water using a zeolite
The present invention relates to a method of removing organic chemicals and organometallic complexes (organic heavy metal complexes) using zeolites from process water or tailings streams of a mineral processing plant where diethylenetriamine (DETA) or triethylenetetramine (TETA) is used as a flotation reagent and DETA-metal complexes are found in process water or tailings streams. The process water or slurry tailings streams of a mineral processing plant containing DETA, DETA-metal complexes and residual heavy metals may be contacted with natural zeolites. This may be carried out by adding the natural zeolites to the process streams or slurries while mixing with a mechanical mixer to efficiently adsorb DETA, DETA-metal complexes and heavy metals from the process streams on the zeolite. The loaded zeolite may then be discarded with the flotation tailings. |
| US08920654B2 |
Thin film composite membranes for forward osmosis, and their preparation methods
Forward osmosis membranes having a hydrophilic support layer and a polyamide rejection layer in a thin film composite membrane are considered. Preferred support layer materials include aramid polymers and PVDF. A woven or non-woven mesh can be incorporated into the support layer to improve handling properties of the membrane. Flat sheet and hollow fiber configurations are possible. Antifouling techniques are provided. The polyamide layer can be formed on the hydrophilic support layer by interfacial polymerization. Applications include forward osmosis and pressure retarded osmosis applications, such as industrial product and/or waste concentration, hydration bags, energy/pressure generation, and controlled delivery of chemicals (e.g., for pharmaceutical applications). |
| US08920652B2 |
Method and apparatus for a lagoon batch treatment system
A lagoon batch wastewater treatment system for a wastewater treatment lagoon wherein a containment tank expands and contracts during a sewage treatment process reducing erosion of the berm or bank of the lagoon. |
| US08920649B2 |
Filter for an internal combustion engine and filter cartridge for the oil filter
An oil filter for an internal combustion engine has a filter housing having an interior and an exchangeable filter cartridge arranged in the interior of the filter housing. A drainage valve is arranged in the filter housing and has a valve seat and a valve member. The valve member is movable relative to the valve seat in an opening direction that is parallel and coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the filter housing and oriented toward the interior of the filter housing. The valve member is received in the valve seat in a closing direction opposite to the opening direction. The valve member can be pushed out of the filter housing in the closing direction. The valve member and the filter cartridge form together a servicing unit for joint exchange of the valve member and the filter cartridge. |
| US08920647B2 |
Apparatus for preventing scale deposits and removing contaminants from fluid columns
A method and apparatus provide pulsed fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points utilizing pulsed magnetic energy concentrated in a plurality of distinct areas along a fluid flow path. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment. |
| US08920646B2 |
Chromatography column
Disclosed is a chromatographic column for use with chromatographic materials packed in a defined manner.Said chromatographic column is characterized in that the chromatographic material in a defined compressed state is enclosed in a column body (1), which is preferably cylindrical and is provided with a discharge opening (9), between two filter plates which are fixed at a specified distance from one another by contact with support surfaces situated inside the column body. |
| US08920645B2 |
Disposable chromatography valves and system
Described is a disposable valve that includes an actuation layer operationally linked to a flexible diaphragm; a valving layer operationally linked to the flexible diaphragm; and a connection layer operationally connected to the valving layer; wherein the valving layer and the connection layer have a corresponding plurality of channels passing therethrough, and the channels define at least one fluid flow path, and the flexible diaphragm is movable between a first open position wherein fluid can flow through the fluid flow path, and a second closed position wherein fluid cannot flow through the fluid flow path. Chromatographic systems incorporating a plurality of such valves, optionally integrated into a unitary valve block, are also described. |
| US08920643B2 |
Apparatus for picking up particles from the surface of a water system
The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up particles from the surface of a water system, in particular particles of dirt, with a float (1), in which a particle separation chamber (8) is formed, into which particle-containing water can flow via an inflow opening (7), and out of which water at least partially freed from the particles can flow via an outflow opening (9), wherein the inflow opening (7) is provided with an inflow flap means and the outflow opening (9) is provided with an outflow flap means for opening and closing of the opening (9). |
| US08920642B1 |
Wastewater treatment unit
A biological wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a watertight basin and a filter. The basin has an open top and is configured for being placed on a substrate. The filter is located in the basin and includes five layers, each layer configured for removing biological contaminants from water traveling therethough. A first perforated pipe is located in the second layer and is connected to a second perforated pipe located in the fourth layer. If the third layer becomes clogged and prevents the passage of water, the water in the second travels into the first perforated pipe and exits the second perforated pipe in the fourth layer. In this manner, the third layer is bypassed, and the treatment system can be used despite the clogging of the third layer. |
| US08920639B2 |
Process for improved combustion of fuel solids
The invention provides a combustion process using comminuted fuel solids from a steam-driven shear field, with controlled water content and optionally coated with a combustion catalyst. The method allows fuel solids to burn for energy production at low temperatures. The lower temperatures avoid emissions of nitrogen oxides, and the process also yields a clean, friable ash that has economic value. |
| US08920637B2 |
Process for the recovery of oils from a solid matrix
Process for the recovery of oils from a solid matrix comprising: subjecting said solid matrix to extraction by mixing with at least one organic solvent having a boiling point lower than or equal to 160° C., preferably ranging from 60° C. to 140° C., operating at a temperature ranging from 5° C. to 40° C., preferably ranging from 15° C. to 30° C., and at atmospheric pressure (1 atm), obtaining a solid-liquid mixture; subjecting said solid-liquid mixture to separation, obtaining a liquid phase comprising said oils and said organic solvent and a solid phase comprising said solid matrix; recovering said organic solvent from said liquid phase. |
| US08920631B2 |
Process for the sequential hydroconversion and hydrodesulfurization of whole crude oil
The invention relates to a method for removing sulfur from crude oils using a catalytic hydrotreating process operating at moderate temperature and pressure and reduced hydrogen consumption. The process produces sweet crude oil having a sulfur content of between about 0.1 and 1.0 wt % in addition to reduced crude density. The method employs least two reactors in series, wherein the first reactor includes a hydroconversion catalyst and the second reactor includes a desulfurization catalyst. |
| US08920628B2 |
Systems and methods for multiple analyte analysis
Systems and methods for multiple analyte analysis are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes determining concentrations of first and second analytes in a sample. The first and second analytes may be, for example, glucose and hydroxybutyrate. In this form, an indication related to the measured concentration of hydroxybutyrate is provided in response to determining that the concentration of hydroxybutyrate is above a predetermined value. In a further aspect of this form, a quantitative indication representative of the measured glucose concentration is automatically provided regardless of the value of the measured glucose concentration. In another embodiment, a system includes a meter configured to interact with a test element to assess first and second analytes in a sample. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the description and drawings. |
| US08920621B2 |
Pump
A pump includes a flow passage through which a liquid containing an electrolytic solution is conveyed, a pair of electrodes in the flow passage to apply an electric field along the direction in which the liquid is conveyed, and a conductive member connected to one of the pair of electrodes and in contact with the liquid in the flow passage. The conductive member includes a sidewall portion that locally divides a flow of the liquid in the flow passage. The conductive member connected to one of the pair of electrodes may be a polyhedron or a column that is convex toward the electrode to which the conductive member is not connected. |
| US08920616B2 |
Paddle for electroplating for selectively depositing greater thickness
An electroplating method is disclosed that selectively deposits a greater thickness of a metal or alloy layer on a region of wafer that has a higher thickness loss during a subsequent chemical mechanical polish process. A paddle assembly has three rectangular sides joined at their edges to form a triangle shape from an end view, and a notch in a bottom side that faces a wafer during the plating process. The notch extends along second and third paddle sides to a height up to about 50% of the paddle thickness. The thickness in a K-block region that has two sides formed parallel to the wafer flat is selectively increased by aligning a first side of the paddle notch side directly over one K-block side and aligning a second notch side directly over a second K-block side during a paddle movement cycle. The notch may be rectangular shaped or tapered. |
| US08920615B2 |
Salt water chlorinator
A salt water chlorinator (30) for a swimming pool includes an electrolysis cell having two anodes (98) and a cathode (94). Two scrapers (102), each of which is of titanium and includes scraping portions in the form of ribs (106) in contact with the opposite surfaces of the cathode, are reciprocated relative to the cathode (94) to remove scale deposits from the cathode (94). The scrapers (102) are mounted in a frame (110) and their scraping ribs (106) are curved such that the ribs (106) are self-biased against the cathode surfaces. A mechanism for reciprocating the scrapers (102) includes two solenoid coils (116) which act on cores (114) in a stem (112) of the frame (110). A control circuit for the electrolysis cell is contained in a housing (86) which is attached to a housing (82) for the electrolysis cell. The control circuit includes a flow sensor for sensing salt-water flow through the electrolysis cell. |
| US08920613B2 |
Offset magnet compensation for non-uniform plasma
A non-axisymmetric electromagnet coil used in plasma processing in which at least one electromagnet coil is not symmetric with the central axis of the plasma processing chamber with which it is used but is symmetric with an axis offset from the central axis. When placed radially outside of an RF coil, it may reduce the azimuthal asymmetry in the plasma produced by the RF coil. Axisymmetric magnet arrays may include additional axisymmetric electromagnet coils. One axisymmetric coil is advantageously placed radially inside of the non-axisymmetric coil to carry opposed currents. The multiple electromagnet coils may be embedded in a molded encapsulant having a central bore about a central axis providing the axisymmetry of the coils. |
| US08920610B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting ionisable gases in particular organic molecules, preferably hydrocarbons
The invention relates to a method for detecting gases that can be ionized wherein an atmospheric plasma jet is produced, wherein a gas mixture is brought into interaction with the plasma jet, and wherein an electrical quantity is measured as a measure of the concentration of the gas in the gas mixture. The invention further relates to a device for detecting gases that can be ionized, including a gas inlet, means for ionizing a gas, a voltage source, two electrodes, and means for determining an amperage, wherein the two electrodes are connected to the voltage source, wherein the means for determining an amperage are connected to the electrodes in such a way that the magnitude of the current flowing between the electrodes can be measured, and wherein a plasma nozzle is provided to produce an atmospheric plasma jet. |
| US08920608B2 |
Method of treating sludge using solar energy
A method of treating sludge using solar energy is provided. The present invention utilizes a Fresnel panel frame that includes at least one Fresnel panel. The Fresnel panel may cover at least a portion of a bed cavity. An amount of waste may be placed within the bed cavity. When placed in sunlight, the heat enhanced by the Fresnel panels may heat the waste sufficiently for safe easy disposal, recycling, or for the creation of fertilizer. |
| US08920603B2 |
Bleaching of pulp
The present invention relates to a process of bleaching pulp derived from an alkaline pulping process having a hexenuronic acid content prior to the final bleaching stage from about 1 to about 80 mmol/kg dry pulp, said process comprising three chlorine dioxide stages D0, D1, and D2, wherein the chlorine dioxide charges based on the total chlorine dioxide charge ina) D0 is from about 40 to about 60%;b) D1 is from about 30 to about 55%;c) D2 is from about 4 to about 20%, and wherein the final chlorine dioxide stage D2 is performed at a pH from about 2 to about 4.5. The invention also relates to a bleached pulp obtainable by the process. |
| US08920598B2 |
Electrode and plasma processing apparatus
There is provided a plasma processing apparatus including a processing chamber 100 configured to perform a plasma process on a wafer W; an upper electrode 105 and a lower electrode 110 arranged to face each other in the processing chamber 100 and configured to form a processing space therebetween; and a high frequency power supply 150 connected with at least one of the upper electrode 105 and the lower electrode 110 and configured to output a high frequency power into the processing chamber 100. The upper electrode 105 includes an upper base 105a made of a dielectric material, and a plurality of fine holes A having a diameter equal to or less than twice a thickness of a sheath are formed in the upper base 105a. |
| US08920597B2 |
Symmetric VHF source for a plasma reactor
The disclosure pertains to a capactively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a folded structure and symmetrical power distribution. |
| US08920591B2 |
Process for producing electrically conductive bonds between solar cells
The invention relates to a process for producing electrically conductive bonds between solar cells, in which an adhesive comprising electrically conductive particles is first transferred from a carrier to the substrate by irradiating the carrier with a laser, the adhesive transferred to the substrate is partly dried and/or cured to form an adhesive layer, in a further step the adhesive is bonded to an electrical connection, and finally the adhesive layer is cured. The invention further relates to an adhesive for performing the process, comprising 20 to 98% by weight of electrically conductive particles, 0.01 to 60% by weight of an organic binder component used as a matrix material, based in each case on the solids content of the adhesive, 0.005 to 20% by weight of absorbent based on the weight of the conductive particles in the adhesive, and 0 to 50% by weight of a dispersant and 1 to 20% by weight of solvent, based in each case on the total mass of the undried and uncured adhesive. |
| US08920581B2 |
Grain-oriented electrical steel sheet and manufacturing method thereof
Nitriding process of a steel strip is performed. Next, annealing is performed to form a forsterite based glass coating film at a surface of the steel strip. Heating is performed up to 1000° C. or more in a mixed gas atmosphere containing H2 gas and N2 gas, and a rate of N2 gas is 20 volume % or more, next, the atmosphere is switched into H2 gas atmosphere at the temperature of 1000° C. or more and 1100° C. or less, when the annealing is performed. An oxygen potential P (H2O)/P (H2) is set to be 0.05 to 0.3 when the temperature is 850° C. or less during the heating in the mixed gas atmosphere. |
| US08920578B2 |
Teat cup cleaning device and method related thereto
A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber, provided with a discharge which is closable by a valve, and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is provided for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid, and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line between a liquid supply and the discharge. |
| US08920571B2 |
Method and materials for making a monolithic porous pad cast onto a rotatable base
The present invention includes methods and materials for cleaning materials, particles, or chemicals from a substrate with a brush or pad. The method comprising: engaging a surface of a rotating wafer with an outer circumferential surface of a rotating cylindrical foam roller, the cylindrical foam roller having a plurality of circumferentially and outwardly extending spaced apart nodules extending from the outer surface, each nodule defining a height extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical foam roller to a substrate engagement surface of the nodule, the substrate engagement surface of one or more of the nodules having a rounded configuration; and positioning the cylindrical foam roller on the substrate such that the one or more nodules are positioned to have only the rounded substrate engagement surface contact the substrate such that no linear surface of the one or more nodules contacts the substrate. |
| US08920568B2 |
Method for the dissolution of amorphous dithiazine
A method for the dissolution of amorphous dithiazine buildup on a surface is presented. The method consists of treating the dithiazine buildup with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, which reacts and breaks apart the buildup for easy removal. |
| US08920566B2 |
Wire feed pressure lock system
A pressure lock system passes a wire along a wire path from a wire source at a high pressure first region to a destination at a low pressure second region. The pressure lock system includes a pressure lock chamber. A first conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire along the path and is mounted for rotation. A second conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire from the pressure lock chamber and is also mounted for rotation. A motor may drive rotation of the first conduit and the second conduit. Pumps may maintain a pressure of the pressure lock chamber lower than a pressure of the first region. |
| US08920562B2 |
Film formation apparatus, film formation method, manufacturing apparatus, and method for manufacturing light-emitting device
An object is to improve use efficiency of an evaporation material, to reduce manufacturing cost of a light-emitting device, and to reduce manufacturing time needed for a light-emitting device including a layer containing an organic compound. The pressure of a film formation chamber is reduced, a plate is rapidly heated by heat conduction or heat radiation by using a heat source, a material layer on a plate is vaporized in a short time to be evaporated to a substrate on which the material layer is to be formed (formation substrate), and then the material layer is formed on the formation substrate. The area of the plate that is heated rapidly is set to have the same size as the formation substrate and film formation on the formation substrate is completed by one application of heat. |
| US08920555B2 |
Gallium-doped phosphocalcic compounds
The present invention relates to a gallium-doped phosphocalcic compound of formula (I): Ca(10.5-1.5x)Gax(PO4)7 (I) wherein 0 |
| US08920550B2 |
Hydrophobization agent and use for the surface treatment of mineral matter particles
The present invention relates to a new mineral matter particle hydrophobization agent and to its various uses for the surface treatment of mineral matter particles. |
| US08920549B2 |
Wet-type dust collector for a vacuum cleaner
A wet-type dust collector for a vacuum cleaner. The disclosed wet-type dust collector includes a first separating portion, the inside of which is filled with water for separating dust from air that is suctioned in from the outside; an exhaust pipe unit having an exhaust outlet and installed inside the first separating portion; and a passage-closing unit installed inside the exhaust pipe unit, wherein the passage-closing unit closes the exhaust outlet of the exhaust pipe unit by means of the combined forces of the suctioning force through the exhaust pipe unit and the buoyant force of the water, in order to prevent the water from leaking out from the first separating portion. |
| US08920548B2 |
CO2 capture system by chemical absorption
The CO2 capture system by chemical absorption for removing CO2 from a combustion exhaust gas by a solvent, comprising: an absorber for absorbing CO2 by a solvent, a regenerator for heating a rich solvent absorbed CO2 thereby releasing CO2, a gas exhaust system for discharging gas from the regenerator, a gas compressor installed in the gas exhaust system, a heat exchanger disposed downstream of the gas compressor for exchanging heat between compressed gas and rich solvent to be supplied to the regenerator, a gas-liquid separator disposed downstream of the heat exchanger for separating gas from condensed water, a condensed water supply system for supplying condensed water from the gas-liquid separator to the regenerator, another gas exhaust system for discharging gas containing high-concentration CO2 from the gas-liquid separator, and a compressor disposed downstream of the gas-liquid separator in the another gas exhaust system for pressurizing the gas containing high-concentration CO2. |
| US08920540B2 |
Compact air quality control system compartment for aluminium production plant
A first contact reactor, mechanical separator device, one or more second contact reactors, silo, filter, one or more fans each equipped with one or more vibration dampers, an optional wet scrubber and stack are each integrated into a single compact air quality control system (AQCS) compartment. Additionally, a process gas cooling system may be integrated into the compact AQCS compartment. Benefits of the subject compact AQCS compartment includes footprint reduction, operating cost reduction from reduced pressure drop due to reduced ductwork, capital cost reduction from reduced ductwork, noise reduction, weather protection and increased adaptability to meet specific system requirements. |
| US08920526B1 |
Production of methane-rich syngas from hydrocarbon fuels using multi-functional catalyst/capture agent
The disclosure provides a gasification process for the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 700° C. through the use of an alkali hydroxide MOH, using a gasification mixture comprised of at least 0.25 moles and less than 2 moles of water for each mole of carbon, and at least 0.15 moles and less than 2 moles of alkali hydroxide MOH for each mole of carbon. These relative amounts allow the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 700° C. by enabling a series of reactions which generate H2 and CH4, and mitigate the reforming of methane. The process provides a methane-rich syngas comprised of roughly 20% (dry molar percentage) CH4 at temperatures above 700° C., and may effectively operate within an IGFC cycle at reactor temperatures between 700-900° C. and pressures in excess of 10 atmospheres. |
| US08920516B2 |
Graft prosthesis, material and methods
A graft prostheses (11), materials and method for implanting, transplanting, replacing, or repairing a part of a patient. The graft prosthesis includes a purified, collagen-based matrix structure removed from a submucosa tissue source. The submucosa tissue source is purified by disinfection and removal steps to deactivate and remove contaminants, thereby making the purified structure biocompatible and suitable for grafting on and/or in a patient. |
| US08920514B2 |
Systems and methods for introducing and applying a bandage structure within a body lumen or hollow body organ
Systems and methods provide intraluminal delivery of a bandage structure within a body lumen or hollow body organ, e.g., for treating an injured gastrointestinal tract or an esophageal hemorrhage in a non-invasive way using endoscopic visualization. The systems and methods can be sized and configured to apply a chitosan bandage structure within a body lumen or hollow body organ, to take advantage of the mucoadhesive, antimicrobial, hemostatic, and potential accelerated wound healing properties of the chitosan material. |
| US08920501B2 |
Implant system having at least three support elements
An implant system that includes a concave spherical-segment-shaped socket part and a corresponding convex spherical-segment-shaped joint part is provided. The joint part rests in the socket part, wherein at least three support elements that describe a spherical triangle or a spherical polygon are arranged on the surface of the joint part or on the surface of the socket part. |
| US08920498B2 |
Non-resorbable meniscus prosthesis for the human knee joint
Meniscus prosthesis assembly having a meniscus prosthesis body made of a first biocompatible non-resorbable material and having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a first bone plug made of a second biocompatible non-resorbable material for osseous integration, the first bone plug having a first end portion and a second end portion; wherein the first end portion of the first bone plug is arranged at and operatively connected to the first end portion of the meniscus prosthesis body, and wherein the first biocompatible non-resorbable material and the second biocompatible non-resorbable material are the same or different. The assembly further comprises at least one suture, wherein the at least one suture is arranged at and operatively connected to the second end portion of the first bone plug. |
| US08920485B2 |
Stent-graft delivery system having a rotatable single shaft tip capture mechanism
A stent-graft delivery system includes an elongate shaft, a tip capture spindle disposed over the shaft, and a distal tip assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. At least one component of the delivery system constrains a stent of the stent-graft engaged with the tip capture spindle during delivery and partial-deployment of the stent-graft, and the at least one component is in a threaded relationship with the distal tip assembly. To fully deploy the stent-graft, the elongate shaft, having the distal tip assembly coupled thereto, is rotated to result in longitudinal movement of the at least one component and thereby release the stent from the tip capture spindle. The at least one component that longitudinally moves to fully deploy the stent-graft may be the tip capture spindle and/or a relatively short sleeve that extends over the tip capture spindle to the distal tip assembly. |
| US08920481B2 |
Endovascular delivery system having textile component for implant restraint and delivery
A stent-graft delivery system is disclosed having an outer tubular shaft or sheath with a relatively stiff proximal segment and a distal segment formed from a tubular textile component. The proximal segment being formed from a polymeric tubing and having a distal end attached to a proximal end of the tubular textile component. During tracking of the delivery system through the vasculature, a self-expanding stent-graft is constrained by and within the tubular textile component in a compressed delivery configuration. Upon positioning at a treatment site, such as an aneurysm, retraction of the outer tubular shaft proximally slides the tubular textile component over the stent-graft to expose and deploy the stent-graft. The tubular textile component may be made from strands of one or more biocompatible materials that have been formed into a textile by weaving, braiding, knitting, crocheting, felting or a combination thereof. |
| US08920477B2 |
Apparatus, systems, and methods for stabilizing a spondylolisthesis
Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis. |
| US08920475B1 |
Vertebral fixation system including torque mitigation
Various spinal fixation assemblies are presented that include a separator installable in relation to a coupler attached to the head of an anchor device, and disposable between the head of the anchor device and a cross member. The separators may be implemented in a variety of forms. |
| US08920472B2 |
Spinal correction and secondary stabilization
Methods of correcting a spinal deformity include securing a first rod on a first side of a spine, securing an anchor on a second side of a spine, securing a lateral coupling between the rod and the anchor, translating and derotating the spine to correct the spinal deformity by adjusting an effective length of the lateral coupling, and securing a second rod on a second side of the spine to provide secondary stabilization to the spine. |
| US08920469B2 |
Rod attachment for head to head cross connector
Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone. |
| US08920463B2 |
Vascular hole closure device
A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. A securing member is positionable external of the vessel and has a plurality of pores extending therethrough. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and securing member and moves the securing member toward the covering member. |
| US08920462B2 |
Vascular hole closure device
A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. First and second retainers are positionable external of the vessel and have a tip of a smaller transverse dimension and facing in a direction toward the covering member for advancement toward the covering member. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer and moves the first retainer toward the covering member. |
| US08920458B2 |
Vein filter
A vessel filter having a first region having a first set of struts forming a mounting portion and a filter portion having a converging region at a first portion to direct particles toward the center of the filter. The mounting portion is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second portion opposite the first portion. A second set of struts forms a second mounting portion flared in the expanded position. A plurality of spaced apart struts extend between the first and second regions. |
| US08920452B2 |
Methods of tissue release to reduce the appearance of cellulite
A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes. |
| US08920451B2 |
Device and method for removing tissue inside a body vessel
Disclosed are a tool and a method for removing tissue inside a body vessel. A first helical coil has a first pitch and a first lumen. The first coil is threaded into a tubular hollow body that is lined with a spiral thread with a second pitch that is substantially the same as the first pitch. The hollow body may be a second coil. A first set of cutting elements extends from the first coil into the first lumen. A second set of cutting elements extends from the hollow body into the first lumen. The first and second sets of cutting elements are arranged with respect to each other such that a screw-like movement of the first helical coil relative to the hollow body causes a cutting element of the first set and a cutting element of the second set to pass each other closely enough to cut tissue. |
| US08920450B2 |
Material removal device and method of use
An atherectomy catheter having an inner drive shaft which rotates a distal rotary tissue borer with a helical cutting surface which enables the catheter to cut through and cross a CTO. Additionally, the atherectomy catheter has a distal cutting element rotated by an outer drive shaft configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The atherectomy catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting element and rotary tissue borer. The atherectomy catheter may include means to direct material cut from the treatment site into the collection chamber, means to break down larger portions of material that may block or clog the collection chamber and means of transporting the material collected from the treatment site to a proximal opening in the atherectomy catheter. |
| US08920441B2 |
Methods of meniscus repair
Methods of repairing knee meniscus tears are described which use suture passer devices and suture shuttles. These methods may be used with continuous suture passing, so that the suture passer device may remain on or in the tissue while passing a suture shuttle, and therefore a suture, back and forth from one side of the tissue to the other. These methods may be used minimally invasively for repairing meniscus tissue while avoiding further damage to the meniscus. |
| US08920439B2 |
Applicator instruments having curved and articulating shafts for deploying surgical fasteners and methods therefor
An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing and a curved shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed within the curved shaft for being dispensed from the distal end of the curved shaft. An advancer is disposed inside the curved shaft for shifting the surgical fasteners one position closer to the distal end of the curved shaft each time the advancer moves distally. A firing element is disposed inside the curved shaft and is movable between the proximal and distal ends of the curved shaft for dispensing the surgical fasteners from the distal end of the curved shaft. A staging assembly is adapted to receive a leading one of the surgical fasteners from the advancer as the advancer moves distally to shift the leading surgical fastener into substantial alignment with the firing element when the advancer moves proximally. |
| US08920438B2 |
Apparatus for applying surgical clips
A clip applying apparatus is described for applying clips seriatim to tissue. The apparatus includes a lockout member for limiting distal movement of the camming member after the proximal-most clip has been applied to tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a jaw locking member for preventing approximation of the jaw members of the apparatus. In one embodiment, a latch assembly is provided to releasably engage a clip pusher of the apparatus to the camming member of the apparatus. |
| US08920434B2 |
Remote body tissue engaging methods and apparatus
Apparatus is provided that can be delivered through a catheter to a remote location in a patient's body. The apparatus may include a first structure that can be positioned in all dimensions in a controlled manner and stabilized in that desired position, a second structure that can then position a lumen axis at a desired angle relative to the first structure, and a third member that can pass through the lumen and approach and engage with force (e.g., penetrate) a desired location on the anatomy without compromising maintaining the desired position. The apparatus effectively separates the forces needed for positioning and the forces needed for tissue engagement (e.g., penetration). |
| US08920431B2 |
Pneumoperitoneum device
A method for performing a laparoscopic procedure may include inserting a bag through an opening. The method may also include delivering tissue into the bag, sealing the bag, and inflating the bag to create an artificial pneumoperitoneum that extends the abdomen and provides additional working and viewing space. Further, the method may include carrying out a procedure on the tissue located in the inflated bag. |
| US08920430B2 |
Medical device
A method for treating an aneurysm can include inserting a medical device partially in a first artery and partially in a third artery. The device can be expanded radially outwardly from a first position to a second position to engage an inner surface of the first artery and an inner surface of the third artery, so as to maintain a fluid pathway through said arteries. Further, the device can be positioned such that, when the device is in the second position, a porous membrane of the device is located at a neck of the aneurysm. |
| US08920423B2 |
Bone harvesting device
A bone harvesting device is disclosed as including a drill body for drilling into bone, the drill body being rotatable about its central longitudinal axis, and a saw pivotable relative to the drill body about a pivoting axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the drill body, the drill body including a cavity which opens at a lower open longitudinal end of the drill body, and the saw being pivotable relative to the drill body between a first position in which the saw is clear of the lower open longitudinal end of the drill body and a second position in which the saw blocks part of the lower open longitudinal end of the drill body. |
| US08920422B2 |
Method for tibial nail insertion
A method for implanting a longitudinal intramedullary nail into the tibia comprises inserting the tibia nail along a plane of symmetry through the tuberositas tibiae. Thereby, the tuberositas tibiae can be used during nail insertion to correctly align the nail and the target arm to the symmetry plane of the bone. This means, that the whole construct, the nail attached to the target arm, has to be inserted in external rotation. |
| US08920419B2 |
Apparatus and method for tubeset with drive axle
A device comprising: a handpiece having one or more attachment ports; a tubeset having one or more attachment features for connecting the tubeset to the one or more attachment ports in the handpiece; a removable tip having an attachment arm for attaching to the one or more attachment ports in the handpiece; wherein the device comprises one or more of the following: the handpiece includes an attachment port that attaches the handpiece to an active lead and a return lead and the device is adapted to use only the active lead or both leads so that the device can switch between bi-polar energy and mono-polar energy; the tubeset has one or more fluid conduits that are in fluid communication with the removable tip, wherein the removable tip is located at a distal end of the device; and the handpiece connects to one or more electrical input lines; the tubeset connects to one or more fluid lines, and the removable tip is free of direct connection to both the one or more electrical input lines and the one or more fluid lines. |
| US08920418B2 |
PFO closing device
A PFO closing device includes: a clamper including a stick portion provided at a distal portion of a catheter for sticking to a foramen ovale valve and a sandwich member for sandwiching a biological tissue composed of the foramen ovale valve and an atrial septum secundum in cooperation with the stick portion; a cautery device including at least one electrode portion to be inserted into the foramen ovale between the foramen ovale valve and the atrial septum secundum; and an electric energy supply unit for supplying electric energy to the electrode portion, wherein the electrode portion is inserted into the foramen ovale and at the same time, the foramen ovale valve and the atrial septum secundum are sandwiched by the clamper, electric energy is supplied from the electric energy supply unit to the electrode portion and the foramen ovale valve and the atrial septum secundum are mutually fused. |
| US08920415B2 |
Catheter with helical electrode
An invasive probe includes an insertion tube containing a lumen for providing an irrigation fluid and comprising a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube. At least one helical electrode is fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube. |
| US08920411B2 |
Apparatus and method for intra-cardiac mapping and ablation
An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure. |
| US08920408B2 |
Ophthalmological apparatus for the breakdown of eye tissue
An ophthalmological apparatus includes a handle for manually holding and applying the ophthalmological apparatus, fastening has abilities for fixing the ophthalmological apparatus at an eye, a light source, and a light projector for the focused projection of light pulses for punctiform tissue breakdown at a focal point in the interior of the eye tissue. The ophthalmological apparatus also includes a movement driver for moving the light projector. The movement of the light projector and therefore that of the focal point with the assistance of the movement driver permits a dimensioning of the optical projection system of the light projector which is substantially smaller than in the case of an ophthalmological apparatus where the focal point is moved exclusively by an optical projection system. |
| US08920407B2 |
Optical system for ophthalmic surgical laser
A laser system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source to produce a surgical pulsed laser beam, an XY scanner to scan the surgical pulsed laser beam in XY transverse directions, a Z scanner, to scan the XY scanned laser beam along a Z axis, an objective, to focus the XYZ scanned beam into a focal spot in a target region, and a computational controller, to use a computational process to control at least one of the Z scanner and the XY scanner, to control an optical distortion of the focused scanned beam. |
| US08920404B2 |
Reduction of recirculation in catheters
A catheter tip designed to reduce the outflow velocity and/or directional momentum of fluid being infused by a catheter having such a tip. In one variation, a plurality of channels is provided at the distal portion of the catheter to increase the outflow cross-sectional area. In another variation, the diameter of the catheter at its distal portion where the fluid exits is increased. In yet another variation, a bullet-shaped nose is implemented which may decrease turbulence at the distal end of catheter tip. The low velocity outflow catheter tip may also be implemented on a dual lumen catheter, such as a hemodialysis catheter, to reduce recirculation rate. Various device configurations and methods for such implementations are also disclosed. |
| US08920403B2 |
Catheter with biologic adhesive injection ports and method of injecting biologic adhesive therewith
A catheter and method for draining a bladder and injecting a two part biologic adhesive is provided. The catheter has a tubular body extending between proximal and distal ends. A balloon is located adjacent the distal end with a first port extending between the proximal end and the balloon providing for inflation an deflation of the balloon. A second port extends substantially between the proximal end and the distal end for drainage. A pair of ports separate from one another and from the first and second ports extend between the proximal end and the balloon. The pair of ports are each arranged in fluid communication with separate openings located between the balloon and the proximal end to provide separate fluid flow paths for the separate components of the two part biologic adhesive between the proximal end and the openings. |
| US08920402B2 |
Thrombectomy and soft debris removal device
A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal. The working head may be operated to separate and move away from the guide wire to come within a closer proximity of the obstructive material to more effectively remove it from the vessel. |
| US08920400B2 |
Disposable absorbent undergarment for males
A disposable absorbent garment includes a body chassis having a terminal front waist edge, a terminal back waist edge longitudinally spaced from the terminal front waist edge, a first length defined between the terminal front waist edge and the terminal back waist edge, and a laterally extending centerline defined half way between the terminal front and back waist edges. An absorbent insert is fixedly secured to the body chassis. The absorbent insert has a retention region including an absorbent material. The retention region has first and second longitudinally spaced boundaries and a second length defined between the first and second boundaries. The second length is less than or equal to 50% of the first length, and at least 70% of the second length is positioned between the centerline and the terminal front waist edge. There is no absorbent material disposed outside of the retention region defined between the first and second boundaries. In one embodiment, the body chassis is formed from separate front and rear body panels. A method of assembling a disposable absorbent garment is also provided. |
| US08920399B2 |
Absorbent article
An absorbent article is disclosed. The article includes a first portion having at least two target strips located on opposite ends of the first portion, at least one visual sizing indicator positioned on the first portion of the article between the at least two target strips, the visual sizing indicator including indicia for indicating that the article is too large for a wearer, a middle portion contoured inwards such that an hourglass shape is formed, and a second portion having at least two fasteners located on opposite edges of the second portion. The absorbent article is formed of several layers including a moisture-impervious outer layer, an inner layer substantially co-extensive with the outer layer, and a filler interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. |
| US08920398B2 |
Absorbent article having a pair of rear side flaps
An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of the front end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1. The absorbent article has a topsheet, backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of rear side flaps each extending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the absorbent core in the rear end region and a continuous support layer disposed on the backsheet in the rear end region. The continuous support layer includes a continuous material having a shear rigidity value of at least 3.0 gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction. |
| US08920392B2 |
Method for treating overactive bladders and a device for storage and administration of topical oxybutynin compositions
The invention relates to a method for treating overactive bladders and a device for storing and administering non-occluded oxybutynin topical compositions. |
| US08920389B2 |
Detecting needle entry into a port of an infusion device
Systems for detecting needle insertion into a port chamber of an implantable medical device include a pressure sensor. The system detects characteristic pressure profiles associated with needle insertion into the port chamber through a septum and may generate a sensory cue to a clinician that proper needle placement has been achieved. Methods for detecting needle insertion into a port chamber of an implantable medical device includes detecting characteristic pressure profiles associated with needle insertion into the port chamber through a septum. |
| US08920387B2 |
Method and apparatus for pressure infusion and temperature control of infused liquids
A method and apparatus for pressure infusion and temperature control of infused liquids including an infrared sensing device mounted proximate a drip chamber to ascertain drip count. The infrared sensing device having particular features such as emission and detection window shapes, arrangement of emission and detection windows and different numbers of emitters and detectors. |
| US08920386B2 |
Micro-valve
A one-way valve (1) comprises a seat (5) and a membrane (4) having an inner portion (4a) that is stretched over the seat, wherein, in use, the inner membrane portion is selectively deflected from the seat such that a fluid path is created from one side of the membrane to the other so as to open the valve, and wherein an outer peripheral portion (4b) of the membrane is stiffer than the inner portion such that the membrane deflection is substantially restricted to only the inner portion. The one-way valve may be used in a pump for an infusion system. |
| US08920384B2 |
Medical injector with ratcheting plunger
A medical injector has a body with a displaceable plunger. The plunger includes a plurality of spaced-apart ratchet teeth disposed along the length thereof. At least one indexer is provided to engage the plunger, wherein the indexer is configured to allow the plunger to displace distally toward a distal end of the body but not proximally toward a proximal end of the body. The medical injector also includes an actuator having an engagement portion formed to engage one or more of the ratchet teeth. The actuator is displaceable to a ready state, the engagement portion being displaced proximally relative to the plunger with the actuator being displaced to the ready state. The indexer prevents proximal movement of the plunger, thereby allowing the engagement portion to bypass one or more of the ratchet teeth with the actuator being displaced to the ready state. In addition, the actuator is displaceable from the ready state to cause actuation of the medical injector. The displacement from the ready state causes distal displacement of the engagement portion with the engagement portion engaging one or more of the ratchet teeth and causing distal displacement of the plunger with the engagement portion. |
| US08920381B2 |
Infusion set with improved bore configuration
An infusion set for use with a fluid infusion device is provided. The infusion set can include a mount including a projection having a bore. The projection can be surrounded at least partially by a recess defined through a surface of the mount, and the mount can include at least one rib that spans the recess. The infusion set can include a fluid outlet coupled to at least a portion of the bore of the projection and a coupling device to couple the infusion set to a user. The coupling device can be coupled to the surface and the at least one rib of the mount. |
| US08920380B2 |
Anchor instrumentation and methods
Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system includes an anchor sleeve and a catheter (or other medical instrument) to advance though a working channel of the anchor sleeve. The anchor sleeve may have a subcutaneous cuff device arranged along an outer surface. In such circumstances, the embedded cuff device can inhibit the migration of infection from outside the skin and into the blood stream. |
| US08920379B2 |
Needle unit and dermatological liquid injection apparatus using the same
The present invention relates to a needle unit for injecting liquids such as medicine or tattooing pigment spread to a skin, into the skin, and a dermatological liquid injection apparatus using the same. The present invention includes a body unit including a driving device, a cam member rotated by the driving device, and a connecting member reciprocally driven by the cam member; a needle unit detachably mounted to a front end of the body unit; and a rubber member installed to the needle unit, for blocking blood and liquid mixture which are discharged from a skin of a patient and flow into the needle unit, from flowing to the body unit during a medical procedure. |
| US08920376B2 |
Fill-status sensors for drug pump devices
The filling status of a drug reservoir in a drug pump devices may be determined with mechanical and/or magnetic position sensor associated with a reservoir boundary. |
| US08920362B2 |
Dialysis system having disposable cassette
A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument and a disposable cassette. The dialysis instrument includes three pump actuators. The disposable cassette includes three dialysate pump chambers. The three dialysate pump chambers are positioned and arranged to operate with the three dialysate pump actuators of the dialysis instrument. |
| US08920357B2 |
Glaucoma drainage shunts and methods of use
Treating glaucoma utiilizing a shunt having an elastormeric plate and a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera with an outflow end of the elastomeric drainage tube open to an outer surface of the plate. An inflow end of the drainage tube tunnels through the sclera and cornea to the anterior chamber of the eye. The drainage tube collapses upon initial insertion within an incision in the sclera and cornea, or at a kink on the outside of the incision, but has sufficient resiliency to restore its patency over time. The effect is a flow restrictor that regulates outflow from the eye until a bleb forms around the plate. The plate desirably has a peripheral ridge and a large number of fenestrations, and a longer suturing tab extending from one side of the plate to enhance visibility and accessibility when suturing the shunt to the sclera. |
| US08920356B2 |
Conductive polymer materials and applications thereof including monitoring and providing effective therapy
A coupler includes a conductive polymer material that is so constructed and arranged to join tubing, wherein the conductive polymer material includes a conductive polymer component selected from the group consisting of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophenes, polyethylenedioxythiophene, poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and mixtures thereof. |
| US08920353B2 |
Adjustable lumbo-sacral orthosis
A lumbo-sacral orthosis having a main body member sized to wrap substantially around a body of a wearer at the wearer's lumbar and sacral region. An outer holds the main body member at the wearer's lumbar and sacral region. An inner belt is cinched to compresses the wearer's body at the waist groove. A lumbar panel with an independently movable flexible element may be supported by the main body member. Side panels may also be supported by the main body member along with an abdominal panel which may include an independently movable lower element. |
| US08920352B1 |
Adjustable orthotic brace
The present invention includes an orthotic brace which offers advantages in being able to be adjusted to fit the small of the back of a specific wearer, and may attain an infinite number of positions within its range of motion, while providing effective reinforced lumbar support. |
| US08920351B2 |
Emergency stabilization of a fractured pelvis or an injured neck
A hip-girdling pelvic sling device for maintaining a desired amount of tension surrounding a person's hips and pelvis to securely support and stabilize a pelvis that has been fractured. Areas of mating types of fastener material such as mating hook-bearing fastener material and loop pile fastener material are arranged on the device to enable a strap to be secured at various effective lengths to provide a wide range of adjustability. The device may include inflatable bladders, stays, and a chin support and may be wrapped around a patient's neck as a cervical support collar. |
| US08920350B2 |
Orthotic strapping system
An orthotic strapping system that loosens all or a portion of a strap by capturing the angular movement of an orthotic joint to move the attachment point of the strap. This can be done with cabling or by using rotating cams and rigid linkages to connect them. |
| US08920348B2 |
Method and device for performing alternating chest compression and decompression
A plunger adapter and a detachable compression pad for piston driven chest compression devices optimizes the application of chest compressions to a fixed location on a patient's chest. The detachable compression pad may be removably secured to the patient above the patient's sternum to ensure that the compression pressure from the piston through the piston adapter is applied to a fixed location on the patient's chest. As the plunger and plunger adapter retract from the chest, the compression pad remains fixed to the patient's chest, and as the plunger and plunger adapter extend from the chest compression unit for subsequent compression strokes, the distal end of the plunger adapter reengages the compression pad to apply compression to a fixed location on the patient's chest. |
| US08920346B2 |
Knee orthosis
An orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first arm member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second arm member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. A third arm member including a third extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom is interposed between the first and second arm members. The third extension member is slidably connected to the first arm member and the second extension member is operatively connected to the third arm members, such that the second arm members travel along an arcuate path defined by the second extension member when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first and third arm members. Furthermore, the position of the third arm member can be securedly adjusted relative the first arm member. |
| US08920330B2 |
Body compressor and blood pressure measurement apparatus
A body compressor 1 is provided with a fluid bag 2, a band-like body 3 and a metal clip 4, wherein a fixed part 42 of the metal clip 4 is attached such that it is positioned above the outer surface of a skin pinching prevention tag part 5, and the skin pinching prevention tag part 5 has a reinforcing member 6 which allows the bending rigidity of a center-side part 51 and an intermediate part 52 to be higher than that of a front-side part 53. |
| US08920329B2 |
Disposable sensor device and monitoring system with trimming element
The invention relates to a disposable sensor device (51) for patient monitoring comprising a sensor (52) for providing an electric quantity based on a quantity to be detected, a first signal terminal (54) for providing a tap for the electric quantity, a first supply terminal (53) for supplying the sensor with an electrical supply quantity, a first connector for accommodating the first signal terminal (54) and the first supply terminal (53), a second signal terminal (56) for providing a further tap for the electric quantity, and a second connector for accommodating at least the second signal terminal (56). The invention further relates to a disposable sensor device for patient monitoring comprising a sensor (7) for providing an electric quantity based on a quantity to be detected; a first signal terminal (22) for providing a tap for the electric quantity; a first connector (A) for accommodating the first signal terminal, wherein the first connector (A) is provided with a trimming element (R2) which simulates the influence of a selectively attachable first monitoring device (1) on a measuring of the electric quantity, wherein the trimming element (R2) is electrically effective depending on a connector structure of a corresponding further connector (B, C) to be coupled with the first connector (A). |
| US08920327B2 |
Method for determining cardiac output
In a method for determining cardiac output from an arterial blood pressure curve measured at the periphery, in which the blood pressure curve measured at the periphery is arithmetically transformed into the corresponding central blood pressure curve and the cardiac output is calculated from the central blood pressure curve, the transformation of the blood pressure curve measured at the periphery into the corresponding central blood pressure curve is performed by the aid of an artificial neural network whose weighting values are determined by learning. |
| US08920326B2 |
Cancellation of products generated by harmonics of a square wave used in square-wave mixing
A mixer circuit includes three square wave mixers and a combiner. A first square wave mixer in the circuit multiplies an input signal with a first square wave. A second square wave mixer and a third square wave mixer in the circuit each multiplies the input signal with a second square wave and a third square wave respectively. The second and third square waves have a same frequency as the first square wave, but phases that respectively lead and lag the phase of the first square wave by a first value. The combiner adds the outputs of the mixers. A low-pass filter external to the mixer circuit filters the sum generated by the combiner to generate a filtered output. In an embodiment, the first value equals forty five degrees, and the filtered output is rendered free of products generated by third and fifth harmonics of the first square wave square. |
| US08920325B2 |
Handheld ultrasound imaging systems
A handheld ultrasound device is provided, having a transducer assembly for emitting and receiving sonic signals, a configurable signal processing unit, and a data processor configured to provide configuration data to the signal processing unit. The configuration data defines a beamforming configuration, filtering configuration and envelope detection configuration for an operational mode. The operational mode may be selected by the user or may be determined based on a detected type of the transducer assembly. |
| US08920324B2 |
Energy based fat reduction
Methods for non-invasive fat reduction can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a thermal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a fat cell. The lesion can create an opening in the surface of the fat cell, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat cell and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat. |
| US08920322B2 |
Valve treatment simulation from medical diagnostic imaging data
Valve treatment simulation is performed from patient specific imaging data for therapy planning. A model of the valve may be generated from the patient specific data automatically or with very minimal user indication of anatomy locations relative to an image. Any characteristics for the valve not extracted from images of the patient may be added to create a volumetric model. Added characteristics include chordae, such as chordae length and leaflet fiber direction. The characteristics may be adjusted based on user feedback and/or comparison with images of the patient. The effect of therapy on closure of the valve may be simulated from the model. For instance, mitral clip intervention is simulated on the patient-specific model. Valves are deformed according to the clip location. Valve closure is then simulated to predict effect of the therapy in terms of mitral regurgitation. |
| US08920318B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer readable code for forecasting the onset of potentially life-threatening disease
Methods, systems and computer-readable code for generating a forecast of a life-threatening condition, for example sepsis, in a subject, for example an infant, are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the forecast is generated in accordance with measurement values for a plurality of different vital sign parameters. In exemplary embodiments, vital sign parameters from a plurality of physiological systems are used to generate the forecast of the life-threatening condition. In exemplary embodiments, at least one vital sign parameter is other than a cardiac parameter. Non-limiting exemplary vital sign parameters may include one or more of a heart rate parameter, a respiration rate parameter, a bradycardia parameter, a desaturation parameter, a temperature parameter (for example, body temperature) and a body mass parameter. |
| US08920317B2 |
Multipurpose sensor port
A sensor port is adapted to connect to either a sensor or a data source. A reader is configured to identify which of the sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port. A data path is configured to communicate an analog signal associated with the sensor and digital data associated with the data source to a signal processor according to the identification made by the reader. |
| US08920316B2 |
Blade insert illuminator
A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit. |
| US08920314B2 |
Universal height foam port
A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity is adapted to tissues having different thicknesses. The surgical apparatus is configured to have different lengths. In one embodiment, the surgical includes a seal anchor member having two ends, and one of which is adapted to fold resulting in a plurality of folded states. Each folded state corresponds to a different length of the seal anchor member. The seal anchor member includes a slot to facilitate transition within the plurality of folded states. The seal anchor member further includes an aperture and a pin configured to further facilitate transition within the plurality of folded states. |
| US08920313B2 |
Adjustable multifunctional medical examination instrument
A speculum configured for attachment to an otoscope attachment of a medical examination instrument is provided in an embodiment herein. The speculum includes a proximate end, a distal end, and a speculum body extending from the proximate end to the distal end. The proximate end is configured for attachment to a first end of the otoscope attachment, and the distal end is configured for penetration into an orfice of a subject. The adjustable speculum further includes at least one flange, wherein the at least one flange is adjustably positioned on the speculum body between the proximate end and the distal end to limit a depth of the penetration of the speculum in the orfice. |
| US08920311B2 |
Adapter for attaching devices to endoscopes
An improved system for attaching devices to the distal end of endoscopic instruments is described. An attachment adapter comprises a distal stop, such as a complete or partial loop or cylinder, which limits the penetration of an endoscope into the adapter. The adapter has at least one flange protruding proximally along the endoscope. The adapter is secured on the endoscope by a securing means, which compresses the flange or flanges sufficiently to provide a friction fit. The flexibility of the inventive adapter system allows the adapter to work reliably with endoscopes that are used, damaged or repaired. The adapter may further provide a slit or window allowing viewing of the vessel wall by a lens on an endoscope, thereby improving the operator's ability to understand the location of the endoscope during operation. The adapter may carry any of a variety of devices, including devices for closing a surgical incision, or treating or manipulating tissue. Improvements are described in a number of areas to allow more flexible pairing of particular endoscopes or endoscopic instruments with devices to be carried on their exteriors, while maintaining a tightly locked position of the external device on the carrier. |
| US08920310B2 |
In-vivo image display apparatus and receiving system
A viewer includes a display unit. The display unit has a first display area for displaying an in-vivo image obtained by a first capsule endoscope received from a first receiver, and second display areas for displaying in-vivo images obtained by second capsule endoscopes received from second receivers. The viewer displays the in-vivo images in the first and second display areas, respectively. |
| US08920296B2 |
Forged roll meeting the requirements of the cold rolling industry and a method for production of such a roll
A forged roll for use, inter alia, in the cold rolling industry and a method of producing a forged roll as described. The roll has a steel composition, by weight, with 0.8 to less than 1% C, 0.2 to 0.5% Mn, 0.2 to 2.0% Si, 7.0 to 13.0% Cr, 0.6 to 1.6% Mo, more than 1.0 to 3.0% V, the remainder being Fe and impurities. The steel is tempered martensite with retained austenite at less than 5% per volume with eutectic carbides of less than 5% by volume, a hardness between 780-840 HV, and internal compressive stresses of between −300 to −500 MPa. |
| US08920295B2 |
Cutter-changing device
A cutter-changing device includes a cutter-magazine carrying cutters, a rotary telescopic cylinder, and a clamping sub-assembly. The clamping sub-assembly includes a cutter-changing arm, and a pair of clamping assemblies. The rotary telescopic cylinder drives the cutter-changing arm to rotate, extend and retract. Each clamping assembly includes a mounting member, an elastic member, a piston, and at least one resisting member. The mounting member is mounted on the cutter-changing arm, and defines at least one mounting hole through the sidewall thereof. The elastic member and the piston are sleeved with the mounting member, and the two opposite ends of the elastic member press against the piston and the mounting member. The resisting member is mounted between the elastic member and the mounting member, and capable of being resisted by the piston to be partially exposed from the mounting hole. |
| US08920294B2 |
Suspension training device
A suspension training device, system and method for using the same is disclosed. A suspension training device includes an elongated strap, a handle at a first end of the elongated strap, a harness at a second end of the elongated strap, and one or more stops, each stop being affixed at a position along a length of the elongated strap between the handle and the harness. A gravity training system includes two or more suspension training devices. The suspension training devices can be suspending with a stationary object by the stops, such as the elongated strap being threaded between a door and a doorframe, to a desired length to allow a user to accomplish any number of exercises or gravity-resistant movement. |
| US08920289B2 |
Form assembly for a jump pit
A form assembly and method is provided for use in making a jump pit having a cover. The form assembly comprises at least one frame member structured to form a ledge for receiving the cover and a removable form member removably secured to the frame member. The method comprises providing a frame member and removably securing a removable form member to the frame member. |
| US08920284B2 |
Epicyclic gear system with semi-integrated flexpin assemblies
An epicyclic gear system (A) includes a sun gear (2), a ring gear (4) located around the sun gear (2) and planet pinions (6) located between the sun and ring gears (2,4). The planet pinions (6) rotate on a carrier (8) that includes flexpins (20) that are cantilevered from a wall (12) of the carrier (8) and sleeves (22) that are attached to the remote ends of the flexpins (20) and extend back over the flexpins (20) to create a double cantilever. Bearings (24) support the planet pinions (6) on the sleeves (22) so that the planet pinions (6) rotate about the flexpins (20). The double cantilever enables the flexpins (2) to flex such that the axes (Y) of the planet pinions (6) remain parallel to the common axis (X) of the sun and ring gears (2, 4). Each sleeve (22) h an integrated bearing race (44) and a bearing seat (42) that carries a separate bearing race (60). The sleeve (22) is easily detached from its flexpin (20) and the separate race (60) is easily removed from the sleeve (22) to disassemble the bearing (24) and remove the planet pinion (6). |
| US08920276B2 |
Controller for varying gear ratios in transmission system
A controller is provided for varying gear ratios in a transmission system including at least one planetary gear train disposed within a housing. The controller includes a ratio control gear set, a ratio control pump, and a relief valve. The ratio control gear set includes a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a ring gear. The planet carrier is configured to rotatably connect to an output shaft of an engine. The ring gear is configured to mesh with a sun gear of the planetary gear train. The ratio control pump includes a body configured to rigidly connect to the housing, and a rotor rigidly coupled to the sun gear of the ratio control gear set. The rotor is configured to co-act with the body to pump fluid. The relief valve is configured to restrict fluid egress from the ratio control pump. |
| US08920275B2 |
Hybrid module for a drive train of a vehicle
A hybrid module for a drive train of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a transmission. The hybrid module operates between the internal combustion engine and the transmission and has an electric drive, a clutch, and a freewheel, and the clutch and the freewheel are provided parallel to each other in order to transmit torque from the internal combustion engine toward the transmission, the freewheel transmits torque coming from the internal combustion engine to the transmission and opens for torque directed in the opposite direction, and a portion of the torque produced by the internal combustion transmitted by the freewheel can be set by setting a torque that can be transmitted by the clutch so that the vehicle can be driven by the internal combustion engine or the electric drive or both at the same time. |
| US08920273B2 |
V-belt for transmitting high load
On each block side face of the blocks of a V-belt for transmitting high load, a ratio of a dimension extending in a belt thickness direction from a buried cord center line of a corresponding tension band to an upper end of an upper pulley-contact face to a dimension extending in the belt thickness direction from the buried cord center line to a lower end of the upper pulley-contact face is larger than or equal to 4.0, and a dimension extending in the belt thickness direction from the buried cord center line to a middle of the upper pulley-contact face is smaller than or equal to 2.3 mm. |
| US08920269B2 |
Broadhead having arcuate blades
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide broadhead having a body portion that includes a number of slots that extend substantially along a length of the body portion. Extending from the body portion is one or more removable blades. In embodiments, each of the removable blades has an arcuate shape that causes each blade to have an inner side and an outer side with each inner side having a sharpened edge extending substantially along a front side thereof. Additionally, a base portion of each of the plurality of removable blades is configured to be received in respective slots of the plurality of slots. |
| US08920268B2 |
Small diameter crossbow bolt
A small diameter crossbow bolt includes a small diameter shaft having a leading end with an insert to receive a point. The trailing end of shaft has a nock and adjacent fletching. The insert receives a point, such as a target point, broad head, or other point known in the industry. A circumferential spacer is positioned along the shaft between the insert and nock and moved along the shaft as needed to locate the insert for a particular weight distribution, center of gravity positioning, or to separate the spacer from nock. The insert, nock, and spacer each have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a prior art bolt. When the diameters of the nock and spacer are equal to the diameter of a prior art bolt, the small diameter crossbow bolt of the present invention can be used interchangeably with prior art bolts without modification to the crossbow. |
| US08920260B1 |
Golf club putter with roller putting head
A golf club putting head includes a flexible cylindrical roller body having a striking face defined thereon and thereabout. The roller body has a central bore extending therethrough from end to end thereof and configured to mount the body over an axle on a lower end of a putter shaft such that the body can undergo rotation about and relative to the axle. The striking face on the body is yieldably conformable to the shape of a golf ball upon impacting the ball and is formed by an annular bed of multiple flexible projections formed on and about the body. The putting head also includes a pommel fitted on an outer end of the axle and configured for adjusting the rollability of the roller body on the axle so as to enable a player to hit the ball with an impact that will cause it to roll towards the hole. |
| US08920257B2 |
Face plates for golf club heads and related methods
Embodiments of face plates for golf club heads are disclosed herein. Other examples, and related methods are also disclosed herein. |
| US08920253B2 |
Baby swing
A baby swing includes a frame, a supporting device and a seat. The supporting device is pivotally connected to the frame. The supporting device has a pivot post and a plurality of first engaging members formed on a periphery of the pivot post. The seat has a mounting structure pivotally mounted on the pivot post and a second engaging member disposed in the mounting structure and capable of moving between an engaging position and a releasing position. When the second engaging member is located at the engaging position, the second engaging member engages one of the first engaging members so that the seat is retained relative to the supporting device. When the second engaging member is located at the releasing position, the second engaging member disengages from the first engaging member so that the seat is allowed to rotate relative to the supporting device. |
| US08920248B2 |
Elastic joint body
An elastic joint body for a shaft arrangement, for the articulated connection of two shaft sections, including a plurality of bushes which are arranged at predetermined angular intervals in the peripheral direction with respect to a central axis of the joint body, a plurality of sets of loops, each set of loops wraps around two adjacent bushes, wherein the bushes and sets of loops are arranged in such a way that a central aperture which extends through the joint body in the direction of the central axis of the latter is formed in the joint body, and at least one gate land on at least one peripheral face that extends in the axial direction, and wherein the bushes and the sets of loops are sheathed, at least partially, with a rubbery-elastic sheathing, starting from the at least one gate land. |
| US08920240B2 |
Directional game controller
The invention has for object a game controller having an actuator (2, 102) mobile in rotation in relation to a fixed part (3, 103), in such a way as to simulate a control of the rotation of a steering column of a simulated vehicle.According to the invention, the game controller implements means for detecting the displacement in rotation of the actuator (2, 102) comprising at least one Hall effect or magnetoresistive effect detecting unit, constituted of at least two elements, of which a permanent magnet and a magnetic sensor (24, 124). At least during the rotation of the actuator (2, 102), a first element is integral in rotation with the actuator (2, 102) and a second element is integral in rotation with said fixed part (3, 103). |
| US08920239B2 |
Gaming machine having interchangeable display content
Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods, gaming machines, and gaming systems with multiple displays having interchangeable display content. According to one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a first display for presenting a primary game, a second display for presenting secondary display content to a player, and a player input device for receiving player input to configure content displayed on the first display and the second display such that the first display presents the secondary display content and the second display presents the primary game. |
| US08920235B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium, information processing apparatus, information processing system and information processing method
A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user. |
| US08920234B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting information associated with a game
A method for indicating a pre-game environment quality level may include, for example, obtaining a profile associated with a video game, where the profile comprises desirable performance metrics for initiating the video game, performing performance metric measurements in collaboration with a computing device from which the video game is to be played, comparing the performance metric measurements to the desirable performance metrics, determining a discrepancy between the performance metric measurements and the desirable performance metrics, determining a gaming quality level according to the determined discrepancy, and presenting at the computing device a quality indicator based on the determined quality level. The presenting can further include graphically displaying the quality indicator and the discrepancy. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08920233B2 |
Assignment template and assignment bundle in a gaming configuration and download system
A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities. An assignment-creator/modifier is provided for creating and modifying assignment templates for assignments that include at least one job to modify a gaming machine. |
| US08920230B2 |
Game method and apparatus
Game playing apparatus described displaying in an image-space (12) an aspect of a playing environment and overlays on the image-space zones (14,16) that have relevance to playing environment. Event/s occurs in the playing environment in a delineated zone/s. Game participant is able to mark (18) with a marker a zone or zones before the event in anticipation of a reward if they mark the zone in which the event occurs. Their reward may be set by predetermined odds or a portion of pooled wagers.The playing environment may be a live event, live sporting event, or pre-planned scenario. The image-space (12) may only be a representation of the playing environment or aspect of the playing environment. The game participant may wager remotely of game apparatus with remote control devices allowing them to mark and wager. The remote control device may be built into other devices like mobile telephones etc. |
| US08920226B2 |
Intake feeder system for a combine harvester
An intake feeder system having a stone separator mounted between a crop elevator and the mouth of a threshing mechanism disposed longitudinally in a combine harvester. The stone separator includes a rotary feed beater and a sump disposed beneath the feed beater. The feed beater serves to advance crop raised by the elevator along a crop flow path towards the mouth of the threshing mechanism and to propel stones in the crop into the sump. A duct is provided in parallel with the crop flow path for connecting a space above the rotary feed beater to the mouth of the threshing mechanism. |
| US08920224B2 |
Blower enclosure
Embodiments of the present invention provide a blower enclosure configured to secure to a base and house a blower. The blower enclosure includes a main body defining an internal blower chamber, and at least one access door configured to open to allow access to the blower. The enclosure may also include a gland plate secured over a preformed opening in the main body. The gland plate may include an O-ring configured to sealingly engage an outlet pipe of the blower. The enclosure may further include a fixed filter shroud configured to allow a user to install and remove a filter element without the use of a tool. |
| US08920220B2 |
Polishing pad for chemical mechanical polishing apparatus
This disclosure relates to a polishing pad for chemical mechanical polishing, having a shape where 3 or more semi-oval or semicircular curves that connect 2 valleys neighboring on the plane are connected, and including 2 or more modified patterns that are formed to a determined thickness on the polishing pad, wherein a peak of one modified pattern and a valley of another modified pattern neighboring thereto are sequentially located on the same line. The polishing pad may uniformly disperse slurry over the whole area during a polishing process to provide improved polishing uniformity, and appropriately control residence time of the slurry to increase polishing rate. |
| US08920217B2 |
Blade and wheel plate for blast cleaning wheel and method of connecting a blade to the wheel plate
A method and apparatus for connecting a blade to a single sided wheel plate or a pair of interconnected wheel plates. The assembly provides a repeatable, positive and even positioning location for each blade. It utilizes an ellipse that tapers outwardly from the center of the wheel along the blade connecting member that corresponds with the connecting channel on the wheel. The ellipse provides for equal and uniform contact on the entire blade connection to firmly hold the blade in place without parallel surfaces. The ellipse design provides a measured and increasing improved release in that all surfaces of the ellipse are tapered with non-parallel surfaces such that blade retention and blade removal is dramatically simplified. |
| US08920215B2 |
Surface flow finishing machine
A machine for the flow finishing of mechanical pieces is described. The machine has a rotary vat for containing finishing media and a unit for moving pieces having at least one mechanical arm for moving the pieces being machined, said mechanical arm being associated to means for rotating the pieces within the rotary vat, the rotary vat has at least two separate sections formed by concentric circular crowns. |
| US08920213B2 |
Abrasive jet systems, including abrasive jet systems utilizing fluid repelling materials, and associated methods
Various embodiments of abrasive jet systems are described herein. In one embodiment, an abrasive jet system includes an abrasive container and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly has a mixing region or cavity and an abrasive inlet. The abrasive jet system can also include an abrasive supply conduit that is operably coupleable between the abrasive container and the abrasive inlet. The abrasive supply conduit includes a first interior surface portion configured to be positioned proximate to the abrasive inlet and a second interior surface portion, different from the first interior surface portion, configured to be spaced apart from the abrasive inlet. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first interior surface portion has a greater ability to repel fluid (e.g., water) than the second interior surface portion, thereby reducing a tendency of the abrasives to clog the abrasive supply conduit. |
| US08920212B2 |
Method and device for grinding and polishing wooden materials and corresponding wooden parts
The present invention relates to a method and a device for processing parts, preferably made from timber-derived materials, especially MDF elements for achieving a sanded or polished surface, wherein blasting media are directed onto the surface at a shallow impact angle, and correspondingly produced wood parts. |
| US08920209B2 |
Spinning toy apparatus
A toy apparatus having a lower base, an upper base and a doll cover for the upper base where the lower base and the upper base attach and detach with an easy twisting motion. The lower base encloses a flywheel on a shaft, and a passageway for a rack and includes a cover with an outside screw thread. The upper base is either empty or encloses three switches, a sound generator, a light source, a controller printed circuit board, and a battery chamber and includes a cover with an inside screw thread that mates with the screw thread of the lower base. The toy apparatus has two primary play modes, a first mode where the lower base, the upper base and the cover are connected and a user uses the rack to spin the flywheel. |
| US08920206B1 |
Interlocking swim noodles
An improved swim noodle system is described. The system has a first interlocking swim noodle with a central core and at least one node, diverging outwardly from the central core, and at least one alcove, converging outwardly from the central core, wherein the node and alcove are arranged to mate by resistance fit with a second interlocking swim noodle. |
| US08920205B2 |
Personal floatation device
A personal floatation device includes an attachment device that selectably couples to a user's body. The personal floatation device includes a housing that couples to the attachment device. The housing includes a base and an outer wall extending outwardly from a perimeter of the base. The housing includes an inner wall enclosed by the outer wall and extending outwardly from an interior region of the base. The housing includes a compressed air container extending through the inner wall. The housing includes a compressed air activation device functionally coupled to the compressed air container such that, when triggered, releases air therefrom. The housing includes an air bladder in fluid communication with the compressed air container. The housing includes a breakaway cover coupled to the outer wall that detaches when exposed to pressure from the air bladder inflating. The housing include a trigger device functionally coupled to the compressed air activation device. |
| US08920202B2 |
Buoys and method of assembling the same
A buoy has a first piece with a first cavity defined by a first wall and a first open end of the first piece; a second piece having a second cavity defined by a second wall, a second open end and a second close end which is opposite to the second open end; and a separation piece to separate the first cavity and the second cavity so as to form two separated watertight compartments. |
| US08920201B2 |
Solid wire terminal
A wire terminal is provided for conductively engaging a conductive wire having a generally round cross section. The wire terminal includes an electrical receptacle portion with first and second forwardly-projecting portions that conductively contact opposite sides of the conductive wire. The forwardly-projecting portions each include a respective wire-engaging contact portion, each of which is configured to contact the conductive wire at a respective elongated contact location along opposite sides of the conductive wire. |
| US08920198B2 |
Electrical connecting element and combination comprising an electrical connecting element and component
An electrical connecting element (10) comprising at least one carrier body (50) and at least one electrical contact body (20) extending on both sides (52, 54) of the carrier body (50). The at least one electrical contact body (20) is arranged on an insulating body (60), which is coupled to the carrier body (50). At least one embodiment of the invention refers to a combination comprising a connecting element (10) and a component, and to an electrical device (110) comprising a connecting element (10). |
| US08920195B2 |
Electrical connector assembly with improved shield and shield coupling
An electrical connector provides shielded signal pathways. The electrical connector includes a shield plate, a first finger that extends from an edge of the shield plate, and a second finger that extends from the edged of the shield and that is adjacent to the first finger. A channel is formed between the first finger and the second finger. A coupling is placed within the channel adjacent the first finger. The coupling includes a contact, a first connecting arm extending from a first end of the contact to a first portion of the first finger, and a second connecting arm extending from a second end of the contact to a second portion of the first finger. The first connecting arm and the second connecting arm provide at least two current paths from the contact to the first finger. |
| US08920194B2 |
Connection footprint for electrical connector with printed wiring board
An electrical connector including a housing; ground contacts; and signal contacts. The signal contacts are differential signal pairs. The electrical connector is a right angle connector. First ends of the ground contacts are in a center row. First ends of a first one of the each differential signal pair are on a first side row at a first side of the center row. First ends of a second one of the differential signal pairs are on a second side row at a second opposite side of the center row. At least one of the first ends of the ground contacts is provided between the first ends of two of the differential signal pairs. An assembly is provided including the electrical connector and a printed circuit board having the electrical connector mounted thereon. The printed circuit board includes through-holes with a shared single antipad one of the differential signal pair. |
| US08920183B2 |
Electric connector
To prevent, with a simple structure, deformation such as a twist of an actuator at the time of moving operation and easily check the operation state of an actuator to easily and reliably establish an electrical connection, inclined surface parts are provided at both end portions in a longitudinal direction in end faces on a rotational radial outer side of the actuator pinching or freeing a signal transmission medium to approximately uniformly act an entire pressing force of an operator over a full length of the actuator. With this, a situation that the actuator is pressed as being twisted is eliminated to achieve an excellent action of pinching the signal transmission medium and an easy and reliable visual check of the state of rotation of the actuator. |
| US08920182B2 |
Connector having a coupler-body continuity member
A connector having a coupler-body continuity member is provided, wherein the coupler-body continuity member electrically couples a coupler and a body, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the coupler and the body. Furthermore, the coupler-body continuity member facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise. |
| US08920178B2 |
Electronic apparatus assembly
An electronic apparatus assembly including an electronic apparatus and a detachable connector is provided. The electronic apparatus has a cavity, a first magnetic element and a set of first terminals. The first magnetic element and the set of first terminals are disposed in the cavity. The detachable connector has an inserting portion, a body portion, a second magnetic element and a set of second terminals. The inserting portion is adapted to be inserted into the cavity. The body portion is connected to the inserting portion. The second magnetic element and the set of second terminals are disposed on the inserting portion. When the inserting portion is inserted into the cavity, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are mutually attracted. The two sets of terminals are mutually contacted, and the body portion is adapted to be supported on a plane to stand the electronic apparatus on the plane. |
| US08920171B2 |
Modular framework suprastructure for dental implants
A modular framework suprastructure for dental implants is provided. The apparatus includes a modular series of stumps and rods with horizontal axis, each of them being composed of a tubular bar provided at one end with an ear with a hole, whereas at the other end of the bar, a clip is applied, being provided with circular hole identical to the aforementioned hole, having suitable dimensions to receive one of said stumps. |
| US08920169B2 |
Mouth opening instrument and method
A mouth opening instrument includes an upper member suitable for attaching on an upper jaw side within the mouth of a patient and a lower member suitable for attaching on a lower jaw side. The instrument further includes a connecting section, a control section, and an input section. The connecting section connects end portions of the upper member and the lower member such that a resistance of opening or closing actions of the upper member and the lower member are controllable. The control section controls the resistance of opening or closing actions of the upper member and the lower member. The input section receives an operating state signal indicating an operating state of a dental treatment device. When the operating state signal indicating an operating state of a dental treatment device is inputted, the closing resistance of the upper member and the lower member is set to be greater than that at a time when the operating state signal is not inputted. |
| US08920168B2 |
Oral care implement having fluid delivery system
An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on one surface thereof and a reservoir containing at least one active agent. A capillary channel extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver active agent(s) to one or more outlets. In one aspect, a vibration-producing device is provided to vibrate at least a portion of the implement to enhance the function of tooth cleaning elements and the delivery of the active agent through capillary action. A variety of active agents can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling. |
| US08920165B2 |
Self-locking and positioning device for dental brace
A self-locking and positioning device for a dental brace, comprising: a brace main body, an elastic piece, and an upper cover. Wherein, on the brace main body is provided with a track and a fixing slot, while on the elastic piece is provided with a positioning piece and a slot. The positioning piece is provided with a barb, while the upper cover slides and fixes into the brace main body through the track. Then, the barb of the positioning piece on the elastic piece will act against a block portion on bottom of said upper cover, to restrict movement of the upper cover, to lock automatically the upper cover into position. The dental brace is simple in construction and easy to assemble, hereby raising production efficiency and yield. |
| US08920164B2 |
Orthodontic device and method for mounting and removing orthodontic cap
An orthodontic device (10) according to the invention having an orthodontic attachment (11) which includes an engaging portion (17) formed in a side portion of an archwire slot (16), and an orthodontic cap (13) mounted on the orthodontic attachment (11) while covering the whole of the archwire slot (16) and includes an engaging/receiving portion (22) extending in a direction perpendicular to a mesiodistal direction of the archwire (12) and engageable with the engaging portion (17). A method for mounting and removing an orthodontic cap which to facilitate the mounting and removing of the orthodontic cap with respect to the orthodontic attachment. |
| US08920163B2 |
Orthodontic appliance
An orthodontic appliance 1 for promoting development of a dental arch form in a patient who has an underdeveloped dental arch form is disclosed. The appliance 1 includes an arch-shaped base member 2 that is made of a resiliently flexible material, and a teeth engaging member 5 that encloses at least part of the base member 2. The teeth engaging member 5 defines upper and/or lower dental arch receiving channels 46, 47 and is made of a resiliently flexible material that is softer than the base member and is deformable. The appliance 1 has a resting form in which the resilient materials of the base member 2 and the teeth engaging member 5 are in their resting condition. The appliance 1 can be flexed or deformed out of the resting form to fit the underdeveloped dental arch form into the dental arch receiving channel 46, 47. When deformed the appliance 1 exerts a return force that is directed to returning it to its resting form which in use urges the underdeveloped dental arch to expand into a developed dental arch form. |
| US08920160B2 |
Low NOx emission industrial burner and combustion process thereof
Low NOx emission industrial burner, adapted to operate both in a flame or stage mode and in a flameless mode, so that also the heating step of the chamber of a furnace may be made by means of the same burner, without providing a pilot burner, thus ensuring very low NOx emissions for the whole operation range of the burner and for the whole range of temperatures in the chamber. The combustion process, made by means of said burner, provides for the possibility to combine the stage mode operation with the flameless mode operation. |
| US08920157B2 |
Fire safety closure system for candle holders
A fire safety system to prevent fire from a candle includes first and second closure halves; a loop extending from the first closure half a catch extending from the second closure half; a trigger pin having a first end coupled to the loop and a second end coupled to the catch; a candle holder adapted to receive the candle; and a sleeve housing the closure halves, the sleeve including a plurality of impact legs. |
| US08920154B2 |
Head assembly for use in a rotary head extruder for extruding a food product
A head assembly (10) is provided for use in a rotary head extruder (12) for extruding a food product. The head assembly (10) includes an annular-shaped stator plate (20) and a rotating blade plate (22). The blade plate (22) preferably includes at least six blades, each with a wedge shaped profile, and the stator plate (20) includes extrusion channels that extend at an angle in the range of 20°-50° from tangent to a circle defined by an inner surface (30) of the plate (20). |
| US08920138B2 |
Motor pump unit
A motor pump unit for a high-pressure cleaning apparatus has an electric motor and a pump. The electric motor has a motor housing that is surrounded by a cooling housing with an annular space having an annular space inlet and an annular space outlet formed therebetween. The pump has a drive housing on which is supported the motor shaft, and has a suction inlet and a pressure outlet. The annular space outlet is fluidly connected to the suction inlet and liquid to be pressurized by the pump is suppliable to the annular space inlet. In order to improve the motor pump unit such that the heat load on the drive housing can be reduced, the drive housing has at least one cooling passage which is arranged upstream of the suction inlet and through which the liquid to be pressurized can flow. |
| US08920132B2 |
Automatic blower control
A blower system includes a blower motor and an inverter in electrical communication therewith. The blower motor is mechanically coupled to a blower configured to generate an airstream having an airflow rate. The inverter is configured to provide a motor drive signal to the motor. A flow rate calculator is configured to determine a calculated airflow rate from motor operating parameters of the blower motor using a mathematical model of the airflow rate. |
| US08920130B2 |
Circulating pump unit with communication interface
A circulation pump assembly (1) includes an electric drive motor (6) and a control device (10, 12) for the control of the drive motor (6). The control device (12) includes a communication interface (13) designed for connection to at least one external sensor (38, 50, 52, 54, 56) and/or at least one further assembly (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 58, 62, 64, 66, 68) to be controlled by the control device, as well as to a heating installation and/or air conditioning installation with such a circulation pump assembly (1). |
| US08920125B2 |
Dual frequency hub mounted vibration suppressor system
A vibration suppressor system includes an annular electric motor system which independently controls rotation of at least two masses about the axis of rotation to reduce in-plane vibration of the rotating system. A method of reducing vibrations in a rotary-wing aircraft includes independently controlling a relative angular position of a multiple of independently rotatable masses to reduce vibrations of a main rotor system. |
| US08920119B2 |
Partial coarse pitch start Ram Air Turbine with enhanced spring support
A Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is provided and includes a turbine hub having an end plate and a nose cone attached thereto at trailing and leading ends, respectively, a governor shaft, to which turbine blades are connected, which is coupled to the end plate and supported within the nose cone to be rotatable with the turbine blades about a central axis thereof and axially movable from a first position relative to the turbine hub to a second position relative to the turbine hub and a hub assembly operably coupled to the turbine hub, the governor shaft and the turbine blades whereby the hub assembly biases the governor shaft toward the first position at low rotational speeds such that the turbine blades assume a partial coarse pitch angle, and the second position at high rotational speeds such that the turbine blades assume a fine pitch angle. |
| US08920117B2 |
Fabricated gas turbine duct
A vane structure of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of vanes extending radially between outer and inner shrouds. At least the outer shroud is formed substantially from a single-piece annular skin of sheet metal. A plurality of reinforcing plates are placed against and are affixed to an outer surface of the skin of the outer shroud in respective joining locations where a radial outer end of each of the respective vanes joins the skin. |
| US08920116B2 |
Wear prevention system for securing compressor airfoils within a turbine engine
A wear prevention system for securing compressor airfoils within a turbine engine while reducing wear of related components may include a compressor diaphragm spring positioned in an airfoil receiving channel between a radially outer surface of a diaphragm base and a radially inner surface of the airfoil receiving channel. The spring may bias the diaphragm base and airfoil attached thereto radially inward against upstream and downstream arms formed from upstream and downstream recesses extending axially from the airfoil receiving channel in the compressor case. The compressor diaphragm spring may dampen vibration and increase service life of the diaphragm base. |
| US08920114B2 |
Turbocharger with variable turbine geometry
A turbocharger (15) with variable turbine geometry having a blade bearing ring arrangement (1) which has a blade bearing ring (2) and a disk (3) which can be fixed to the blade bearing ring (2) to form a flow duct (4); having a spacer device (5) which is arranged between the blade bearing ring (2) and the disk (3) to set a defined width (B) of the flow duct (4), wherein the spacer device (5) is designed as a guide ring (6) which has spacer profiles (7) whose height (H) corresponds to the width (B) of the flow duct (4). |
| US08920110B2 |
Gas turbine vane with improved cooling
The disclosure relates to a hollow gas turbine vane that is cooled by an arrangement configured to sequential cooling an endwall of the vane and its airfoil and, at the same time, the two endwalls of the vane. This arrangement can reduce cooling air demand, which can have a positive effect on the turbines efficiency. |
| US08920102B2 |
Auto hook-up device for disabled vehicles
An auto-latch mechanism enabling a towing vehicle to hook-up and tow-away a disabled vehicle without the need for either operator of the vehicles to exit their interior. In a preferred embodiment, the auto-latch mechanism includes opposing guide plates and a plunger pin with a distal portion movable to a location between the plates. When a connecting portion of the disabled vehicle is positioned between the opposing plates, the plunger pin may be engaged to the connecting portion, to thereby accomplish hook-up of the disabled vehicle to the towing vehicle. A method for using the auto-latch mechanism is also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08920101B2 |
Tennis ball collection device
A tennis ball collection device includes a rotating drum that rotates at a higher speed than the rotation of the wheels that carry the device. Additionally, the drum rail that operates in connection with the rotating drum to lift a ball off of a ground is allowed to move in the horizontal direction. This back and forth movement is facilitated by a spring that otherwise biases the drum rail forward to a rest position. |
| US08920098B2 |
Storage rack having transport device
A storage rack includes a plurality of rack units with container supports spaced one above the other, the supports being disposed in pairs on opposite side walls of the rack units to form storage locations for containers. The containers can be placed in or removed from the storage locations by means of a controllable transport device. The transport device has at least one first transport means and one second transport means, the first transport means is able to move in the vertical direction (Z), and the second transport means is supported on the first transport means and is able to move in a first horizontal direction (X) relative to the first transport means. A transfer device for handling a number of containers is arranged on the second transport means and includes a number of transfer units for placing the containers into and removing them from stock, each transfer unit can be associated with one container and each transfer unit can be controlled and moved separately. |
| US08920088B1 |
Tarred roofing nail
A self-sealing roofing nail for reducing or preventing roof leaks. The self-sealing roofing fastener includes a pointed fastener shaft and a fastener head. A small sleeve having a rupturing shell containing a volume of sealant is disposed over the fastener shaft and adjacent the fastener head. When the self-sealing roofing fastener is driven into a structure using a hammer or a nail gun, the shell ruptures and releases the sealant between the fastener head and a structure. The released sealant seals the puncture caused by driving the roofing fastener into the structure. |
| US08920079B2 |
Joined product
There is provided a joined product suitable as a cutting tool that is fit for high-speed cutting, CVD coating process and the like, and does not cause a reduction in joint strength of a joining layer even if a high temperature exceeding a temperature at which a brazing filler forms the liquid phase is reached during cutting. Specifically, the joined product includes a cemented carbide sintered compact serving as a first material to be joined and a cBN sintered compact or a diamond sintered compact serving as a second material to be joined. The first material to be joined and the second material to be joined are joined by a joining material that does not form a liquid phase at a temperature lower than 1000° C. and that is placed between the first material to be joined and the second material to be joined. The joining is performed by resistance heating and pressing at a pressure of 0.1 to 200 MPa. |
| US08920073B2 |
Method and apparatus for remediating organic loading of marine sediments
An apparatus comprises at least one cutting jet configured to inject a fluid into a first layer of soil below a surface layer of underwater soil in a first region. At least one soil extractor is configured to remove at least a portion of the injected fluid and a portion of the first layer of soil in the first region. A mixing manifold is provided for mixing the removed portion of the injected fluid and the removed portion of the first layer of soil. A discharge is provided for depositing the mixed fluid and soil over the surface layer of underwater soil. |
| US08920067B2 |
Concrete decorative inlay process
The present invention is directed to a Concrete Decorative Inlay Process where the concrete slab is initially poured with a recessed section constructed with a rough broom finish on the bottom. After curing a bonding agent is applied and an artistic form is located on the depressed area and additional concrete, possibly of different colors or textures to enhance the design, is poured into the design cavity and a variety of decorative elements are inlayed this area. After the design area has cured the artistic form is removed and the recessed area is then filled in, possibly with still a different color or texture of concrete to finish the project. This allows ample time to work in close proximity to the design area and the ability of using different elements to enhance the design. |
| US08920066B1 |
Tactile sidewalk surface
A tactile sidewalk tile has a horizontal top surface and a horizontal bottom surface. A plurality of truncated domes project vertically from the top surface, and each of the truncated domes has a corresponding dome depression formed on the bottom surface. A sheet of tacky mounting material is applied to the horizontal bottom surface and is covered by a sacrificial release sheet until installation. According to one method of installing tactile sidewalk tile, the sacrificial release sheet is removed from the sheet of tacky mounting material, the tactile sidewalk tile is placed on an underlying sidewalk surface, pressure is applied to the horizontal top surface, and anchor holes are drilled using a plurality of fastener-receiving bores in the tactile sidewalk tile as guides. |
| US08920065B2 |
Vehicle barrier systems and assemblies
A vehicle barrier system, comprising, a support member having a first side disposed toward an area used by vehicles, a splice plate including a support aperture and a stress concentrator associated with to the support aperture, and a rail assembly including, in one embodiment, a wood rail and a first side, wherein the first side of the rail assembly is coupled to the splice plate and the splice plate is coupled to the support member at the support aperture. In another embodiment the rail assembly includes one or more weakened areas serving as stress concentrators in the rail assembly. |
| US08920064B2 |
Shaft assembly with inverted chamfers on splines
A shaft assembly comprising a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a plurality of first splines that each have an end portion and a chamfer disposed on the end portion. The second shaft is coaxial with the first shaft and has a plurality of second splines. The plurality of second splines each have a base portion and an end portion. The end portion defines an inverted chamfer having a base and a tip. The tip projects from the base radially away from the second shaft and axially away from the base portion of the plurality of second splines. The base of the inverted chamfer undercuts the tip of the inverted chamfer. The plurality of first splines engage with the plurality of second splines to couple the first shaft and the second shaft for common rotation. |
| US08920063B1 |
Blind fastener for securing a workpiece
A blind fastener for securing a workpiece to a machining fixture includes an externally threaded housing, a pusher member and translating elements. The pusher member translates relative to the housing from an extended position to a retracted position. As the pusher member retracts, it urges the translating elements from an inboard position to an outboard position. The fixture has a closed ended tool hole that is threaded to receive the blind fastener. The workpiece has a corresponding tool hole with a radial groove. The workpiece tool hole receives the upper end of the blind fastener and the radial groove receives the translating elements when they extend. When the blind fastener is threaded into the fixture tool hole, the pusher member retracts and causes the translating elements to extend. The translating elements engage the radial groove of the workpiece tool hole and clamp the workpiece to the fixture. |
| US08920061B2 |
Shock-absorbing coupling for floating structures
The coupling includes first gripping members which are connected, facing on one and the same level on corresponding mounting bodies, to respective structures, and second gripping members mounted so as to slide vertically on the first gripping members in order to secure pneumatic covers in two diametrically opposed regions thereof with the collaboration of threaded rods. The gripping members and provide retention walls that extend towards the mounting bodies by means of horizontal retention flanges. The second gripping members have walls with holes for the passage of screws during fitting thereof to the mounting bodies. |
| US08920060B2 |
Rotation restricting device, robot joint and walking assistance device
A rotation restricting device for restricting the rotation of a rotating part with respect to a base part, comprising a stopper supported so as to be capable of rotating around an axis of rotation of the base part, a lock mechanism capable of switching between a state preventing and a state allowing the rotation of the stopper with respect to the base part, a first block provided on the rotating part and capable of moving between a position interfering with and a position not interfering with a rotation path of the stopper, and a second block provided on the rotating part and capable of moving between a position interfering with and a position not interfering with the rotation path of the stopper. In a state where the rotation of the rotating part with respect to the base part is not restricted, both the first block and the second block are in the position interfering with the rotation path of the stopper, and the stopper is positioned between the first block and the second block. |
| US08920059B2 |
Diaper rash cream applicator
An applicator apparatus can be attached and detached to and from any tube container that properly fits. The tube is not part of the invention, but works with the invention as a handle and as a dispenser. When the tube is attached to the applicator apparatus, the hole of the tube in which the tubes contents come out of, meets with the hole of the applicator apparatus. The applicator apparatus's hole is surrounded by an applicator material such as brush bristles or sponge. When the tube is squeezed, the tubes contents will come out of the hole of the applicator apparatus and be introduce onto the surrounding bristles of the brush or sponge of the applicator apparatus. The applicator apparatus attaches to a lid. The top portion of the lid has an opening in which the applicator apparatus can be placed into. The bottom portion of the lid can have a suction cup base that is to be secured onto a flat hard surface or a pull tab that can be taken off by a humans mouth. The combination of the applicator apparatus working with the lid allows for a human to perform the entire application process without contaminating ones hand with the tubes contents, and while only using one hand. |
| US08920057B2 |
Mechanical pencil
A mechanical pencil comprises a shaft cylinder (1), a lead pipe (3) axially movably inserted into the shaft cylinder (1) and biased in a retract direction, and a chuck body (45) provided within the shaft cylinder (1) in front of the lead pipe (3) for releasably griping a writing lead (S). The lead pipe (3) and the chuck body (45) are separated, the lead pipe (3) is inserted into the shaft cylinder (1) with axial movement thereof being permitted and circumferential rotation thereof being restricted, and the chuck body (45) is positioned within the shaft cylinder (1) in front of the lead pipe (3) so as to be movable in an axial direction and circumferentially rotatable. A lead rotation mechanism (5) is provided between a back part of the chuck body (45) and a front part of the lead pipe (3). When the lead pipe (3) is advanced by a knocking operation or retracted by the release of the knocking operation, when writing pressure is applied to the writing lead (S), and when the writing pressure is released, the lead rotating mechanism (5) rotates the chuck body (45), but does not transmit the rotation force to the lead pipe (3). |
| US08920055B2 |
Printer device and method for controlling cutting position of boarding pass
A proposed printer device drives a conveyance unit to forward the end position of a medium by an amount of feed corresponding to a first boarding pass length from a cutting position, moves a cutter up and down to attempt a cutting operation. When the cutting operation is successfully performed, the boarding pass length of one boarding pass of a series of boarding passes to be processed is set as the first boarding pass length. When the cutting operation is unsuccessfully performed, the conveyance unit is driven to forward the end position of the medium by an amount of feed corresponding to the difference between the first boarding pass length and a second boarding pass length longer than the first boarding pass length, and the cutting operation is attempted again by moving a cutter up and down in the cutting position. |
| US08920051B2 |
Printing method and printing apparatus for printing a plurality of images on a sheet using a print head
A state of a print head is checked by printing a plurality of images in order on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit, and reading the printed images. A region that is inappropriate for performing printing on the fed sheet is detected. When the inappropriate region has been detected, printing the images is stopped and the sheet is cut. Of the cut sheets, the sheet at an upstream is sent back to the sheet feeding unit. Subsequently, the sheet is again fed to perform printing and conduct a test. |
| US08920050B2 |
Termination assembly for alignment of optical fibers
An assembly and method for splicing optical fibers is provided. A termination assembly may include a housing having an engagement element for engagement with an engagement component of a fixture and a support or splicer joint between which a first optical fiber extends in a longitudinal direction. A locking mechanism or a splicer joint may be operable to be biased against the first optical fiber to maintain an end of the first optical fiber at the support or the splicer joint fixed in position and only in a predetermined alignment with an end of a second optical fiber fixedly supported by the support or the splicer joint, such that the end of the second optical fiber is fixed at a predetermined orientation and a predetermined position at the support associated with the predetermined alignment by engagement of the engagement element with the engagement component. |
| US08920049B2 |
Field termination optical fiber connectors and splicers
The present disclosure provides for improved field termination optical fiber connector members and/or splicers for use in terminating or fusing optical fibers. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for convenient, low-cost, accurate, and effective methods for terminating or fusing optical fibers utilizing advantageous field termination optical fiber connector members and/or splicers. Improved apparatus and methods are provided for use in terminating or fusing a broad variety of optical fibers. |
| US08920047B2 |
Optical module
On a mounting substrate 101, an LD element 102 and a wavelength converter element 103 are mounted as optical elements. An end of an optical fiber 105 is fixed, at a given length, in a fiber anchoring groove 301 of a sub-substrate 104. The sub-substrate 104 is mounted to the mounting substrate 101 with the surface supporting the optical fiber 105 opposing thereto, and the wavelength converter element 103 and the optical fiber 105 being coupled. By mounting of the sub-substrate 104 to the mounting substrate 101, the coupling position of the output end of the wavelength converter element 103 and the input end of the optical fiber 105 is provided an internal position that is a given distance from the end of mounting substrate 101. |
| US08920040B2 |
Rolling element bearing
A rolling-element bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring having at least two adjacently disposed raceways for at least two rows of rolling elements. In order to avoid or reduce corrosion on the raceways of the outer ring caused by condensation forming on the outer raceway, the outer ring has at least one radially-outwardly-extending groove in the axial region between its at least two raceways for collecting condensation at a location away from the raceways. |
| US08920038B2 |
Cage for a rolling bearing, notably for a motor vehicle electric power steering bearing
A cage for a rolling bearing which cage is intended to ensure the circumferential spacing of a row of rolling elements and comprises first pockets 28 for first rolling elements of the row, which pockets are provided with axial retention means 38, 46 for the axial retention of the cage onto the said rolling elements, and second pockets 26 for the second rolling elements of the row, which pockets have no axial retention means for retaining the cage on the said rolling elements. The distribution of the first pockets 28 about the periphery of the cage is uneven. |
| US08920037B2 |
Bearing arrangement and metering valve and suction device therefor
The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with an outer ring and an inner ring that can rotate relative to one another, and rolling bodies, especially balls, which are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The invention also relates to an infeed distributor and a suction exhaust device for incorporation in such a bearing arrangement. |
| US08920034B2 |
Guide and sealing device for a turbine engine, the device having a carbon gasket and an integrated smooth bearing
A guide and sealing device a shaft in an orifice in a casing in a turbine engine, the device including a carbon gasket mounted around the shaft including a ring secured to the shaft and having an annular friction face rubbing against a carbon annulus mounted in a support bushing fastened to the casing, the ring presenting a cylindrical wall that is centered and guided in rotation in a cylindrical wall of the support bushing so as to form a smooth bearing for guiding the shaft. |
| US08920032B2 |
Bearing sleeve
Disclosed is a bearing sleeve for supporting a shaft of an air cycle machine. The bearing sleeve includes an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The outer diameter is within a range of 3.214 and 3.216 inches. Further included is a foil retaining cavity provided in the inner diameter of the sleeve. The foil retaining cavity includes a slot and first and second openings located at opposing axial ends of the slot. Each of the first and second openings include a small portion and a large portion having different axial lengths. A ratio of the combined axial lengths of the large portions to an axial length of the foil retaining cavity is within a range of 0.19:1 and 0.22:1. Further included is a seal attachment portion provided at one axial end of the bearing sleeve configured to circumferentially support a seal. |
| US08920031B2 |
Split type aerostatic bearing
A split-type aerostatic bearing for supporting a moving table to move frictionlessly on a platform (4) is disclosed. The split-type aerostatic bearing includes an aerostatic bearing plate (6), air floating elements (2′a, 2′b, 2′c, 2′d) disposed on a bottom of the aerostatic bearing plate (6) and a vacuum pre-tightening structure (7) disposed on the aerostatic bearing plate (6). The vacuum pre-tightening structure (7) is coupled to the aerostatic bearing plate (6) in a split fashion. Separation of the air floating elements (2′a, 2′b, 2′c, 2′d) from the vacuum pre-tightening structure (7) prevents the aerostatic bearing plate (6) from bending under a vacuum pre-tightening force, and hence will not affect the air floating area. |
| US08920028B2 |
Test phantom for tomographic imaging and notably for breast tomosynthesis
A test phantom for tomographic imaging, the phantom comprising an assembly of elementary structures defining a 3D mesh, wherein each elementary structure comprises a chief constituent material corresponding to an X-ray attenuation simulating a glandularity, wherein the elementary structures are in at least two types of chief constituent materials corresponding to different X-ray attenuations. |
| US08920027B2 |
Assessing thermal mechanical characteristics of complex semiconductor devices by integrated heating systems
In a semiconductor device or test structure, appropriate heating elements, for instance in the form of resistive structures, are implemented so as to obtain superior area coverage, thereby enabling a precise evaluation of the thermal conditions within a complex semiconductor device. In particular, the device internal heating elements may allow the evaluation of hot spots and the response of a complex metallization system to specific temperature profiles, in particular at critical areas, such as edge regions in which mechanical stress forces are typically highest in contact regimes in which the package substrate and the metallization system are directly connected. |
| US08920025B2 |
Device for registering the temperature inside a foodstuff placed in an oven
An electronic device, suitable for registering the temperature of a foodstuff in a oven provided with a door with a handle is disclosed. The device includes a casing with a user interface and a temperature probe suitable for being inserted into the food. The casing includes hook for connecting the device to the oven door, preferably to its handle. |
| US08920022B2 |
Waterproof device and portable timepiece
Provision of a waterproof device capable of improving waterproof property in a push-in operation portion formed by including an extensible member, a holding member and an operation shaft. A wrist watch (portable device) 11 includes an outer case (device outer housing) 12, an extensible member 32 with waterproof property, a holding member 41 attached to the case 12 and an operation shaft 51. The case 12 includes a seating portion 29 and a hole 30. The extensible member 32 includes a cylindrical portion 33 which can be extended/retracted in an axial direction, closing one end as well as opening the other end, and inserted into the hole 30, and a flange 35 projecting integrally from an outer periphery of the other end portion of the cylindrical portion and seated on the seating portion 29. The holding member 41 includes a presser portion 42 sandwiching the flange 35 with the seating portion 29 to thereby secure the waterproofing around the flange, and a through hole 44 connecting to the opening of the cylindrical portion 33. The operation shaft 51 includes a shaft end portion 52 protruding to the outside of the holding member 41 through the through hole 44. The operation shaft 51 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 33 and arranged in a state of being able to be pushed from the outside of the case 12 so as to allow the cylindrical portion 33 to extend. |
| US08920018B2 |
Front light module
A front light module, including: a light source; a light guide plate, having a first refractive index and having a side face neighboring the light source; a medium layer, placed over the light guide plate and having a second refractive index, wherein the second refractive index is smaller than the first refractive index; a transparent material layer, placed over the medium layer; and a transparent glue layer, placed under the light guide plate and having a third refractive index, wherein the third refractive index is larger than the refractive index of air and smaller than or equal to the first refractive index. |
| US08920017B2 |
Surface light source device
A variation in luminance is reduced near a light source without decreasing intensity of a light exit pattern. A light source is disposed and a light exit pattern is formed. The light exit pattern reflects light guided in a light guide plate and outputs the light. In inclined angles of tangents of the light exit patterns in a section passing through a center axis of the light exit pattern, a largest inclined angle of the tangent is defined as a maximum inclined angle of the light exit pattern. At this time, in the light exit pattern provided in the light guide plate, the maximum inclined angle is decreased with increasing distance from a light incident surface in a region near the light incident surface, and the maximum inclined angle is decreased or kept constant with increasing distance from the light incident surface in a region distant from the region near the light incident surface. |
| US08920015B2 |
Backlight wedge with adjacent reflective surfaces
A backlight includes a visible light transmissive body having a light guide portion and a light input portion. The visible light transmissive body primarily propagates light by TIR and includes a light input surface and a light output surface. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface and emits light into the light input portion. A specularly reflective layer is disposed adjacent to but not in intimate contact with the opposing side surfaces and reflects more than 80% of visible light incident on the specularly reflective layer. |
| US08920011B2 |
Vehicle headlamp
The present invention is provided with a semiconductor-type light source 2 and a reflector 3. The reflector 3 has reflection surfaces 31U to 31D. The semiconductor-type light source 2 is disposed at or near a reference focal point F of the reflection surfaces 31U to 31D. The reflection surfaces 31U to 31D are divided into upper and lower sides in a direction in which light is to be radiated from the semiconductor-type light source 2, with respect to an X axis passing through a center O of the semiconductor light source 2 or its proximity. Among the upper and lower reflection surfaces, on the upper side, convergent scattering reflection surfaces 31U to 34U are disposed, and on the lower side, divergent scattering reflection surfaces 31D to 34D are disposed. As a result, the present invention is capable of forming an approximately ideal light distribution pattern HPA for high beam. |
| US08920010B2 |
Headlamp having an integrated low and high beam assembly
An automotive headlamp (12) having first and second solid-state light sources (44, 46) and a reflector (26) having a light collecting region (28) and an aperture (40) defined therein. The light collecting region (28) of the reflector (26) is adapted to receive and reflect light emitted by the first solid-state light source (44) in a first illumination pattern. The second solid-state light source (46) is adapted to emit light through the aperture (40) in a second illumination pattern. |
| US08920009B2 |
Lamp device for vehicle
Disclosed is a lamp device for a vehicle, which includes: a lens disposed on a first optical axis extending to a front and a rear of the vehicle; a main reflector disposed at a rear side of the lens, reflecting light frontward, and including a first focus on the first optical axis; a light source disposed on the first focus, and emitting light; a lower sub reflector disposed below the light source, upwardly reflecting the light, and including a first focus on a point at which the first optical axis and a second optical axis extending above and below the vehicle intersect; an upper sub reflector disposed above the light source, and frontwardly reflecting the light reflected by the lower sub reflector; and a shield plate disposed between the lens and the light source, and disposed to correspond to a second focus of the main reflector. |
| US08920004B2 |
Optical semiconductor based illuminating apparatus
An optical semiconductor illuminating apparatus capable of being simply installed and built, easily detecting a fault generation point, being simply repaired and replaced, and being compactly implemented. A bracket assembly having a power supply embedded therein is mounted at an upper side of a heat sink including a fixed unit, the power supply is seated on the heat sink including the fixed unit, a plurality of heat radiation fins protrude from an inner surface of the heat sink, and an upper surface of the power supply is disposed at a position higher than or equal to that of an edge of an upper end portion of the heat sink. |
| US08920001B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a light source that emits light; a reflective unit disposed around a perimeter of the light source and having a reflective surface; and a diffusion unit that is disposed between the light source and the reflective surface and is configured to reflect a partial amount of the light emitted from the light source and transmit another partial amount of the light emitted from the light source toward the reflective surface. |
| US08919999B2 |
Flat panel light with clear potting material
A light for attachment to mining equipment. The light comprises a base, a plurality of PC boards coupled to the base, each of the plurality of PC boards including spaced apart LEDs, a heat sink in thermodynamic communication with the plurality of PC boards, a clear potting material encasing the plurality of PC boards, and a clear cover sealingly attached to the base and overlying the plurality of PC boards, the heat sink, and the potting material. |
| US08919995B2 |
Omnidirectional LED and reflector with sharp horizontal cutoff
The present disclosure relates generally to an omnidirectional light optic. In one embodiment, the omnidirectional light includes a plurality of reflectors, wherein each one of the plurality of reflectors comprises at least two reflective sides, wherein each one of the at least two reflective sides has an associated optical axis, wherein each respective optical axis of the at least two reflective sides is located on a common horizontal plane and each one of the at least two reflective sides comprises a curved concave cross-section, a plurality of LEDs, wherein each one of the plurality of reflectors is associated with at least one of the plurality of LEDs and at least one blocking band member with at least one edge that blocks light emitted by the plurality of LEDs at common horizontal angles. |
| US08919994B2 |
Illumination system and lamp utilizing directionalized LEDs
An LED lamp specially adapted for use in combination with a concave reflector and to replace the incandescent light sources normally used. The lamp includes two or more light emitting diodes or light emitting diode arrays, each with a specified angle of light radiation, mounted substantially perpendicular to the lamp support and spaced symmetrically around the longitudinal axis of the said lamp support to form a compact consolidated light radiation area with a specified length, width, and height. All of the light radiates outward in a 360 degree radial pattern around and horizontal to the longitudinal axis of the said lamp support and at a specified angle of radiation vertical to the longitudinal axis of the said lamp support. Substantially all of the light emitted impinges on, and is redirected by, the reflector to project a high intensity beam of light with all light rays radiating at the same angle. |
| US08919990B2 |
Illumination unit and display apparatus using the same
Disclosed are an illumination unit and a display apparatus using the same. The illumination unit includes first and second reflectors, and at least one light source module placed between the first and second reflectors. The second reflector includes a bottom plate, first lateral plates arranged to face each other in a first direction of the bottom plate, second lateral plates arranged to face each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a groove formed in at least one of the second lateral plate and the bottom plate, and at least one hole formed in the groove. |
| US08919989B2 |
Piezoelectric generator
A piezoelectric generator utilizes to accept a force for generating electric energy and comprises a flexible material and a piezoelectric element set. The piezoelectric element is positioned in the flexible material. The piezoelectric element set is formed by the plurality of piezoelectric elements connected in series, each piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric material and a metal sheet. The piezoelectric material has piezoelectricity. When the piezoelectric material suffers a stress, the piezoelectric material will generate a voltage by the deformation. The flexible material has a first elasticity coefficient. The piezoelectric element set has a second elasticity coefficient. The second elasticity coefficient is larger than the first elasticity coefficient. Therefore, the flexible material protects and fixes the piezoelectric element set, the deformation of the piezoelectric element set will not be limited by the flexible material and the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element set will further not be affected thereby. |
| US08919987B2 |
LED display unit with solar panels and LED display device including same
An LED display unit includes a light guide, a diffusion layer, an LED module, and a solar panel. The light guide includes a first light incident surface and a light emitting surface connected to the first light incident surface. The diffusion layer includes a side surface and a second light incident surface connected to the side surface. The second light incident surface is adjacent to the light emitting surface. The LED module is adjacent to the first light incident surface. The solar panel is adjacent to the side surface and electrically connected with the LED module. |
| US08919986B2 |
Christmas tree lighting decoration
The present invention provides a Christmas tree lighting decoration, which includes a base, an aqua light, and a decoration unit. The base receives therein a light-emitting element and a rotation mechanism. The aqua light is of a light-transmitting conic configuration and is mounted on the base. The decoration unit is helically around an outside surface of the aqua light and is mounted to the rotation mechanism to be rotated in unison therewith. As such, when the rotation mechanism of the base drives the decoration unit to rotate, a dynamic effect is generated. Further, the light-emitting element irradiates light onto the aqua light to provide a beautiful visual effect. |
| US08919983B2 |
Backlit electronic jewelry and fashion accessories
A wearable piece of jewelry is provided including a light transmissive pane and a lighting device. The light transmissive pane is located between a viewer and said lighting device. Further examples of the jewelry can include a frame to locate the light transmissive pane and a diffusion panel. The jewelry can also include a controller in electrical communication with the lighting device and a communication device in electrical connection/communication with the controller. Another example of the jewelry includes a solar cell in electrical connection/communication with the lighting device. |
| US08919980B2 |
LED light guide, LED light source module and direct-type LED TV
A circular LED light guide includes a top wall and a peripheral side wall; the top wall and the peripheral side wall cooperatively form a hollow receiving space. The hollow receiving space is used for receiving an LED therein. The top wall includes a light incident surface inside of the receiving space, and an exterior light output surface. The light incident surface includes a concave lens surface formed in a central area of the light incident surface, and the light output surface includes a convex lens surface formed in a central area of the light output surface. A central optical axis of the concave lens surface is aligned with a central optical axis of the convex lens surface. An LED module and a direct-type LED TV using the LED light guide are also provided. |
| US08919979B2 |
Electronic apparatus for hose attachment to enhance visibility, communication, atmospheric monitoring, early detection and warning for fire fighter scene safety and method therefor
An illumination device for attachment to a hose has a housing coupled to the hose. The housing allows a substance from the hose to flow through the housing. An electronic circuit is stored in an interior of the housing to illuminate an area in front of the hose. |
| US08919978B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes a light bar, two reflective covers and a reflective plate. The two reflective covers respectively connected to two opposite long sides of the light bar. The reflective plate is positioned at the light output side of the light bar. The reflective surface of the reflective plate faces the light output side of the light bar. The reflective plate has a wavelength conversion layer positioned on the reflective surface thereof. The light bar emits a first wavelength light, and a portion of the first wavelength light is converted by the wavelength conversion layer into a second wavelength light which is reflected by the reflective plate to the two reflective covers, while the remaining non-converted first wavelength light is reflected by the reflective plate to the two reflective covers and mixed with the second wavelength lights to give a light with a predetermined spectrum. |
| US08919975B2 |
Lighting device providing improved color rendering
The present disclosure relates to lighting device configurations that render colors well and provide high quality white light. |
| US08919970B2 |
Adjustable supporting mechanism and projector therewith
An adjustable supporting mechanism and a projector therewith are disclosed. The adjustable supporting mechanism is disposed in an apparatus casing includes a clamping part, an adjustment part, a constraining part, and a releasing part. The clamping part is fixedly disposed on the apparatus casing and has a passage extending in a direction. The adjustment part is disposed through the passage and is capable of protruding out of the apparatus casing. The constraining part is disposed to be capable of selectively urging the clamping part to clamp the adjustment part or being urged by the releasing part to release the clamping for releasing the adjustment part. Therefore, the exposed length of the adjustment part is adjustable, so that the disposition angle of the projector can be easily adjusted. |
| US08919966B2 |
Rotatable mounting system for a projection system
A rotatable projection system is provided. A mounting system for the projection system includes a support back and a rotatable mounting system mounted to the support back. The rotatable mounting system includes a first frame, a second frame mounted to the first frame in a fixed angular relationship, and a rotating joint mounted to at least one of the first frame and the second frame and to the support back to provide rotation of the rotatable mounting system relative to the support back. The rotatable projection system may further include a projector mounted to the first frame and a projection board mounted to the second frame. The projector may include a mirror positioned to reflect light from the projector onto the projection board. |
| US08919964B2 |
Light source device, apparatus for directing cooling air over the light source device, and projector
A light source device includes: a tubelar body disposed in the front side of a reflection mirror in the light emission direction and surrounding an arc tube; a pair of ducts connecting with the tubelar body and provided with a first channel and a second channel to guide air; and a channel switching mechanism which allows air to flow through the first channel or the second channel. The tubelar body includes a pair of communicating ports configured to supply air flowing through the first channel and the second channel toward the light emission portion. The pair of the communicating ports are disposed on a virtual line passing through the center line of the arc tube and crossing the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as viewed in a direction along the center line. |
| US08919963B2 |
Projector and method for controlling the same
A projector includes: an image modulation section that modulates light emitted from a light source in accordance with a video signal to form an optical image; a projection section that enlarges and projects the optical image; a drawing area setting section that sets a drawing area within an image modulation area where the light is modulated to form the optical image, the drawing area being an area where a template image is drawn; and a template image generating section that generates the template image to be drawn in the drawing area. |
| US08919959B2 |
Photographing apparatus and image processing method
To provide appropriate position information to a tomographic image of fundus in an ophthalmology apparatus for acquiring fundus tomographic images and fundus images. A calculation unit that calculates movement information of an eyeball from fundus images and a matching unit that matches the calculated movement information with fundus tomographic images are provided to the ophthalmology apparatus including a fundus image pickup apparatus to acquire an amount of movement of an eye to be inspected, wherein the calculation unit calculates movement information for the fundus tomographic image having no movement information to be further matched from the movement information of tomographic images before and after the fundus tomographic image so that movement information to be matched with the fundus tomographic image originally having no movement information is calculated from the movement information of tomographic images before and after the fundus tomographic image. |
| US08919956B2 |
Model eye producing a speckle pattern having a reduced bright-to-dark ratio
A model eye includes an optically transmissive structure having a front curved surface to receive a coherent light beam, and an opposite rear planar surface for directing a portion of the coherent light beam back out the model eye through the front curved surface; and a material structure adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure that has a characteristic to cause a speckle pattern of the portion of the coherent light beam that is directed back out the front curved surface of the optically transmissive structure to have a bright-to-dark ratio of less than 2:1. In some embodiments, the material structure may include a fabric-reinforced polyethylene tape adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure by an adhesive. One example material structure which may be employed is duct tape. |
| US08919955B2 |
Virtual glasses try-on method and apparatus thereof
Disclosed are virtual glasses try-on method and apparatus, and the apparatus includes an image capturing unit for capturing a user's image and a processing device for detecting a face image from the user's image, storing a glasses model, defining a first feature point of a lens of the glasses model and a second feature point at the center of a frame, and obtaining vertical vectors of the first and second feature points to find a third feature point. Two eye images are searched and binarized into a binarized picture that is divided into an eye area and a non-eye area. A center point between first and second extreme values is found, and vertical vectors of the first extreme value and the center point are obtained to find an example point. An affine transformation of the feature points is performed and attached to the face image to form a try-on image. |
| US08919946B2 |
Image forming apparatus and recording liquid
An image forming apparatus with a voltage applying unit between a recording head and an intermediate transfer drum is capable of activating polyvalent metal ions inactivated in advance in jetted recording liquid without liquid activators independent of the recording liquid for sufficient flocculation on the drum. When the jetted recording liquid temporarily bridges the head and the drum, electrolysis of the recording liquid by the voltage applied instantly leads to generation of hydrogen ions on the drum, which triggers a sequence of reactions in the recording liquid of activation of polyvalent metal ions, cross-link between the activated polyvalent metal ions and anionic polymer, and increase in viscosity on the drum. |
| US08919945B2 |
Inkjet ink, pigment dispersion, image forming method, inkjet recording apparatus, ink cartridge, and print
An inkjet ink including water, a pigment, a polymer, and a hydrazine compound. The polymer does not include an anionic unit and includes a first unit having a carbonyl group capable of reacting with a hydrazino group, and a second unit having at least one of an amino group, a dimethylamino group, and a diethylamino group. The content of the first unit is from 40% to 90% by weight based on the weight of the polymer, and the inkjet ink has a pH of not less than 9. |
| US08919941B2 |
Pigment dispersion, ink composition, inkset, and recording device
A pigment dispersion containing a metal pigment, wherein the metal pigment contains plate-like particles, and in the case where the longitudinal diameter on the planar surface of the plate-like particle is X, the lateral diameter is Y, and the thickness is Z, the 50% average particle diameter R50 of a corresponding circle determined from the surface area in the X-Y plane of the plate-like particle is between 0.5 and 3 μm, and the condition R50/Z>5 is satisfied. |
| US08919936B2 |
Recording apparatus having liquid supply system
In a recording apparatus, a first casing holds a supporting portion. A second casing holds a recording head and a first tank. The second casing is connected to the first casing so as to be rotatable relative to the first casing about a prescribed axis, the second casing being configured to move between a first position and a second position by rotating relative to the first casing, the recording head being located adjacent to the first casing when the second casing is in the first position, the recording head being further apart from the first casing when the second casing is in the second position than when the second casing is in the first position. The recording head opposes the supporting portion when the second casing is in the first position. The second casing is provided with a second tank mounting portion and a liquid transferring portion. |
| US08919935B2 |
Liquid supply
A liquid supply (30, 130, 330) includes a lever (48, 348) that moves in response to expansion and contraction of a variable chamber (42, 342) within a liquid reservoir (56, 356). Movement of the lever (48, 348) moves a ball (52, 352) or sealing member (154, 354) to open or close an opening (60, 360) out of the liquid reservoir (56, 356). |
| US08919934B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
A voltage is applied between first and second deflecting electrodes from a deflecting voltage controller, whereby an electric field is formed between the first and second deflecting electrodes in a direction perpendicular to electrode surfaces. An electric line of force is generated from a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface of the first deflecting electrode and made perpendicularly incident on the electrode surface of the second deflecting electrode. Since the first and second deflecting electrodes are parallel to each other, a plurality of parallel electric lines of force are formed perpendicularly to the electrode surfaces of the first and second deflecting electrodes. Droplets after passing charged electrodes fly in a region where this deflecting electric field is formed, whereby charged droplets are deflected in a direction in which the charged droplets approach the second electrode having opposite charging polarity. The charged droplets form a printing pattern. |
| US08919930B2 |
Stimulator/filter device that spans printhead liquid chamber
A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure extends from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores. The liquid chamber is spanned by a portion of the thermal stimulation membrane. A source provides a liquid under pressure through the thermal stimulation member with the pressure being sufficient to jet a stream of the liquid through the nozzle after the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane. |
| US08919929B2 |
Liquid-ejecting head and liquid-ejecting apparatus
A liquid-ejecting head includes a channel which is in communication with a nozzle opening and which includes a pressure-generating chamber, a circulation channel that serves to circulate a liquid in the channel, and a pressure generator that serves to generate pressure change. The circulation channel has a narrow portion including a first wall and a second wall, the first wall tilting with respect to a forward direction of a liquid flows and serving to gradually decrease the cross-sectional area, the second wall tilting with respect to the flow direction and serving to gradually increase the cross-sectional area. The tilt angle of the first wall with respect to the inner surface of the circulation channel is larger than the tilt angle of the second wall with respect to the inner surface of the circulation channel at the downstream side. |
| US08919928B2 |
Fluid ejection device having firing chamber with mesa
A fluid ejection device includes a firing chamber having an ejection orifice opposite a chamber floor, a heating element and a mesa projecting from the chamber floor, the mesa is spaced from the heating element to define a passive zone between the mesa and heating element. |
| US08919927B2 |
Liquid ejection head and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid ejection head includes two or more substrates disposed side by side, each having energy generating elements and primary terminals electrically connected to the respective energy generating elements, and an electrical wiring member having primary flying leads electrically connected to the respective primary terminals by means of gang bonding. Each of the substrates has an auxiliary terminal located adjacent to the primary terminals and the auxiliary terminals of the two or more substrates are disposed adjacent to each other. The electrical wiring member has an auxiliary flying lead connected to the auxiliary terminals of the substrates by means of a gang bonding system. |
| US08919926B2 |
Inkjet head and inkjet plotter
A disclosed inkjet head includes a liquid chamber formed by a space between a vibrating plate and a nozzle substrate and separated by partitions; a piezoelectric element formed by sequentially laminating a common electrode, a piezoelectric substance and an individual electrode over the space; first to fourth insulating films respectively having first to fourth openings; and a first wiring connected to the individual electrode and pulled through the first and second openings over the common electrode, wherein the first wiring passes through the third opening over the third insulating film, the first wiring is exposed from the fourth opening so as to be externally connected, and the third insulating film and the fourth insulating film are not partly formed above the liquid chamber and formed above the first wiring. |
| US08919924B2 |
Inkjet print head and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are an inkjet print head and a method of manufacturing the same. An inkjet print head according to an aspect of the invention may include: an inkjet board having an ink passage therein; a cutting portion provided outside the ink passage of the inkjet board and having a cutting surface created by separation into head chip units of the inkjet board; and an auxiliary cutting portion provided from one surface of the cutting portion inwardly in a thickness direction of the inkjet board, and assisting the separation into head chip units of the inkjet board. |
| US08919919B2 |
Device for cleaning and closing print cartridges and closing element for closing print cartridges
The present invention relates to a device characterized in that it comprises a base (3) including a cleaning plate (4), provided with cleaning elements (5), which can be moved along said base (3) and which defines three positions: an injection position which allows the passage of the ink through holes (6) in said base complementary to holes or recesses (7); a cleaning position in which said cleaning elements (5) contact the cartridges (2); and a resting position; and a resting plate (8), provided with closing elements (9), which can be moved along said base (3) by means of the movement of the print head (1) between a position of use of the print cartridges (2) and a resting position in which said closing elements (9) contact the cartridges (2). |
| US08919918B2 |
Inkjet printing apparatus and clogged nozzle recovering method
The present invention provides an inkjet printing apparatus in which aggregate or the like clogged in a nozzle is sucked to recover the clogged nozzle and provides a clogged nozzle recovering method. The inkjet printing apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a cap which is structured to cover some of plural nozzles formed in a nozzle face of a head of an inkjet printer, a pressure sensor which acquires a pressure in an inside of the cap in a state that the some of the plural nozzles are covered by the cap, a suction means which sucks the inside of the cap with a pressure lower than a negative pressure at which a meniscus of a nozzle that is not covered with the cap is broken, and a nozzle recovery judgment means which judges recovery of a nozzle by comparing a reference pressure value, which is obtained when nozzles without being clogged are covered by the cap and sucked and is stored beforehand, with a pressure value which is outputted from the pressure sensor. |
| US08919917B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and method of cleaning liquid ejecting head of liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus provided with N (N≧2) liquid ejecting heads which eject liquid, the liquid ejecting apparatus including a supply path through which liquid is supplied from a tank to the N liquid ejecting heads, a circulation path through which liquid is returned from the liquid ejecting heads to the tank, N opening and closing valves that are installed for each liquid ejecting head on at least one of the supply path and the circulation path, and a liquid sending unit that applies a force sending the liquid from the tank toward the liquid ejecting heads. M opening and closing valves corresponding to M (M |
| US08919901B2 |
Substrate printing device and substrate printing method
A top-down substrate printing device for thin film printing is disclosed. In one aspect the device comprises a stage fixing a substrate in a top-down manner, a plurality of nozzles each of which has one end portion positioned below the stage to face the stage and including printing fluid therein, a vertical position controller controlling a distance between the substrate and the nozzles, and a horizontal position controller controlling positions of the substrate and contacts of the nozzles. |
| US08919900B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects the amount of residual ink in a ink cartridge, and a control unit that controls of initial filling of a printing head, in which the control unit performs initial filling when a state of the amount of residual ink detected by the detection unit is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, and the amount of residual ink based on information on the amount of ink stored in a storage unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value. |
| US08919899B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for direct deposition of features on a surface using a two-component microfluidic jet
The object of the invention is the provision of methods and apparatuses for controlled direct printing of continuous films or discreet structures using a two-component liquid jet issuing from an orifice. The two liquids may be miscible or immiscible, and form an annularly propagating flow along the axis of a deposition head. The flow consists of an outer sheath liquid with a boiling point temperature that is approximately 10 to 40 degrees lower than that of an inner sample liquid. The exit channel of the head is heated so that the pressurized outer sheath liquid is raised to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the sheath liquid at the local atmospheric pressure. The outer liquid is evaporated as the jet exits the orifice and falls at atmospheric pressure. Deposited sample line widths are produced in the range from approximately 1 to 1000 microns. |
| US08919898B2 |
Nail print apparatus including display control unit distinguishing between fingernail under printing and fingernail not under printing to display fingernail
A nail print apparatus includes a print head and a display control unit. The print head performs printing on a plurality of fingernails. The display control unit distinguishes between an under-printing fingernail and a not-under-printing fingernail to display the fingernails. The under-printing fingernail is a fingernail under printing performed by the print head. The not-under-printing fingernail is a fingernail not under printing performed by the print head. |
| US08919895B2 |
Carrier device and supporting element thereof
A carrier device comprises a rail and a supporting element. The rail includes a first rail element and a second rail element disposed oppositely. The supporting element is slidably disposed between the first rail element and the second rail element along the rail. The supporting element includes a supporting base and a buffer element. The supporting base has a lateral wall. The buffer element has a lateral side as well as a first edge and a second edge disposed oppositely to each other. The buffer element is disposed on the lateral wall with its lateral side facing the lateral wall of the supporting base. The first edge is pressed against the first rail element through a first protruding portion of the first edge. The second edge is pressed against the second rail element. The material stiffness of the buffer element is less than that of the supporting base. |
| US08919883B2 |
Chair with foldable armrest and armrest locking mechanism
A chair that facilitates user ingress and egress has a chair support structure and a seat, a backrest, and at least one armrest coupled to the chair support structure. A lower portion of the armrest is coupled to the chair support structure and an upper portion of the armrest is coupled to the lower portion to allow rotation of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion around a horizontal axis that splits the armrest into the two portions. The upper portion can be placed in an upright position above the lower portion and a folded position alongside the lower portion by rotation of the upper portion around the horizontal axis. The upper portion can be locked in the upright position with a locking mechanism that can extend through both the lower portion and the upper portion to prevent rotation of the upper portion around the horizontal axis. |
| US08919882B2 |
Soldier platform system
A soldier platform system and method includes a soldier platform system in a vehicle. In an embodiment, the soldier platform system includes a seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat and straps. The soldier platform system also includes a restraint harness belt. The restraint harness belt is secured to the seat assembly. In addition, the soldier platform system includes mounting assemblies. The straps attach the seat to the mounting assemblies. The soldier platform system further includes a ratchet platform that has a platform upper assembly and a platform lower assembly. The soldier platform system also has a strap retractor and a retractor strap. The retractor strap is extractable from the strap retractor, and the retractor strap is retractable by the strap retractor. Additionally, the strap retractor retracts the retractor strap upon achieving a strap threshold. Moreover, the strap retractor is secured to the platform lower assembly. |
| US08919876B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion frame which comprises a pair of side frames and a front cross member located on a front side of the vehicle seat, the front cross member extending between the side frames and at least one leg support member is connected to the front cross member, and is arranged vehicle forward of the front cross member, wherein the at least one leg support member comprises at least a portion having a strength lower than a strength of the front cross member. |
| US08919874B2 |
Vehicle seat component
A vehicle seat component includes a cushion member, and an upholstery member that covers the cushion member. The cushion member and the upholstery member are integrated together during molding of the cushion member. The upholstery member has a first portion that is air-permeable and that is arranged at a seating side, and a second portion that is laminated on the first portion and that prevents intrusion of a molding material of the cushion member. A thin section that is recessed toward the upholstery member is formed in a back surface of the cushion member. |
| US08919872B2 |
Enforcing method and arrangement for foldable furniture
A reinforcing arrangement includes two reinforcing units for coupling at two leg members of a foldable furniture respectively and a connecting unit for coupling the reinforcing units with each other. Each reinforcing unit includes a mounting body and a guiding member outwardly protruded from the mounting body, wherein the guiding member has a contoured body having a base portion and two maximum portions spacedly and outwardly protruded from the base portion to define two engaging surfaces between the base portion and the maximum portions. The maximum portions of one of the reinforcing members are engaged with the engaging surfaces of another reinforcing member respectively for enabling the leg members to be pivotally moved with each other. The maximum portions of one of the reinforcing members are also interlocked with the maximum portions of another reinforcing member for restricting a folding angle between the leg members. |
| US08919871B2 |
Folding infant seat with canopy
A foldable infant seat includes a support frame including two generally U-shaped support members, each U-shaped support member pivotally connecting with the other at a central location of the U-shaped support member such that the support frame is foldable between a first configuration in which corresponding ends of the U-shaped support members are separated from each other and a second configuration in which the corresponding ends of the U-shaped support members are disposed in close proximity to each other. A flexible seat member is securable to the support frame. In one embodiment, a canopy is pivotally secured to the support frame. The canopy can include at least one pocket configured to store one or more items. |
| US08919870B2 |
Mounting structure of vehicular sunroof visor
Provided is a structure enabling mounting at a lower position and on a forward side of an opening section. A sunroof visor is to be installed in a vehicle including: the opening section formed on a roof portion; and a sunroof capable of freely opening the opening section. The opening section possesses an edge portion extending downward and having a thin-walled structure vertically composed of: corner edge sections as vertically short edges; slanted edge sections; and vertically elongated edge sections. The sunroof visor is to be fixed to the forward side of the opening section through brackets. Each bracket includes: an extended supporting portion extended forward from the opening section and used to fix the sunroof visor; and an engagement portion engageable with one vertically elongated edge section after being moved thereto from one corner edge section or slanted edge section, for coupling the sunroof visor. |
| US08919869B2 |
Vehicle rear body structure
A vehicle rear body structure includes rear floor panels, rear wheel housings, and rear side extensions. The rear side extensions each have a first joined portion that is joined to a breadthways outer end of each of the rear floor panels, a second joined portion that is joined to an rear end of each of the rear wheel housings, a side portion that is an uprising slanted portion extending from the rear end of the first joined portion to the second joined portion, a surface portion surrounded by the first joined portion, the second joined portion, and the side portion, and an extending portion joined to a flange portion of a rear pillar, wherein the side portion is configured to have higher stiffness or strength than at least the surface portion. |
| US08919866B2 |
Roof panel to side-pillar hydroformed reinforcement for vehicles
A side-support structure mounted over an upper side portion of a vehicle includes an upper horizontal portion attached to a portion of the roof of the vehicle. A central arcuate portion of the side-support structure is attached to a portion of the vehicle between the roof and the side-pillar of the vehicle. The side-support structure also includes a lower vertical portion attached to an upper portion of the side-pillar of the vehicle. |
| US08919865B2 |
Vehicle rear body structure
A vehicle rear body structure is provided in a vehicle that includes an electrical component box. The vehicle rear body structure includes a rear frame, a protective frame that is positioned on a rear side of the electrical component box and stands erect on the upper surface of the rear frame, a wheel housing reinforcing gusset that includes an engagement pin that protrudes rearward from the rear surface thereof, and an upper load transmitting member that extends forward from the upper end portion of the protective frame to the wheel housing reinforcing gusset. In the vehicle rear body structure, the upper load transmitting member has a positioning hole with which the engagement pin is engaged and includes a fastening extension fastened to the inner side surface of the wheel housing reinforcing gusset. |
| US08919861B1 |
Portable temporary extension enclosure for folding trailers
A flexible extension storage enclosure for folding travel trailers that is selectively secured to the underside of a folding trailer extension after it has been deployed from the main body of the travel trailer. The storage extension enclosure provides additional usable weather tight storage area beneath the extension by using a combination of track insertable support rails and a plurality of wall surface mounted snaps to define selectively accessible integrated storage compartment there beneath with a selective access closure. |
| US08919857B2 |
Cabriolet vehicle with articulated frame flaps and soft top lock
A cabriolet vehicle having an opening hood which is displaceable between a closed position spanning the interior of the vehicle, and a stowage position which opens up the top of the vehicle interior and which comprises a hood frame which comprises a frame arrangement on each side in relation to a vertical vehicle longitudinal center plane wherein the frame arrangement is mounted pivotally on a main bearing fixed on the vehicle at the rear end and in the closed position of the hood engages through a frame opening arranged in a vehicle edge area wherein the opening can be covered by means of a flap arrangement when the hood is in the stowage position, as well as a locking arrangement which secures the hood in its stowage position. |
| US08919856B2 |
Sunshade hook
A sunshade hook includes a generally j-shaped hook member having a first leg portion and a second leg portion connected thereto along a bight region. A base has a substantially planar first portion that extends substantially perpendicular to the first leg portion of the hook member, and a second portion that extends generally parallel relation to the base first portion. A snap tab selectively deflects as the base is advanced over a bracket for mounting the one-piece hook in an associated automotive vehicle. |
| US08919854B2 |
Variable lightweight seat concept
A bench for a vehicle is provided, which bench comprises at least two seats that are arranged next to one another and are connected to one another. Provision is made for one of the at least two seats to act as a base seat that has at least one locking unit for the purpose of connection to a vehicle floor of a vehicle body, while the at least one other seat hovers above a vehicle floor since the other seat is reversibly connected solely to the base seat. |
| US08919849B1 |
Transportable hybrid operating room
A transportable hybrid operating room (THOR). The THOR includes a transportable unit with an interior for use in the imaging of and performance of surgery on a patient, the interior including a ceiling. The THOR also includes a support assembly positioned above the unit for supporting equipment used in conjunction with such imaging and surgery so that the equipment extends downwardly from the ceiling into the interior. The support assembly is designed to support a load of at least 3,500 pounds. |
| US08919845B2 |
Vehicle interior trim part as well as method for manufacturing a vehicle interior trim part
A vehicle interior trim part having a molded skin, an intermediate layer, a substrate, at least one reinforcing element arranged in the intermediate layer, and at least one fixing element formed as a part of the skin which acts to fix the position of reinforcing element so that its position cannot inadvertently change as the vehicle interior trim part is being produced. The fixing element is formed as at least one rib-shaped, elevated portion from the same material as the remaining molded skin. A method for producing the vehicle interior trim part is also provided. |
| US08919844B1 |
Gripper with actuator mounted displacement sensor
A gripper assembly includes an actuator, at least one gripper jaw, a sensor member and at least one position sensing device. The actuator has a first actuator portion, a second actuator portion, and a fixed portion. The first actuator portion and the second actuator portion are moveable in unison between a first position and a second position. The at least one gripper jaw is disposed forward of the fixed portion of the actuator and is moveable with respect to the fixed portion of the actuator in response to movement of the first actuator portion. The sensor member is disposed rearward of the fixed portion of the actuator and is coupled to the second actuator portion for movement therewith. The position sensing device is disposed rearward of the fixed portion of the actuator and is operable to detect proximity of the sensor member. |
| US08919841B2 |
Method and apparatus for attachment of a secondary tool handling device to a primary tool handling device
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for a handling system and attachment of a secondary elevator, and/or other complementary equipment, to a primary elevator. In one embodiment, a casing elevator is provided. The casing elevator includes a body, two first load-rated lift members coupled to a perimeter of the body at a first location on the body, and two second load-rated lift members coupled to the perimeter of the body at a second location on the body, the second location being different than the first location. |
| US08919840B2 |
Mechanical gripper for manipulation of micro-sized objects
An apparatus for the micromanipulation of micro-sized objects includes a micromanipulation device in the form of a hollow frame having a base, resiliently deflectable arms projecting from the base and defining a gap for receiving a micro-sized object, and a saddle connected to the tips of the arms between the base and the tips. A force generating device applies a force to the saddle to deflect the tips inwards to close the gap about the micro-sized object. A fixture is provided for supporting the micromanipulation device and force generating device. The force generating device can be a micrometer. The micromanipulation device is configured for production using micro-fabrication techniques. The micromanipulation device may include a piercing element for piercing an object positioned between the arms of the device, and may further include a notch aligned with the piercing element for retaining the object. |
| US08919837B1 |
Lifting device for RC cars
A lifting device for RC cars including a first support wire having an upper section, a first side section, and a second side section. A brace is medially disposed between a first bend and a second bend of each of the first and second side sections. An L-shaped support is disposed on each of the first and second side sections. The lifting device also includes a hinge medially disposed upon the upper section. An elongated hook and a second support wire are disposed on the hinge. A C-shaped loop is medially disposed upon the upper section. The device is configured to engage with and support the weight of one of each of a variety of differently shaped RC cars and RC car remote controls. |
| US08919836B2 |
Waste pick-up and storage device
The present invention is a waste pick-up and storage device for scooping solid and semi-solid pet waste. The device includes a bag portion and a scoop portion. In an embodiment, two scoops scoop the pet waste into the bag. In an embodiment, a portion of the scoop is detachable, and another portion is secured to the bag for providing support. The scoop is used to sweep the pet waste into the bag. The scoop portions can serve as handles of the device. In an embodiment, the device can be single-handed. The device can have a receptacle, a cover rotatably attached to the receptacle, and wherein the cover has a handle attached to a surface opposite the base of the receptacle. The waste pick-up and storage device is foldable to be flat, and can be made from a combination of flexible materials for the bag, and inflexible materials for the scoop. |
| US08919829B2 |
Pressure relief latch, high repeatability
A pressure relief latch for use in securing panels on an air-craft. The latch includes an apparatus and method to retain the latch in a latched condition under certain conditions. The latch includes a detention assembly which includes at least a portion which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which differs from a housing of the latch. |
| US08919826B2 |
Screen frame grasping and removal system
In one embodiment the present invention is a screen frame grasping and removal system comprising at least one pull tab. There is at least one lock to lock each tab. The frame defines openings to receive the tab and lock cooperation, the tab and lock openings communicating with each other to permit the lock to engage the tab. In another embodiment the above includes one side of the frame defining an opening to receive the tab and an opening to receive the lock, the tab and lock openings communicating with each other to permit the lock to engage the tab; and a second side of the frame contains therein at least one outwardly springing bias. The screen first and second side opposing each other. |
| US08919817B2 |
Bulldozer
A bulldozer includes a cab, a fuel tank arranged to a rear of the cab, and first and second engaging members. The cab includes a driver seat and an air-conditioning cooling module projecting rearward from an upper end portion of the cab. The first and second engaging members are provided on the fuel tank, with each having an engaging part to engage onto a suspension member. The engaging part of the first engaging member is positioned on a first lateral side of a first straight line connecting a first lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module and a first lateral side end of the fuel tank. The engaging part of the second engaging member is positioned on a second lateral side of a second straight line connecting a second lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module, and a second lateral side end of the fuel tank. |
| US08919814B2 |
Operation unit
There is provided a switch unit which is downsized and which can reduce cost by eliminating a connector and an intermediate harness embedded in a body. A wiper switch and a light switch are attached to a steering column. Each of the wiper switch and the light switch includes a base portion which positions a stator portion of the steering column between each other, a housing portion projecting from the base portion along a periphery of the stator portion. A connector is housed in the housing portion. The connector of the wiper switch and the connector of the light switch are attached to the steering column with the connectors being directly connected together. |
| US08919804B2 |
Heavy duty vehicle multi hitch and alignment system
An improved trailer hitching system adaptable to quick coupling with both ball and pintel hook trailer couplers without the need to remove the pintel hook trailer coupler. The system incorporates an improved trailer hitch ball capable of meeting or exceeding all the Class I-V trailer hitch ball load requirements and dimensional tolerances yet with enhanced protection against crack development at the ball/ball stem. The ball can be sized for different purposes without being removed from the tow vehicle. It also includes a removable trailer hitch alignment system that can align both pintel hooks and the various sizes of trailer tongues. |
| US08919796B2 |
Integrally molded polymer hitch step
A trailer hitch step, integrally molded of a polymer compound, is capable of accepting a predetermined off-axis vertical load without an objectionable degree of torsional displacement, while also being capable of resiliently absorbing energy from rear impacts. |
| US08919795B2 |
Separated primary spring and secondary leaf suspension for vehicle
A suspension for a vehicle having a chassis rail and a longitudinal axle arranged substantially orthogonal thereto. The vehicle suspension has a primary spring, which may be a leaf spring having a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a first primary pivot coupling, and a distal second end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a second primary pivot coupling. The primary spring can be a coil spring. A secondary leaf spring has a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a secondary pivot coupling, and a second end for coupling to the axle. The longitudinal configuration of the secondary leaf spring is arranged to be angularly displaced with respect to the longitudinal configuration of the primary leaf spring. The first primary pivot coupling and the secondary pivot coupling are arranged to be substantially coplanar. |
| US08919794B2 |
Device for suspending a steerable wheel
A device suspends a steerable wheel on a vehicle via a wheel carrier that is pivotable about a steering axis and on which the wheel is rotatably mounted. The device includes an upper link including a first end and a second end. The upper link is pivotably mounted on the vehicle by the first end and supports the wheel carrier by the second end via a wheel carrier arm. A lower link includes a wheel-side end on which the wheel carrier is pivotably mounted and a vehicle-side end that is pivotably mounted on the vehicle. A stabilizer is pivotably supported in support bearings on the vehicle. The stabilizer includes a free end connected to a coupling rod that extends in a bent manner around a wheel-side region of a spring strut and another end that is mounted on the wheel carrier. |
| US08919790B2 |
Gliding board
A snow gliding board, including front and rear lines of maximum width, and having sidecuts including a central area having a curvature directed towards the outside of the board, wherein said central area extends towards the front and/or the back in an adjacent area having a curvature oriented toward the inside, which extends at least all the way to the respective front and/or rear line of maximum width. |
| US08919787B1 |
Reciprocating tool attachment assembly and methods
An attachment apparatus for a reciprocating tool provides a tool holder having an angled bracket and a guide rod extending from the angled bracket. The guide rod can engage a travel slot on the reciprocating tool. An instrument such as a saw blade can be attached to the angled bracket or guide rod. The guide rod stabilizes the instrument during use. The travel slot can be defined integrally on the reciprocating tool or on an attachment to the tool. In some embodiments, a neck mount assembly is attached to the neck on the reciprocating tool. The neck mount assembly can include a frame and a guide plate. The guide plate can include a travel slot shaped for receiving the guide rod. |
| US08919786B2 |
Chuck
The invention relates to a chuck with a chuck body (2) having a centering hole (3) that is tapered frustoconically and in which is provided a clamping member (4) having a clamping thread (5), with an angle drive (8) having a threaded ring (6) engaged with the clamping thread (5), axially fixed to the chuck body (2), coaxial to the clamping member (4), and rotatable by a drive member (9) that can be rotated about a drive axis that is not parallel to the chuck axis. The drive member (9) can be inserted from the end opposite to the centering hole (3) into a body cavity (10) that can be closed by a plate (11) that is supported on the chuck body (2) and/or the threaded ring (6). The drive member (9) is accessible for a drive tool through an aperture (12) in the cavity wall (13). |
| US08919783B2 |
Cam lock coupling gasket
A cam lock quick coupling 10 includes coupling components 12 and 13. A gasket 47, 147, 247 for use in the coupling 10 includes a positioning portion 67, 167, 267 substantially adjacent an outer peripheral surface 50, 150, 250; a compression sealing portion 68, 168, 268 substantially adjacent an inner peripheral surface 49, 149, 249; and a connecting portion 69, 169, 269 closer to the outer peripheral surface than to the inner peripheral surface. |
| US08919775B2 |
System for billing usage of an automatic card handling device
An automatic card handling device, having a card handling device that includes a controller, the card handling device configured for shuffling an input set of cards and delivering an output set of cards resulting from the shuffling; and a communication module operably coupled to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured for sending and receiving information related to operation of the card handling device across a communication port configured for operable coupling to a cellular network, wherein the information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device includes information about the use of the card handling device; and wherein a factor in a usage fee for the card handling device is use of the card handling device. |
| US08919772B2 |
Transport apparatus and recording apparatus provided with the same
A transport apparatus includes: a guide surface which extends in a transport direction for transporting a medium and which is configured to guide the medium to be transported; a first roller which is a driving roller for transporting the medium; a second roller which is a driven roller arranged to face the first roller; and a roller support member which rotatably supports the second roller and which is configured to be pivotable about a support shaft perpendicular to an axis of a rotational shaft of the second roller between a first position and a second position. |
| US08919768B2 |
First sheet job offset
An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for creating at least one first sheet job offset including polling a printing spool and determining whether at least one print job is queued in the printing spool, determining whether a first sheet of the at least one print job is ready to be outputted from a printing apparatus after the at least one print job is determined to be queued in the printing spool, configuring an outputting mechanism to accelerate the first sheet of the at least one print job out of the printing apparatus, and configuring the outputting mechanism to decelerate each remaining sheet of the at least one print job out of the printing apparatus. |
| US08919766B1 |
Compiler shelf having rotatable CAM with high-friction lobe
An apparatus includes a compiler surface that receives sheets of media, and a registration surface positioned at one end of the compiler surface. The leading edges of the sheets of media contact and are aligned by the registration surface. A rotatable cam is positioned at the other end of the compiler surface. The rotatable cam has a lobe, and the surface of the lobe is a high-friction surface. When the rotatable cam is at a “first” rotation position, this causes the lobe to contact the bottom sheet as the sheets of media are received onto the compiler surface. When the rotatable cam is at a “second” rotation position, this causes the lobe to move out of the way and avoid contacting any of the sheets of media as the sheets of media are ejected from the compiler surface. |
| US08919765B2 |
Sheet feed apparatus, and image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus including the same
A sheet feed apparatus has sheet tray, sheet conveyance path, sheet feed roller, lift plate, and guide wall. Sheet feed roller is disposed, downstream of sheet tray in sheet conveyance direction, above central portion of sheet tray in sheet width direction perpendicular to sheet conveyance direction, so as to face central portion. Lift plate is movable upward and downward to allow sheet to contact with sheet feed roller. Guide wall is disposed downstream of lift plate in sheet conveyance direction and spaced from lift plate with predetermined gap, to guide the conveyed sheet in diagonally upward direction intersecting placing surface of sheet tray. Both end portions in sheet width direction in front edge portion, of lift plate, facing guide wall are provided with end guide surfaces, respectively, which are inclined upward relative to central portion in sheet width direction. |
| US08919759B2 |
Input feeder device for an apparatus for processing paper documents, particularly bank cheques
The feeder device comprises a support structure (2) wherein, between a feeder plate (3) and an opposite surface (4), there is defined an input receptacle (5) for the introduction of one or more documents (BC) to be processed, and a motorized aligning and conveying device (6), adapted to engage and urge a document (BC) introduced into the input receptacle (5) towards a lateral stationary aligning surface (50). The feeder device is characterized in that the aligning and conveying device comprises an assembly (10) which is rotatable about a first axis (A) and which includes a pick-up member (24) rotatable in the assembly (10) about a second axis (B) spaced apart from the first axis (A), between a first, resting angular position and a second, working angular position, in the first of which positions the pick-up member (24) is retracted, while in the second it protrudes into the assembly (10) in the input receptacle (5) to engage a document (BC) introduced thereinto; and an electric control motor (18), coupled to the assembly (10) and to the pick-up member (24) through transmission means (12-22, 30-33). |
| US08919755B2 |
Hi-fix board clamping apparatus for use in test handler
A clamping apparatus for clamping a plurality of Hi-Fix boards arranged in a row, includes at least one rotational clamping unit installed to clamp facing end sides of the two or more Hi-Fix boards together, and a plurality of clamping units installed to clamp end sides of the Hi-Fix boards other than the facing sides thereof. The rotational clamping unit includes a clamper installed to rotate about a fixed rotation point to clamp or release the claming of the facing end sides of the two or more Hi-Fix boards, and a driving unit for providing a rotational force to the clamper. |
| US08919753B2 |
Spring plate
A spring plate, especially for a MacPherson strut unit, having an axial support surface for the final turn of a helical spring. The helical spring is centered by radial centering surfaces in the area of the circumferential contour of the final turn. The centering surface is divided into individual, partial centering surfaces, which come to rest against the circumferential contour of the helical spring. |
| US08919752B2 |
Microalloyed spring
The systems and methods described herein include innerspring assemblies or innerspring cores for use with cushioning articles such as mattresses. The innerspring core may have one or more coil springs formed from a high-carbon steel wire alloyed with one or more suitable alloying elements such as titanium and copper and capable of imparting greater strength and durability to the innerspring core. |
| US08919750B2 |
Cushioning elements comprising buckling walls and methods of forming such cushioning elements
Cushioning elements having a top cushioning surface and a bottom base surface include an elastomeric cushion member and a stabilizing material. The elastomeric cushion member includes a first plurality of interconnected buckling walls having a first mean height and a second plurality of buckling walls having a second mean height. Each buckling wall of the second plurality intersects and connects to at least two buckling walls of the first plurality. A surface of the stabilizing material on a side thereof opposite the elastomeric cushion member defines the bottom base surface of the cushioning element. The first ends of the first plurality of interconnected buckling walls and the first ends of the second plurality of buckling walls define the top cushioning surface of the cushioning element. Methods of forming cushioning elements include securing a stabilizing material to ends of the first plurality of interconnected buckling walls. |
| US08919745B1 |
High flow rate foam generating apparatus
A foam generating apparatus provides a high-quality mixing of solution and air to produce foam without restricting the flow of liquid through apparatus. An air manifold has passages allowing the flow of water or solution through the apparatus and also features apertures that introduce pressurized air in a parallel flow with the water or solution introduced into the exit chamber. The cross-sectional area of the passages is at least as great as the water or solution inlet, and thus the device does not significantly restrict flow of liquid, even in the case where a straight flow of water or solution without mixed air is desired. |
| US08919742B2 |
System and fence kit for strengthening a fence
A fence system for strengthening a vinyl fence which includes a plurality of fence posts having specified dimensions, and the posts have a hollow interior. A plurality of section panels include specified dimensions, and the section panels each including a slat portion. The section panels each include a fence railing coupled to a top and bottom of the slat portion. The fence railings each define a hollow interior, and the fence railings are coupled to the posts by a connecting portion of the fence railings passing through corresponding holes in the posts. A strengthening member for positioning in each of the hollow portions of the top and bottom fence railings. A plurality of post members for positioning within the hollow interior at the top of the fence posts. The post members being attachable to the connecting portion of the fence railing using a first attachment element. |
| US08919734B2 |
Hollow floor-jack web-plate type chassis side panel assembly
A hollow floor-jack web-plate type chassis side panel assembly includes a side panel, a reserved installation hole on the side panel, a side panel bent edge at a lower edge of the side panel, and a web plate having an installation hole corresponding to the web plate. The web plate has an edge including first and second web plate molded edges which are perpendicular to the web plate and arranged in the same direction; the first web plate molded edge is attached and welded onto a side panel bent edge facing away from the side panel; the second web plate molded edge is attached and welded at a position on the side panel other than the side panel bent edge; and the side panel and the web plate are parallel to each other, and a hollow web is formed between the side panel and the web plate. |
| US08919733B2 |
Valve having first and second fluid ports
A device in a valve (1) includes a valve housing (2) with at least a first (3) and a second (4) fluid port. A closure element (5) including a sealing portion (15) and diaphragm (30) is arranged in the valve housing (2). The sealing portion (15) is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure element (5) and valve housing (2) form a flow passage (11) which communicates with the fluid ports when the sealing portion (15) leaves the closed position. A second sealing portion (14) is arranged in contact with a support portion (25) of the valve housing (2). An abutment element (16) is arranged in contact with the second sealing portion (14). The abutment element (16) transmits a force via the second sealing portion (14) toward the support portion (25) to provide a seal. The force is at least partly exerted by a spring element. |
| US08919727B2 |
Elevated floor and ceiling slab formwork system
A slab formwork system (100), consisting of a plurality of vertical supports supporting a plurality of panels is provided characterized in that the slab formwork system (100) includes a plurality of vertical main members (101,102,103) whose height is adjustable by an operator such that each top of the vertical main member (101,102,103) is at the same level when referenced from an imaginary lower horizontal line, at least one primary bearer (301), wherein the primary bearer (301) is supported by the plurality of vertical main members (101,102,103) wherein each vertical main member (101,102,103) is perpendicular to each primary bearer (301), a pair of adjustable struts (246) in each vertical main member (101,102,103), wherein each adjustable strut (246) is diagonally connectable to the vertical main member (101,102,103) and the primary bearer (301), a plurality of height adjustable props (502) connectable perpendicularly to at least one filler panel (410), a plurality of secondary bearers (303) wherein the secondary bearers (303) are disposed perpendicular on top of the primary bearers (301), a longitudinally extendable element (315) connectable to terminal end of the primary bearer (301) supported by a plurality of vertical main members (103) and a plurality of panels (407) assembled on top of the secondary bearers (303) to receive concrete wherein each filler panel (410) is disposed between at least two panels (407). |
| US08919726B2 |
Flexible, multi-piece, multi-configuration concrete form system
The present invention is directed to a flexible concrete form system having both flexible and rigid parts that are easily assembled and disassembled using a multi-contact point connection system. The concrete form system can be extended or stacked in a wide variety of configurations to accommodate almost any desired concrete shape. |
| US08919723B2 |
Turbojet engine fan duct suspension using connecting rods with elastomer bushing
Device for adjusting the length of a connecting rod and consisting of a bushing positioned inside an eye of the said connecting rod, the said bushing comprising at least one element in which there is made a bore to act as a support for a pivot pin intended to pass through the eye, characterized in that the said element is a cylinder made of a metallic material covered by a cylinder made of an elastomeric material so as to form with the metallic cylinder a cylinder homothetic with the previous one, the generatrices of the said cylinders being oriented in a direction that is inclined with respect to the longest length of the said connecting rod. |
| US08919722B2 |
Movable base with wheels deployable by reversible driving assembly
A ratchet assembly includes an elongated shaft, a gear housing, a ratcheting member, and an arm. The elongated shaft can have a gear and be supported by the gear housing to allow rotation about a primary axis of the shaft. The ratcheting member can mount in the housing and be biased toward the gear to engage with the gear hindering relative rotation about the shaft axis in a first direction and allowing rotation about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction. The ratcheting member can rotatably mount within the housing about a second axis. The arm can couple to the gear housing in a first configuration to provide torque to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in the first direction when the arm is pressed downward. The arm can also be coupled to the gear housing in a second configuration to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction when the arm is pressed downward. |
| US08919721B2 |
Seat slide apparatus for vehicle
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes: a lower rail that is fixed on a vehicle floor; and an upper rail that is fixed to a seat and is movably supported on the lower rail in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, wherein the lower rail has a lower rail hook part, wherein the upper rail has an upper rail hook part, wherein the upper rail hook part is to be engaged with the lower rail hook part in the upper and width directions, wherein the lower rail has a curvature part that is downwards convex as viewed from the width direction of the vehicle, and wherein the lower end of the lower rail hook part at the curvature part has a notch part, in which the downward extending amount is reduced compared to the other part of the lower rail hook part. |
| US08919718B2 |
Multifunction beverage container holder
An apparatus including one or more beverage container receptacles for holding a beverage container in the upright position in multiple convenient and possibly unstable locations is described. Slender legs separate the beverage container receptacles from direct contact with the mounting or bearing surfaces and serve to damp spilling forces transmitted from these surfaces when the apparatus is placed in various horizontal or vertical orientations such as vertically between couch cushions; or horizontally between a bed mattress and box spring; or on a picnic blanket. Multiple stemmed and non-stemmed beverage container types such as wine glasses, coffee cups, large soda cups are simultaneously held. Additional storage space for personal effects such as digital electronic devices, remote controls or reading glasses is included. One embodiment of the invention includes speakers, amplifying electronics and batteries for playing digital music from a users digital electronic device. |
| US08919713B2 |
Paint can and accessories holder with magnets
The disclosure and claims herein are directed to a paint can holder for attachment to a ladder, the paint can holder comprising a shaft having a first end, a second end, a top surface with a first friction area at the first end of the shaft, and a bottom surface with a second friction area at the second end of the shaft, configured such that inserting the shaft inside a rung of the ladder secures the paint can holder to the ladder, and a holding portion coupled to the second end of the shaft, the holding portion comprising a groove configured to receive a handle of a paint can, at least one opening, and at least one magnetic area. |
| US08919712B2 |
Sucker assembly having a better attachment effect
A sucker assembly includes a sucker (10), a pull bar (13) secured on the sucker, a pressing seat (30) mounted on the pull bar and encompassing the sucker, a control handle (40) pivotally mounted on the pressing seat, and a pivot shaft (45) extending through the control handle, the pressing seat and the pull bar. The sucker includes a first layer (11) and a second layer (12). Thus, when the sucker is placed on a rough surface, the first layer of the sucker can be deformed elastically to fill the corrugated gaps of the rough surface, so that the first layer of the sucker is bonded onto the surface closely to prevent ambient air from entering the space between the sucker and the rough surface to keep the vacuum state of the sucker. |
| US08919710B2 |
Apparatus for positioning a device
An apparatus for positioning a device. The apparatus includes a coupling member, a first arm, a second arm, and a sloped support member. The coupling member defines a first opening and a second opening. The first arm passes through the first opening, and the coupling member is movably connected to the first arm. The second arm passes through the second opening. The sloped support member is releasably connected to the second arm. The apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom. |
| US08919708B1 |
Dustpan with garbage bag supporting frame, filter, and running boards
The dustpan with garbage bag supporting frame, filter, and running boards includes a dustpan of hollowed construction from which the garbage bag supporting frame attaches to a rear of said dustpan. The dustpan includes a plurality of interchangeable filters that can attach to a front opening and/or rear opening in order to sift or filter out debris swept into and through said dustpan. The garbage bag supporting frame attaches onto opposing exterior surfaces of said dustpan. Both the garbage bag supporting frame and the dustpan include running boards that attach there under, and which enable mobilization there to. The running board for use with the garbage bag supporting frame may further include an according-styled cover that extends to cover the garbage bag supporting frame as well as a trash bag contained therein. |
| US08919701B2 |
Inflatable delta-shaped traction kite
Inflatable fraction kite (1) and the system for managing the traction power, the direction and the transient maneuvers thereof, shaped as a negative dihedron, of the type known as ‘C-shape’ or ‘C-kite’, and comprising load-bearing riggers and riggers used to manage the direction and trim, the kite (1) being characterized in that in flight it is designed to be delta-shaped and for this reason its leading edge (10), when laid flat, has a curvature such that, for each half-wing (12, 13) of the kite, the angle (α) formed by the tangent (S) to said central point (A) and the tangent (T) at a given point (B) increases as said given point (B) moves from the forward central point (A) toward the end (14, 15) of the kite (1) and in that, in the first third of said half-wing (12, 13) of the kite, from the forward central point (A) and in the direction of one end (14, 15), said angle (α) is greater than 15°. |
| US08919700B2 |
De-icing device, in particular for an aircraft nacelle
A de-icing device for an aircraft nacelle includes two electric bands, and each of them is made from one main conductor oriented along a length of the band. In particular, the two electric bands have rectilinear elements and bent elements and are located on a same plane. Moreover, the two electric bands include spirals formed by association of several bent elements. Contiguous bands are embedded together in pairs, and the embedded bands are powered by different power supplies. |
| US08919699B2 |
Emergency opening system of an aircraft cabin door
An emergency opening system (1) of an aircraft cabin door (3) mounted in an aircraft fuselage structure (4) by means of a hinge arm (2). An actuator (7), designed to assist the opening of the aircraft cabin door (3) against the force of gravity by means of a gas operated actuating rod (8) is mounted with its fix end (9) to said hinge arm (2) and said actuating rod (8) is connected to an actuator joint (10). A fork lever (24) is linked to said actuator joint (10). A bell crank (13) is respectively pivotable mounted to said hinge arm (2) and to said actuator joint (10) for the fork lever (24). At least one coupling lever (12) is pivotable joint to said fork lever (24) at at least one coupling joint (14). Said at least one coupling lever (12) is mounted in at least one hinge (18) of the hinge arm (2) by means of a respective bolt (26), said bolt (26) being drivingly connected to said aircraft cabin door (3) for rotation of said aircraft cabin door (3). |
| US08919697B2 |
Structural assembly for an aircraft
A structural assembly for an aircraft comprising a cover with outer and inner faces, an inner support element and urging means on the inner support element, wherein opposing edges of the cover are fixedly mounted relative to the inner support element, and the urging means acts on the inner face of the cover to urge the cover to distend outwardly and locate in a predetermined position. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of forming a structural assembly for an aircraft comprising an cover with outer and inner faces, an inner support element and urging means on the inner support element, the method comprising the steps of fixedly mounting opposing edges of the cover relative to the inner support element and operating the urging means to act on the inner face of the cover so that the cover is urged to distend outwardly into a predetermined position. |
| US08919696B2 |
Method and a device for the manufacture of a stiffening structure for an aircraft fuselage segment, and also a stiffening structure
A method for stiffening a skin field of an aircraft fuselage includes providing a skin field for an aircraft fuselage, manufacturing an integral lattice-shaped stiffening structure including a plurality of longitudinal stiffeners and connecting the stiffening structure to the skin field. The manufacturing can include the use of a tool mold having a plurality of longitudinal recesses configured to form longitudinal stiffeners and a plurality of sunken areas disposed between the longitudinal recess. The sunken areas are configured for forming respective mounts that are configured for connection to circumferential stiffeners. |
| US08919695B2 |
Storage compartment configuration
A storage compartment configuration and an aircraft having a storage compartment configuration according to the invention are proposed. The storage compartment configuration has a storage compartment having a storage space and a suspension. The storage space is designed to receive pieces of luggage. The suspension is used for the attaching the storage compartment to a load-bearing structure of the aircraft. The suspension is designed in such a manner that the storage compartment can be pivoted essentially around a geometrical center point of the storage space. |
| US08919691B2 |
Life-saving vehicle
The invention concerns a life-saving vehicle (10) designed as a hollow body with the form of a sphere or disk essentially flattened along a vertical axis (16) that demonstrates its greatest width in a horizontal plane (15) and which body, composed of an upper part (11) and a lower part (13), limits an internal passenger compartment (25), whereby the body comprises a stabilizing arrangement (12) that stabilizes the vehicle when it is in water, a telescopic arrangement (40), a stabilization means (14) arranged at the lower part, which stabilization means can be displaced in a vertical direction downwards from the lower part through activation of the telescopic arrangement (40). The vehicle, in order for it to travel not only in the air but also in water, comprises: a first and second rotor (52, 17), a motor (55) with an associated transmission (54), a pair of propulsion units (60) and a stabilizing fin (65). |
| US08919690B1 |
Fishing line management system
A fishing line management system for fishing line spool storage, winding new fishing line onto a reel, and removing old fishing line from the reel has a generally hollow cylindrical housing. A hollow cavity in the cylindrical housing is sized to receive spools of fishing line. The cylindrical housing has an internally threaded open end for receiving an externally threaded lid with a rubber seal for making the cylindrical housing watertight. The cylindrical housing has a rod centrally located in the hollow cavity for receiving a spool of fishing line. The system has a generally cylindrical flexible outer sleeve with an annular center rib located between a first outer sleeve open end and a second outer sleeve open end. The outer sleeve is for receiving fishing line from a fishing pole. |
| US08919687B2 |
Mandrel cupping assembly
A mandrel cupping assembly for releasably engaging the unsupported ends of a plurality of mandrels disposed on a web winding turret assembly is disclosed. The mandrel cupping assembly comprises a cupping arm turret, a mandrel cup and cupping arm cooperatively associated with each mandrel, an outer ring guide disposed coaxially about the cupping arm turret, and a first actuator. Each of the mandrel cups and cupping arms are disposed radially about the cupping arm turret. The mandrel cups releasably engage the unsupported end of the mandrel against the outer ring guide. The mandrel cups have a hold-open position and a hold-closed position and are carried in a radial orbital path about the cupping arm turret while disposed in either of the hold-open position or the hold-closed position. The first actuator disposes each of the mandrel cups and cupping arms from the hold-open position to the hold-closed position. |
| US08919684B1 |
Auxiliary drag system for a spinning reel
An auxiliary drag system for a spinning reel comprising a generally cylindrical reel body having a standard rotor assembly for spooling fishing line onto a spool member. A standard handle assembly is operatively attached to the rotor assembly via drive gears. A standard spool assembly comprises the spool member and a spool shaft. A standard primary drag system has a clutch assembly located in the spool assembly. A spool shaft sleeve is generally located over the spool shaft and through the reel body and the rotor assembly. Upon rotation of the auxiliary drag lever in a first direction, the spool shaft sleeve is moved in an inline direction with respect to the spool shaft via the threaded auxiliary drag nut toward and frictionally engaging a spool member bushing located on the spool member thereby imposing a degree of frictional drag to the rotation of the spool member. |
| US08919682B2 |
Kitchen waste disposal system
Disclosed is a kitchen waste disposal system which includes a residue feeding mechanism, a mechanical gear grinding mechanism and a paddle-type stirring mechanism. The residue feeding mechanism receives kitchen waste and leads the kitchen waste into a mechanical gear grinding zone in the disposal system. The mechanical gear grinding mechanism is provided with a double-shaft bi-directional gear grinding component. Two gear shafts are arranged in parallel and rotate in opposite directions. Each gear shaft is provided with first buckle gears and second buckle gears, and the first buckle gears and the second buckle gears are combined to crush the kitchen waste from the residue feeding mechanism. The paddle-type stirring mechanism comprises a W-shaped treatment groove and a paddle component in the middle of the treatment groove. |
| US08919679B2 |
Air cannon
An air cannon is provided with an air cannon body having a cylindrical body partitioning an air chamber and an end plate provided at the cylindrical body, and compression means that is provided at the air cannon body and reduces a volume of the air chamber. In the air cannon, an ejection port having an inner-side opening end and an outer-side opening end that is larger than the inner-side opening end is formed in the end plate. The air inside the air chamber is ejected as air vortexes from the ejection port by driving the compression means. |
| US08919678B2 |
Filtration and cleaning system for sprinkler irrigation drop nozzles
A filter for use with overhead sprinkler irrigation systems is disclosed. The filter includes a body, a removable screen, and a manually-actuated plunger adjacent the screen. A water hammer table is partitioned in the body and located above the plunger. The plunger is positioned for reciprocal movement through a debris outlet between an open, debris-discharging position, and a closed filtering position. The plunger defaults to the closed filtering position by pressurized water flowing through the body. The water is simultaneously filtered through the screen and passes out a clean water outlet while debris accumulates within the body. The plunger may be manually retracted to the open, debris-discharging position at any time, whereby accumulated debris is flushed out of the body through the debris outlet by residual water flowing therethrough. |
| US08919677B2 |
Injection nozzle
An injection nozzle comprising a nozzle body provided with a bore within which a valve needle is moveable, the valve needle being engageable with a valve seating to control fuel delivery through a set of nozzle outlets, said nozzle outlets including respective entry openings defined in a wall of a sac volume of the nozzle body, wherein the valve needle includes a first valve region, a second valve region and a seat region defined by a transition between the first and second valve regions which seats against the valve seating when the nozzle is in a non-injecting state. The valve needle comprises a third valve region adjacent the second valve region, the third valve region having an outer surface defining a curved profile, the end of the outer surface terminating substantially in alignment with the entry openings when the valve needle is engaged with the valve seating. |
| US08919673B2 |
Apparatus and method for a fuel nozzle
A fuel nozzle includes a fuel plenum, an outer body surrounding the fuel plenum, and bore holes that extend longitudinally through the outer body. The fuel nozzle also includes means for fixedly attaching the fuel plenum to the outer body and passages that provide fluid communication between the fuel plenum and the bore holes. A method for manufacturing a fuel nozzle includes drilling bore holes longitudinally through an outer body and drilling passages in the outer body to the bore holes. The method further includes inserting a fuel plenum into the outer body, wherein the passages provide a fluid communication between the bore holes and the fuel plenum, and attaching the fuel plenum to the outer body. |
| US08919671B2 |
Shower head
A shower head includes a shower body, a spherical joint, a fixing seat, a TPR roller, a welding sheet, a switching shaft, a connecting member, a water dispensing disc, a supporting frame, an inclined member, a rotor, an air intake valve, a TPR lid, and a cover. The switching shaft is a concave body with a handle. A cylinder having a hole is provided in the concave body. A spring and a sealing gasket are sleeved on the cylinder. A pillar is arranged on the outer side of the concave body. The pillar is connected with the connecting member. The handle of the switching shaft is connected with the welding sheet. The shower head has the advantages that the sealing effect is better when the water pressure is lower, and it is easy to switch when the water pressure is higher. |
| US08919670B2 |
Injection lance with variable swirl
A fuel injection lance for an ore-smelting furnace includes a central conduit, a first conduit and a second conduit. The first and second conduits are concentric with the central conduit. A central conduit is connected to a fuel mixture. The first and second conduits are in flow communication with a gas source. The first and second conduits have gas flowing at independently controllable gas flow rates relative to the other conduit. A swirl portion has a cylindrical body with a hollow interior cylinder, and vertical and helical channels formed within the body portion. Vertical channels traverse the body portion vertically to the outer surface adjacent to the bottom surface. Helical channels traverse the outer surface in a helical pattern. Vertical channels intersect with corresponding helical channels at a predetermined angle selected to provide a desired particle distribution of a fuel injected into the furnace. |
| US08919665B2 |
Outdoor shower device
An outdoor shower device, comprising a water storage module, a power supply module, a heating module, a control module, a water supply module and an alarm module, wherein the water storage module is employed for water source storage, the control module controls the heating module to heat the water based on the water temperature, and then the water supply module provides the heated water for use. Furthermore, the power supply module provides electric power required for integral operations and enables the alarm module to determine the water level; in case the water level is exceedingly low, it is possible to present blinking display signal and audio alarm sound to inform the user of such a low water level thereby allowing the user to more effectively apply the outdoor shower device of the present invention. |
| US08919664B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: an inflow channel to which liquid is supplied; an outflow channel communicated with a nozzle; a liquid chamber formed with a spiral flow channel having a substantially constant cross-sectional area between the inflow channel and the outflow channel and having a given volume; a volume changing portion configured to deform the liquid chamber so as to change the volume of the liquid chamber to a volume smaller than the given volume; and an ejection control unit configured to cause the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle in a pulsed manner by driving the volume changing portion in a state in which the liquid chamber is filled with the liquid. |
| US08919663B2 |
Spreader assembly for vehicles and method for spreading granular materials
A spreader assembly comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis; at least two bins mounted to the frame, two of the at least two bins being disposed sequentially along the longitudinal axis and each including a movement imparting assembly oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being configured to advance material lengthwise in opposed directions toward adjacent ends of the two bins; and at least one discharge movement imparting assembly mounted to the frame, oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being configured to receive material conveyed by at least one of the two bin movement imparting assemblies and advance the material towards a lateral end of the frame. |
| US08919662B2 |
Scent devices and methods
Scent devices and methods are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention can be a device to scent an environment comprising a scent and a structural component. The scent stick can have a length to average cross-sectional diameter ratio of at least about 4:1 according to some embodiments. The scent stick can be colored to blend into an environmental setting to make the presence of the scent stick unobtrusive. The scent stick may also be attached or hung by the addition of a hanger or hoop. The scent stick may be hung from a tree, automobile mirror or a person as an adornment. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08919660B2 |
End restraint for turnout
An assembly for securing at least one rail to a substrate has a longitudinally extending rail plate extending across and secured underneath the rail and having a pair of opposite ends. Respective end restraints at the ends of the rail plate each have a jaw fixed to the respective end of the rail plate and each formed with a vertically throughgoing passage. A respective rigid anchor hood is fixed to the substrate in each of the passages with an outer surface of the anchor hood spaced inward from an inner surface of the respective passage and forming an annular space therewith. A respective rubber bumper mass fills each of these spaces so that forces transverse to the rail are transmitted through the bumpers to the anchor hoods. |
| US08919659B2 |
Heating system and heating system control method
A heating system includes: a heat generation unit which generates heat using electricity supplied through a second power system of a lower electricity rate; a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit; a heat radiation unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit; and a control unit which causes, when receiving a signal from a power supplier indicating that a supply of electricity through the second power system is to be stopped after an elapse of a predetermined period of time, the heat generation unit generates additional heat that is required while the supply of electricity through the second power system being suspended, during a period of time from when the signal is received to when the supply of electricity through the second power system is stopped. |
| US08919657B2 |
RFID tag with reinforced structure
A RFID tag with reinforced structure is capable of reducing the chance of electrical disconnection between the silicon chip and the antenna, extending the life of the RFID tag, and improving the accuracy of reading the RFID tag. The RFID tag is provided with a base, a silicon chip, an antenna and at least one reinforced portion. The base includes a first outer surface and an opposite second outer surface. The chip is disposed in the base and provided with a plurality of chip-electric-connection portions. The antenna is disposed in the base and provided with a plurality of antenna-electric-connection portions to be electrically connected to the chip-electric-connection portions. The reinforced portion protrudes from the first or second outer surface of the base. |
| US08919655B2 |
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and manufacturing methods thereof
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device is disclosed. The RFID device includes a silicon substrate having a top side and a bottom side. The RFID device also includes a plurality of circuitry layers formed on the top side of the substrate, and the plurality of circuitry layers include at least a core circuitry and an on-chip antenna. Further, the RFID device includes a plurality of deep openings formed in the substrate on the bottom side under the plurality of circuitry layers. The plurality of deep openings are arranged in an array and through a substantial portion of the substrate, and a remaining portion of the substrate unreached by the plurality of deep openings separates the plurality of deep openings and the plurality of circuitry layers. |
| US08919653B2 |
Exception handling in automated data reading systems
Disclosed are systems and methods for unassisted (i.e., customer controlled) exception handling in an automated data reader having a read zone. A first imager obtains a first image of an exception item in response to an exception generated in a read zone. An exception handling station receives the exception item, and a second imager located at the exception handling station obtains a second image of the exception item. An image processor receives the images, identities visual object recognition features from each image, and compares the features to determine whether the first and second images represent the same exception item. If so, the exception is cleared, and the item is added to a transaction list. |
| US08919652B2 |
XML system
An XML system is configured to print bar code labels, tags, tickets, cards, or other media, and/or encode RFID devices embedded in media, based upon an extensible markup language (XML) input data stream. The XML system includes a computer system having a memory subsystem, a communication interface operatively coupled to a network, an XML processor configured to receive and process the XML input data stream, and an extensible stylesheet language transformation (XSLT) processor configured to either obtain a stylesheet identified in the XML data stream or obtain the stylesheet from a stylesheet repository. The XSLT processor transforms data in the XML input data stream into transformed XML data based upon the stylesheet obtained. Also included is an extensible stylesheet language formatting object (XSLFO) processor configured to format the transformed XML data into formatted XML data based upon XSLFO instructions contained in the stylesheet, and a rendering subsystem configured to receive the formatted XML data and generate a printable representation of the bar code label, tag, ticket, card, other media, and/or generate encoding information for an RFID device. |
| US08919649B2 |
Method for the detection of a marker affixed to the surface of an object and system for implementing same
A method for the detection of a marker affixed to the surface of an object, includes: acquiring a photographic image of a zone containing at least one marker; extracting contours from the photographic image; detecting a marker-positioning contour from among the aforementioned contours, which corresponds to a set of confocal conics having a predetermined form; modelling an image of the confocal conics in the form of a matrix having at least two symmetric matrices of order 3; analyzing the matrices in order to determine a perspective correction for the photographic image; detecting, in the perspective-corrected photographic image, an indexing element associated graphically with the positioning contour of the marker, and rotation-correcting the photographic image; detecting, in the perspective and rotation-corrected photographic image, encoded data graphically associated with the positioning contour of the marker, and decoding the encoded data. A marker-detection system using the method is also described. |
| US08919647B2 |
Sights and methods of operation thereof
A sight and methods of operation thereof are provided. In some embodiments, an image is captured via an image capture unit, and a center position is calculated according to the positions of at least three impact points in the image, and a predefined view center of a display unit is set to the center position. In some embodiments, an angle of dip of the sight to a plane is detected via a dip angle detector. A predictive impact point is calculated according to the angle of dip and at least one calculation parameter, and an impact point indication is accordingly displayed in the display unit. When the angle of dip is changed, the predictive impact point is recalculated according to the new angle of dip, and the corresponding impact point indication is displayed. |
| US08919645B1 |
System and method for granting or denying access
A system and method for granting access to an electronic device is disclosed. The method may include (1) receiving, from an electronic device, a unique identifier that identifies the electronic device; (2) using at least one computer processor, determining if the unique identifier is on an approved list of approved devices; and (3) granting the electronic device access to a network if the unique identifier is on the approved list of approved devices. |
| US08919643B2 |
Method and apparatus for using at least a portion of a one-time password as a dynamic card verification value
Method and apparatus for using at least a portion of a one-time password as a dynamic card verification value (CVV) are disclosed. A credit/debit card is able to generate a dynamic card verification value (CVV). Such a card may also include an indication that the dynamic CVV is to be used as a security code for purchasing or other transactions. A card-based financial transaction can be authorized in accordance with the use of a dynamic CVV by receiving a transaction authorization request for a specific credit/debit card, wherein the transaction authorization request includes a dynamic CVV. The dynamic CVV can be compared to at least a portion of a one-time password generated for the specific credit/debit card, and a transaction authorization can be sent to the merchant or vendor when the dynamic CVV matches all or a portion of the one-time password. |
| US08919642B2 |
Device for handling value notes
The invention relates to a device (10, 50, 60) for handling notes of value, which comprises a control unit (38) which executes program data of a computer program. Further, the device (10, 50, 60) has an authentication data memory (28) in which authentication data for the unambiguous authentication of the device (10, 50, 60) are stored. The control unit (38) generates an unambiguous reference value dependent on the authentication data. Further, the device (10, 50, 60) comprises a transmission unit (20, 64) which transmits reference data comprising the reference value for generating a device-individual license key to a license management unit (46). Further, the transmission unit (20, 46) receives data comprising the license key from the license management unit (46). The control unit (38) enables at least one function module of the computer program dependent on the license key. |
| US08919641B2 |
Systems and methods for risk triggering values
Systems and methods for facilitating risk assessment for point of sale transactions utilizing at least one risk triggering value (RTV) is disclosed. An RTV is a condensed version of a set of complex risk data and strategies usually found in central processing sites. After receiving a request for payment authorization, a risk value is calculated for the request. The distributed processing site compares the risk value to the RTV to determine whether to authorize payment. If the risk value is less than or equal to the RTV, the payment is authorized while a risk value greater than the RTV will not be authorized. The central site calculates a new RTV for the account and distributes the new RTV to the distributed processing site. |
| US08919640B2 |
Methods and systems for registering relationships between users via a symbology
Methods and systems for registering a relationship between users are disclosed. A first electronic device transmits a request to provide relationship information to a computing device. The computing device generates a transaction code and transmits the code to the first electronic device. The first electronic device generates a symbology corresponding to the code and displays the symbology. A second electronic device scans the symbology and decodes the symbology to obtain the transaction code. The second electronic device transmits the code to the computing device, which associates relationship information for the users of the first and second electronic devices. The first electronic device receives the relationship information for the user of the second electronic device from the computing device, and the second electronic device receives the relationship information for the user of the first electronic device. |
| US08919638B2 |
Transparent display sleeve for mailbox
A mailbox display sleeve may include an inside layer and an outside layer joined at a crease. The outside layer may be made of a clear plastic material. An attachment component may attach the inside layer to an outside surface of a mail box. An insert may fit in between the inside layer and the outside layer of the display sleeve, and may thereby be displayed from the mailbox. |
| US08919637B2 |
Unmanned parcel storage apparatus capable of dynamically allocating storage space and method of using the same
An unmanned parcel storage apparatus capable of dynamically allocating storage spaces and a method of using the unmanned parcel storage. A storage method of the unmanned parcel storage apparatus determines a position and a size of a desired storage space to be allocated. Based on the determination result, a moving unit adds or removes a partition to create the desired storage space, and moves a delivery item to the created storage space for the storage purpose. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently use a space in a storage unit and thereby store more number of delivery items in the same storage unit. In addition, the moving unit processes the allocation of storage spaces, and delivery, loading and discharging of the delivery items, and therefore the user's convenience of use can be enhanced. |
| US08919634B2 |
Solder ball printing apparatus and solder ball printing method
A solder ball printing apparatus fills plural openings formed in a mask with solder balls using a squeegee and prints the solder balls on plural electrode portions formed on a surface of a substrate facing the mask. The solder ball printing apparatus includes: a substrate mounting table on which the substrate is mounted and on the back surface side of which plural hole portions are formed; a print table on which the substrate mounting table is mounted; an XYθ stage which can drive the print table in a horizontal plane; a print table cylinder which can vertically drive the print table; a mask absorption portion which has members that can be fitted into the substrate mounting table; and a mask absorption cylinder which can vertically drive the mask absorption portion. |
| US08919630B2 |
Ratcheting mechanism for surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device comprising a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a movable handle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing and movable between a first open position and a second approximated position for affecting a function of the end effector. A ratchet mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the movable handle and is configured to substantially prevent the movable handle from moving towards its first open position until the movable handle reaches a predetermined position. |
| US08919629B2 |
Tool belt mountable device for retractable tool lanyards
A belt mountable tool lanyard device includes an enclosure having diametrically opposed first and second openings, a plurality of internal dividers within the enclosure forming a plurality of lanyard device chambers wherein each chamber has at least one chamber opening that faces in the same direction as one of the first and second openings and wherein at least one of the plurality of chambers has a second chamber opening diametrically opposed to the one chamber opening forming a belt receiving loop. |
| US08919625B1 |
Food and beverage caddy for a motorcycle
A food and beverage caddy comprises a platform that is adapted to be securely placed within an existing touring pack or saddlebag of a motorcycle. The platform comprises a plurality of beverage cup apertures specifically shaped to receive and support standard beverage cups. Support legs elevate the platform above the bottom of the touring pack or saddlebag. Spikes or hook-and-loop fasteners can be used to attach the food and beverage caddy to the touring pack or saddlebag. |
| US08919623B1 |
Hands free beverage carrier that attaches to a person's clothing or a wearable accessory
A beverage carriage if provided for wear around a user's waist area. The apparatus includes an accessory that attaches to a user's waist area. A hanger depends from the accessory, the hanger having an upwardly positioned socket. A mounted sleeve has a top opening having an opening that enables a contained beverage to be housed within the sleeve interior. A curved panel/plate fits inside the sleeve. A projecting member is attached to the curved panel/plate and extends through the insulated sleeve to a position spaced externally of the sleeve. A detachable connector joins the projecting member to the hanger when the detachable connector is lowered into the socket via the open top. A locking member moves between locking and release positions, the locking member automatically interlocking with the connector when the connector is lowered into the socket, the locking member having a manually operated release portion that when depressed by the hand of a user places the locking member in the released position which enables removal of the connector from the socket. |
| US08919617B2 |
Caulk gun with expansion drive
A dispensing tool is for use with a cartridge containing dispensable contents, wherein one end of the cartridge has a discharge nozzle and the opposite end contains a follower that can be pushed toward the nozzle to discharge the contents. A grip-type actuator of the tool advances a pressure plate against the follower to push it toward the nozzle. The tool has a pressure plate aligned with a holder that is sized to retain the cartridge with the follower in line with the pressure plate. A pantograph mechanism drives the pressure plate toward the follower and is driven by a grip-type actuator. |
| US08919615B2 |
Liquid dosing dispenser
A dispenser (20) has a container body (22), a closure valve assembly (24), and a cap. The closure valve assembly has: a seat (100) having an opening (122); a valve element (90); and a plurality of radially inwardly directed petals (106). The valve element is shiftable between: an open position depressed clear of the opening; and a closed position closing the opening. The petals support the valve element with flex spring bias toward the closed position. The cap has: a closed condition depressing the valve element to the valve element's open position; and an open condition disengaged from the valve element. |
| US08919614B2 |
Dispenser with variable-volume storage chamber, one-way valve, and manually-depressible actuator
A dispenser has a housing, and a variable-volume storage chamber formed within the housing and defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between the chamber and exterior of the housing for storing a substance to be dispensed. A piston is mounted within the housing, and a one-way valve is mounted within the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber. A compression chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the piston and one-way valve, and at least one of the piston and valve is manually depressible relative to the other between (i) a first position in which the piston is located at least partially outside of the compression chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) a second position in which the piston is located at least partially within the compression chamber for pressurizing substance within the compression chamber above a valve opening pressure and, in turn, dispensing substance through the one-way valve and out of the dispenser. |
| US08919613B2 |
Metered dispensing system with stepped flange interface
A fluid dispensing device has a container made from a flexible material defining an interior fluid storage region and a flexible metering housing having a metering chamber in fluid communication with the fluid storage region, the flexible metering housing having a button heat sealed to a base plate. A unidirectional intake valve is disposed between the container and the flexible metering housing. A unidirectional output valve is in fluid communication with the flexible metering housing. The button has a stepped flange towards an outer edge of said circular shape and the base plate has a stepped flange corresponding to the stepped flange of the button. |
| US08919612B2 |
Dispersion assembly
An ornamental dispersion assembly that provides at least one ornamental portion positioned inside a dispersion assembly for engaging with a liquid or vapor that disperses from the dispersion assembly. The ornamental portion includes spherical gemstones configured to enhance the liquid by providing a smoothing and balancing effect to the liquid. The gemstones include etched surfaces for removing residue from the gemstone and providing a smooth surface to engage the liquid. The gemstones also include an aperture for enabling a siphon inside the dispersion assembly to pass through. In this manner, the gemstone positions on a nonlinear portion of the siphon, and in proximity to a central longitudinal axis of the dispersion assembly to inhibit contact with a sidewall of the dispersion assembly. The transparent dispersion assembly displays the gemstones. As the liquid passes over the gemstone, the liquid is enhanced by becoming more smooth and balanced. |
| US08919611B2 |
Adaptive preload pump
A piston pump dispenser having a reciprocating piston pump arrangement in which in a dispensing stroke in which fluid is pressurized in a chamber to dispense fluid, a piston slide member is urged into a sealing disc of a piston sleeve member to increase the extent to which the sealing disc provides a seal with a wall of the chamber against fluid leaking out past the seal disc. |
| US08919609B2 |
Dental mixing device having an auto-aligning tip mixing tip
A dental mixing device with a barrel, a mixing tip, and a plunger. The plunger moves dental material through the barrel where it is mixed using a mixing tip. The mixing tip includes an auto-aligning fitting female element configured to align with an auto-aligning fitting male element of the barrel. This auto-alignment simplifies the attachment between the mixing tip and the barrel. The mixing tip also includes a seal component with a soft material (or component) to insert into the auto-aligning fitting element which is a hard material (or component) to achieve a seal. The seal component and auto-alignment fitting element can be combined together into one component instead of two components. |
| US08919607B2 |
Analyte test strip vial
An analyte test strip vial having a restrictor to dispense analyte test strips in a controlled manner. In general, the restrictor includes one or more openings (e.g., central and/or arc-shaped openings) that are appropriately sized to facilitate the dispensing of a manageable number of analyte test strips from the vial container. The restrictor may also include one or more surface features (e.g., tabs, cavities, and/or tapered surfaces) to facilitate in the removal of analyte test strips, and the matting and/or removal of the restrictor from the vial container. |
| US08919605B2 |
Calibration material delivery devices and methods
These are devices and methods of delivering calibration or control information to a device, such as an analyte monitor. The devices may include a first portion configured to be grasped by the hand of the user, and a second portion including a reservoir and a flexible neck. The reservoir may contain a control material that contains a target analyte in a known or predetermined concentration. |
| US08919602B2 |
Safety shield for fuel gas tank
A protective shield fits onto a fuel cylinder that is mounted on a propane-powered or LNG-powered vehicle, with a cylindrical flange on the tank surrounds a tank valve. The protective shield is formed of a cylindrical wall of a rubber-like material that fits snugly onto the cylindrical flange of the fuel tank, and has a window affixed into its upper end of the cylindrical wall. The window can be a disk of transparent plexiglass. There are openings in the cylindrical wall to access the tank valve. The shield provides visibility of the tank valve but prevents any spray of the fuel that may escape from the tank valve from reaching the worker's face or other exposed skin. |
| US08919600B2 |
Plastic flanged containers and food product pack comprising such containers
The flanged container for a dairy product or similar food composition is provided with a hollow body and a generally planar annular flange connected to the top of the body, the flange having outer straight side edges and an inner edge defining a circular upper opening of the container. The body has a planar bottom and a lower portion tapering from a generally cylindrical upper portion toward the bottom in a curved manner. The lower portion has a height h1 in some embodiments not less than 14 mm and the ratio h1/H is less than 2:5 where H is the height of the container. The side wall of the body has a thickness profile such that the average thickness of the lower portion is more than the average thickness of the upper portion. Several identical containers can be grouped in a pack with breakable junctions at the outer straight side edges. |
| US08919598B2 |
Vacuum insulation panel assembly
A vacuum insulation panel assembly having upper, lower, and first and second side vacuum insulation panels. The upper vacuum insulation panel has an aperture formed therethrough and an edge forming an overlap joint. The lower vacuum insulation panel also has an aperture formed therethrough and an edge forming an overlap joint. The first and second side vacuum insulation panels have an arcuate, half-cylindrical shape with a top edge forming an overlap joint configured to engage the overlap joint of the upper vacuum insulation panel, a bottom edge forming an overlap joint configured to engage the overlap joint of the lower vacuum insulation panel, and first and second side edges forming overlap joints configured to engage the overlap joints of the first and second side edges of the other side vacuum insulation panel. |
| US08919592B2 |
Cup lid with integrated container
Cup lid with integrated container(s) that couples with the top of a cup. The cup and cup lid form at least two containment volumes, Embodiments enable easy containment, inclusion of fresh food, transportation and access of solid or liquid in the container and cup without disengagement of the cup lid from the cup. Contents of the lid container may be accessed, partially consumed, replaced in the container and resealed at any time as desired by the user. Additionally, an independent drop-in container within the lid cavity may be resealed and removed from the lid cavity and taken to other locations such as home, work, or car. Simplifies eating and drinking from one unified container and cup in a theater or stadium having seats for example that provide one cup-holder per seat. Provides one free hand to hold a child's hand for safety while in stadiums and amusement parks. |
| US08919587B2 |
Plastic container with angular vacuum panel and method of same
A plastic container, sidewall portions, and method of same are described. The sidewall portion can accommodate a vacuum in a filled and sealed container and includes a plurality of columns extending between upper and lower ends of the sidewall portion, and a plurality of vacuum panels oriented vertically between respective adjacent ones of the columns, each vacuum panel including an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section, a first hinge connecting the upper and middle sections, and a second hinge connecting the middle and lower sections. The vacuum panels can move radially inward toward a container central axis such that the container vacuum is accommodated. As the vacuum panel moves radially inward, the middle section can maintain a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the central axis, and the upper and lower sections rotate about first and second hinges, respectively, and incline away from the central axis. |
| US08919586B2 |
Hoisting crane with hybrid portions
Hoisting crane (20), comprising a substantially hollow jib (24,-124; 324) having a longitudinal axis, and comprising one or more hoisting cable guides (47, 48, 49; 147; 347). The jib comprises at least one jib leg (29; 129; 329) extending between a jib connection member (26) and a jib hoisting end (27; 127; 327), wherein the at least one jib leg comprises one or more hybrid portions (160; 360) comprising two elongated hollow casings (170; 370) substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jib, and wherein between the two casings a truss (171 371) is provided to rigidly connect the two castings. |
| US08919583B2 |
Accessory merchandiser
An accessory merchandiser for displaying products. The accessory merchandiser includes a modular unit including a plurality of first members and a plurality of second members, wherein the first and second members form a grid structure, a plurality of indicator marks formed on each second member, and a plurality of coupling members configured to removably couple the modular unit to a fixture. The plurality of indicator marks form a marking grid. |
| US08919582B1 |
Modular changeover parts cart
Changeover parts are mountable on a modular changeover parts cart characterized by a cart frame having a plurality of rigidly interconnected beams supportable on wheels, and a suspension frame having a plurality of rigidly interconnected vertical struts and beams supportable on the cart frame. A first one of a plurality of mounting components is removably coupleable with the cart frame or the suspension frame for supporting one of a star wheel, a guide, or a timing screw. The first one of the plurality of mounting components is simultaneously orthogonally coupleable with the plurality of beams. The first one of the plurality of mounting components is replaceable by or combinable with a second one of the plurality of mounting components for supporting another of a star wheel, a guide, or a timing screw. |
| US08919580B2 |
Ergonomic merchandising system
A display apparatus for articles having substantially the same size comprises an inclined structure supporting the articles for sliding forward and rearward movement thereon. A first stop structure prevents forward movement of the articles beyond a first stop point. A second stop structure moves between first and second positions in which it, respectively, stops articles at a second stop point rearward of the first stop point, and permits articles to move forward past the second stop point. The second stop structure is biased so as to move toward the first position, and it moves to the second position when an article is at the first stop point, which allows a rearward article to slide forward past the second stop point. |
| US08919576B2 |
System for moving crates for storing objects in a warehouse
A system for moving crates in a warehouse, in which crates (C) to be moved are organized in supply modules (M), each made up of a predetermined number of rows each having a predetermined number of crates. The system includes a translator device (1) for rows of crates that brings about the movement of at least one row of crates, so as to create at least one aisle (W) for passing between one row and another of the module, in which it is possible to gain access through a crates manipulator (3), which is able to move along the module and through the aisles. |
| US08919575B2 |
Bitumen froth storage and separation using an improved froth tank
The invention is directed to a process for separating bitumen froth into an upper bitumen-rich, reduced-solids layer, and a lower concentrated solids layer using a cone-bottomed, raked froth tank. The process involves introducing bitumen froth into the froth tank; rotating at least one movable picket through the bitumen froth; recovering the upper bitumen-rich, reduced-solids layer; and withdrawing the lower concentrated solids layer from the tank. |
| US08919568B2 |
Screening for classifying a material
A screening having a plurality of warp elements. The plurality of warp elements includes first and second warp elements each having a plurality of undulations oriented in any desired manner including but not limited to horizontal or vertical. At least one retaining member is operably associated with the plurality of warp elements to form an integral screen segment having a plurality of openings. The first warp element has at least one characteristic different from the second warp element to prevent blinding of the screen segment. The at least one characteristic affecting movement of the first warp element and the second warp element when the screen segment is used to classify material such that at least one of amplitude and frequency of movement of the first warp screening element is different from that of the second warp element when subjected to the same operating condition. |
| US08919567B2 |
Screen cloth for vibrating or stationary screens
An impact screen cloth for use in a screening device for screening out oversize objects in a material flowing in a direction is provided, comprising a metal plate having a perimeter and comprising a plurality of openings therethrough and forming a grid having longitudinal ligaments substantially parallel to the direction of the material flow and transverse ligaments substantially perpendicular to the direction of the material flow; and a number of longitudinal wear bars positioned on an equal number of longitudinal ligaments to cover a substantial portion of the number of longitudinal ligaments without substantially interfering with the openings. |
| US08919566B2 |
Method of sorting particulate matter
A method of sorting particulate matter comprises creating an unconstrained monolayer feed stream of particulate matter moving with an initial first trajectory in a gaseous medium, and subjecting the monolayer feed stream while in the gaseous medium to a magnetic field of sufficient strength to influence the trajectory of at least some particles in the feed stream to cause a spread of particle trajectories from the first trajectory. The particles are subsequently sorted and/or collected on the basis of their trajectories. |
| US08919549B1 |
Cellular shield case with twistable cover
The invention relates to carrying cases for wireless devices including cell phones, wireless tablets and laptop PC's which provide EMF shielding for the user. The wireless devices are inserted into a case comprising EMF shielding material and a cover including shielding material is flipped thereover to provide further radiation protection. The case involves several embodiments such as a flat flip case, a fixed bent edging flip case and a flexible folding edge flip case. A flip type case shielded cover added to existing wireless device open faced skin covers. Another embodiment of the invention involves a wireless device pocket shield wherein a shielded insulation envelope having a wireless device placed therein is dropped into an apparel pocket. |
| US08919545B2 |
Desiccating container
A desiccating container is provided in the present invention. The desiccating container includes an outer can having a cap; a first inner can having an outer side and configured in the outer can, wherein there is a gap provided between the outer can and the first inner can; and a second inner can circularly configured in the outer side and in the gap, and dividing the gap into an inner gap and an outer gap, wherein the first inner can is one of an insert and a desiccating element, and the second inner can is the other one thereof. |
| US08919544B2 |
Holder for portable electronic device
A holder includes a first outer sheet, a second outer sheet, and a handled portion. A base portion, a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion are formed on the second outer sheet. A latching piece is formed on the base portion, the latching piece having a bendable portion. The first supporting portion is folded relative to the base portion, and the second supporting portion is folded relative to the first supporting portion until the second supporting portion is held by the latching piece, the base portion, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion cooperatively form a three-dimensional structure that can support the portable electronic device at an angle relative to the second outer sheet without collapsing. |
| US08919541B2 |
Quick-release conveyor belt containment device
A belt conveyor apparatus includes a conveyor frame with a belt support, a belt, a belt drive, and containment side members releasably attached to the conveyor frame. Specifically, a linear first slot and arcuate second slot on the conveyor frame engage permanently-attached first and second studs on the containment side members to allow rotational assembly of the containment side member to the conveyor frame. The path of engagement prevents the studs from being removed simultaneously from respective slots. As a result, the first and second studs will wedgingly bind and thus cannot be simultaneously pulled out of the first and second slots when the containment side member is biased toward a release direction. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US08919539B2 |
Roller drive and method for controlling a system
In a roller drive and a method for controlling a system, including a roller rotationally mounted on a roller support, an electric motor driving the roller is at least partially surrounded by the roller, such that a housing is formed, at least one sensor is disposed on the roller drive, and energy and/or data is transmittable contactlessly between the roller drive and the roller or a part co-rotatable with the roller. |
| US08919538B2 |
Armored face conveyor
An armored face conveyor includes a plurality of line pans positioned adjacent to one another, a plurality of flight bars, and a connecting member. Each line pan includes a race having an outer race face and an inner race face. The plurality of flight bars extend laterally across the line pans and are received by the race. Each flight bar includes an end having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface. The connecting member extends through the plurality of flight-bars and couples the flight-bars to one another. Lateral movement of any one of the flight-bars that causes the upper guide surface to contact the outer race face substantially simultaneously causes the lower guide surface to contact the inner race face. |
| US08919530B2 |
Short gap diverter
A short gap diverter for a conveyor includes a plurality of spaced apart belts for transferring a product from a speed up conveyor to a primary delivery conveyor. A secondary delivery conveyor is positioned above the transit conveyor. A first set of fingers is positioned between the belts and is moveable from a position below the plane determined by the upper surfaces of the belts to a second position above the plane and angled toward the secondary delivery conveyor. A second set of fingers is mounted on the secondary delivery conveyor and moveable from a first retracted position to an extended position with the extended fingers forming a bridge for directing alternate products to the secondary delivery conveyor. |
| US08919529B1 |
Dual-position chute for parcel handling
A dual position chute for parcel handling. In one embodiment, the device comprises a conveying track, an unloading station and a transition zone dual-position chute that is adapted to divert a package from an adjacent conveying track and between at least two substantially vertical discharge positions. In some examples, the chute includes an inlet, a positionable diverter door and at least one spatially-separated stationary diverter door that is downstream from the positionable diverter door. The system and chute provides for discharge of small parcels from an adjacent packing sorting conveyor. |
| US08919524B2 |
Object processing apparatus and financial apparatus
Provided are an object processing apparatus and a financial apparatus. The object processing apparatus comprises a motor, a shutter configured to close and open an object-entrance space, and a power transmission. The power transmission is configured to open or close the shutter according to operation of the motor and allow the shutter to be opened or closed by an external force when the motor is not operated. The power transmission transmits a driving force of the motor to the shutter without any electronic control. |
| US08919522B2 |
Wear indicator apparatus, system and method for conveyor transfer chutes
A wear indicator apparatus, system and method are provided for allowing wear information from an internal flow surface of a chute to be obtained from outside the chute so as not to require access to the interior thereof for wear inspection purposes. In one form, the wear indicator apparatus has a wear indicator portion that is configured to be fit into a through opening in the chute wall assembly. The wear indicator portion has a layer of wear material that is of the same material as an inner liner of the chute wall assembly, and a mounting portion that is configured to be removably fixed to an exterior surface of the wall assembly. Preferably, the wear indicator apparatus includes a removal mechanism connected to the mounting portion that is operated outside of the chute for retracting the wear indicator portion out from the wall assembly through opening. |
| US08919517B2 |
Clutch plate configuration and method
An annular core plate for a multiplate clutch assembly includes a main annular portion and an engagement annular portion extending from the main annular portion. The engagement annular portion has teeth extending therefrom. The teeth are thicker than the main annular portion. A multiplate clutch assembly is provided that includes at least one annular core plate or friction plate and at least one annular separator plate. A method of constructing at least one plate for a multiplate clutch assembly is also provided. The method includes forming an annular separator plate from sheet metal by removing a circular section from a separator plate main body portion of the sheet metal, removing a portion of the circular section to form teeth in the circular section, and attaching the circular section to an annular plate. |
| US08919516B2 |
Axially adjustable without play coupling between flywheel and reaction plate
A system (10) for coupling a drive shaft (12) of a motor vehicle and a coaxial transmission shaft (14A, 14B) is disclosed. The coupling includes a front friction clutch device (22) which comprises a rotary drive assembly (40) comprising a reaction plate (24). The coupling further includes a rear flywheel (20) coaxial to the drive assembly (40), which flywheel is designed to be connected in rotation to the drive shaft (12). The coupling further includes an element (54, 56) for connection in rotation of the flywheel (20) and the drive assembly (40) of the clutch device (22), which includes a first, male element (54) and a second, female element (56) which are designed to be fitted axially in a sliding manner. The elements (54, 56) are provided with fittings which are adjustable axially in a predetermined gap, in that a further element (60) is provided for circumferential clamping of the male element (54) into the female element (56) in a clamped state, the male (54) and female (56) elements being positioned and engaged without circumferential play, and in that the coupling includes additional (66, 68) fasteners for blocking the male (54) and female (56) elements rigidly in their clamped state. |
| US08919511B2 |
Starter motor and one way clutch
A starter motor includes an electric motor, a drive shaft driven by the motor and an inertia drive pinion which includes a driver in threaded engagement with the drive shaft, a pinion shaft rotatably sleeved on the drive shaft, an output pinion being able to rotate with the pinion shaft, and a one way clutch. At least one elastic member is arranged between the output pinion and the pinion shaft in the axial direction to resiliently support the output pinion to move along the pinion shaft. A one way clutch especially suitable for the starter motor was also disclosed. |
| US08919506B2 |
Vibration absorber
The present disclosure relates to a vibration absorber for a drive train of a motor vehicle, including an internal carrier which can be rotated around a rotation axis, a mass ring which is coaxial to the internal carrier and which is arranged at a radial distance from the internal carrier, and a plurality of spring elements which connect the internal carrier and the mass ring to each other. The mass ring has at least one radial profile formation on the inner circumferential surface thereof to provide sliding support in the circumferential direction and is provided with an elastomeric damping layer arranged between the internal carrier and the mass ring, the layer being designed such that the mass ring slides at least in the region of the at least one radial profile formation thereof in the circumferential direction on the internal carrier during a relative rotation. |
| US08919504B2 |
Brake actuator assembly with line replaceable motor features
An aircraft brake system electromechanical actuator is provided. The actuator is configured with features that allow the electric motor to be a line replaceable unit. One such feature is a foreign-object-damage shield that inhibits dust, debris, and/or other particulate contaminants from entering the electromechanical actuator during electric motor removal and replacement. |
| US08919503B2 |
Brake lining for railroad car
A brake lining for a railroad car brake includes friction members which are pressed onto the sliding surface of a brake disc, and a back plate which is attached to a brake caliper in order to support the friction members. The friction members are dividedly arranged in a radial direction and in a circumferential direction of the brake disc. A disc spring is disposed between each respective friction member and the back plate. An outer peripheral surface of the friction members facing the back plate is formed in a convex curved shape in an area outside the elastic member. When a light pressing force is applied, a pressing force is transmitted from the back plate to the friction members via the disc springs. When a heavy pressing force is applied, the back plate and a rounded surface portion make contact, thereby directly transmitting a pressing force to the friction members. |
| US08919502B2 |
Cord assembly for replacement of outer beam and carrier including the same
Disclosed herein are a cord assembly for replacement of an outer beam and a carrier including the same which may provide an improved degree of freedom in design and prevent damage to the carrier. The cord assembly for replacement of an outer beam, which is fastened to a carrier at which a pair of pad plates is installed to be movable forward and backward with pads attached to inner surfaces of the pad plates to be squeezed against a disc rotating together with a wheel of a vehicle, includes at least one cord having a predetermined stiffness and formed by twisting at least two steel wires and fasteners fastened to both ends of the at least one cord to be installed at coupling portions protruding respectively from both ends of the carrier. |
| US08919496B2 |
Suspension trauma relief strap assembly for use with a full body harness
A suspension trauma relief strap assembly comprises a sling and a housing. The sling includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The first end is looped back and secured onto itself proximate the intermediate portion to form a connector portion. The housing is operatively connected to the first end proximate the intermediate portion, and the housing includes a cavity configured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the intermediate portion. |
| US08919490B2 |
Power steering system
A power steering system for a vehicle comprises a lead screw which is driven by a servo motor and which is composed of a nut that is mounted axially non-displaceably in a frame, and an axially displaceable component, the thread of which is engaged with a thread of the nut, wherein the nut is mounted in the frame by a rolling bearing. At least one side of the rolling bearing is provided on an outer ring with at least one respective bearing disk, the side of which facing away from the outer ring is provided in the radial region of the outer ring with a ring or an annular component made of elastomeric material, wherein the ring protrudes in the axial direction over the outer surface of the respective bearing disk when the rolling bearing is not installed. |
| US08919488B2 |
Construction machine
Base end portions of a pair of engine support legs are welded to an upper frame in an exhaust duct. The pair of engine support legs extends to a notched portion of the exhaust duct from the base end portions to front end portions thereof. The front end portions project to the outside of the exhaust duct. The pair of engine support legs is connected to each other by a reinforcement plate arranged to close the notched portion of the exhaust duct. |
| US08919484B2 |
Drive arrangement for automobile
An automobile is provided with a body, a combustion engine and a transmission operationally connected to the engine. The crankshaft of the engine is substantially oriented in vehicle transverse direction and the engine seen in driving direction of the vehicle is arranged behind the transmission. |
| US08919479B1 |
Mechanism for propelling a vehicle
A second drive mechanism for a vehicle. The second drive mechanism includes a motor independent of the motor that propels the vehicle. The second drive mechanism may selectively engage the transmission to propel the vehicle in either forward or reverse direction at limited speeds. In addition, the second drive mechanism may include a safety catch configured to ensure the transmission of the vehicle remains in neutral as the mechanism propels the vehicle in forward or reverse direction at limited speeds. |
| US08919478B2 |
Bicycle drive unit
In accordance with a first aspect, a bicycle drive unit includes a first bottom bracket, a crank axle, and a first motor. The first bottom bracket is configured to be coupled to a first axial end of a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle. The crank axle is rotatably supported by the first bottom bracket with respect to a rotational axis. The crank axle has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first motor includes a first casing non-rotatably coupled to the crank axle, a second casing non-rotatably coupled to the bottom bracket shell, a first rotor having a first magnet disposed on the first casing, and a first stator non-rotatably coupled to the first bottom bracket. The first magnet and the first stator radially face with each other with respect to the rotational axis of the crank axle. |
| US08919475B2 |
Ground effect load transportation
A ground effect transport system comprising a plenum roof platform for location beneath a load carrying means, a skirt depending from the platform to form a plenum chamber with the platform, fan means on or in the platform for supplying air to the plenum chamber, wherein the skirt extends downwardly towards the ground surface and has a ground engaging support member for supporting the bottom of the skirt above the ground surface and a separate detachable sealing member for providing a seal between the bottom of the skirt and the ground surface. |
| US08919470B2 |
Grille shutter device
A grille shutter device adapted to be arranged at a front portion of a vehicle body, the grille shutter device including a main air inlet taking air to flow the air to a specific heat exchanger arranged in the vehicle body, a shutter mechanism arranged at the main air inlet, the shutter mechanism opening and closing to control a flow rate of the air flowing from the main air inlet to the specific heat exchanger, and a bypass air inlet allowing the air to bypass the shutter mechanism to guide the air to the specific heat exchanger. |
| US08919469B2 |
Ventilation system for engine and aftertreatment compartments and components
A ventilation system for a machine including an engine, an engine compartment having an interior, a secondary compartment having an interior, and a sensor. The ventilation system has a ventilation fan having a fan outlet, and a duct configured to direct air from the fan outlet to at least two of the interior of the engine compartment, the interior of the secondary compartment, and the sensor. |
| US08919466B2 |
Electric component arrangement structure of vehicle
A generator is provided at a front portion of an engine provided between a pair of front side frames at an offset position on one side, in a vehicle width direction, of a vehicle, and an electricity-storage device, a convertor, and a battery are provided on the other side, in the vehicle width side, of the vehicle. Accordingly, the electricity-storage device, the convertor, and the battery can be restrained from receiving any improper heat influence from the engine, and the length of harnesses coupling the generator, the electricity-storage device, the convertor, and the battery can be shortened as much as possible. |
| US08919461B2 |
Well tool having a nanoparticle reinforced metallic coating
A well tool is disclosed. The tool includes a first member having a surface that is configured for exposure to a well fluid, the first member comprising a metallic coating disposed on a substrate, the metallic coating having a plurality of dispersed nanoparticles disposed therein and providing the surface. The tool also includes a second member that is disposed in slidable engagement on the surface of the first member. In another exemplary embodiment, a well tool includes a first member having a surface that is configured for exposure to a well fluid, the first member comprising a metallic alloy, the metallic alloy having a plurality of dispersed nanoparticles disposed therein and providing the surface. |
| US08919457B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining axial forces on a drill string during underground drilling
An apparatus for determining the weight on a drill bit and axial forces along a drill string drilling though an earthen formation. The apparatus comprising an LVDT incorporated into a torsional bearing of a magneto-rheological damping system such that the LVDT senses the relative displacement and accelerations between a bearing mandrel portion and a bearing casing portion of the torsional damper. The LVDT is calibrated with respect to a spring in the damping system that resists relative motion between the bearing mandrel and bearing casing such that the output of the LVDT can be transformed into the force associated with the weight on the drill bit, and the same LVDT accelerations combined with the mass distribution along the drill string to determine axial stresses. |
| US08919456B2 |
Fastener setting algorithm for drill driver
An improved technique is presented for detecting when a fastener driven by a drill driver has reaches a desired stopping position. The improved techniques generally includes: sampling periodically current delivered to the electric motor; storing a sequence of current measures most recently sampled; and determining a slope for the sequence of current measures by way of linear regression. Transmission of torque to the output spindle can be interrupted based in part on the slope of the current measures. |
| US08919451B2 |
Varying pore size in a well screen
A method can include applying a magnetic field to a well screen, thereby varying sizes of pores via which fluid flows through the well screen. A well screen can include a magnetic shape memory material having a dimension which changes in response to application of a magnetic field. Restriction to flow through the well screen can vary in response to the change in dimension of the magnetic shape memory material. |
| US08919450B1 |
Collet connection insulation apparatus
A collet connection insulation apparatus has a frame having a first portion hingedly connected to a second portion such that the first and second portions are movable between an open position and a closed position, a first insulation section affixed to the first portion of the frame, a second insulation section affixed to the second portion of the frame, and a latch for locking the first and second portions of the frame in the closed position. The interior volume of the insulation sections is suitable for receiving the collet connection therein. The latch is slidably mounted on one portion of the frame so as to engage a sloted flange on another portion of the frame. The latch can be manipulated by a remotely-operated vehicle. |
| US08919448B2 |
Modular stress joint and methods for compensating for forces applied to a subsea riser
Modular stress joints usable to compensate for forces applied to a subsea riser or other structure include a base member and one or more additional members. Members having desired lengths can be selected such that the sum of the length of the base member and additional members defines a desired total length. Members having desired wall thicknesses can be selected such that a combination of the wall thicknesses of the base member and each additional member defines an overall wall thickness or stiffness. The total length, overall wall thickness, or both correspond to expected forces applied to the subsea riser or structure, such that the stress joint is adapted to compensate for the forces and prevent damage. The number or length of members used and their thickness or other characteristics can be varied to provide multiple lengths and stiffnesses, such that the stress joint is modular and reconfigurable. |
| US08919447B2 |
Undersea connector for connecting an oil installation, the connector being provided with an anti-disconnection device
The invention relates to an undersea connector for connecting an oil installation to the sea bottom, the connector being of the type presenting a first tubular element forming a female portion for fastening to the ocean bottom and a second tubular element forming a male portion for connection to the oil installation, wherein the connector comprises at least one anti-disconnection device for the connector, the device being housed in the female portion and comprising means for positioning the device in a first position in which the connector is capable of being disconnected, or else in a second position in which the connector cannot be disconnected. |
| US08919446B2 |
Compliant dart-style reverse-flow check valve
An apparatus usable with a well includes a gas lift valve having a check valve arrangement located between an annulus and a passageway of a tubing. The check valve arrangement is adapted to selectively allow fluid flow from the check valve arrangement from an inlet side of the check valve arrangement to an outlet side of the check valve arrangement, and is biased to prevent a leakage flow through the check valve arrangement from the outlet side to the inlet side. The check valve arrangement is defined by a valve element movable into and out of engagement with a valve seat wherein one of the valve element and the valve seat has a first sealing structure engageable with a second sealing structure on the other of the valve element and the valve seat. At least one of the first and second sealing surfaces include at least one pair of sealing members. |
| US08919445B2 |
Method and system for flow assurance management in subsea single production flowline
Method of managing hydrates in a subsea production system that includes a host production facility, one or more producers, one or more water injectors, a water injection line, and a single production line for directing production fluids from the producers to the host production facility. The method comprises placing a pig in the subsea production system, shutting in production from the producers, and injecting a displacement fluid into the subsea production system in order to displace production fluids in the production line. The method also includes applying electrically resistive heat along a selected portion of the single production line to maintain production fluids within the production line at a temperature above a hydrate formation temperature after production has been shut in. |
| US08919441B2 |
Method of intersecting a first well bore by a second well bore
A method and system for intersecting a first, cased well bore, includes forming a second well bore that extends to a region of the first, cased well bore to be intersected. A mill guiding device is positioned in the second well bore and a milling assembly is inserted into the second well bore. The milling assembly is guided along the mill guiding device and contacts an upper external shoulder of a casing coupling of a casing in the first, cased well bore. The mill preferentially removes material from a convex portion of the casing above and adjacent to the upper external shoulder the casing coupling; and removes material from the casing coupling and the adjacent casing until the first, cased well bore and the second well bore are fluidly connected. |
| US08919438B2 |
Detection and quantification of isolation defects in cement
A method for evaluating wellbore integrity including introducing a drill to a surface of a casing encompassing an annulus, enclosing the drill in a housing hydraulically isolating the surface, drilling through the casing and into cement surrounding the casing, observing a pressure of the fluid, and using the pressure observation and a drill position to evaluate a presence of a defect and a location of the defect. Apparatus for evaluating wellbore integrity including a probe comprising a drill, wherein the probe is hydraulically isolated from the wellbore, a valve that encompasses the drill, a pressure gauge to measure the pressure of the fluid within the housing, a pressure gauge to measure the pressure in the system outside the housing, and equipment to compare the pressure measurements and the position of the drill and to evaluate a presence and a location of the defect. |
| US08919434B2 |
System and method for fracturing of oil and gas wells
A system and method for fracturing a well, wherein the system can comprise a base pipe comprising an insert port capable of housing a stop ball partially within the chamber of it, and a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve can comprise a first sleeve with an in inner surface. That inner surface can comprise a void. The first sleeve can be maneuverable into two positions. In the first position, the void can rest on a surface of the base pipe not comprising an insert port. Such positioning can prevent a stop ball from exiting the chamber of the base pipe. In the second position, the void can rest over an insert port. Such positioning can allow the stop ball to the chamber of said the base pipe and to enter the void. |
| US08919432B1 |
Apparatus, system and method for reducing gas intake in horizontal submersible pump assemblies
An apparatus, system and method for reducing gas intake in horizontal submersible pump assemblies are described. A horizontal electric submersible pump (ESP) system for pumping gaseous fluid comprises a multi-stage centrifugal pump, an electric motor operatively coupled to the centrifugal pump, and an intake section upstream of the pump comprising a tapered core further comprising a sloped outer surface extending between a downstream side and an upstream side, a first intake port for the intake of well fluid in an ESP assembly, the first intake port located on a top portion of the tapered core and proximate to the downstream side, a gravity-actuated closing member moveably attached on the sloped outer surface, wherein the gravity-actuated closing member closes the first intake port, and a second intake port located on a bottom portion of the tapered core, the second intake port open to the well fluid. |
| US08919429B2 |
Single upset landing string running system
Systems, apparatus, and methods for longitudinally moving or running a tubular, with the system including an elevator suspended from a rig. The elevator includes a body defining a bore to receive a tubular and wedges defining channels therebetween, with the wedges being configured to engage the tubular. The system may also include a spider including a body defining a bore to receive the tubular and wedges defining channels therebetween. The wedges of the spider may be configured to engage the tubular, and the wedges of the elevator may be configured to slide axially at least partially in the channels of the spider. The wedges of the spider may be configured to slide axially at least partially in the channels of the elevator. |
| US08919428B2 |
Methods for attaching carbon nanotubes to a carbon substrate
Vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNT) arrays have been simultaneously synthesized at relatively low growth temperatures (i.e., <700° C.) on both sides of aluminum foil via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The resulting CNT arrays were highly dense, and the average CNT diameter in the arrays was approximately 10 nm, A CNT TIM that consist of CNT arrays directly and simultaneously synthesized on both sides of various types of foil has been fabricated. The TIM is insertable and allows temperature sensitive and/or rough substrates to be interfaced by highly conductive and conformable CNT arrays. The use of foil, including substrates fabricated from carbon (CNT woven arrays, exfoliated graphite sheets, bucky paper, and the like) is disclosed. |
| US08919426B2 |
Micro-channel pulsating heat pipe
A heat pipe device and a corresponding method in which micro-channel embedded pulsating heat pipes are incorporated into a substrate. A volume of fluid in a vacuum is introduced into a micro-channel which will become slugs of liquid. Heating of the contents of the micro-channel at an evaporator region (heat source) will cause vaporization within the micro-channel and cooling at a heat sink will cause condensation within the micro-channel, acting to both drive fluid flow within the micro-channel and efficiently transfer heat. Such devices could be used in a number of different configurations, including one as a stacked set of micro-channel embedded substrates. |
| US08919425B2 |
Flow control valve and heat exchanger equipped with same
A heat exchanger divided into two regions through which a heat exchange medium is flowed and an inlet side and an outlet side are integrally formed so as to simplify a construction thereof using a header tank of a double-tube structure type, and in which a flow control valve having a single body is disposed at one side of the heat exchanger so as to facilely control an amount of the heat exchange medium bypassed or flowed into each region. |
| US08919424B2 |
Semiconductor element cooling structure
A semiconductor element cooling structure includes a semiconductor element, a heat sink on which the semiconductor element is mounted, and a heat storage member attached to the semiconductor element in a manner to be located opposite to the heat sink with respect to the semiconductor element and having a case and a latent heat storage material. |
| US08919423B2 |
Heat dissipating device
A heat dissipating device includes a base, a heat dissipating fin and a protruding member. The heat dissipating fin includes a heat dissipating portion, a fixing portion fixed in the base, and a first overflow-proof structure. The first overflow-proof structure is connected between the heat dissipating portion and the fixing portion. A width of the first overflow-proof structure is larger than a width of the heat dissipating portion. A first hole is formed on the heat dissipating portion and the first overflow-proof structure. The protruding member includes a second overflow-proof structure and a first protruding portion protruding from an upper surface of the second overflow-proof structure. The protruding member is disposed in the first hole, and a lower surface of the second overflow-proof structure and a lower surface of the first overflow-proof structure are coplanar. |
| US08919417B2 |
Head rail of window covering and lid fastener
A head rail of a window covering includes a rail member, two rail lids engaging opposite ends of the rail member, and two lid fasteners to fix a rail lids. The lid fastener includes a main plate, two clip plates, and two stop plates. The lid fastener engages the rail member with the clip plates clipping the rail member and the stop plates holding the rail lid to securely fix the rail lid to the rail member. The lid fastener provides a fast and easy way to engage and disengage the rail lid. |
| US08919416B2 |
Apparatus for raising and lowering covering member of window covering
An apparatus for raising and lowering a covering member of a window covering includes a sliding base, a first biasing device, a connecting device, and a second biasing device. The sliding base is moved between a first position and a second position in a headrail. The first biasing device has two first biasing members to urge the sliding base toward the first position. The connecting device is moved between a third position and a fourth position in the headrail. The second biasing device has a second biasing member to urge the connecting device toward the third position. The second biasing member of the second biasing device is added at a middle of raising the covering member to help the covering member totally received close to or in the headrail. |
| US08919415B1 |
Curtain closure system having impact resistant tension bar
A roll-up curtain closure system having an impact resistant tension rod, wherein the system includes at least one flexible curtain having a first end fixedly attached adjacent a portal along a first end thereof and a second end folded back on itself to define a pocket opening towards the portal first end, an elongated tension rod captured within the pocket, and a curtain driving mechanism operably connected to the curtain second end for varying the height of the pocket. The elongated tension rod comprises an inner flexible fiberglass bar surrounded by an outer soft closed cell foam material, whereby the tension rod is flexible to bend in response to impact force and is resilient to return to its original position after the impact force is removed. |
| US08919413B2 |
System and method for processing a tire-wheel assembly
An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one linear mounter sub-station that couples the tire with the wheel for forming the tire-wheel assembly. The apparatus also includes a transporting device that transports one of the wheel and the tire along a linear path that traverses the at least one linear mounter sub-station. The component of the at least one linear mounter sub-station resists, but does not prevent, movement of one of the tire and the wheel relative the other of the tire and the wheel along the linear path in order to spatially manipulate one of the tire and the wheel relative the other of the tire and the wheel in order to at least partially couple the tire with the wheel for forming the tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed. |
| US08919411B2 |
Sealing jaw for sealing a packaging material using ultrasound
A sealing jaw for sealing a packaging material using ultrasound is provided. Said sealing jaw comprises energy directing means (28) which, for sealing purposes, can be brought in contact with an opposite surface (26) via the packaging material and which have a substantially grid-shaped or rhomboidal sealing profile (36). |
| US08919410B2 |
Small flat composite placement system
A fiber placement system for producing small sized flat laminates having a length and width that extends in the X and Y axes, and a constant height measured in the Z-axis includes a fixed creel for delivering fiber used by the system, and a fixed bracket attached to the creel. A fiber placement head is supported by the fixed bracket and a movable table for supporting a tool is positioned under the fiber placement head. The fiber placement head is fixed in the X, Y, and Z-axis during the application of fiber to the tool. |
| US08919409B2 |
Dockable cut clamp and restart mechanism for a fiber placement head
A fiber placement machine has a fiber placement head and a K-axis housing that is supplied with fiber tow from a creel. The fiber placement head is mounted on the front of the K-axis housing. The fiber placement head has a compaction roller and a cut, clamp, and restart mechanism positioned adjacent to the compaction roller that receives fiber tow from the K-axis housing. A separable coupling connects the fiber placement head to the K-axis housing, whereby the fiber placement head may be disconnected from the K-axis housing for docking purposes. |
| US08919408B2 |
Pre-fixing a laminating material on a component surface
A method and a device are provided for pre-fixing a laminating material to at least one surface portion of a component, in particular an interior lining component for a motor vehicle, which is arranged on a component receptacle 5. Here, a seam blade which can be acted on with different contact pressures is, by means of a pivoting movement from a position arranged offset from the component receptacle, applied with a pivoting movement to the laminating material placed onto and aligned on the component. |
| US08919406B2 |
Bonding apparatus
The bonding apparatus 1 includes a leading end support part 10 that restricts a leading end 201 of the second plate-like member 200 from moving in an up and down direction, a trailing end support part 20 that restricts a trailing end 202 of the second plate-like member 200 from moving in an up and down direction, and an intermediate support part 40 that moves in the same direction as a bonding roller 30 while supporting the second plate-like member 200 at an intermediate point between the trailing end 202 and a bonding position P that is pressed by the bonding roller 30. When the bonding roller 30 is moving, the trailing end support part 20 keeps supporting the trailing end 202 at a lower position than the leading end 201, and the intermediate support part 40 keeps supporting the intermediate point of the second plate-like member 200 at a position lower than the leading end 201 but higher than the trailing end 202. |
| US08919404B2 |
Rubber composition for tread groove reinforcement
The present invention relates to a rubber composition comprising at least one rubber component, between about 50 phr and about 120 phr of a filler, wherein at least 20 phr of the filler is a high surface area carbon black. Further, the composition comprises between 10 phr and 30 phr of a phenolic resin. The present invention is further directed to a tire tread or a tire comprising such a composition. |
| US08919400B2 |
Tool and method for tire traction device installation
A tool connected to a traction chain or another traction device serves as an extension/guide for leading and pulling the chain onto a tire. An elongated belt of the tool is placed around the tire tread and attached to the leading end of the chain. As the vehicle is moved a short distance, friction between the tire and belt (and capture of the belt between the tire and the ground/road) draw the belt and hence the tire traction chain around the circumference of the tire on which the belt is placed and/or onto adjacent tire(s). A stretcher/expander at another location(s) on the chain fully-expands the chain during installation. The preferred tool is easier to lift and manipulate than the chain and need not be positioned or manipulated in the space behind the tire (away from the user) or in the space between dual tires. |
| US08919399B2 |
Tire tread
Tread band for a tire having a tread surface and comprising a plurality of recesses of total depth H* opening onto the tread surface, each recess comprising at least two cavities of a first type of cavities, each of these cavities of a first type being delimited by a main wall and having a depth Hi, the main wall of each cavity of the first type is such that its intersection with a virtual surface parallel to the running surface in the new condition and passing through the points of the said wall that are furthest towards the outside of the tread forms an exterior contour that is closed and of length Ce, the main wall of each cavity of the first type is such that its intersection with a virtual surface parallel to the running surface in the new condition and passing through the points of the main wall furthest towards the inside of the tread forms an interior contour which is closed and of length of length Ci, this tread band being characterized in that the cavities of a first type are arranged at different levels in a direction oriented from the tread surface towards the inside of the tread strip, and in that the length Ce of the exterior contour of a cavity is greater than the length Ci of the interior contour of the same cavity. |
| US08919398B2 |
Pneumatic tire for two-wheeled vehicle
A center block and a second block that satisfy h1/H=0.05 to 0.4 and w1/W=0.05 to 0.4 are formed on a tread, where H is the block height, h1 is the drop in height of a chamfered part, w1 is the breadth of the chamfered part and W is the length of the block tread in a circumferential direction. When traveling on hard pavement, the chamfered part of the block contacts the hard pavement first and, compared to a case in which an edge that does not have a chamfered part contacts a hard pavement, the ground-contact surface area can be increased and steering stability on hard pavement can be improved. Further, in rough terrain, resistance received from a road surface at the time of ground contact is reduced, travel resistance is suppressed and steering stability is improved. |
| US08919392B2 |
Container filling assembly
A container filling assembly includes a plurality of fluid storage containers, and a fluid inlet for supplying a fluid from a fluid source to the containers. A vacuum source creates a vacuum in the containers to draw the fluid into the containers and thereby fill the containers. A connective structure connects the vacuum inlet and the fluid inlet in fluid communication with the containers. |
| US08919387B2 |
High strength thread for tubular composites
Herein disclosed is a mechanism for providing high load capabilities in downhole locations. The mechanism comprises tubulars, at least one of which is constructed from composite; and the tubular composite being for high load capabilities in connecting the tubulars. In some cases, there are at least two tubulars in the mechanism. In some cases, the mechanism comprises a thread form, which thread form is mounted to translate an axially directed force into a radially directed force. In some cases, the high load capabilities include a load bearing flank angle of 15° to 50° as measured from the axis of said tubular. In some cases, the high load capabilities include a clearance flank angle of 15° or less as measured perpendicular to the axis of said tubular. In some cases, at least one of the tubulars includes a thread pitch, having from 2 to 12 threads per inch. |
| US08919385B2 |
Manifold plates and fluid treatment arrangements including manifold plates
A manifold plate and a filtration arrangement including a manifold plate which comprises a body having a mounting region on the exterior of the body and first and second fluid channels extending within the body. The mounting region has at least one first opening and at least one second opening. At least one first fluid passageway fluidly couples the first opening to the first fluid channel and at least one second passageway fluidly couples the second opening to the second fluid channel. One or more filtration units may be mounted to the mounting region in fluid communication with the first and second openings of the manifold plate. |
| US08919383B2 |
Device and method for manipulating a liquid
The invention relates to a device and method for manipulating a liquid in a channel, wherein a body, which forms a capillary intermediate space with respect to the channel wall, is moved in the channel and the channel is filled with liquid only up to the body. Preferably, the body can also bridge an area of the channel that cannot be wetted for the liquid. |
| US08919378B2 |
Compact electrically controlled four-way valve with port mixing
A compact four-way fluid flow control valve wherein an inlet port and three outlet ports are all disposed on the sidewall of a manifold. A valve core is rotatably disposed within the manifold, and has first and second core openings. Annular seals are disposed at blind portions of the sidewall of the valve core in non-circumscribing relation to the core openings and in abutting relation to the manifold. Rotation of the valve core with respect to the manifold provides selected fluid flow to any of the outlet ports, as well as a trickle flow at a selected outlet port and fluid mixing between selected outlet ports. |
| US08919373B2 |
Valve
A valve (101) that can be used as a pressure limiter, for example in a sanitary supply line. The valve (101) according to the invention includes a valve housing (1), a fluid line piece (2) being provided in the housing interior thereof, the downstream side circumferential edge area thereof forming a valve seat (3) for a valve body (4), wherein the valve body (4) can be displaced between an open position and a closed position, in which closed position the valve body (4) acts on the downstream circumferential edge area of the fluid line piece (2), by the pressure of the fluid flowing in through the fluid line piece (2) on one side, and a downstream side pressure acting on the valve body (4) opposite to the regular flow-through direction on the other side. |
| US08919368B2 |
Self-locking T-piece
A self-locking T-piece connects an attachment to a breathing gas line. The self-locking T-piece has a line section (2), a connection line (4) branching off therefrom, a movable valve body (10) with a valve disk (12), and a valve seat (14). The valve body (10) is prestressed by a spring (16) into a position to seal the connection line (4) against the line section (2), with the valve disk in the valve seat, and moves out of the sealing position when connecting the attachment to the connection line. The valve body (10) is elastically deformable such that it can be advanced through the connection line (4) and the valve seat (14), while undergoing elastic deformation, and returns to its original shape during the entry of valve disk (12) into the line section, in which it has a sufficient extension to be able to cover the valve seat for sealing. |
| US08919363B1 |
Collapsible stacking rack
A collapsible stacking rack is constructed of end assemblies and friction-fit crossmembers. The crossmembers feature slots that engage in slots formed between the vertical members of the end assembles and turn-ups on the ends of horizontal members of the end assemblies. As a result, a box-like construction results from simply fitting the crossmembers into place, resulting in a strong rack that may be easily disassembled for storage or transport without tools or connectors. An optional roof formed of truss assemblies may be fitted into place and connected to the side assemblies by means of sleeves. Such roof is held in place by gravity, such that it may be easily removed or fitted into place as desired. A pliable fabric material is fitted over the truss assemblies to protect material within the stacking rack. |
| US08919359B2 |
Method for sterilizing a container and 3-fluid nozzle used for carrying out the method
For reducing time required for sterilizing a container by hydrogen peroxide, mitigating a cost required therefore, simplifying a sterilizing apparatus, reducing space for installing such apparatus, and mitigating load to the environment, a method for sterilizing a container is provided according to which hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution, air at the normal temperature and hot air are simultaneously injected into a container whereby the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution which has been turned to minute droplets by the air at the normal temperature is instantly gasified. |
| US08919354B2 |
Magnetic headband
Methods and devices are provided for various headbands and one or more decorative features configured to be magnetically attached to the headbands. In certain embodiments, a decorative feature can magnetically attach to any part of a headband via a magnetic element seated within a magnetic element pocket of the decorative feature. The magnetic element can be securely contained within the magnetic element pocket by a closure. In certain embodiments the decorative feature can also optionally include a sleeve that can slide over the headband and more securely attach the decorative feature to the headband. |
| US08919352B2 |
Hair iron
Described is a hair iron comprising first and second side members pivotally connected at adjacent first ends thereof. A first heating plate is provided on a first surface of the first side member, and a second heating plate is provided on a first surface of the second side member such that moving the first and second side members to a closed position engages a section of hair between the first and second heating plates. Second ends of the first and second side members are tapered to aid separating the section of hair by sliding the hair iron longitudinally into the hair. Opposed first and second longitudinal edges of the first surfaces of the first and second side members are each curved such that the first longitudinal edges are concave in shape. |
| US08919344B2 |
Positive airway pressure system with head position control
The invention is directed to a positive airway pressure (PAP) system with a head mounted harness assembly with a housing and a head position sensor located within or secured to the housing that detects the position of a patient's head, and communicates this head position information to a controller of the system which may be disposed within the housing having the position sensor or a second housing. The controller varies the output pressure of the pressure source, e.g. a rotary compressor, based, at least in part, on the head position information provided by the head position sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the position sensor is an accelerometer. |
| US08919343B2 |
Respirator with active dehumidification
A respirator with active dehumidification of the breathing gas has a breathing gas cooler in the form of a Peltier element (16), whose warm side is arranged in the inspiration line 7 and whose cold side (18) is arranged in the expiration line 12. |
| US08919340B2 |
Hand-held potassium super oxide oxygen generating apparatus
An oxygen generating apparatus that includes a container containing potassium super oxide, an inhale valve, and an inhale valve filter between the potassium super oxide and the inhale valve. The filter is configured to prevent particles having a diameter of 10 μm from passing through the filter, and to neutralize KOH and KO2 particles having a diameter of less than 10 μm that contact the filter into a food grade compound. |
| US08919336B2 |
Radiant gas burner unit
An improved radiant gas burner unit is provided having a shallow base with long walls and shorter walls. The shallow base supports a radiant gas burner plate or plates having openings therethrough, and forming an external surface of the base for emitting high temperature gas radiation. At least three mixing tubes are provided aligned with the shorter wall, and having two open ends. The first open end is positioned within the base and the second open end is positioned adjacent corresponding openings formed through the long wall of the base. A gas supply line extends along the long wall and has gas outlets for ejecting gas across an open air gap positioned intermediate the gas outlet and the second open end of the mixing tubes. The ejected gas is mixed with air as it crosses the air gap, and is provided to the openings of the radiant gas burner plate for combustion which produces high temperature radiation on the radiant gas burner plate and external surface of the base. |
| US08919332B2 |
Compound bow
A compound bow comprises at least one limb that extends continuously between opposed rotatable members. In some embodiments, the bow comprises a second limb that extends continuously between the opposed rotatable members. In some embodiments, the limbs are parallel to one another. |
| US08919331B2 |
Portable and adjustable clay target launching apparatus
A portable and adjustable clay target launching apparatus for use with a clay pigeon launcher includes a framework. A tilt adjustment assembly is coupled to the framework, and includes a shaft and a tilt assembly input member operatively coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is rotated by operation of the tilt assembly input member. A base member is configured to secure the clay pigeon launching device, the base member being operatively coupled to the shaft and configured to tilt side to side when the shaft is rotated by operation of the tilt assembly input member. A rotational adjustment assembly operatively couples the base member to the tilt adjustment assembly, the rotational adjustment assembly being movable between a released configuration at which the base member is selectively rotatable about a sprocket and a locked configuration at which the base member is not rotatable. |
| US08919320B2 |
Engine having oil pump
In an engine having an oil pump wherein an oil filter is incorporated into the oil pump without allowing the oil pump to become large in size. An oil pump and a hydraulic line changeover valve including a spool valve are disposed so as to have axes extending in parallel with each other. The oil pump has a plate-shaped oil filter disposed at a discharge port thereof. The plate-shaped oil filter is curved arcuately along an outer periphery of a pump rotor as viewed from a pump axial direction. |
| US08919319B2 |
Piston for internal combustion engine
Provided is an aluminum alloy piston for an internal combustion engine. In the internal combustion engine, the piston moves back and forth in a sleeve made of grey cast iron or an aluminum alloy. Further, the piston, which is made from silver, silver alloy, copper, or copper alloy, is provided with a film that covers the scoring that is formed on the piston skirt and there are undulations in the surface of the film, formed from protrusions and depressions. There is a difference of 8-15 μm between the lowest point of the depressions and the highest point of the protrusions. The pitch of adjacent protrusions corresponds to the pitch of projections in the scoring. In addition, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of the protrusion peaks does not exceed 60 nm. |
| US08919312B2 |
Impact dampening tappet
A valve assembly is provided herein. The valve assembly may include a valve stem coupled to a coil spring and an impact dampening tappet partially enclosing the spring and valve stem and in contact with a cam, the impact dampening tappet including an exterior metal layer having a cam contacting surface and an interior elastomeric layer traversing at least a portion of the interior surface of the exterior metal layer. |
| US08919310B2 |
Valve open/close timing control device
Provided is a valve open/close timing control device including, a drive-side rotating body, a driven-side rotating body, a fluid pressure chamber, a partition portion, a fluid control valve part, a first locking mechanism which is capable of restraining a relative rotational phase of the driven-side rotating body relative to the drive-side rotating body at a first predetermined phase between a most retarded angle phase and a most advanced angle phase, and a second locking mechanism which is capable of restraining the relative rotational phase at a second predetermined phase on a more retarded angle side than the first predetermined phase, in which the relative rotational phase is changed to the first predetermined phase when a shift lever position is changed to a parking range. |
| US08919308B2 |
Clutch shaft, actuator, camshaft adjustment transmission and camshaft controller
A clutch shaft for a camshaft controller having at each of two ends (30, 31) thereof a rotating joint which equalizes the angle between the axes. An actuator for controlling a camshaft adjustment transmission includes a clutch shaft for controlling the camshaft adjustment transmission to the actuator via a first rotating joint which equalizes the angle between the axes which is coupled in a region of the actuator which faces away from the adjustment transmission. |
| US08919307B2 |
Valve train system for providing continuously variable valve lift
A valve train system includes a camshaft with a camshaft lobe that is rotatable about a camshaft axis. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis and includes an eccentric control shaft slot. An input rocker engages the camshaft lobe and has a rocker slot. An output rocker engages a valve actuation member which is engaged with a combustion valve. A rocker pivot shaft has a rocker pivot shaft axis and is fixed to the output rocker and extends through both the control shaft slot and the rocker slot. Rotation of the camshaft causes the input rocker and the output rocker to pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and rotation of the control shaft changes the magnitude that the input rocker and the output rocker pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and also changes the magnitude of opening the combustion valve. |
| US08919305B2 |
Cylinder for a combustion engine and a method for making the same
A cylinder (2) for a combustion engine has a cylinder bore (42) and a cylinder wall (43). At least one channel is formed in the cylinder wall (43). At least one cover (19), which at least partially closes the channel on the side facing away from the cylinder bore (42), is arranged on the cylinder (2). A very precise channel geometry which can be easily manufactured is achieved in that a first stop (25) is formed in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder between the cylinder (2) and the cover (19) and a second stop (33) is formed in the tangential direction with respect to the cylinder bore (42), with the cover (19) resting on the cylinder (2) at the first stop (25) and at the second stop (33). In the method, the cover (19) is arranged on the cylinder (2) in a first direction (41) radial to the cylinder bore (42) and the cover (19) is shifted in a second direction (40) which is parallel to a plane which is approximately peripherally to the cylinder bore (42) and parallel to the longitudinal cylinder axis (45), until the cover (19) rests on the cylinder (2) at the first stop (25) and at the second stop (33). |
| US08919303B2 |
Multi-cylinder spark ignition engine
An exhaust manifold has a plurality of branched exhaust passages connected to respective exhaust ports of individual cylinders; a plurality of first collector segments each of which joins the branched exhaust passages for the cylinders which are not adjacent in the exhaust order sequence; a plurality of middle exhaust passages connected to the downstream of the first collector segments, respectively; and a second collector segment that joins the middle exhaust passages. In at least low and middle speed ranges in a high load region of the engine, a valve opening time of an exhaust valve is changed according to the engine speed so that a predetermined amount of a valve overlap period is ensured and that negative pressure waves from exhaust pressure pulses reach an exhaust port during the valve overlap period in a plurality of engine speed ranges. |
| US08919302B2 |
Cooling structure for internal combustion engine
A spacer arranged inside a water jacket which is formed to surround peripheries of cylinder bores in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine includes support legs extending in an up-and-down direction from a spacer main body part which partitions the water jacket into an upper and lower cooling water passages. The support legs are disposed in opposite end portions in a cylinder row line direction, where the temperatures of the cylinder bores tend to be lower. Accordingly, even if the flow of cooling water is more or less inhibited by the support legs and the cooling effect deteriorates, it is possible to prevent the temperatures of the respective cylinder bores from becoming different by suppressing the influence to a minimum. |
| US08919300B2 |
Vehicle with fan unit producing an amplified air flow to a heat exchanger
A vehicle includes a heat exchanger which is disposed in a cooling system, and a fan unit which forms part of a radiator grille and is constructed to generate an air flow through the heat exchanger. The fan unit has at least one fan which is constructed to generate a primary air flow, and a ring element which is constructed to generate from the primary air flow an amplified secondary air flow to the heat exchanger. |
| US08919290B2 |
Motivational toy for a pet
The present invention relates to a toy for motivating or training a pet, comprising a first outer shell section (2) and a second outer shell section (2′), said first and second shell sections (2,2′) being arranged to create a space between themselves, and further comprising an entry opening (21, 21′), preferably comprising a raised section (29, 29′) that extends into said space, and said toy also comprising at least one exit opening (22-24′), each of said entry and exit openings (22-24′) being arranged to connect said space to a surrounding of said toy (1), characterized in said toy (1) being arranged to provide at least two different paths through said space from said entry opening (21, 21′) to said exit opening (22-24′), said at least two paths being provided by means of at least one ridge (32), preferably fixed to said shell section (2, 2′), said ridge defining a limited transversal opening, wherein said ridge (32) and opening respectively are arranged to provide a maze like path for transversal movement of an object from said entry opening (21, 21′) to said exit opening (22-24′). The invention also relates to a method for motivating or training a pet using a toy. |
| US08919289B2 |
Poultry rearing process
This invention relates to a process of rearing poultry. The process comprises the steps of housing the poultry in a heated poultry shed, collecting poultry litter from the poultry shed, thermally treating the poultry litter and harnessing heat generated by the thermally treated poultry litter, and heating the poultry shed using the harnessed heat. In this way, the poultry litter may be used to heat the poultry in the shed and other expensive fuels will not have to be purchased to carry out this task, thereby reducing the operating cost of the poultry rearing process. Furthermore, the poultry litter will be available in an abundant supply. Due to the fact that the fuel is so readily available, it is possible to preheat the sheds to the ideal temperature prior to receiving the poultry and ventilate the poultry sheds both of which will result in the poultry thriving. |
| US08919288B2 |
Animal feeding apparatus and methods of use
Animal feeding apparatuses that include a plurality of protrusions extending into a feeding well. The protrusions clean the teeth or gums of an animal as it feeds from the feeding well. Also described herein are methods of cleaning an animal's teeth with such a bowl and animals that feed from such a bowl. |
| US08919287B2 |
Housing for animal feedstuff
A housing for animal feedstuff including a base, a roof extending over the base, uprights spaced apart from one another and extending between the base and the roof, and a container locatable between the uprights for containing feedstuff. Livestock, such as cattle, access feedstuff within the container by way of spaces between the uprights. In an embodiment, the uprights are telescopic and the roof can be pivoted between raised and lowered positions relative to the uprights. |
| US08919284B2 |
Animal bed
An animal bed includes a plurality of elongate frame members, a plurality of corner fittings coupling the plurality of elongate frame members to form a frame, bedding supported by the frame, and at least one support supporting the frame above an underlying substrate. Each of at least first and second corner fittings among the plurality of corner fittings has a passage formed therethrough that receives therein a corresponding one of the elongate frame members. |
| US08919276B2 |
Assembly structure of display device and assembly method of the display device
An assembly structure of a display device according to the present invention is a structure in which a liquid crystal indicator is assembled to a meter body including a case having a ring-like peripheral wall, a dial arranged on a front surface side of the case, a pointer that moves on the dial, and a movement that is provided in the case and drives the pointer. In the peripheral wall of the case, an indicator insertion opening is formed, through which it is possible to insert and detach the liquid crystal indicator into and from between the movement and the dial. |
| US08919274B1 |
Submersible vehicle with high maneuvering cyclic-pitch postswirl propulsors
A submersible vehicle with increased payload and energy savings, more particularly, a submersible vehicle, which may be an unmanned underwater vehicle, with high maneuvering cyclic-pitch postswirl propulsors. The high maneuvering cyclic-pitch postswirl propulsor arrangements are a bow thrust vectoring arrangement and a stern thrust vectoring arrangement. The bow thrust vectoring arrangement is a two-part arrangement having a forward/reverse element and a turning element. Similarly, the stern thrust vectoring arrangement is also a two-part arrangement having a forward/reverse element and a turning element. |
| US08919271B2 |
Guide means having tolerance compensation for sewing decorative elements
The invention relates to a guiding device for guiding an oblong intermediate element while joining at least two decorative elements by means of this intermediate element. |
| US08919268B2 |
Sewing machine needle bar changing device
A sewing machine needle bar changing device includes a needle bar case having multiple needle bar holes, each of which receives a needle bar and has at least one longitudinal slide way formed on one side thereof; a needle bar case holder located at one side of the needle bar case and having a control guide way, which is engaged with the needle bars and has a longitudinal opening; a needle bar guide member engaged with one needle bar that is moved to a sewing position to align with the longitudinal opening, and brought by a crank link of the sewing machine to move upward and downward synchronously with the engaged needle bar; and a driving mechanism for moving and then holding a selected needle bar to the sewing position. All other needle bars not in the sewing position are restricted by the control guide way from moving axially. |
| US08919265B2 |
Gasifier having a slag breaker and method of operating the same
A gasifier comprises an internal chamber, a slag collection region, a slag passageway, a slag breaker, and an actuator. The internal chamber comprises a main combustion region that is configured and adapted to gasify fuel. The slag collection region is located beneath the main combustion region. The slag passageway operatively connects the main combustion region to the slag collection region. The slag breaker comprises a face that is movable relative to the internal chamber. The face is configured and adapted to move within the slag passageway in a manner such that the face contacts and mechanically breaks solidified slag into chunks of solidified slag that then fall into the slag collection region. The actuator is connected to the slag breaker and is configured and adapted to move the face of the slag breaker. |
| US08919262B2 |
Trolling motor rigging station
The embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a workstation for attachment to a trolling motor. The workstation comprises a cowl for covering the head of a trolling motor and a shaft collar for operable attachment of the cowl to a trolling motor shaft. The workstation can remain in place on a trolling motor even when stored on the deck of a boat. Various accessories can also be attached to the cowl. |
| US08919257B1 |
155 mm XM1126 testing/training projectile
A round for simulating an 155 mm Excalibur ammunition for testing purposes. The round can effectively simulate the flight patterns of a real Excalibur round for testing purposes though made of far less expensive reusable parts. The round is generally fired into a water trough in a long soft catch recovery device so the tested round can later be studied, or generally fired ballistically, to test obturator devices. |
| US08919256B1 |
Obturator ring with interlocking segments
An obturator can be secured to a projectile to be launched from within a launch tube. The obturator cooperates with the projectile to seal a pressurized gas within the launch tube during launch. The obturator has a plurality of segments that combine to form a ring. Each segment has connecting features that cooperate with corresponding connecting features of an adjacent segment to hold the segments together by restricting relative circumferential movement, without restricting radially outward movement of individual segments. Preferably, each segment is identical, making it easier to repair and assemble the obturator. Upon launch, the obturator segments can move radially outwardly to separate into relatively small, uniformly-sized pieces. |
| US08919252B2 |
Methods and systems for ink-based digital printing with multi-component, multi-functional fountain solution
An Ink-based digital printing system comprises an external fluid applicator for applying multi-component, multi-functional fountain solution to a surface of an imaging plate. The plate is image wise exposed using a high power laser to remove primary components of the fountain solution from select regions of the plate according to digital image data, leaving a layer of the secondary components at said select regions. The plate is then inked with ink useful in printing. The ink adheres to the select regions from which the primary components have been removed to form an ink image. The ink image is transferred at an image transfer step wherein the secondary components enable efficient transfer of the ink to a medium with reduced image quality defects. The multi-component fountain solution comprises primary components that reject or repel ink, and secondary components that function as a release agent. |
| US08919240B2 |
Identification of beverage ingredient containing capsules
The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising beverage ingredient containing capsules (1) comprising an identification member (6) and a beverage production machine for receiving said capsules, said machine comprising:—contact means (8) for physically contacting the capsule identification member (6) in order to read information thereof and—control means connected to the contact means and designed to control the operation of the beverage production machine (11) in response to the read information, the contact means (8) comprising:—at least one displaceable probe (81) which mechanically contacts the capsule identification member (6),—a resilient support member (82) in contact with the probe on one side and associated to a circuitry (9) on its other side, the parts of said resilient support member in contact with the probe presenting a shape able to be deformed,—discrete conductive parts (121) between the resilient support member (82) and the circuitry (9), wherein the contact means (8) comprises a waterproof material layer (12) between the resilient support member (82) and the discrete conductive parts (121). |
| US08919238B2 |
Weapon system with short recoil impulse averaging operating group
A weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group with a barrel extension arranged to axially translate relative to the receiver. In the firing condition, the op-rod assembly and bolt assembly are driven by the drive spring such that the round is guided into the chamber and the op-rod assembly and bolt assembly are locked to the barrel extension and a forward momentum of the op-rod assembly is imparted to the operating group and the round is fired. A portion of an impulse stops the forward momentum of the operating group. In the recoil condition, the operating group is driven rearward by the remaining portion of the impulse, the gas accelerator imparts additional rearward momentum to the op-rod assembly and bolt assembly and stops rearward momentum of the barrel and barrel extension, and the op-rod assembly and the bolt assembly are stopped by the drive spring. |
| US08919235B2 |
Cutting apparatus
A cutting apparatus includes a cutting device and a base section. The cutting device includes a motor, a housing, a circular saw blade, and a base plate. The circular saw blade is driven by the motor to cut a workpiece. The housing rotatably supports the circular saw blade and accommodates the motor. The base plate is connected with the housing and is formed with an opening into which the circular saw blade is inserted. The base plate includes a main base plate connected with the housing and a sub base plate detachably mounted on the main base plate. The base section supports the workpiece. The cutting device is detachably mounted on the base section and is pivotably supported by the base section to be moved toward and away from the base section to cut the workpiece. |
| US08919234B2 |
Mandoline slicer
A food slicer includes a frame for supporting a landing and a runway movable relative to the landing. A cutting blade is secured on an upstream end of the landing. A downstream end of the runway is spaced from an edge of the cutting blade. A separate cutting knife is moveably connected to the frame. An adjustment mechanism connected to the frame adjusts an offset between the cutting blade and the runway. The adjustment mechanism includes spaced apart first and second guide tracks provided on respective first and second movable side members. The guide tracks are configured such that a first movement of the adjustment mechanism moves the downstream end of the runway relative to the cutting blade to adjust a cutting thickness and a second movement of the adjustment mechanism lowers the downstream end of the runway and raises the cutting knife to a working position. |
| US08919232B2 |
Optical film transport method, and apparatus using the same
In a process of transporting a strip-shaped optical film F, the optical film F is cut to a predetermined length. Thereafter, the sheet-like optical films F divided by the cutting are intermittently transported while the strip-shaped optical film F is fed by the predetermined length such that a portion to be cut next reaches a cutting action position. Further, a leading one of the sheet-like optical films F in the intermittent transport process is transported to a continuous transport process such that a rear end thereof passes the intermittent transport process in a subsequent intermittent transport operation. Herein, the sheet-like optical film F is transported to the downstream-side continuous transport process following the intermittent transport process to continuously transport the optical film F. |
| US08919229B1 |
One handed quick release locking pliers
A one handed quick release locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, a toggle link, a power link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw is retained in one end of the fixed. The movable jaw is pivotally retained in the one end of the fixed handle. A toggle link release surface extends from the second end of the toggle link. A toggle link stop projection extends outward from the actuation portion. The toggle link stop projection provides an over-center stop for clamping an object. A power link release projection extends outward from the movable handle, substantially perpendicular to the toggle link stop projection. The power link release projection contacts the power link. Moving a second end of the movable handle away from the fixed handle will cause the power link release projection to push the power link and release a clamped object. |
| US08919227B2 |
Pliers for C-shaped lock rings
Pliers for C-shaped lock rings include a holding unit and a clamping unit. The holding unit is composed of two handles and a control portion. The clamping unit comprises two identical clamping members and a positioning disk. When the control portion is released to engage with the positioning slot to lock the handle; when the control portion is pushed to disengage with the positioning slot, the handle rotate around the center shaft corresponding to the rotations of the clamping unit, such that the clamping members can be open or closed. |
| US08919225B2 |
Adjustable socket for a ratchet wrench
The adjustable socket design uses a weave of cables to position six arms which are used to torque a nut. The arms have a gripping surface to torque the nut. The design also allows for a quick and easy size adjustment. When the top of the socket is separated from the bottom, the two parts are twisted relative to each other which moves the arm positions to accommodate different nut sizes. When the top and bottom of the socket are pushed together, they fix the arm positions and the socket is used as a traditional fixed sized socket. |
| US08919218B2 |
Transmission system for shift by wire
The automatic transmission system includes a shift lever for changing stages by a user, a shift-lock device for fixing or releasing the shift lever, and a control unit including a shift control logic changing the stages of the transmission in accordance with the stage changed by the shift lever and a shift-lock control logic controlling the shift-lock device by stages for an initial time and a maintenance time after the initial time from when the stages may be changed such that the shift lever may be fixed, in order to shift-lock the shifted shift lever when the stages may be changed by the shift control logic. |
| US08919212B2 |
Infrared sensor comprising tunnel junction for measuring the deformation of a membrane
A sensor array for measuring the deformation of an area caused by a force, comprises a first strip and a second strip arranged in the same plane on the area so as to form a tunnel junction of which at least the first strip is movably arranged on the area so that the gap between the two strips is increased when the area is deformed as a result of the action of the force. |
| US08919208B2 |
Ultrasonic flowmeter apparatus having a first and a second housing part with grooves for clamping a resilient conduit
An ultrasonic flowmeter apparatus, which can be mounted on a conduit flowing a fluid whose flow rate is to be measured, has two housing halves coupled swingably about an axis. Free ends of the housing halves include a clamp mechanism for closing and locking the halves in position. The halves have formed therein grooves 1a and 2a, respectively, and a pair of ultrasonic wave transmission and reception elements are provided on an inner wall of the groove 1a. When the conduit is clamped between the grooves, the conduit is urged against the inner walls and deformed into a substantially square cross sectional configuration. An ultrasonic wave beam B is projected from one of the elements into a fluid passing through the conduit, the beam is reflected by an opposite surface of the conduit urged against the groove 2a, and the reflected beam is received by the other element. |
| US08919207B2 |
Flow measuring device and method using transmission paths having different angles
A multimode flow meter can use both the time-of-transit of upstream and downstream ultrasonic signals and time for transmission of downstream-only signals to determine a flow velocity of a medium flowing through a conduit. Based on factors, such as previously computed flow velocity and signal-to-noise ratio of the upstream signal, a mode of operation may be switched and only the time for transmission of the downstream signals may be used to determine flow velocity. The multimode flow meter can compute cross-flow to reduce its effect on the determination of flow velocity. |
| US08919205B2 |
Measuring device and operation method thereof
A measuring device linked to a conveyor for transporting a flexible glass is provided. The measuring device includes a base, a first roller, and at least one second roller. The first roller disposed on the base moves back and forth along a first axis. The second roller disposed on the base moves back and forth along a second axis. The flexible glass enters the conveyor passing through the second roller and the first roller. An operation method of the measuring device is also provided. |
| US08919204B2 |
Contact pressure detection apparatus and contact point pressure measurement apparatus
To measure contact pressure of each of a plurality of small protrusions arranged at a narrow pitch and contacting a flat surface, provided is a contact pressure detection apparatus comprising a sensor section that is contacted by a target and has pressure applied thereto by the target; a light source section that radiates light with a wavelength causing Raman scattering in the sensor section to which the pressure is applied; and a detecting section that receives light from the sensor section and detects the pressure between the sensor section and the target. Also provided is a contact point pressure measurement apparatus that measures contact pressure of an electrode of a device under test, comprising: a fixing section that has the device under test mounted thereon and fixes the electrode of the device under test in a manner to press against the sensor section; and the contact pressure detection apparatus. |
| US08919201B2 |
Acceleration measuring apparatus
An acceleration measuring apparatus that can easily detect acceleration with high accuracy is provided. In the apparatus, positional displacement of a swingable pendulum member is detected, feedback control is performed to maintain the pendulum member in a stationary state using an actuator, and acceleration is measured by measuring the output of the actuator at this time. A movable electrode is provided to the pendulum member, and a loop is formed in which a fixed electrode provided to oppose the movable electrode, and an oscillating circuit, a crystal unit, and the movable electrode are electrically connected in series. By measuring an oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit at this time, a change in the size of a variable capacitance formed between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode is detected, and thereby the positional displacement of the pendulum member is detected. |
| US08919198B2 |
Angular velocity sensor
Disclosed herein is an angular velocity sensor. The angular velocity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a mass body, a first frame disposed at an outer side of the mass body so as to be spaced apart from the mass body, a first flexible part connecting the mass body to the first frame in an X-axis direction, a second flexible part connecting the mass body with the first frame in a Y-axis direction, a second frame disposed at an outer side of the first frame so as to be spaced apart from the first frame, a third flexible part connecting the first frame with the second frame in an X-axis direction, and a fourth flexible part connecting the first frame with the second frame in a Y-axis direction. |
| US08919197B2 |
Bank angle detecting device for vehicle
A bank angle detecting device includes an angular velocity sensor for detecting a roll rate and a yaw rate of the vehicle, a roll rate estimating circuit for calculating an estimated roll rate, which is an angular velocity about a forward and rearward axis, on the basis of the roll rate, the yaw rate and a travelling speed, a bank angle estimator for calculating an estimated bank angle from the estimated roll rate, a straightforward travel determiner for determining a straightforward travelling condition on the basis of the estimated roll rate and an estimated yaw rate, a time-of-straight-forward-travel drift amount estimator for estimating a time-of-straight-forward drift amount from an output of the angular sensor in the event that the straightforward travel determiner determines a straightforward travel, and an angular velocity corrector for correcting the output of the angular velocity sensor with the time-of-straight-forward drift amount. |
| US08919191B2 |
Use of a coordination complex or compound for the measurement of temperature
Use for measuring temperatures of a coordination complex presenting formula I, wherein M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 are chosen, each independently of the others, in the group consisting of: CuI, AgI, AuI, PdII; n is equal to the sum of the oxidation states of M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 minus 3; II represents a respective portion of each tridentate ligand having the formula III in which R1 is chosen in the group consisting of: Ph, C1-C4 alkyl, halo-alkyl C1-C4 substituted phenyl; R2 is chosen in the group consisting of: Ph, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 halo-alkyl-, substituted phenyl; R3 is chosen in the group consisting of: C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, C1-C20 hydroxy-alkyl, C1-C20 alkoxy silane. |
| US08919190B2 |
Tire pressure sensor device
A tire pressure sensor device includes a tire pressure sensor including a housing and a mounting block defining a through portion in a coupling means thereof, and an air valve including an extension rod having a rod body rotatably inserted through the through portion and a stop block located at one end of the rod body and rotatable with the rod body between a first angular position where the stop block is kept in accurate alignment with the through portion and axially movable with the rod body through the through portion for allowing separation between the tire pressure sensor and the air valve and a second angular position where the stop block is stopped at the coupling means of the mounting block in a staggered manner relative to the through portion to prohibit separation between the tire pressure sensor and the air valve. |
| US08919187B2 |
Exhaust sensor arrangement structure
Air required for measurement of exhaust gas components is supplied to an exhaust sensor without using a device for generating positive pressure. In a structure for arrangement, in an engine (1), of an exhaust sensor (10) that measures exhaust gas components and requires air for the measurement of the exhaust gas components, an exhaust pipe (5) of the engine (1) communicates with the exhaust sensor (10) through an introduction pipe (15), the exhaust sensor (10) communicates with an intake pipe (2) of the engine (1) through a discharge pipe (16), and an atmosphere pipe (17) open to the atmosphere is connected to the exhaust sensor (10), so that exhaust gas is sucked into the exhaust sensor (10) through the introduction pipe (15) while air is sucked into the exhaust sensor (10) through the atmosphere pipe (17) due to intake negative pressure generated during an intake stroke of the engine (1). |
| US08919184B2 |
Leak testing method and leak testing device for iodine filter
A leak testing device for an iodine filter according to the present embodiment includes an iodine adsorption unit including an iodine filter provided in a chamber provided in a duct, to which flue gas containing radioactive iodine is fed, and including an iodine adsorbing material that adsorbs radioactive iodine contained in the flue gas, a fluorine-containing-reagent feed unit that feeds a fluorine-containing reagent that does not contain chlorine into the duct, and a first fluorine-containing-reagent-concentration measurement unit and a second fluorine-containing-reagent-concentration measurement unit that measures a concentration of the fluorine-containing reagent on an upstream side and a downstream side of the iodine filter. |
| US08919181B2 |
Multiple flow conduit flow meter
A multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (201) conducting a first flow stream and a pair of first pickoff sensors (215, 215′) affixed to the first flow conduit (201). The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes at least one additional flow conduit (202) conducting at least one additional flow stream and at least one pair of additional pickoff sensors (216, 216′) affixed to the at least one additional flow conduit (202). The at least one additional flow stream is independent of the first flow stream. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes a common driver (220) configured to vibrate both the first flow conduit (201) and the at least one additional flow conduit (202) in order to generate a first vibrational response and at least one additional vibrational response. |
| US08919178B2 |
Guided keeper and method for metal forming dies
A guided keeper and method for metal forming dies includes a base with a head portion and an opposite externally threaded mounting portion received in a mating die aperture. A scalloped shoulder portion with arc-shaped notches is located axially between the head and the mounting portions of the base, and a retainer ring groove is located axially between the head and the scalloped shoulder portion of the base. A cap screw is retained in the die, and has a cylindrical head received in one of the arc-shaped notches in the base to retain the base in place. A retainer ring is mounted in the ring groove in the base and retains the cap screw in place. |
| US08919177B2 |
Movable die component for a press device
A movable die component for a press device includes a plate body having a workpiece engagement surface configured to engage a workpiece formed by the press device. The plate body has a plurality of internal pockets completely enclosed by the plate body. Optionally, the plate body may be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as by forming a plurality of direct metal laser sintering layers. The direct metal laser sintering layers may include a lower layer, a plurality of middle layers, and an upper layer with the internal pockets being provided in the middle layers, and with the lower layer covering a bottom of each internal pocket and the upper layer coving a top of each internal pocket. |
| US08919176B2 |
Hydrodynamic tool, a hydraulic pump and a mechanism for transforming a rotary motion into an oscillating translation motion for such a tool
A hydrodynamic compression and/or cutting tool (1) comprises an electric motor (6), a transformation mechanism (8) suitable for transforming the rotary motion of the motor (6) into an oscillating translation motion, a two-speed hydraulic pump (11) suitable for carrying out an increase in pressure of a pressure fluid acting on an actuation piston (12) in response to the oscillating translation movement so as to move the actuation piston (12). |