| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08974486B2 |
Device and method for maintaining unobstructed nasal passageways after nasal surgery
Methods and devices for maintaining nasal passages open after nasal surgery are provided. The post-operative device includes a first tubular member with a first proximal end and a first distal end, and a second tubular member with a second proximal end and a second distal end, where the first proximal end is connected to the second proximal end with a bridging member. The method includes inserting the post-operative device into the nasal passages and before, during or after inserting the device into the nasal passages, adjusting the medical device to accommodate the nasal passages by manipulating a flexible member of the medical device. |
| US08974485B2 |
Guidewire and method for surgical procedures
A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire, or guide wire, has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire, or guide wire, while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site. |
| US08974484B2 |
Removable lung reduction devices, systems, and methods
An air passageway obstruction device includes a frame structure and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure. The frame structure is collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deploying in the air passageway and recollapsible upon removal from the air passageway. The flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway. The device may be removed after deployment in an air passageway by recollapsing the device and pulling the device proximally through a catheter. |
| US08974481B2 |
Instrument for producing a skin opening for minimally invasive surgery
For producing a skin opening for minimally invasive surgery an instrument is employed, comprising a grip (10) and a puncture awl (16). The puncture awl (16) is provided on the distal end of a grip (10), which distal end forms a stop surface (12), which limits the penetration depth of the puncture awl (16). |
| US08974478B2 |
Ultrasonic surgical system having a fluid cooled blade and related cooling methods therefor
The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature. |
| US08974472B2 |
Method for removing kidney stones
A method for removing a kidney stone from a ureter may involve: advancing a distal end of an elongate, flexible kidney stone removal device into the ureter to a location near the kidney stone; advancing an expandable stone retention member out of an inner shaft of the device; visualizing at least part of the stone retention member with a camera disposed coaxially within the stone retention member; trapping the kidney stone in the stone retention member; surrounding at least a portion of the stone retention member and the trapped kidney stone with a wall protection member on the distal end of the kidney stone removal device; and removing the kidney stone removal device from the ureter while the stone retention member and the kidney stone are at least partially surrounded by the wall protection member. |
| US08974468B2 |
Hip surgery systems and methods
Orthopedic systems and methods are provided for use in preparing joints for implants. Specifically, hip preparation systems and methods are disclosed which can include a surgical orientation device. The hip preparation systems and methods can be used, for example, to orient the hip during the procedure, determine the orientation of an anatomical plane or planes, and orient a prosthetic component or components. |
| US08974464B2 |
Expansion member for insertion into a body tissue space
An apparatus and method is provided for interbody fusion including distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column. |
| US08974463B2 |
Non-invasive adjustable distraction system
A spinal distraction system includes a distraction rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for affixation to a subject's spine at a first location, the distraction rod having a second end containing a recess having a threaded portion disposed therein. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for affixation relative to the subject's spine at a second location remote from the first location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly, the magnetic assembly affixed at one end thereof to a lead screw, the lead screw operatively coupled to the threaded portion. A locking pin may secure the lead screw to the magnetic assembly. An o-ring gland disposed on the end of the housing may form a dynamic seal with the distraction rod. |
| US08974461B2 |
Devices and methods for inter-vertebral orthopedic device placement
Devices and methods for implantation of an orthopedic device between skeletal segments using limited surgical dissection. The implanted devices are used to adjust and maintain the spatial relationship(s) of adjacent bones. Depending on the implant design, the motion between the skeletal segments may be increased, limited, modified, or completely immobilized. |
| US08974460B2 |
Device for controlled adjustment of a surgical positioning unit
The invention concerns a device for adjusting the position of a screw (13) that is able to move a part of a surgical instrument, said device (4) comprising: —a stem (41) comprising a tip (42) suited to the head (130) of the screw (13), —an actuated system (45) for driving said stem (41) in rotation, —communication means to communicate with a control unit (21), such that the control unit (21) transmits to the actuated system (45) the number of turns to apply to the stem (41) to reach the target position of the screw (13). The invention also concerns a surgical system for alignment of surgical guide means (14, 15), comprising: —a positioning unit comprising a fixed part (11) and a mobile part (12) supporting the surgical guide means (14, 15), the position of said mobile part (12) being adjustable with respect to the fixed part (11) by screws (13), —a referencing unit for detecting the position of the positioning unit with respect to a target position of the surgical guide means, —a control unit (21) for computing the target position of screws (13), —said device (4) for adjusting the positions of the screws (13). |
| US08974459B1 |
Natural alignment knee instruments
A method for aligning an orthopedic implant in a joint replacement includes determining the bone and cartilage deficiency from an undegenerated state caused by wear of a joint. Then a resection of a bone in the joint is made based on the deficiency of bone and cartilage from the undegenerated state and the size of a joint implant so as to locate the joint surface of the implant in the undegenerated cartilage location. The condylar wear from the undegenerated states may be assessed at a distal and posterior location on each of a medial and a lateral femoral condyle. A distal cut is made on the femur at a location adjusting for the condylar wear from the undegenerated state. The distal cut varus-valgus angle is oriented parallel to a plane across the distal femur after adjusting for wear in the distal location on the medial and lateral condyle. |
| US08974458B2 |
Arthroplasty instruments and associated method
A reamer for use in performing arthroplasty includes a first cutting structure having an inner concave surface that defines a first cavity and terminates in a generally circular leading edge. The inner concave surface includes a first cutting feature that is spaced apart from the leading edge. An elongate member extends from the first cutting structure into the first cavity toward the leading edge that includes a second cutting feature. A second cutting structure is secured to the elongate member and positioned within the first cavity. The second cutting structure extends outwardly from the elongate member toward the inner concave surface and includes a third cutting feature. |
| US08974452B2 |
Reinforced high strength microwave antenna
High-strength microwave antenna assemblies and methods of use are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity. |
| US08974443B2 |
Systems and methods for treating dermatological imperfections
Provided are dermatological medical devices and methods comprising a distal end for positioning at a region proximal a target therapeutic region of tissue, an output port at the distal end, an energy source that generates optical energy, which is output from the output port to the target therapeutic region of tissue, and a control device that controls the optical energy at the target therapeutic region of tissue for increasing a temperature of the target therapeutic region of tissue for a period of time to a temperature that is less than an injurying temperature and induces an expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) at the target therapeutic region of tissue. |
| US08974439B2 |
Infusion pump system and methods
Some embodiments an infusion pump system can provide a suggested bolus dosage based on particular parameters (e.g., the user's recent blood glucose characteristics, food intake data, an amount of insulin already delivered to the user which has not yet acted on the user, or other factors). In some circumstances, the infusion pump system can receive information indicative of the user's blood glucose level and suggest an insulin bolus dosage that is at least partially dependent upon the recent rate of change in the user's blood glucose level. Such a feature can be helpful to a user when the infusion pump is operated in conjunction with a glucose monitoring device because the suggested bolus dosage can be at least partially based on recent data indicative of the user's blood glucose level. |
| US08974438B2 |
Compact catheter assembly
Packaging including a coiled and optionally prelubricated catheter, its distal end insertable into the urethra, a slidable hygienic sheath, a proximal catheter end for voiding urine from the distal end through the assembly to the proximal end. Mutually rotatable elements providing for withdrawal of the catheter from its coiled state to an extended state, and retraction of the catheter back to its coiled state. Methods of extending the catheter, inserting it into the urethra, and voiding urine through the catheter, without requiring complete removal from the catheter packaging. A kit including automatic extrusion of the catheter's distal end upon package opening, and a water pouch for hydrophilic lubrication, and sanitary wipes for reducing the likelihood of infection. A catheter within a flexible and optionally coiled tube, a slidable hygienic sheath covering a catheter's distal end that can move along the length of the catheter during insertion. |
| US08974437B2 |
Coupling for medical fluids
A coupling apparatus includes a first component having a first non-mechanical valve, a second component having a second non-mechanical valve, and a third component having a first end for coupling with the first valve and a second end for coupling with the second valve. The third component has an elongated bore such that when the first end is coupled to the first valve and the second end is coupled to the second valve, a passageway is defined therethrough. The coupling apparatus includes a breakaway portion disposed between the third component and the second component and the first and second valves automatically close when the second and third components are separated from one another. |
| US08974433B2 |
Pressure-regulating vials and containers
In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial comprises a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial. |
| US08974431B2 |
Fastening member having bonded reinforcing layer
A fastening member having a reinforced region is disclosed. The fastening member may have a first layer formed of a nonwoven and a second layer at its reinforced region formed of either a polymeric film or another nonwoven, bonded to the first layer by a plurality of bond sites arranged in a pattern. The polymer(s) forming the fibers of the first layer and the polymer(s) forming the film or fibers of the second layer may be of like chemistry to enhance thermal bonding between the layers at the bond sites. The fastening member may be imparted with enhanced appearance and tear resistance attributes and may be suitable for use as a fastening member of a wearable article such as a disposable diaper. |
| US08974427B2 |
Tracheostomy support apparatus
A tracheostomy support apparatus incorporates a folded sheet of fabric into a pocket formed at one end of the folded sheet. The support apparatus includes a cradle on an outer surface for holding tubes, hoses, and medical equipment connected between a tracheostomy and adjacent equipment, such as a ventilator. The support apparatus cushions and supports the hoses and tubes associated with a tracheostomy but also absorbs fluids emanating from the tracheostomy. |
| US08974425B2 |
Male member
A male member (1) includes a tubular member (10) and a cover (20) covering at least a tip (11) of the tubular member. A lateral hole (14) that communicates with a flow path (13) is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member. The cover includes an outer peripheral wall (21) that can be deformed elastically by compression and a head part (23) that is provided at one end of the outer peripheral wall. The head part includes an interior cavity (24) into which the tubular member is inserted, and a slit (25) is formed in an innermost part (24a) of the interior cavity. In a state where the outer peripheral wall is not deformed by compression, an inner peripheral surface of the interior cavity contacts closely with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member so as to block the lateral hole, and the tip of the tubular member and the innermost part of the interior cavity are spaced apart from each other. Thereby, it is possible to reduce an amount of a liquid substance adhering to outer surfaces of the cover and a female member after separation from the female member. |
| US08974423B2 |
Resettable drug delivery device
A resetting mechanism for a reusable drug delivery device. The device comprises a spindle and a spindle guide engaging the spindle. During a resetting step of the resetting mechanism, the spindle rotates while the spindle guide does not rotate. |
| US08974415B2 |
Flow stop insert apparatus and methods
An embodiment is directed to pressure plate for attachment to an infusion pump, where the pressure plate includes a tubing support surface at least partially surrounded by a raised perimeter support. The pressure plate includes a plurality of guide structures extending from the raised perimeter support that define a passageway for an infusion pump tube. Additionally an attachable flow stop assembly is included that includes an attachable occlusion arch and an attachable flow stop arm. The attachable occlusion arch includes a plurality of tab structures that couple to the raised perimeter support. The occlusion arch further includes an aperture configured to surround an infusion pump tube threaded therethrough. The attachable flow stop arm is operatively coupled to the raised perimeter support adjacent the attachable occlusion arch in a spring-biased fashion such that the aperture in the occlusion arch may be selectively occluded by the flow stop arm. |
| US08974412B2 |
Method of controlling a surgical system based on a load on the cutting tip of a handpiece
A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as the instant an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system determines an approximate temperature of the eye using an irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system monitors the power drawn by the handpiece, which is indicative of the cutting load on the tip, and automatically adjusts the power or stroke of the tip to compensate for increased loads on the tip. |
| US08974411B2 |
Conical diffuser tip
A catheter assembly is provided having a conical diffuser tip for use in rapid infusion procedures. The conical diffuser tip provides a flared opening whereby the velocity of an infusant is decreased as the infusant travels through the catheter tip and exits into the vascular system of a patient. This decrease in velocity proportionately reduces the backpressure and/or recoil force of the catheter assembly thereby permitting the use of higher infusion rates. The catheter tip is introduced into the vasculature of a patient via a splittable introducer needle. |
| US08974410B2 |
Apparatus and methods to communicate fluids and/or support intraosseous devices
Fluid communication devices and supporting structures may be provided for use with intraosseous devices. Apparatus and methods may also be provided to communicate fluids with an intraosseous device. |
| US08974408B2 |
Robotic catheter system
A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device. |
| US08974404B2 |
Message device having rotary motion and two directional linear motion
A massage device includes an outer housing, an inner housing, a drive motor, a gear assembly, a one-way bearing, a drive gear wheel, at least one massage member, and a linear motion device. The massage member can perform a massage through rotary motion and linear motion, and can massage by repeatedly moving forwards and backwards with respect to the user or at fixed positions. Furthermore, the gear wheels of the gear assembly are vertically disposed in the inner housing, while the drive motor is arranged in an oblique manner. Therefore, the inner housing doesn't need a large space to accommodate the gear assembly, and, consequently, the outer housing is also reduced in width. |
| US08974402B2 |
Sensor prosthetic for improved balance control
A feedback device for measuring balance related information, and for producing a stimulation of the skin that encodes that information in a way that is useful to the wearer of the device. At least one sensor detects balance information and transmits at least one balance information signal to a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem converts the received balance information signal into at least one stimulation control signal. The signal processing subsystem then transmits the stimulation control signal to at least one stimulator, which provides stimulation to a wearer of the device reflecting the stimulation control signal received from the signal processing subsystem. |
| US08974401B2 |
Helical clip and method of using the same
The invention relates to a retaining clip for retaining at least one medical line in a shortened lateral position and/or to a supportive surface. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated, tapered helical wire structure defining a hook shaped leading edge, a loading channel, an inner lumen and a handle on the trailing end. The hooked shaped leading edge, inner lumen and channel are configured to accept the largest diameter of medical wires the device is destined to be used with. Sections of the medical wire may be captured in the hook portion, and multiple rotations of the structure by the handle, moves the medical wire(s) into the channel and the inner lumen to be retained. |
| US08974400B2 |
Instrument for applying therapeutic cells, with distal portion for processing therapeutic cells
A tissue harvesting and processing apparatus comprises a body and a distally extending needle. The needle includes an aperture configured to receive tissue. A tissue cutting member is movable relative to the needle to sever a specimen from tissue protruding through the aperture. The tissue cutting member is further operable to mince the severed tissue specimen. The minced tissue may be mixed with a medical fluid component contained in a reservoir. A plunger may expel the medical fluid mixture from the needle. An applier tip may be coupled with the needle to facilitate administration of the medical fluid mixture at a target site in a patient. The needle may comprise a cannula with a needle adapter, which be removed from the cannula to allow the applier tip to be coupled with the cannula. The tissue cutting member may comprise a perforated disc or tube with inwardly projecting blades. |
| US08974399B2 |
System and method for sampling device for bodily fluids
There is provided a device for sampling bodily fluids. Some embodiments have a handle, a lumen, and a diverter valve. The distal end of the handle is adapted to connect with a sampling device and is in fluid communication with the lumen. There is a vacuum connection on the proximal end of the handle that is also in fluid communication with the lumen. A suction valve may desirably be located in the lumen to control the application of vacuum from the vacuum connection to the sampling device. The diverter valve directs the flow through the lumen such that a sample from the patient goes into a sputum trap when the trap is connected. The device may further have a saline port in fluid communication with the lumen, located distal to the suction valve, for rinsing the tube and diluting secretions. |
| US08974396B1 |
Mobile plethysmographic device
A mobile plethysmographic device for detecting a premature atrial contraction event is disclosed herein. The mobile plethysmographic device generates a pleth waveform, which is automatically screened by algorithms that measure the waveform to correlate, detect and store aberrations related to heart anomalies. A premature atrial contraction event for a patient is determined based on an identification of a time interval of the pleth waveform that is below the threshold minimum time interval followed immediately by a time interval that is above the threshold maximum time interval. |
| US08974391B2 |
Device for therapeutic treatment
A device for therapeutic treatment includes an acoustic transducer designed to emit power waves to treat a target, and an imaging probe designed to emit waves for providing an image representation of the target and its environment before, during and after the emission of the power waves issuing from the transducer. The probe and the transducer are integrally connected to one another other. The device also includes a display for displaying images taken by the probe, namely images at rest, taken before and/or after emission of the power waves, and interference images, taken during the emission of the power waves. The device additionally comprises a detector for detecting a change of structure of the interference images that is indicative of the efficacy of the power waves. |
| US08974381B1 |
Cervical retractor
An anterior cervical retractor comprises a first medial-lateral retractor body having a base arm and a moving arm and a pair of retractor blades. The retractor blades may be side loading or top loading. The cervical retractor comprises a second cranial-caudal retractor body having a pair of moving arms and a pair of retractor blades. The retractor blades may have an adjustable angulation. The retractor blades may also be fixed to the spine and provide distraction upon operation of the second retractor body. The blades of the first retractor body and/or the second retractor body may be coupled to light elements that illuminate the operative corridor between the blades. |
| US08974376B2 |
Introducing device system with bending control
An introducing device system includes: an insertion portion; a bending portion which is provided at the insertion portion; an operation portion through which an input operation is performed for bending the bending portion; a pulling member connected to the bending portion and pulled in accordance with the operation through the operation portion; a detection section that detects a moving state of the pulling member; a driving unit that rotationally drives; a driving force transmitting unit including an inner circumferential surface configured to be able to contact an outer circumferential surface of the driving unit, and an outer circumference on which the pulling member is wound, the driving force transmitting unit being reduced in diameter in accordance with pulling of the pulling member; and a driving unit control section controls the driving unit when the moving state detected by the detection section is different from a state determined in advance. |
| US08974365B2 |
Treatment of thalamocortical dysrhythmia
A method for treating conditions associated with thalamocortical dysrhythmia. The method includes applying transcranial low voltage electrical stimulation (TLVES) therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to a patient in need thereof, and administering to the patient a dissociative anesthetic during the TLVES therapy or the TMS therapy. A number of conditions including tinnitus, depression and pain can be treated with TLVES or TMS in combination with the dissociative anesthetic, such as an NMADR inhibitor, including ketamine. |
| US08974364B1 |
Dosimetrically customizable brachytherapy carriers and methods thereof in the treatment of tumors
Brachytherapy radioisotope carrier systems and methodology for providing real-time customized brachytherapy treatment to subjects with tumors difficult to control using conventional radiation therapy techniques. The invention generally relates to devices, methods and kits for providing customized radionuclide treatments, to help cure, slow progression or regrowth, or ameliorate the symptoms associated with tumors. |
| US08974361B2 |
Centrifuge with compressor cooling
The present invention relates to a centrifuge and a method for cooling a centrifuge. The centrifuge according to the invention includes a cooling device which is improved in that its required installation space is reduced such that the centrifuge can be of a more compact design with the centrifugation capacity remaining unchanged, or the centrifugation capacity can be increased with the installation space remaining unchanged. Further, the number of components can be reduced and thus cost and assembly time can be saved. |
| US08974355B2 |
Board exercise device
A board exercise device that includes a pair of planar boards having a top surfacing with a perimeter and an outer edge, the built-in attachment bars are coupled to the perimeter of the pair of planar boards and include an attachment aperture and a stem portion and one or more banded exercise devices coupled to the built-in attachment bars and allow a user to grasp the one or more banded exercise devices and perform an exercise. The board exercise device also includes a pair of handles coupled to a top of the outer edge of the pair of planar boards that are grasped by the user to transport the board exercise device when the board exercise device is in a folded position and a slide board placed over the top surfacing of the pair of planar boards. |
| US08974353B2 |
Stair exerciser apparatus
The present invention relates to a stair exercise device for simulating stair climbing, the device having a plurality of steps which are activated by the weight of a person walking up them. A stationary platform at the base of the stair exercise device sends a signal to a controller to bring the exercise device to a controlled stop when an operator steps onto the platform. The steps of the exercise device stop in a predetermined location when the exercise device comes to a controlled stop, ensuring proper step location to allow the operator to easily enter and exit the exercise device. Steps have a step platform of a different color than the risers between steps to aid in foot placement. |
| US08974352B2 |
Stride maker elliptical exercise apparatus
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. Crank arms are positioned on the framework forward the operator at a height comparable to the pedals. Compound guides are used to achieve elliptical curve pedal paths. |
| US08974345B2 |
Double swap kickdown shift control
A method of performing a double swap kickdown shift in a transmission having a main box and a compounder. The compounder is shifted during the hold speed phase of the downshift. The target ratio for the downshift is overshot by an overshoot RPM. |
| US08974344B2 |
Mounting system for a planatary gear train in a gas turbine engine
A mounting system for a planetary gear train in a gas turbine engine comprises a support strut, a deflection flange and a deflection limiter. The support strut extends between a stationary engine case and a rotating engine shaft that provides input to the planetary gear train in the gas turbine engine. The deflection flange extends from a rotating output component of the planetary gear train. The deflection limiter is connected to the support strut and engages the deflection flange when the gear train becomes radially displaced. |
| US08974343B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
An automatic transmission planetary gear train for a vehicle may include a first shaft receiving a torque of an engine, a second shaft disposed substantially in parallel with the first shaft, a first planetary gear set disposed on the first shaft and including a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear as rotation elements, a second planetary gear set disposed on the second shaft and including a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear as rotation elements, a third planetary gear set disposed on the second shaft and including a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear as rotation elements, three transfer gears forming the externally-meshed gears, and frictional elements selectively interconnecting the rotation elements of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets or selectively connecting a rotation element to a transmission housing. |
| US08974340B2 |
Hybrid mechanism and hybrid mode thereof
A hybrid mechanism is provided, including: an engine, a first motor, a second motor, a clutch, a hybrid unit, a differential, and a battery. The clutch, the second motor and the engine are sequentially coupled to one end of the hybrid unit, and the first motor and the battery are coupled to the other end of the hybrid mechanism. The battery provides supplying currents to the first motor or the second motor or receives range-extend currents from the second motor. The hybrid unit includes a first sun gear, a second sun gear, at least one planetary gear coupled to the first and second sun gears, and a planet carrier coupled to the at least one planetary gear. The hybrid mechanism has four modes. The hybrid unit harmonizes the first driving force from the first motor and the engine and the second driving force from the second motor and outputs a harmonized driving force to the differential. |
| US08974339B2 |
Vehicle power transmission device
A vehicle power transmission device has a torque converter including an input-side rotating member, an output-side rotating member, a stator and a case including a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a bulkhead, and the first chamber and the second chamber being oil-tightly isolated from each other by an oil seal. The vehicle power transmission device is disposed with a thrust bearing between the input-side rotating member and the stator, which is disposed to partially or entirely overlap with the oil seal and a one way clutch disposed between the stator and a non-rotating member which supports the stator. A portion of the one way clutch protrudes toward the second chamber, the input-side rotating member having an annular projecting portion, and the annular projecting portion houses the thrust bearing and the portion of the one way clutch. |
| US08974335B2 |
Silent chain
In a silent chain, frictional losses and noise are reduced, and power transmitting efficiency is improved, by making the inner profile of each guide plate sufficiently high in relation to a link plate tooth of a link plate overlapped by each said guide plate that engagement between a sprocket tooth and said link plate tooth takes place before engagement of the last mentioned sprocket tooth with said guide plate, even when the chain moves laterally. The tensile hardness of the guide plates is sufficiently low in relation to the bending rigidity of the connecting pins of the chain to prevent substantial warping of the guide plates as a result of tension acting on the chain. The back surfaces of the guide plates are configured to avoid contact with a sliding contact surface of a chain guide on which a back surfaces of the link plates of said chain can slide. |
| US08974331B2 |
Bicycle derailleur
A bicycle derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a motor unit, a linkage and a saver mechanism. The linkage includes a first link that includes a first linking member and a second linking member. The first linking member is pivotally connected to the movable member. The second linking member is pivotally connected to the base member, and is attached to the first linking member. The saver mechanism includes an output member movably operated by the motor unit, a drive link movably mounted on the first link between a drive transmitting position that connects a drive force of the motor to the first link and a non-drive transmitting position that disconnect the drive force of the motor from the first link, and a biasing element biasing the drive link into engagement with the output member to maintain the drive link in the drive transmitting position. |
| US08974330B2 |
Sport ball casing and methods of manufacturing the casing
A spherical sport ball may include a casing that includes first and second substantially hemispherical panel components. Each substantially hemispherical panel component may be a unitary structure having a central panel and a plurality of polygonal peripheral panels adjacent to the central panel. In addition, the first substantially hemispherical panel component may be joined with the second substantially hemispherical panel component at a non-linear, circumferential seam between peripheral panels of the first hemispherical panel component and peripheral panels of the second hemispherical panel component. |
| US08974329B2 |
Game ball
A method of making a game ball having a carcass comprising a foamed intermediate layer and a plurality of raised seams made from an outer layer is disclosed. The foamed intermediate layer may be formed from two sheets of foamed material. The sheets are shaped to have leaves that can be folded into the shape of a hemisphere with no gaps between adjacent leaves. The sheets are placed around a bladder, an outer layer is placed around the sheets, and the combination is heat molded. The seams are not made from strips of seam material placed on the outer layer of the carcass. |
| US08974327B2 |
Hunting arrowhead having fixed and expandable blades
An arrowhead having a combination of fixed and expandable blades is provided. The new arrowhead has three mechanically expandable blades and six fixed blades. An expandable blade is snug fitted in between two fixed blades, eliminating the need for a mechanism to hold the expandable blade during the flight. In one embodiment of the present arrowhead, the expandable blades pivotally open from the front end of the arrowhead. And in the second embodiment of the present arrowhead, the expandable blades pivotally open from the rear end of the arrowhead. |
| US08974322B1 |
Shaped golf tee
A golf tee has a head contoured to balance a golf ball thereon, a point for insertion into a ground surface, and a stem joining the head to the point, the stem providing an enlarged medial portion relative to a proximal portion near the head and a distal portion near the point. The stem has a continuous curvature between the head and the point and joins the head to the point such that the point inserts into the ground surface at an angle that facilities ejection of the tee from the ground surface when the curvature is placed outward relative to a direction of a ball strike force. |
| US08974321B2 |
Golf tee setting apparatus
An apparatus comprises an elongated body comprising a top end, a bottom end, a chamber extending away from the bottom end, a hole extending through the bottom end into the chamber, and a door to expose the chamber and an interior of the hole. The chamber retains a golf tee with the door in a closed position. The hole enables only a bottom portion of the golf tee to extend beyond the bottom end. An adjustment mechanism adjusts a depth of the chamber to position the golf tee to protrude a desired length out of the hole during placement of the golf tee into a tee ground. A retention mechanism urges the door into the closed position and enables the door to open with an upward movement of the apparatus after the golf tee has been placed into the tee ground. |
| US08974319B2 |
Golf ball material and golf ball using the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which travels a great distance on the driver shots and stops quickly on the green on the approach shots. The present invention is directed to a golf ball material having a shear loss modulus G″ of 2.11×107 Pa or less, and a ratio (E″/G″) of a tensile loss modulus E″ to the shear loss modulus G″ of 1.78 or more, when measuring the shear loss modulus G″ in a shear mode and the tensile loss modulus E″ in a tensile mode at conditions of a temperature of 0° C., oscillation frequency of 10 Hz using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus. |
| US08974317B1 |
Multiple-material iron
The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head formed from multiple materials that increase torsional stiffness of the club and aid in sound performance. In particular, the iron-type golf club head includes a rear flange and a composite component bonded to an external surface of the rear flange. The composite component may cover an entire surface of the rear flange, and may also extend upwards to make contact with a top portion of the club head and thus close off a rear cavity of the club head. The iron-type golf club head may further comprise a face support structure extending from the rear flange, to which the face plate may be affixed via welding or brazing. |
| US08974313B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining an angle of attack from multiple ball hitting
A method and apparatus for determining an angle of attack of a golf swing based on multiple ball hitting is disclosed. Multiple golf balls of different known constructions are hit by a golfer. Club head speed and backspin data associated with each of the hit golf balls is measured. Based on a correlation between an angle of attack and measured data associated with the golf balls of different known constructions, an angle of attack of a golf swing can be determined. Different sets of golf balls of known constructions can be provided based on characteristics of a golfer. A kit including at least three golf balls of different known constructions and a database containing the correlation between data associated with the at least three golf balls and an angle of attack is also disclosed. |
| US08974310B2 |
Intermediate shaft of vehicle steering apparatus
An intermediate shaft of a vehicle steering apparatus can prevent foreign matter, for example, moisture, dust or oil, from being introduced into the intermediate shaft even from a process of transporting the intermediate shaft to assemble it to a vehicle, and even when the intermediate shaft is assembled to the vehicle and the vehicle is driven. As a result, it is possible to prevent a component of the intermediate shaft from being deformed or damaged. |
| US08974306B2 |
Casino game download system and method of use
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for multi-tiered gaming data download. The system includes a gaming device for local play of a game. The gaming device includes a communication interface receiving and transmitting data to download a game for play at the gaming device. The system also includes a plurality of download servers communicating with the gaming device to provide game data for download to and play at the gaming device. The system further includes a middle tier server acting as a hub to communicate with the plurality of download servers to provide game data from one or more of the plurality of download servers. The middle tier server allocates download server resources and schedules a download of game data from one or more download servers to the gaming device based on resource constraints at the plurality of download servers and availability for download at the gaming device. |
| US08974303B2 |
Ad-hoc user and device engagement platform
A local engagement system is described herein that leverages devices people commonly carry with them to dynamically engage them based on their locations and/or activities. One goal of the above referenced system is to leverage the power of the various devices present while providing the audience with a chance to better engage and participate with each other. A side benefit is additional opportunities to market products and services in new and exciting ways. The system includes a presentation component at the event or venue that links to existing systems, a web interface, and optional individual client applications for the devices. Thus, the local engagement system provides a highly engaging experience to people that might otherwise be idle and provides an enhanced opportunity for advertisers or educators to reach the people and give them something entertaining to do. |
| US08974297B2 |
Reconfigurable gaming displays and gaming terminals with reconfigurable display devices
Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods of reconfiguring a display device are presented herein. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed, which includes an input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, a cabinet, and a display device operatively mounted to the cabinet. The display device has an electronic graphical display screen that is operable to dynamically display information related to the wagering game. The display screen is configured to physically change shape and/or size. |
| US08974294B2 |
Collective enabling elements for enriched game play environment (single and/or multiplayer) for casino applications
Methods and systems for gaming are provided. A transpiring of a collective element in an entertainment game portion of a hybrid game is determined where the collective element is shared by two or more players of the entertainment portion of the hybrid, and where the hybrid game includes a gambling game portion and the entertainment game portion. A wager is triggered in the gambling game portion of the hybrid game based on the transpiring of the collective element in the entertainment game portion of the hybrid game. A real world credit gambling game result is distributed in the gambling game portion of the hybrid game between the two or more players. The distribution may be made on the basis of various parameters of the use of the shared collective element by the players. In addition, an allocation of an amount of a real world credit for the wager may also be based on various parameters of the players use of the shared collective element. |
| US08974292B2 |
Short time interval betting system
A betting system for handling betting events, comprising means for determining natural probability values assigned to the events based on a statistical method; and transformation means for applying a transformation function to the natural probability values to get transformed probability values; and means for providing the transformed probability values to betting clients of the betting system. The betting system may provide real-time betting events in comparable short time intervals. |
| US08974288B2 |
Gaming device having a designated activator symbol therein and methods thereof
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a slot machine gaming device providing players additional opportunities to obtain awards in a game. In one embodiment, a game comprises: a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of symbol positions; a first plurality of symbols at the plurality of symbol positions on the reel, the first plurality of symbols comprising at least one predetermined activator symbol; a second plurality of symbols activated by the activator symbol, the second plurality of symbols replacing a subset of the first plurality of symbols, the second plurality of symbols comprising a plurality of replicator symbols, wherein each replicator symbol includes at least two of the same symbols at one of the symbol positions; at least one predetermined winning symbol combination of a plurality of winning symbol combinations; and an award associated with the predetermined winning symbol combination. |
| US08974287B2 |
Gaming system and a method of gaming
A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a selector arranged to select symbols for display in respective first display position areas, and a shutter device disposed in front of the selected symbols and arranged to controllably conceal or reveal at least one of the symbols. The system also comprises a display device disposed in front of the shutter device and arranged to display icons at respective second display position areas. Each second display position area is disposed in alignment with a first display position area, and the display device is controllable so as to modify the degree of transparency of an icon. When the shutter device is controlled so as to reveal a selected symbol and an icon associated with the revealed symbol is modified so as to increase the degree of transparency of the icon, the revealed symbol is viewable through the associated icon. |
| US08974285B2 |
Advantage bingo bonus
One or more instances of a bonus game (e.g., Class II games such as Bingo games) may be provided to players of another wagering game (e.g., a Class III game such as a slot game, a poker game, etc.). Some implementations of the invention allow players to exchange indicia of credit (e.g., money, game credits, or player loyalty points) for bonus opportunities. For example, players may be able to purchase one or more Bingo cards for Bingo bonus games. Some implementations award bonus opportunities to players based on wager levels, game results, a player's level in a player loyalty program and/or other criteria. |
| US08974281B2 |
Elimination games for gaming machines
The present disclosure provides a gaming machine including an elimination game. The elimination game may be played on a stand-alone gaming machine or on a group of linked gaming machines. The elimination game is played by plurality of entities, each comprising one or more virtual players or real players. During the elimination game, the entities play one or more games that are provided as part of the elimination game. For example, video slot or poker games may be used for the game play in the elimination game. One or more elimination tests are applied to the entities using results from the game play. When conditions used in the elimination tests are met for one of the entities, that entity is removed from the elimination game before reaching the finish of the elimination game. The last remaining entity that avoids elimination and reaches the finish of the elimination receives an award. |
| US08974270B2 |
CMP pad dresser having leveled tips and associated methods
CMP pad dressers having leveled tips and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a CMP pad dresser can include a matrix layer and a monolayer of a plurality of superabrasive particles embedded in the matrix layer, where each superabrasive particle in the monolayer protrudes from the matrix layer. The difference in the protrusion distance between the highest protruding tip and the next highest protruding tip of the monolayer of superabrasive particles is less than or equal to about 20 microns, and the difference in protrusion distance between the highest 1% of the protruding tips of the monolayer of superabrasive particles are within about 80 microns or less. |
| US08974266B2 |
Novelty system utilizing translucent putty and an internal illumination module
A novelty system having an internally illuminated amorphous putty that both stretches and bounces. An illumination module is provided that contains a battery and at least one light source that produces light when powered. A volume of putty material is provided in an amount sufficient enough to completely envelop the illumination module. The putty material is translucent so that the light from the light source can be seen through the putty material when the illumination module is enveloped within the putty material. The translucent putty material is created by reacting silicon polymers with boric acid and stearic acid. The reacted polymers are mixed with calcium carbonate, a whitener, and a colorant to obtain a color tinted level of translucency. The illumination module is activated by changes in acceleration caused by impact. |
| US08974264B2 |
Figurine launcher
A figurine launcher is described. The figurine launcher includes at least two shell components. The shell components are hingedly attached with one another to move between an open position and a closed position. An open mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components and is adapted to allow a user to selectively separate the shell components when in the closed position. A launch positioning mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components. The launch positioning mechanism is adapted to engage with a figurine and conceal the figurine within the housing when the shell components are in a closed position. Alternatively, when the shell components are in an open position, the launch positioning mechanism is adapted to move the figurine into a launch position. When in the launch position, the user can compress the shell components to force the figurine from the launcher. |
| US08974262B2 |
Inflatable walking apparatus
An apparatus for providing enhanced traction for an inflatable device is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inflatable gear assembly attachable to the inflatable device. The inflatable gear assembly defines an outside diameter that is greater than the largest cross-sectional distance of the inflatable device. The inflatable gear assembly and the inflatable device may be configured as totally integrated, partially integrated, or totally separated air chambers. |
| US08974261B2 |
Adjustable double bladed water paddle
A water paddle comprising a first shaft having and a second shaft, a first cog collar located on an exterior surface of first shaft and having a first set of teeth extending radially from a mating end of first cog collar, a second cog collar located on an exterior surface of second shaft and having a second set of teeth extending radially from a mating end of second cog collar, second set of teeth mateable with first set of teeth to prevent rotational movement between shafts, a ferrule extending from a free end of second shaft, a snap button-alignment tab assembly comprising a bushing, a wavy washer, and a snap button base located within ferrule and a snap button skirt connected to free end of ferrule and an alignment tab fixed within first paddle shaft downstream of a set of corresponding holes of first paddle. |
| US08974258B2 |
Crimp terminal, connection structural body and connector
A crimp terminal includes barrel pieces respectively on both of two sides in a width direction thereof. The barrel pieces are included in a pressure-bonding section for pressure-bonding an exposed part of an electric wire conductor of an insulated wire. The insulated wire includes the electric wire conductor and an insulating cover for covering an outer circumference of the electric wire conductor, and the exposed part is a part of the electric wire conductor which is exposed from a tip of the cover by a predetermined length. The barrel pieces have a length in a longitudinal direction which is longer than the length of the exposed part of the electric wire conductor. The pressure-bonding section pressure-bonds, by the barrel pieces, a continuous part from a tip of the electric wire conductor to a position rear to the tip of the cover. |
| US08974254B2 |
Grounding connector
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a connector. The connector may include a connection body and an engagement structure. The connection body may include a first support member, a second support member, a base from which the first support member and the second support member extend, wherein the base includes a beveled portion for connecting the connection body to the structure, and a slot defined between the first support member and the second support member and configured to receive a ground line. The engagement structure may be configured to engage the first support member and the second support member and move relative to the base along the first support member and the second support member. |
| US08974253B2 |
Contact module for a receptacle assembly
A contact module includes an overmolded leadframe with frame members separated by corresponding gaps and a removable insert coupled to a corresponding receptacle signal contacts. The removable insert has a main wall, end walls extending from the main wall and forming a receiving space therebetween, and a finger extending from the main wall in the receiving space. First and second channels are formed between the finger and the corresponding end walls that receive the contacts. The finger and end walls hold the lateral positions of the contacts during the overmolding process. The receiving space is filled with dielectric material during overmolding and the removable insert leaves a window in the corresponding frame member that exposes the corresponding receptacle signal contacts. |
| US08974251B2 |
Electrical connector assembly and method of manufacturing the same
An electrical connector assembly comprises: a metallic housing having a receiving space extending along a longitudinal and two openings respectively formed on top and bottom surfaces thereof and communicated with the receiving space; a pair of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) received into the receiving space and arranged in a back-to-back manner. Each of the FPC defines a protuberant portion extending into the corresponding opening. And each of the protuberant portion has a plurality of contacts formed on one side thereof and communicated with an exterior. A pair of supporting pieces are received into the receiving space and attached to another side of the protuberant portion. And a spacer is received into the receiving space and sandwiched between the pair of flexible printed circuit boards and supporting pieces. |
| US08974250B2 |
Coupling terminal structure and electrical connector using the same
The present invention discloses a coupling terminal structure and electrical connector using the same. The coupling terminal structure comprises: at least a pair of first terminal and second terminal, wherein the first terminal includes a first contact portion, a first neck portion and a first extension portion, the second terminal includes a second contact portion, a second neck portion and a second extension portion. The first contact portion is disposed aside to the second contact portion at a first distance, while the first extension portion is disposed aside to the second extension portion at a second distance. The first distance is greater than the second distance, thereby forming an electromagnetic coupling effect between the first extension portion and the second extension portion to provide better shielding and decrease interference between and within terminals. |
| US08974248B2 |
Universal serial bus connector
A universal serial bus connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of first terminals, a plurality of second terminals, an insulating cover, a terminal module and a shielding shell surrounding the insulating housing, the insulating cover and the terminal module. The insulating housing includes a first base body which defines a first holding groove and a second base body which defines a second holding groove. The first terminals and the second terminals are disposed to the first base body. The insulating cover has a main body received in the first holding groove. The terminal module includes an insulating base and a plurality of third terminals integrally molded to the insulating base. The insulating base has a tongue portion received in the second holding groove, and a second supporting portion. A rear surface of the second supporting portion is flush with a rear surface of the first base body. |
| US08974244B2 |
Connector
A harness-side connector (30) to be connected to a board connector (10) whose metal fixtures (20) are fixed to the upper surface of a board (P) by soldering include a female housing (31) connected to an end of a wiring harness and fittable into a receptacle (12) of the board connector (10) and a holder (50) formed separately from the female housing (31). The holder (50) includes lock arms (57A, 57B) which are resiliently engaged with the female housing (31) to lock the holder (5) in a state mounted on the female housing (31) and a locking portion (61) which is engaged with the lower surface of the board (P) when the female housing (31) is fitted into the receptacle (12) of the board connector (10) after the holder (50) is mounted on the female housing (31). |
| US08974242B2 |
Posable strain relief for a cable
A posable strain relief for use with a cable which can he bent into a particular shape by the user, and which retains that shape, thus allowing modification to suit a specific environment or use. |
| US08974238B2 |
Flip-covered portable memory storage device
A portable memory storage device with a miniaturized memory storage assembly package with electrical contacts that further includes a casing, the casing holding the memory package and having a first end portion, a cover, the cover being rotatable about the first end portion of the casing, and at least a plug for engaging the cover and the casing and being fitted about the first end portion of the casing. When the cover is rotated about the first end portion of the casing to selectively cover or expose the electrical contacts, the plug rotates about the first end portion with the cover. Further, the first end portion includes a groove on an interior side surface, and when the cover is at a first locked state, a projection of the plug abuts against a side of the groove. The electrical contacts can be formed in accordance with the USB Specification. |
| US08974237B2 |
Electrical plug connector having a metallic plug part with a deformable tolerance compensation part
An electrical plug connector with an insulating body that holds at least one metallic plug part that comprises at least one solder connection element that can be soldered to a circuit board, and at least one plug connection element for a matching plug part, both of which are connected with each other via a central piece of the plug connection element. The solder connection element may be connected via a tolerance compensation part with the central piece of the plug part, or directly with the plug connection element, in such a way that, relative to the position of the solder connection element—with the solder connection element soldered to the circuit board—the position of the plug connection element can be changed in any direction, parallel to the plane of the circuit board. In addition, the invention relates to a plug connector assembly. |
| US08974234B2 |
Rotary connector
In a rotary connector where a moving body turning with the rotation and revolution of a planetary gear and a flat cable including an inverted portion at a middle portion thereof are received in an annular space defined between an outer cylindrical body of a stationary-side housing and an inner cylindrical body of a movable-side housing, regulating walls, which extend in a circumferential direction with an opening interposed therebetween, are erected on a moving body formed of a resin molded product and the inverted portion passes through the opening so that the movement of the flat cable in a radial direction is regulated. Further, a plurality of protrusions, which protrude toward the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body, are repeatedly formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surfaces of the regulating walls. |
| US08974231B2 |
Method and system for quantitative assessment of letter identification latency
A method and system are presented to address quantitative assessment of letter identification latency of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to a subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of letters and a background; (2) moving the plurality of letters relative to the scene, the movement being tracked by the subject via at least one input device; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via the input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the movement of plurality of letters relative to accuracy of the received feedback; (6) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. |
| US08974229B2 |
Virtually designing a post and core restoration using a digital 3D shape
A method of virtually designing a post and core restoration for attachment in a damaged tooth of a patient, where the tooth includes a bore for receiving the post of the post and core, the method includes obtaining a first 3D scan includes at least a part of the damaged tooth; providing a digital 3D shape adapted to fit the bore of the damaged tooth; virtually matching the first 3D scan of the tooth and the digital 3D shape, where the matching includes matching a surface region in the first 3D scan of the tooth with a corresponding surface region of the digital 3D shape, such that at least part digital 3D shape is represented relative to the first 3D scan of the tooth; and virtually designing the post and core restoration based on the representation of the digital 3D shape relative to the first 3D scan of the tooth. |
| US08974228B2 |
Method of assessing periodontal tissue
A method of assessing the quality of periodontal tissue using a dental device having a flat laminar body with a visual indicator thereon. The visual indicator includes a color zone having a color. The method includes positioning the flat laminar body of the dental device under the periodontal tissue in a gap existing between a tooth and a portion of the periodontal tissue covering a neck portion of the tooth; observing the periodontal tissue underneath which the body has been positioned; and determining to what the degree the color of the color zone is apparent through the periodontal tissue. |
| US08974227B2 |
Dental component, a dental fixture and a dental implant
The present invention employs a dental component that includes at least one first indexing element and at least one second indexing element having an apical end located apically of the apical end of said first indexing element, wherein the second indexing element is designed to present a play with mating features of a dental fixture. |
| US08974226B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating a furnace
The present invention relates to a method for operating combustion process in a furnace whereby a primary fuel and a secondary fuel are burnt, to an apparatus for injecting liquid oxygen into the furnace and also to the corresponding furnace. The method comprises at least the following steps: the primary fuel and a primary oxidizer are injected into the furnace to create a primary combustion zone, liquid oxygen is injected in as secondary oxidizer such that the secondary fuel combusts with the secondary oxidizer thereby creating a distinct secondary combustion zone. The invention makes it possible for a secondary fuel having a significantly lower calorific value than the primary fuel to be burnt completely in the furnace, such that a product to be produced in the furnace has an improved quality. |
| US08974223B2 |
Injection foaming mold, method of producing foamed plastic product, and foamed plastic product
Provided is an injection foaming mold capable of preventing, when formed resin molding is performed by a partial core back, degradation of an outer appearance and component precision, and occurrence of swelling when a portion that is not subjected to the core back is taken out of a die. The injection foaming mold includes at least: a fixed core that avoids moving; and a movable core that performs the core back. The injection foaming mold further includes a capacity change shape portion, which is formed in a region in which a capacity in the die is changed smoothly and continuously from the fixed core side to the movable core side, the capacity change shape portion being formed at a boundary between the fixed core and the movable core. |
| US08974222B2 |
Nozzle-locating insulator having spring-noncontact sections interposed between spring-contact sections
A nozzle-locating insulator (300), comprising: a body assembly (302), having: a spring-facing surface (304) including: spring-contact sections (306); and spring-noncontact sections (308) interposed between the spring-contact sections (306). |
| US08974221B2 |
Molding machines and methods of molding resin products
In one aspect of the present teachings, a molding machine includes an injection device and a mold. The injection device can inject molten resin. The mold is directly supported by the injection device and defines a cavity for receiving the molten resin injected by the injection device. |
| US08974219B2 |
Cementitious surface finishing tool system
A modular tool for imparting profile characteristics into fluent cementitious material. The tool has an elongated base forming a permanently fixed blade, and at least one handle. The blade is configured to act as a dovetail to which any of several modular blades may frictionally fit in removable fashion. The fixed blade forms a deflector disposed to deflect removed cementitious material away from the handles. Other blades may fit by peg and socket engagement. The tool may have detachable rollers enabling the tool to advance at a controlled elevation along a wall being formed and shaped. A slide block may be arranged to engage the rollers so as to adjust their position on the tool. The tool may have integral bubble levels. |
| US08974212B2 |
Systems for manufacturing composite parts with female tools
Methods and systems for manufacturing fiber-reinforced resin parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin part includes positioning a plurality of fibers on a mold surface of a female tool, and covering the fibers with a sealing layer. The method further includes pressing a portion of the covered fibers against an interior transition region (e.g., an internal radius) of the mold surface. While the portion of covered fibers is pressed against the interior transition region, air is removed from between the sealing layer and the mold surface to draw at least a partial vacuum between the sealing layer and the mold surface. |
| US08974210B2 |
Pelletizing device
A pelletizing device comprising a rotary drivable at least partly cylindrical die, wherein the cylindrical part comprises a multitude of radial openings for making of pellets and at least one roller rotatable around a stationary shaft, for pressing of material to be pelletized through the radial openings in the die, wherein the roller is mounted to the corresponding stationary shaft by means of at least one roller bearing and wherein the pelletizing device comprises an oil circulation system for lubricating each of the roller bearings of each of the rollers with oil. |
| US08974209B2 |
Underwater cutting and pelletizing apparatus
An underwater cutting and pelletizing apparatus includes: a cutting device that cuts, with a cutter in a water chamber, molten resin, extruded from a die, into pellets; a separation device that separates, from carrier water, pellets sent from the water chamber of the cutting device to downstream with carrier water; a tank that is disposed below the separation device and stores carrier water discharged from the separation device; and a circulation path formed so as to circulate carrier water between the tank and the water chamber, wherein a hydroelectric power generator is provided on a return side of the circulation path formed on a downstream side of the water chamber, and generates electricity from the energy of the carrier water flowing downward in this path. According to such a configuration, the underwater cutting and pelletizing apparatus is made so as to achieve energy savings by recovering and reusing potential energy accompanying carrier water pumped up to a higher location. |
| US08974208B2 |
Mould for vulcanizing a tire, installation and method for regulating the temperature of the mould
A mold for vulcanizing a blank tire has an overall shape that is annular about an axis of revolution and includes a configuration for channelling a heat-transfer liquid in a substantially circular path about the axis. The channelling configuration includes an annular wall around the axis, separating at least two chambers in which the heat-transfer liquid circulates. Furthermore, a downstream end (respectively an upstream end) of one of the chambers has substantially the same angular position with respect to the substantially circular path as the downstream (respectively upstream) end of the other of the chambers. The mold is additionally configured for circulating the liquid in opposite directions in the two chambers. |
| US08974206B2 |
Metering pump with special-shaped cavity
A metering pump with a special-shaped cavity comprising a housing, a rotor and two cover plates. The housing is a cylinder with a special-shaped surface inner cavity formed by combining two circular arc surfaces with two non-circular arc surfaces and a planar surface, an inlet and an outlet. The rotor comprises a rotor body and two pairs of combined sliding plates. The housing is matched with the cover plates for constituting a sealed cavity. When the rotor rotates, the non-circular arc surface of the special-shaped surface inner cavity can enable the two pairs of the combined sliding plates to slide in a cross manner so as to suck in fluid from the inlet and press out the fluid from the outlet. When the rotor rotates one cycle, four standard volumes are formed in a cavity body and the equal quantity of the fluid flows by the cavity body. |
| US08974204B2 |
Scroll compressor
In a scroll compressor, a sealing portion of a discharge cover placed between a suction spacer and a discharge space is formed to be spaced apart in an axial direction from a fixed scroll, whereby the discharge cover is in contact with a fixture in an axial direction only on a single circumference, facilitating fabrication and assembling of the discharge cover. Also, after assembly, when the discharge cover is pressurized toward the fixed scroll by a discharge pressure of a refrigerant discharged to the discharge space, the discharge cover does not transfer pressurization force to the fixed scroll, thus reducing a frictional loss between the fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll. |
| US08974201B2 |
Rotating compressor valve
As described in detail below, the disclosed embodiments include a rotating compressor valve having stationary front and rear plates (e.g., guards) and a rotating plate configured to rotate relative to the stationary front and rear plates. The stationary front and rear plates and the rotating plate all include a plurality of slots which, when aligned, allow a process fluid (e.g., natural gas) to flow through the rotating compressor valve. In certain embodiments, the slots of the rotating plate include an arc radius that is smaller than an arc radius of the slots of the stationary front and rear plates. |
| US08974200B2 |
Device for creating fluid flow
An apparatus and method are disclosed for inducing fluid flow. A fluid flow apparatus includes a directional membrane, a directional flow mechanism, and an oscillation module. The directional membrane allows a fluid to pass through the directional membrane in a first direction and resists fluid passing through the directional membrane in a second direction, the first direction substantially opposite the second direction. The directional flow mechanism allows a fluid to flow in a third direction and resists fluid flow in a fourth direction, the third direction substantially opposite the fourth direction. The oscillation module induces an oscillation in the directional membrane, wherein the oscillation of the directional membrane induces a flow of the fluid through the directional membrane in the first direction. |
| US08974191B2 |
Air compressor
An air compressor includes a motor, an air compression mechanism driven by the motor, a rotation shaft rotatable integrally with a rotor of the motor, a fan rotatable integrally with the rotation shaft, a plurality of air tanks for reserving compressed air generated by the air compression mechanism, and a control unit for controlling the motor. The plurality of air tanks are juxtaposed with each other and arrayed in an array direction. The plurality of air tanks includes an endmost air tank and an adjacent air tank adjacent to the endmost air tank. The control unit is disposed adjacent to and opposite to the adjacent air tank relative to the endmost air tank. The control unit is disposed adjacent to and in confrontation with an outer circumference of the fan. |
| US08974189B2 |
Blade for a helicopter anti-torque device
A blade (1) for a tail anti-torque device of a helicopter, said device comprising a ducted rotor (13). The blade (1) has an assembly of sections, a leading edge (2) and a trailing edge (3); a stacking line (4) of the profiles extending at a distance lying in the range 25% to 50% of the chord (C). The stacking line (4) presents a shape that is curved having successively from the root (5) to the end (6) of the blade a back sweep, a forward sweep, and a last back sweep; and a chord (C) that becomes larger going towards the end (6) of the blade (1) over at least the end profile (1a). |
| US08974187B2 |
Rotor blade and flow engine comprising a rotor blade
A rotor blade for a flow machine, in particular a steam turbine, includes an insertion root with a first finger and two second fingers which are arranged on either side of the first finger in axial direction. The first finger and the second fingers have a shoulder in axial direction on axial sides facing one another such that the fingers have a radially outer first portion and a radially inner second portion whose axial extension is shorter than that of the outer, first portion. In relation to a total axial width between axial sides of the two second fingers which face away from one another, the radial height of the first, radially outer portion is in the range of 0.39 to 0.45, particularly 0.40 to 0.44, and the radial height of the second, radially inner portion is between 0.40 and 0.46, particularly between 0.41 and 0.45. |
| US08974184B2 |
Turbomachinery having self-articulating blades, shutter valve, partial-admission shutters, and/or variable pitch inlet nozzles
An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters. |
| US08974180B2 |
System and method for estimating operating temperature of turbo machinery
A method for estimating an operating temperature of component in turbo machinery includes providing body detachably affixed to component, operating machinery, stopping operation of machinery, and removing body. The method includes obtaining concentration profile by determining final concentration of at least one species in first material and in second material, and determining a transient concentration of at least one species between first material and second material. The method includes determining an operating temperature by correlating concentration profile to corresponding operating temperature for system. A system including body is also provided. Body includes at least one species, a first material having a starting first concentration of the species, a second material arranged to permit migration of the species from first material to second material. Species migrates from first material to second material during operation of turbo machinery allowing body to estimate temperature during operation. |
| US08974178B2 |
Fuel system centrifugal boost pump volute
A disclosed centrifugal boost pump volute includes normal to flow cross sectional surfaces distributed over the length of the passage. The volute includes a volute proper, an exit bend and a diffuser fluidly interconnecting the volute proper to the exit bend. The cross sectional surfaces are defined as dimensions set out in one set of data, which includes Tables N-1 and N-2 for the volute proper and Table N-3 for the volute exit bend, where N is the same value. |
| US08974176B2 |
Compressor and method of assembling the same
Provided is a compressor that is capable of, with a simple configuration, facilitating the insertion operation of a compressor bundle by reliably preventing tilting thereof during insertion into a chamber; and that also makes it possible to reduce a roller size without increasing the contact pressure of rollers for sliding the compressor bundle. A small tilt sensor that detects a relative angle difference θ of the compressor bundle with respect to the bundle casing is provided at at least one location in the compressor bundle to be inserted into the chamber inside the bundle casing. In addition, the weight of the compressor bundle during the insertion into the chamber is supported by rollers provided at a bottom portion near the front end of the compressor bundle by making the rollers come in contact with an inner circumferential wall surface of the chamber. |
| US08974174B2 |
Axial flow gas turbine
An axial flow gas turbine (35) has a rotor with alternating rows of air-cooled blades (40) and rotor heat shields, and a stator with alternating rows of air-cooled vanes (41) and stator heat shields (47) mounted on inner rings (46A) reduction in cooling air mass flow and an improved cooling and effective thermal protection of critical parts within the turbine stages of the turbine is achieved by adapting the stator heat shields (47) and outer vane platforms (38) within a turbine stage (TS) to one another such that air (37) leaking through the joints between the outer vane platforms (38) and the adjacent stator heat shields (47) into the hot gas path (42) is directed onto the blade crown (32) of the blades (40). |
| US08974168B2 |
Multi-tier automatic warehouse
An automated storage/retrieval system has two pairs of multi-tier racks that are arranged in series. An elevator is disposed between the two pairs of multi-tier racks. The elevator enables a load to be delivered to and received from the two pairs of multi-tier racks. The automated storage/retrieval system having such a tandem structure not only can provide the same storage capacity as that of a conventional configuration in which two pairs of multi-tier racks are arranged in parallel, but also can be applied to a building with a limited height since the system does not need to have an extended height. Since only one elevator is needed, the number of units is less than that of a conventional system, reducing manufacturing cost and an installation space for the system. |
| US08974159B1 |
Vehicle load securing apparatus
A vehicle load securing apparatus comprising a frame including opposite side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls, with the frame having open sides positioned in opposition to each other. A spool is rotatably mounted on the frame and includes a rotating shaft, and a length of an elongate member at least partially wrapped about the spool with a hook mounted thereon. A ratcheting structure may control rotation of the spool with engaged position in which the ratcheting structure resists rotation of the spool in an unwind direction and a disengaged position in which the ratcheting structure permits rotation of the spool in the unwind direction. The shaft may have a first end portion extending through one of the side walls of the frame, and a section of the first end portion having a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape for engagement by a tool. |
| US08974158B1 |
Laced strapping system for securing loads in open vehicle beds
Some embodiments include a novel laced strapping system that provides a plurality of attachment points by which a tie-down lace can adjust the fit of a cargo mesh webbing to secure loads of items in an open bed of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a pick-up truck with a cargo bed. In some embodiments, the mesh webbing comprises a first truck bed mesh, a second truck bed mesh, and the plurality of attachment points. In some embodiments, tie-down lace interconnects the attachment points to secure together the first mesh and the second mesh. |
| US08974157B2 |
Trunk, cargo area, and truck bed storage press
An adjustable cargo storage press for organizing and securing cargo items stored in a cargo storage area of an automobile. The adjustable cargo storage press is disposed within or integrated with a cargo area of an automotive vehicle such as a trunk, bed or bed liner of a car, truck, or sport utility vehicle. The press prevents movement of cargo items and potential damage to the cargo items during transport. The press also maintains the position of the cargo items for easy removal from the cargo storage area. The press includes one or more hinged walls that lock in a vertical position and move towards each other along guide tracks. The one or more hinged walls compress the cargo items between the hinged walls, and fold flat when not in use so as not to limit cargo storage capacity of the cargo storage area. |
| US08974156B2 |
Cutting insert
A cutting insert with a substantially triangular or square basic form is particularly suited for face milling at high feed rates. It has convex cutting edges, which are each made up of a circular arc and at least one straight portion. Each cutting edge has, adjoining a cutting corner, a straight face cutting edge that merges with a main cutting edge, having 1 to 3 straight portions, a circular portion with a radius of at most 80% of the radius Ri of the inscribed circle. The cutting edges have an all-round cutting edge chamfer with a chamfer angle α. This chamfer angle α has along the cutting corners a value in the range from −10° to −20° and changes continuously along sub-portions of the face cutting edge and main cutting edge and along the circular portion to a constant value in the range from 0° to −10°. |
| US08974154B2 |
Cutting insert and shim for milling cutters
A cutting tool includes a polygonal cutter body and an end cutting insert for chipforming machining mounted in a serrated seat disposed at an axial end of the cutter body. A bottom surface of the insert has a plurality of parallel serrations meshing with corresponding serrations of the seat. The serrations extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis for resisting axially rearward cutting forces applied to the insert. The seat is formed directly by the cutter body, or by a shim disposed beneath the insert. The shim is provided with a downward lip to transfer axial forces to the cutter body. The insert can be square or triangular, wherein the serrations are in the form of a plurality of sets of parallel serrations disposed adjacent respective cutting edges. |
| US08974153B2 |
Tamping device with synchronizing device and method for same
A tamping device for soil compaction having an upper mass with a drive and a lower mass that can be moved relative to the upper mass with a soil contacting element. In order to cause a working movement of the soil contacting element, a vibration generating device is provided. In addition to the vibration generating device, a manipulating device, for example in the form of a damping body, is provided in an operatively connected manner between the upper mass and the lower mass. The damping properties of the damping body can be modifiable. |
| US08974152B2 |
Polymer grouting method for constructing vertical supporting system
A polymer grouting method for constructing a vertical supporting system, includes following steps of: (1) structuring an integrated polymer water-blocking panel; (2) constructing a polymer coping of a polymer vertical supporting system; (3) constructing polymer anchors on the integrated polymer water-blocking panel; (4) processing constructing connection of the polymer anchors; and (5) excavating vertically by layer in turn, wherein step (3) and step (4) is repeated until a construction of the polymer vertical supporting system reaches a projected depth, and then the construction of the polymer vertical supporting system is completed. The polymer vertical supporting system constructed according to the present invention has advantages, such as convenience, lightness, high tenacity, economy, and lasting long. The slots of foundation pits, side slopes, municipal pipelines, etc. can be excavated vertically fast by adopting the present invention. |
| US08974150B2 |
Micropile foundation matrix
The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for installing structures (e.g., foundations, footings, anchors, abutments, etc.) at work sites, such as difficult-access work sites. In some instances, a rotating drill assembly is assembled over a target location in order to excavate a radial array of batter-angled shafts associated with the target location in preparation for the installation of a radial array of micropiles. An operator utilizes the rotating drill in combination with a foundation pile schedule/decision matrix to design and install the radial array of batter-angled micropiles. This disclosure also describes techniques for designing, fabricating and installing structural caps to be coupled to the installed radial array batter angled micropiles. These structural caps are lightweight and, thus, more portable to difficult-access sites where they are coupled to the micropiles forming a foundation for structure to be installed at the difficult-access site. |
| US08974143B2 |
Offshore atoll system and related methods of use
An offshore atoll system includes a continuous barrier positioned at a sea surface and configured to reduce a magnitude of incoming waves on at least one side of the continuous barrier. |
| US08974136B2 |
Connection arrangement and crossmember
A connection arrangement for connecting two tube pieces of a crossmember for a vehicle has a first attachment element made of a first material, wherein the first attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to at least a first tube piece which comprises the first material. Furthermore, the first attachment element has a second attachment element which is fastened to the first attachment element, wherein the second attachment element consists essentially of a second material differing from the first material, wherein the second attachment element is provided for a solid material-bonded connection to a second tube piece which comprises the second material. Furthermore, a crossmember has such a connection arrangement. |
| US08974135B2 |
Fabric preform insert for a composite tank Y-joint
A method and apparatus for forming a joint. A composite insert may be placed into a joint region for a first structure. The composite insert may comprise a structure having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion all extending from a junction; and a resin impregnated into the structure to form the composite insert. The second structure may be laid up. The composite insert may be bonded to the first structure and the second structure. |
| US08974132B2 |
Tape cartridge with platen protruding into head insertion opening
A tape cartridge 11 includes a platen roller 15, when the tape cartridge 11 is mounted on a tape printer 1, a print head 22 of the tape printer 1 contacting the platen roller 15 with a print tape T and an ink ribbon R arranged therebetween such that the print head 22 can be separated from the platen roller 15; a cartridge case 16 that houses the print tape T, the ink ribbon R, and the platen roller 15; and an insertion opening 17 formed in the cartridge case 16, the print head 22 being inserted into the insertion opening 17. A contact portion 10 of the platen roller 15 that is brought into contact with the print head 22 protrudes relative to a head receiver 72 of the insertion opening 17 to which the print head 22 is exposed. |
| US08974129B2 |
Barrier device, lens barrel, and imaging apparatus including same
There is provided a barrier device including a main barrier blade and a sub barrier blade. In the operation range of the main barrier blade and the sub barrier blade, a portion of the contacting surface provided on the sub barrier blade that contacts on the main barrier blade is located within the operation range of the contacting surface provided on the main barrier blade that contacts on the sub barrier blade. |
| US08974127B2 |
Optical connector connected between electronic device and optical fiber
An optical connector includes a substrate, a photoelectric element, and a base. The substrate includes a bearing surface. The photoelectric element includes a base, at least one light emitter, and at least one light receiver. The base is positioned on the bearing surface and includes an installing surface substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface. The light emitters and the light receivers are positioned on the installing surface. The optical element includes at least two first lenses and at least two second lenses aligned with the first lenses. The light emitters and the light receivers are aligned with the first lenses. |
| US08974119B2 |
Asymmetric split bearing with geometrically contoured work surface
An asymmetric split bearing with a geometrically contoured work surface is provided that has an upper segment and lower segment and a plurality of spaced, recesses in the sidewall of the bearing segment, which are joined together by means of bearing surfaces or lands. The asymmetric split bearing allows for a greater range of applications, such as reciprocating engine crankshafts, which require split bearings for support. The number of bearing surfaces on each segment can be optimized for load conditions and to minimize friction. The bearing utilizes powdered metal manufacturing and is self-cleaning. |
| US08974115B2 |
Temperature measurement system and method
In one or more implementations, a temperature measuring system is provided, including a temperature sensing probe having (a) a thermistor operatively connected to a first conductor and (b) a resistor operatively connected to a second conductor, and a temperature determination application stored in a memory of a computing device operatively connected to the temperature sensing probe. When executed by a processor of the computing device, the temperature determination application configures the computing device to: transmit a first instance of a signal to the first conductor, receive a temperature signal from the thermistor, the temperature signal corresponding to the first instance of the signal as output from the thermistor, transmit a second instance of the signal to the second conductor, receive a reference signal from the resistor, the reference signal corresponding to the second instance of the signal as output from the resistor, process the temperature signal and the reference signal to determine a relationship between the temperature signal and the reference signal, and compute a temperature based on the relationship. |
| US08974113B1 |
Wearable assembly
A wristwatch is disclosed as including a casing 12 having a first layer 14, a second layer 16 and a base member 18. The first and second layers are spaced apart from each other and are substantially transparent. The base member is spaced apart from the second layer and comprises a dial or a watch movement. At least one movable member 22 is movable relative to the first and second layers between a first position in which an end 24 of the movable member contacts the first layer, and a second position in which the end of the movable member is out of contact with the first layer. At least part of the movable member remains within a recess or a hole 20 of the second layer during movement of the movable member between the first and second positions, so that detachment of the movable member from the second layer is prevented. |
| US08974111B2 |
Method and apparatus for continuous liquid stream blending
A method and apparatus for combining and mixing together a plurality of liquids to form a blend. The invention discloses reservoir supplied intermittently operated servo driven pumps, and optionally discrete liquid flow meters, and precise, encoded, fast-acting flow shut-off devices to create and define repeated time synchronized ratio defined doses of the liquids. One or more liquids, designated secondary streams, are synchronously dosed into a secondary streams injection assembly which is located generally at the suction port of the primary liquid stream dosing pump. The primary stream pump, during its synchronized intermittent operation, withdraws ratio defined primary stream and secondary stream liquids from the injection assembly. The primary stream pump serves also to propel the combined liquids ratio dosed streams into and through mixing structure on the discharge of the primary stream pump. The mixed streams are then received by a final blend tank of desired capacity where blended liquids are available for use on a continuous stream or continuous flow basis, at any flow rate up to a defined maximum. The entire blender apparatus may be started at will and stopped at the completion of any given time synchronized streams ratio dose cycle. |
| US08974105B2 |
Edge illumination of an ion-exchanged glass sheet
A planar ion-exchanged glass sheet for out-of-plane light beam coupling includes a first surface, a ion-exchanged first glass region adjacent and parallel to the first surface, a core glass region adjacent and parallel to the first glass region, a ion-exchanged second glass region adjacent and parallel to the core glass region, and a second surface adjacent and parallel to the second glass region. One edge of the glass sheet has an angled end face that is inclined to the plane extends across a thickness of at least one of the glass regions. Methods of making the planar ion-exchanged glass sheet, coupling an out-of-plane light beam into a plane using the planar ion-exchanged glass sheet, and scattering the coupled light to illuminate at least select regions of an exposed surface of the glass sheet are also disclosed. |
| US08974104B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, at least one light source, and a light-reflecting plate. The light guide plate includes a light-emitting surface, a bottom surface, a light-incident surface, and a guiding tilt surface. One end of guiding tilt surface and light-emitting surface are intersected at a first boundary, and the other end connects to a top edge of light-incident surface. The guiding tilt surface extends toward a direction of protruding the light-emitting surface. The horizontal distance between the first boundary and light-incident surface is L. The light-reflecting plate is disposed under the bottom surface. When the horizontal distance d between light-incident surface and an end of light-reflecting plate near light-incident surface is less than L, the horizontal distance between a vertical projection of the end on light-emitting surface and first boundary is not more than 0.5 mm. When d is more than L, x is at least 0.5 mm. |
| US08974101B2 |
Vehicular lamp
A vehicular lamp including a lens member between a light-emitting element (22) and a light guiding plate (26) in which emitted light from the light-emitting element (22) is incident on the rear end surface (26a) and then emitted from the front end surface (26b) to the front of the lamp. The lens member (28) allows a part of the emitted light, which travels in a direction close to an optical axis (Ax), to reach the light guiding plate (26) as diffusing light that diffuses in a horizontal plane and further allows the emitted light to reach the light guiding plate (26) as parallel light along the optical axis (Ax) in a vertical plane. |
| US08974100B2 |
LED lighting unit for vehicle
A lighting unit for a motorcycle for efficiently cooling heat generated from an LED apparatus. An LED lighting unit includes two plate-like members on which LED apparatus are mounted as light sources. Reflectors are disposed so as to cover the LED apparatus and configured to reflect irradiation light from the LED apparatus forwardly of the vehicle body. The two plate-like members are disposed in an opposing relationship to each other with a space provided therebetween such that mounting faces of the LED apparatus are directed to the outer sides. Cooling fins are provided on the two plate-like members in such a manner so as to extend in an opposing relationship to each other toward the space. The cooling fins are disposed such that a longitudinal direction thereof is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the two plate-like members. The plate-like members and the reflectors are formed separately from each other. |
| US08974099B2 |
Vehicle headlight
A vehicle headlight having a plurality of semiconductor emitters for the alternative production of a low-beam light distribution and a daytime driving light distribution is provided. For producing the low-beam light distribution, a low-beam light luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight. For producing the daytime driving light distribution, a daytime driving light luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight. The low-beam light luminous surface and the daytime driving light luminous surface are essentially identical. |
| US08974096B2 |
Inclination sensor device and vehicle lamp system using the same
There is provided an inclination sensor device. The inclination sensor device includes: a substrate which mounts an inclination sensor configured to calculate an inclination angle of a vehicle; a case which accommodates the substrate; a first positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a first direction that is substantially parallel to a first main surface of the substrate; and a second positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first main surface of the substrate. |
| US08974094B2 |
Device and method for coupling a light source to a printed circuit board in lamps
A lamp includes a collar with internal and outer surfaces, where two or more connection pins extend from the internal surface of the collar. At least two connection pins have a head portion distal from the collar internal surface. The head portions include a slot. The lamp includes a light source with at least two external lead-in wires. The lead-in wires are located within respective slots and are mechanically coupled to respective surfaces of the slots in a press-fit manner which may be free of wrapping, winding, twisting, or soldering. A PCB disposed inside the lamp has two opposing surfaces and a rim between the two opposing surfaces. There are conductive surfaces disposed on at least one of the rim and one of the opposing surfaces at positions corresponding to connection pin slots. The PCB is located between connection pins with the conductive surfaces in electrical communication with the lead-in wires. |
| US08974093B2 |
Light casing with movable part
A light casing has a semi-circular fixed case, a semi-circular movable case, and two lateral fastening members. Each of the lateral fastening members has a first surface, a second surface, and an orifice disposed near the center of the lateral fastening member. A semi-circular positioning slot is disposed on the periphery of the orifice on the second surface, and a nearly circular sliding slot is disposed on the periphery of the positioning slot on the second surface. The ends of the fixed case are disposed in the positioning slots, and at least one light is disposed on the fixed case. The ends of the movable case are disposed in the sliding slots. When the fixed case overlaps the movable case, the light is uncovered. When the fixed case and the movable case form a covered space, the light is covered. |
| US08974089B2 |
Light emitting device, illumination device, and vehicle headlamp
An illumination device 1 which is a light emitting device capable of emitting white light, includes: a laser element 2 for emitting a blue laser beam; a light emitting section 4 for generating fluorescence by be being irradiated with the blue laser beam emitted from the laser element 2; and a parabolic mirror 5 for reflecting the fluorescence generated from the light emitting section 4, the parabolic mirror 5 being disposed on an irradiated surface side which irradiated surface is a surface of the light emitting section 4 which surface is irradiated with the blue laser beam. This allows the illumination device 1 to efficiently project the white illumination light. |
| US08974088B2 |
Light-emitting apparatus capable of moving between retracted position and light-emitting position, image pickup apparatus having the light-emitting apparatus
A light-emitting apparatus which is capable of, even when an environmental temperature changes, stably reducing collision noise, vibration noise, and so on generated when the light-emitting apparatus moves from a retracted position to a light-emitting position. A movable portion has a first stopper portion coming into abutment with a first elastic member when the movable portion moves from the retracted position to the light-emitting position, and a second stopper portion coming into abutment with a second elastic member with a higher elastic coefficient than the first elastic member when the movable portion moves from the retracted position to the light-emitting position. When the movable portion moves from the retracted position to the light-emitting position, the first stopper portion comes into abutment with the first elastic member, deforming the first elastic member by a predetermined amount, and then the second stopper portion comes into abutment with the second elastic member. |
| US08974087B2 |
Luminous device and method for operating a luminous device
A luminous device with a semiconductor light source and a light-transmissive converter element including a wavelength-converting phosphor sensitive to the light emitted by the semiconductor light source is disclosed. The semiconductor light source can be at least partly covered by the converter element and the converter element is movable such that the proportion of light which is wavelength-converted by the converter element is adjustable depending on the position of the converter element. |
| US08974085B2 |
Lighting unit
The invention describes a lighting unit (1), comprising a plurality of lighting modules (10) and a number of connecting elements (2) with coupling means (21, 22), wherein each lighting element (10) comprises at least one planar light-emitting element (11) in an enclosure (12) and a number of counter-coupling means (J1, J2) arranged along at least one edge of the enclosure (12); and wherein neighboring lighting modules (10) are coupled together detachably by means of at least one connecting element (2) such that the light-emitting element (11) of a first lighting module (10) is electrically connected to the light-emitting element (11) of a second lighting module (10) by an interaction of at least part of the coupling means (21, 22) of the connecting element (2) and at least part of the counter-coupling means (J1, J2) of the corresponding lighting modules (10). The invention also describes a connecting element (2) and a lighting module (10) for assembling such a lighting unit (1). |
| US08974083B2 |
Low-cost multi functional heatsink for LED arrays
A lighting device having a cell structure (101) of polygonal cells (105), which is a heat sink, and light sources (103) arranged to be cooled by the cell structure. The light sources are arranged in at least some of the cells, one light source in each cell. The light sources are attached to the cell structure and electrically connected with the cell structure, which in turn is arranged to provide the light sources with power. |
| US08974082B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device includes a point light source disposed on a base substrate, a package in which the point light source is sealed with a wavelength converter for converting a wavelength of light from the point light source, an optical member for controlling light from the package, a housing with an attachment face for holding the optical member and a bonding part for holding the package, and a circuit board on which the package is mounted. A space is provided between the wavelength converter and the optical member. The bonding part of the housing is directly positioned and fixed to a reference face of the package. This makes the heat generated from the LED chip released via the housing. Accordingly, a heat quantity transferred to the lens can be reduced. |
| US08974071B2 |
Lighted accessory for planter
A lighted accessory for a planter includes a flexible split ring that has first and second adjustably spaceable ends that define a ring of variable diameter. The flexible split ring has a curved cross-sectional shape and is fittable on an upper edge of a planter. A light source is mounted on the annular ring providing illumination of the planter. The lighted accessory is fittable on a range of sizes of planters. |
| US08974065B2 |
Optical body, wall member, fitting, solar shading device, and building
An optical body includes a substrate having a concave-convex surface, a reflecting layer formed on the concave-convex surface, and an optical layer formed on the reflecting layer to embed the concave-convex surface, wherein the reflecting layer directionally reflects light, the concave-convex surface is made up of a plurality of triangular pillars arrayed in a one-dimensional pattern, and the triangular pillar has an apex angle α and a slope angle β, the apex angle α and the slope angle β satisfying a formula (1) or (2) given below: 30≦β≦4.5α−285(70≦α≦80) (1) 30≦β≦−1.5α+195(80≦α≦100) (2). |
| US08974060B2 |
Lighting device for fundus cameras
The present invention relates to a lighting device comprising a light concentrator device operatively associated with a light source comprising a plurality of LED devices. The light concentrator device is composed of a solid transparent body comprising: a first surface (51), at which a light input section (5) is defined to receive the light radiation emitted by the light source; and—a second surface (61), at which a light output section (6) is defined to transmit a light beam having a ring shape; and a plurality of protrusions (7) that protrude from said first surface, at said light input section, said protrusions acting as collimation lenses of the light radiation coming from said light source; and—a plurality of reflection surfaces (8, 9) of the light radiation received from said light input section, said protrusions and said reflection surfaces being mutually positioned so as to convey the light radiation coming from said light source along a predefined path, which extends internally to said transparent body, between said light input section and said light output section. |
| US08974057B2 |
Stabilization of contact lenses
Contact lens designs are provided with improved stabilization wherein the moments of momentum are balanced. |
| US08974054B2 |
Contact lens
A silicone contact lens has a radial cross-section of the inner face, the rim portion contour of which is convex between a point of inflection and the outer edge. For its manufacture, a silicone precursor is brought between a female and a male mold and is polymerized, and the polymerized contact lens is released from the mold by means of a liquid swelling same. |
| US08974051B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) image forming using digital offset lithographic printing techniques
A system and method are provided for producing Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) characters on image receiving medium substrates using a variable digital data offset lithographic architecture which provides for varying lithographic images between cycles of a marking device. MICR inks are provided with a solid particle magnetizable pigment components in a proportion of at least 20% by weight suspended in solution in the ink composition. MICR inks are provided with a solid particle magnetizable pigment components having particle sizes in excess of one micron suspended in solution in the ink composition. The disclosed systems and methods provide for MICR characters to be formed on an image receiving medium substrate over background images applied using other inks in a single device, and/or in a single pass of the image receiving medium substrate through the device. |
| US08974050B2 |
Method of printing on a film substrate
A method for printing images on a substrate with an ink jet printer includes providing a liquid ink composition. The liquid ink composition includes an organic solvent, a binder, and a colorant. Droplets of the ink jet ink composition are directed to a plastic film substrate. The droplets are allowed to dry, thereby printing a durable graphic image on the substrate. |
| US08974049B2 |
Fixer composition
A fixer composition is disclosed herein. An example of the fixer composition includes from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt % of a co-solvent, from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of a calcium salt, from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.6 wt % of a sulfonated chelating agent, and a balance of water. |
| US08974045B2 |
Phase-change ink jetting
Among other things, ink is jetted onto a substrate, the ink includes (a) a pigment and (b) a wax, and the jetted ink on the substrate is heated to fire the pigment on the substrate. |
| US08974041B2 |
Droplet selection mechanism
A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively deflecting a droplet from a predetermined printing trajectory. In particular, a droplet selection device is provided for a continuous printer, comprising a droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of droplets from a first fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a jet system arranged to generate a second jet for colliding the jet into the stream of droplets. The jet system comprises a deflector to selectively deflect the second jet into the continuous stream of droplets, so as to selectively deflect the droplets from a predefined printing trajectory. |
| US08974036B2 |
Ink discharge apparatus
There is provided an ink discharge apparatus including a discharge head provided with a nozzle surface having a first nozzle which is formed in the nozzle surface and via which a liquid droplet of a first ink is discharged and a second nozzle which is formed in the nozzle surface and via which a liquid droplet of a second ink, having a color deeper than a color of the first ink, is discharged; a maintenance device which performs maintenance of the discharge head; and an apparatus body in which the maintenance device is arranged. The maintenance device includes a suction cap which is arranged with respect to the apparatus body, with a predetermined clearance, so the suction cap is rockable three-dimensionally; and an urging mechanism which urges a corner portion of the suction cap in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface. |
| US08974034B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus and method of detecting inclination of nozzle row of ink-jet head
An ink-jet recording apparatus, including: a head having nozzles arranged in at least one row along an arrangement direction; a conveyor mechanism; and a controller including a pattern forming portion to form a pattern for detecting inclination of the at least one nozzle row with respect to the nozzle arrangement direction, the pattern including (A) a first inclination detect pattern including parallel two lines formed by ejection respectively from: a first nozzle group located at a first section of one of the at least one nozzle low and a second nozzle group located at a second section different from the first section, when the head moves in one direction in a scanning direction, and (B) a second inclination detect pattern including parallel two lines formed by ejection respectively from: the first nozzle group; and the second nozzle group, when the head moves in another direction opposite to the one direction. |
| US08974033B2 |
Printing control apparatus and printing control method
A printing control apparatus configured to execute printing using continuous sheets stored in a plurality of storage portions includes a determination unit configured to determine a continuous sheet usable by each print job in a print queue, and a decision unit configured to decide a use order of the continuous sheets stored in the plurality of storage portions based on a result of determination by the determination unit, wherein the decision unit decides the use order so that a continuous sheet with a smaller remaining amount is used preferentially. |
| US08974032B2 |
Image processing method, image processing device, recording medium and image formation device
An image processing method includes: forming a density unevenness measurement test image based on image data subjected to unevenness correction processing to correct density unevenness, using a preset unevenness correction value; acquiring a pre-conversion density measurement value that is a density measurement value of each density setting value for every recording element in the density unevenness measurement test image before processing after image formation using a recording head; converting the pre-conversion density measurement value into a post-conversion density measurement value corresponding to a density measurement value after the processing, using a density measurement value conversion value derived beforehand and indicating a conversion relationship of density measurement values before and after the processing for every density setting value and to which the set unevenness correction value is applied as the density setting value; and deriving a new unevenness correction value using the post-conversion density measurement value. |
| US08974029B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus and printing control method
An ink jet recording apparatus and printing control method are provided in which when a moving speed of a printing object is changed, a difference in writing start position is reduced and printing quality is improved. The apparatus includes an ink container, a nozzle connected to the container for ejecting ink, a charging electrode to charge the ejected ink, a deflecting electrode to deflect the charged ink, a gutter to collect ink not used for printing, a writing start timing control circuit to generate a first line clock signal, a printing width control circuit to generate a second line clock signal, and a control part. The control part controls print start timing based on the first clock signal, and when the printing object reaches the printing start timing, the control part performs a width adjustment of a character string of printing content based on the second clock signal. |
| US08974028B2 |
Method of forming ink ejection adjustment pattern, ink ejection adjustment method for inkjet head and inkjet printer
An ejection adjustment pattern forming method of forming an ejection adjustment pattern on a print medium with an inkjet head, which has a plurality of nozzles, with moving the inkjet head in a predetermined scanning direction. The method forms a plurality of thickness measurement patterns respectively on a plurality of pattern forming areas defined on the print medium by causing the plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head to eject ink drops, and forms a plurality of judging patterns respectively on the plurality of pattern forming areas. The ejection conditions of the plurality of nozzles, when the plurality of thickness measurement patterns are formed, are the same among the plurality of pattern forming areas. Further, the ejection conditions of the plurality of nozzles when the first judging pattern is formed and when the second judging pattern is formed are the same among the plurality of pattern forming areas. |
| US08974024B2 |
Liquid discharge apparatus
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge section, a charge supply source, first and second signal paths, and a connection path selection section. The connection path selection section uses the first or second signal path to electrically connect a piezoelectric element and the charge supply source. The charge supply source include a number n (where n is a plurality) of capacitive elements, and a switching section configured and arranged to switch between a series state where the n capacitive elements are electrically connected in series and a parallel state where the n capacitive elements are electrically connected in parallel. In the series state, a given first point out of connection points between the n capacitive elements is connected to the first signal path, and a second point higher than the first point out of the connection points of the n capacitive elements is connected to the second signal path. |
| US08974023B2 |
Method and device for controlling inkjet printing position
This application discloses a method for controlling jet printing positions, including: detecting a color code of an inputted paper by a color code sensor, and outputting a pulse signal when the color code is detected; configuring an expectation window where the pulse signal is expected to be generated; initiating jet printing after a predetermined delay period when the pulse signal is detected in the expectation window; and initiating jet printing after correction when no pulse signal is detected in the expectation window or the pulse signal is detected outside the expectation window. The method may improve the quality of jet printing. |
| US08974022B2 |
Inkjet printer and image recording method
In an inkjet printer, an ejecting part for K color is previously selected as an ejecting part for outputting three values used for formation of a large dot, formation of a medium dot, and non-ejection (step S12). In the course of image recording (steps S13, S14, and S15), three values are output regarding K color, and four values used for formation of a large dot, formation of a medium dot, formation of a small dot, and non-ejection are output regarding C, M, and Y colors. Thus, even if the quality of a dot in K color is reduced at the time of outputting four values, a high-quality dot can be formed regarding K color, so that the quality of a recorded image can be improved in a case where line drawing or a character or the like is recorded. |
| US08974021B2 |
Printing apparatus and processing method thereof
A printing apparatus comprising, a printhead including an element array in which a plurality of printing elements are arrayed, scanning unit configured to reciprocally scan the printhead, driving unit configured to time-divisionally drive the printing elements, conveyance unit configured to convey a printing medium, and setting unit configured to set a driving order, wherein the conveyance unit performs a first conveyance operation of conveying the printing medium by a conveyance amount which is an integer multiple of a width of the group of the time-divisional driving, and a second conveyance operation of conveying the printing medium by a conveyance amount which is not an integer multiple of the width of the group, and the setting unit sets the driving order in the time-divisional driving for each scan based on the conveyance amount by the conveyance unit. |
| US08974017B2 |
Ink-jet printer for printing on cards
An ink-jet printer includes a printing station for ink-jet printing on a thermoplastic card includes a printhead coupled to a reservoir containing an ink comprising: a medium of a low-boiling organic solvent, an auxiliary solvent of a high-boiling organic solvent, and a coloring component soluble in the medium. A support carriage supports the card and is drivable between a first position in which the carriage does not face the printhead and a second position in which the carriage faces the printhead. A driving motor moves the carriage between the first and second positions along a guide member interposed between the printhead and a reference member to prevent ink ejected by the printhead from reaching the reference member. A detection device mounted on the carriage detects the reference member and generates a signal used by a control unit to regulate the driving motor. |
| US08974009B2 |
Methods and apparatus for releasably supporting a vehicle wheel assembly
An axle for removably retaining a wheel on a vehicle. The axle comprises a rotary-type connector at a first end thereof; a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end, the cam assembly including a cam having an axis of rotation; a lever operatively connected to a second end of the axle, said lever being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam, between an open position in which the axle is removable from and mountable on the vehicle and a closed position in which the axle is retained on the vehicle; and a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end; and a lever stop ensuring that an angle of maximum rotation for the lever from the closed position is less than 180 degrees. |
| US08974007B2 |
Wheel for vehicle
A wheel for a vehicle includes a hub, a rim, a plurality of spokes, and a disk member. The hub includes a flange portion, a plurality of spoke pedestals, and a plurality of disk member attaching portions. The flange portion outwardly spreads in a radial direction of the hub and is provided on one end portion of the hub in an axial direction of the hub. The spoke pedestals are provided at substantially regular intervals on an inner side of the flange portion and inwardly projects from the flange portion in the radial direction. The disk member attaching portions are provided at substantially regular intervals on an outer periphery of the flange portion and outwardly projects from the flange portion in the radial direction. The disk member attaching portions are provided between the spoke pedestals in a circumferential direction of the flange portion. |
| US08974006B2 |
Self-propelled civil engineering machine and in particular a road-milling machine, road recycler or road stabilizer
The invention relates to a self-propelled civil engineering machine, in particular a road-milling machine, a road recycler, or a road stabilizer, having a frame carried by a set of running gear, a working unit for performing work required for the civil engineering operation, and in particular a working drum, and a drive unit carried by the frame of the machine, to drive the working drum. A power transmitter is used to transmit the driving power from the drive unit to the working unit. The drive unit of the self-propelled civil engineering machine has a first and a second drive engine, the power transmitter being so designed that the driving powers coming from the first and the second drive engines can be transmitted to the working unit together. With the design of drive according to the invention, a particularly space-saving construction is obtained for the drive and this allows the power of the drive unit to be increased without having to exceed the present width for transport of the self-propelled civil engineering machine. |
| US08974005B2 |
Child restraint harness having a chest clip device
A child restraint harness includes first and second shoulder straps, a first chest clip connector held with the first shoulder strap and having an engaging part, and a second chest clip connector held with the second shoulder strap and having a catch structure. The engaging part is operable to engage and lock with the catch structure selectively at a first position to hold the first and second shoulder straps apart from each other at a first distance, and at a second position to hold the first and second shoulder straps apart from each other at a second distance greater than the first distance. |
| US08974001B2 |
Motor vehicle seat and method for transferring a seatback from the use position to a stowed position
The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat, in particular to a rear seat for rear rows of seats of motor vehicles. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for shifting a first and second component relative to a base part. |
| US08973995B2 |
Device for synchronizing the tilt of a chair back and seat
Device for synchronizing the tilt of a chair back and seat, of the type comprising a frame of the chair back (5), a frame of the seat (2) and a support (1) integral with the base of the chair, as well as at least one first crank (3), integral with the afore said frame of the chair back (5), and hinged (6, 7) at the rear to the frame of the seat (2) and to the support (1), and at least one second crank (4), hinged (8, 9) at the front to the frame of the seat (2) and to the support (1). The afore said first crank (3) and the second crank (4), with the frame of the seat (2), determine a articulated quadrilateral, wherein such a first crank (3) and such a second crank (4) lie substantially on skew lines. |
| US08973993B2 |
Configurable cushion set for a seat
A cushion set for use with a seat having a seat back with an upper portion and a lower portion includes an upper back cushion and a lower back cushion each having a forward surface and an opposing aft surface, each forward surface including at least one back cushion forward attachment device, and each aft surface including at least one back cushion aft attachment device; and an inflatable lumbar support having an aft surface that includes at least one lumbar support attachment device. The aft surface of the upper back cushion is attachable to the upper portion of the seat back, via the at least one back cushion aft attachment device of the upper back cushion. The aft surface of the lower back cushion is attachable to the lower portion of the seat back, via the at least one back cushion aft attachment device of the lower back cushion. |
| US08973990B2 |
Chair assembly
A chair component that includes a first chair member that includes a forwardly facing front surface and a rearwardly facing rear surface that define a first thickness therebetween, and at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, wherein the front surface and the at least one raised portion define a second thickness therebetween that is greater than the first thickness, and wherein a majority of the first chair member comprises the first thickness; a cover member wrapped about at least a portion of the first chair member; and a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member to draw the cover member about the at least a portion of the first chair member, wherein the drawstring is secured to the first chair member by at least one fastener that is received within the raised portion. |
| US08973988B2 |
Vehicle seat
In a vehicle seat that has a seat back and a headrest attached to an upper portion of the seat back, the seat back has an upper frame member that extends in the width direction at an upper portion. The upper frame member and the headrest are structured such that a second distance is greater than a first distance. The first distance is a horizontal distance, between a front surface first portion of the headrest and a head of a head restraint measuring device (HRMD) that is attached to an H-point device seated in the seat, that has been measured by the head restraint measuring device. The second distance is a horizontal distance between the front surface first portion of the headrest and a front surface of the upper frame member that is positioned to the rear of the front surface first portion. |
| US08973987B2 |
Child safety seat
A child safety seat includes a seat base having shell body, and a support leg connected with the shell body. The support leg includes a tubular segment, a support portion, a fastener connected with the tubular segment and the support portion, and a cushioning structure disposed adjacent to the fastener, wherein the cushioning structure is configured to block displacement of the fastener so that the support portion is locked in position relative to the tubular segment, and to deform or break as a result of a displacement of the fastener into the cushioning structure when a substantial force is applied that forces the tubular segment to move relative to the support portion. |
| US08973983B2 |
Underbody guard for motor vehicles
An underbody guard is mountable under an underbody of a motor vehicle for extensive covering of regions at risk including at least one of an engine, a transmission unit, an axle, a differential, a gas tank, an exhaust system, or sills. The underbody guard including a recess and a dimensionally stable shaped part configured to be inserted into the recess so as to substantially close the recess. The dimensionally stable shaped part is made from materials that do not block radio signals. |
| US08973982B2 |
Motor vehicle chassis with lateral seat-cushion support reinforcement
A motor vehicle chassis includes two lateral floor supports and a seat-cushion support part positioned between two lateral raisers fixed on top of the lateral floor supports and assembled with the lateral floor supports. The chassis further includes two seat-cushion support reinforcements each assembled with a lateral floor support and with a lateral raiser, each seat-cushion support reinforcement including: a substantially horizontal plate extending the seat-cushion support part laterally, assembled with the lateral raiser along a substantially vertical mating edge of the plate, and a single support leg extending downwards from the plate, assembled with the lateral floor support, and the assembly end of which is positioned vertically below the plate, some distance from a projection onto the horizontal of the mating edge. |
| US08973976B2 |
Bulldozer
A bulldozer includes a cab and an engine hood. The cab has a foremost surface, and left and right front surfaces. The engine hood has an upper surface, left and right side surfaces, and flat first, second and third inclined surfaces. The first and second inclined surfaces contact the rear side of the upper surface and rear sides of the left and right side surfaces, and are inclined more obliquely to the right rear and left rear than the left and right side surfaces, respectively. The first, second and third inclined surfaces are inclined to face downward to the rear. The third inclined surface contacts the first and second inclined surfaces, and the upper surface. A window attached to the foremost surface is arranged in a vertical direction above first and second sides closest to the foremost surface out of sides constituting the first and second inclined surfaces, respectively. |
| US08973975B2 |
Structure for front portion of vehicle body
A structure for the front portion of a vehicle body includes both an under load path member and a front load transmission member. The under load path member is extended toward the rear of the vehicle body from a lower bulk member to a sub-frame. The front load transmission member is provided at a position closer to the front of the vehicle body than the under load path member and closer to the rear of the vehicle body than the front end of the bottom of the lower bulk member, and transmits to the under load path member a load which is inputted from in front of the vehicle body. A gap is formed between the front load transmission member and the under load path member. |
| US08973972B2 |
Lateral rear spoiler device for a vehicle
A rear spoiler device for a vehicle, such as a utility vehicle or a trailer, includes at least one adjustable air guiding element for aerodynamically guiding air and extending the contour of the lateral region of the rear of the vehicle. The guide element is adjustable between a travel position, in which it extends rearwards in a lateral region of the rear for aerodynamically guiding air and extending the contour, and a stowed position. The air guiding element is spring pre-loaded into the extended travel position and is adjusted into the stowed position by pressing the guide element from the rear side counter against the spring pre-load. |
| US08973971B1 |
Tubular door reinforcement beam
A door for selectively opening and closing at least a portion of an opening in a vehicle includes an outer door panel and an inner door panel. The inner panel is attached to the outer panel thus defining a space between the inner and outer panels. The door also includes a tubular reinforcement beam disposed in the space between the inner and outer door panels. The tubular reinforcement beam is attached to the door and has varying material thicknesses. A vehicle having a vehicle body that defines an opening and a subject door configured to selectively open and close at least a portion of the opening is also disclosed. |
| US08973969B1 |
Tonneau cover system for vehicles
A tonneau cover system for a cargo area of a vehicle. The system may comprise a flexible cover mounted to a main support frame. The flexible cover may include a folded portion such that the cover is operable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. In the collapsed position, the flexible cover is substantially planar, in the expanded position, the flexible cover is able to cover loads taller than the sidewalls of the vehicle cargo area. |
| US08973962B2 |
Vehicle warning lighting system
An emergency light system for an emergency vehicle. The light system can have a low profile configuration for improved aesthetics and aerodynamics. Further the light system can be configured to allow for customization of the individual emergency lights and/or easy access to the individual emergency lights. |
| US08973961B1 |
Vehicle trim panel
A vehicle trim panel includes a main body and a temporary cover. The main body has a finished surface and an attachment surface with a peripheral edge that encircles the main body. The peripheral edge is defined between the finished surface and the attachment surface. The attachment surface includes a plurality of attachment projections that protrude from the attachment surface. The plurality of attachment projections are dimensioned and positioned to fixedly attach the main body to a vehicle body member. The attachment surface also includes a plurality of retention hooks protruding from the attachment surface. The temporary cover covers the finished surface and includes a plurality of holes fitted to corresponding ones of the plurality of retention hooks. |
| US08973960B2 |
Rock grasping and removal apparatus
A manually deployed grasping apparatus may be utilized for retrieving objects, such as rocks, concrete chunks and other debris, from vertical excavations such as potholes, boreholes, drilled shafts, etc. Unlike backhoes and other articulated arm machinery, the disclosed grasping apparatus is manually lowered into the excavation by the user. Once the apparatus is adjacent to the object to be retrieved, the opposite facing jaw members of the apparatus are placed into an open position to receive the object. Once the object has been received by the opposite facing jaw members, the jaw members are closed to capture the object. The jaw members are then manually withdrawn from the vertical excavation to retrieve the object. |
| US08973958B2 |
Gripper having a two degree of freedom underactuated mechanical finger for encompassing and pinch grasping
A mechanical gripper being adapted to automatically perform a stable pinch grasp and an encompassing grasp and a method of determining a system geometry thereof. The gripper comprising at least one mechanical finger comprising. The at least one mechanical finger comprising a first phalanx and a second phalanx that are pivotally connected. When a load is applied on a stable pinch grasp region, an actuation mechanism is adapted to allow the second phalanx to translate and allow its contact surface to maintain a constant orientation in order to automatically perform a pinch grasp, when a load is applied on the first phalanx or below the stable pinch grasp region, the actuation mechanism is adapted to allow the second phalanx to pivot and automatically perform an encompassing grasp. |
| US08973957B2 |
Bumper energy absorber with sensor and configured lobes
A vehicle bumper system comprises a bumper reinforcement beam and an energy absorber with top and bottom rows of similarly-shaped spaced-apart crush lobes in alternating relation for uniform impact resistance across the bumper system. The illustrated top row of crush lobes provides a high first force-deflection curve for high impact forces, and the bottom row of crush lobes provides a lower second force-deflection curve, for pedestrian reduced injury. An elongated sensor is positioned under shear walls of the top and bottom crush lobes, and is retained by tabs on the energy absorber. This positively retains the sensor in position on the bumper system, with few (or zero) separate fasteners, while facilitating quick assembly and reliable operation of the sensor tube. |
| US08973955B2 |
Device for forming brunnian links
A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. Elastic bands can be utilized to form such links in a desired manner. The example device provides a means of creating items using Brunnian links of complex configurations. Moreover, the example kit provides a device that allows for the successful creation of unique linked items. |
| US08973954B2 |
Dual purpose dimple for HVAC circular ductwork
Sealing HVAC ductwork along its joints to reduce air leakage is achieved by the combination of a gasket and mechanical locking mechanisms. |
| US08973953B2 |
Seal between pipe sections
A pipe joint comprises a pin having a male screw-threaded portion and a box having a complementary screw-threaded portion. The threaded portions of the pin and box inter-engage along the greater part of the axial length of the threaded portions, the male thread extending to a male stop shoulder adjacent a complementary stop shoulder on the other portion. The pin further comprises a radial surface adjacent a corresponding radial surface on the complementary stop shoulder of the box, a curved sealing surface of the radial surface on the pin sealingly engaging a corresponding curved sealing surface on the corresponding radial surface on the complementary stop shoulder. Each of the curved sealing surfaces is so shaped to lie on an arc of a separate ellipse. The parameters of the ellipses are carefully chosen to maximize the strength and robustness of the seal. |
| US08973951B2 |
Adjustable vertical exhaust duct
A vertical exhaust duct for an electronic equipment enclosure is provided. The vertical exhaust duct includes a first duct section, a second duct section slidably connected to the first duct section and extendable to a first height above the first duct section, and a third duct section slidably connected to the second duct section and extendable to a second height above the second duct section. |
| US08973950B2 |
Uncoupling element for shielding against structure-borne sound
An uncoupling element shields against structure-borne sound, especially for the exhaust pipe of internal combustion engines in motor vehicles. The uncoupling element includes a bellows (2) made of metal and a ring-shaped damping element (4) made of a lightweight composite. The damping element has particle-filled hollow steel spheres inserted at least one end of the bellows between the bellows end and a continuing pipeline. |
| US08973948B2 |
Fuel tank for saddle-ride type vehicle
A fuel tank for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a lower half body and an upper half body. The lower half body has a left lower flange part and a right lower flange part, the upper half body has a left upper flange part and a right upper flange part, and the fuel tank is constituted by welding the left lower flange part and the left upper flange part and welding the right lower flange part and the right upper flange part. Left and right fold parts and as folded downward are provided on the left and right upper flange parts. |
| US08973947B2 |
Protective plate mounting structure for a fuel tank
A protective plate can be mounted to a fuel tank without using costly melt bonding and insert blow molding. A mounting recess is formed in the peripheral wall of a fuel tank (1) formed by blow molding, and a fixing element (3) for fixing a protective plate (2) to the fuel tank (1) can engage with the mounting recess. The mounting recess is open in two directions, that is, in the direction of mold removal in the blow molding and in the direction of the thickness of the protective plate which direction is generally perpendicular to the direction of the mold removal. The fixing element comprises a first clip (6) provided with elastic leg sections (62) fitted in the mounting recess in the direction of the mold removal, and also comprises a second clip (7) provided with elastic leg sections (72) penetrating through the protective plate and fitting in the first clip in the direction of the thickness of the protective plate. The protective plate is sandwiched between the first and second clips. |
| US08973944B2 |
System and method for attaching a steering column to a vehicle structure
A steering column assembly comprises an upper column for supporting a steering wheel and a position lock bracket disposed about the upper column. The position lock bracket is configured to be fixed to the upper column when the position lock bracket occupies a locked mode. The position lock bracket is further configured to be selectively fixed to a rigid structure of the vehicle when operating in a fixed mode and to be instantaneously released from the vehicle structure when operating in a release mode. |
| US08973942B1 |
Active bolster with integrated vent
An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded, expandable front wall deploys toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded back wall is joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes an inflator receptacle defined by a raised recess wall having an inflator aperture. An inflator with a gas outlet end and an electrical connector end is received in the inflator aperture with the gas outlet end inside the inflatable bladder. The recess wall has a predetermined thickness for substantially retaining shape during inflation of the bladder. The inflator receptacle includes a flexible seal disposed around an inner edge of the inflator aperture comprised of a flashing edge bearing against the inflator and having a thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the recess wall. |
| US08973941B2 |
Vehicle interior trim panel
A vehicle interior trim panel includes a main portion, a first side portion and a second side portion. The main portion includes a grip assist handle. The first side portion extends along a first side of the main portion. The second side portion extends along a second side of the main portion. The first side portion includes a hinged attachment section configured to attach to a first region of a vehicle body structure. The second side portion includes an attachment section configured to releasably attach to a second region of the A-pillar structure. The first side portion, the second side portion, the main portion and the grip assist handle are integrally formed as a single, one-piece, unitary, monolithic structure. |
| US08973934B1 |
Propulsion system
An elliptical propulsion system for stroller assemblies. The elliptical propulsion system has a propulsion frame assembly, a propulsion assembly, and a propulsion wheel assembly. The propulsion frame assembly is removably mounted onto a stroller assembly. Further having elliptical motion means to cause propulsion wheel assembly to rotate and propel the stroller assembly when the propulsion frame assembly, propulsion assembly, and propulsion wheel assembly are in an extended configuration. |
| US08973932B2 |
Air spring cover with switch-based air volume
An air spring for vehicle undercarriages, including an air spring cover and rolling piston. The air spring cover and rolling piston are connected by an air spring bellows. The air spring cover accommodates a first and second clamping ring for clamping the air spring bellows to fix the air spring bellows to the air spring cover. The rolling piston and air spring bellows have a common first air volume. The end of the rolling piston closest to the undercarriage accommodates a third clamping ring to seal the first air volume from the external environment. The air spring cover has a second air volume. The first air volume and the second air volume are sealed off from the external environment. The first air volume is spatially separated from the second air volume. A switch valve enables a first air path to link the second air volume to the first air volume. |
| US08973931B2 |
Wheel strut for vehicle suspension
A vehicle suspension wheel strut, includes a first bushing; a wheel carrier journaled onto the first bushing; a first bracket at a first end of the first bushing; a second bracket at a second end of the first bushing; and identical damping elements positioned between the first bracket and wheel carrier at the first end of the first bushing and the second bracket and the wheel carrier at the second end of the first bushing. |
| US08973930B2 |
Vehicles, systems for vehicles, and methods for vehicles all to improve cornering capability
A land vehicle, according to various aspects of the present invention allows the driver to lean with a frame that supports the driver and that pivots on a base. Motion of the frame is coupled to the wheels to adjust a camber of the wheels. The wheels are coupled to the base that provides a reference for independent wheel suspension mechanisms. As a result, banking of the vehicle does not affect the suspension of the wheels. Hydraulic assistance to counteract the forces of the suspension systems is unnecessary. |
| US08973919B2 |
Double-feed detection apparatus and image forming apparatus
A double-feed detection apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect double feed of transfer materials conveyed along a conveying path, and a control unit configured to execute detection of the transfer material under conveyance plural times with the sensor, and to determine the double feed of the transfer materials based on detection results. The control unit determines a detection timing based on both a distance along the conveying path from the sensor to an image forming unit which forms an image on the transfer material and a length of the transfer material in the feed direction. |
| US08973918B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus including: a skew feeding correcting portion configured to correct skew feeding of a sheet, the skew feeding correcting portion including: a rotary member pair configured to convey the sheet; a shutter member configured to abut against a leading edge of a sheet being conveyed, and having a home position; and a moving member arranged with a gap formed between the moving member and the shutter member positioned in the home position, such that the shutter member is moveable independently from the home position up to a point of engagement with the moving member, when the gap is closed, and such that the moving member is movable integrally with the shutter member while the gap is closed, wherein the rotary member pair is arranged to nip a sheet during a period in which the shutter member is configured to move integrally with the moving member. |
| US08973915B2 |
Quality control system for the qualitative assessment of sheets
The invention relates to a sheet guide element for use in an apparatus for transporting sheets by means of a gripper system having at least two grippers spaced apart from each other and a sheet guide surface defined by the sheet guide element. Here, the sheet guide element is provided with depressions in the sheet guide surface, running parallel to the transport direction, at least in some sections, in order at least partially to accommodate the grippers, so that the sheet guide surface described by the sheet guide element in the transport direction runs, at least in some sections, at the same height as the movement path of the sheet leading edge fixed in the gripper system. |
| US08973911B2 |
Movable jaw quick release apparatus of a vice
A movable jaw quick release apparatus of a vice comprises a tooth base, a movable jaw and two restriction elements. The tooth base is formed with two inclined guide grooves, each of which has a first inclined surface, a second inclined surface and a bottom surface. The left and the right side surfaces of the movable jaw are formed with a through hole respectively. Each restriction element penetrates one of the through holes and moves between a first position and a second position along one of the inclined guide groove As the movable jaw generates vibration forces, each restriction element transfers the vibration forces to the tooth base, therefore, the movable jaw do not move upwardly and shake toward a work piece and reduce its clamping force for the work piece. |
| US08973910B2 |
Positioning apparatus
A positioning apparatus includes a base plate and a deflection mechanism mounted upon the base plate. The deflection mechanism includes a stationary platform, a rocker assembly and a deflection platform. The stationary platform is mounted over the base plate for placing and positioning a workpiece. The deflection platform is tiltably mounted over the stationary platform via the rocker assembly and the height of the stationary platform itself is adjustable. The rocker assembly comprises a first rocker and a second rocker of different lengths. |
| US08973905B2 |
Venturi insert for a carburetor, and carburetor, system and apparatus incorporating the same
A venturi insert for a carburetor, and a carburetor, system and apparatus incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the invention is a carburetor for an internal combustion engine comprising: a carburetor body comprising a plurality of throttle bores extending through the carburetor body, and for each of the throttle bores a fuel delivery passage terminating at a sidewall of the throttle bore; an insert comprising a plurality of venturi tubes and a linking member connecting the venturi tubes together, each of the venturi tubes comprising a venturi passage and a fuel port for introducing fuel into the venturi passage; and the insert secured to the carburetor body so that the venturi tubes extend into the throttle bores and the fuel ports are in fluid communication with the fuel delivery passages, and the linking member is in contact with the carburetor body. |
| US08973902B2 |
Power winch horizontal-pull clutch device
A power winch horizontal-pull clutch device provides dynamic forces from a power source and uses a deceleration device to retard the force transmission to a cable pulley for releasing and rewinding a steel cable on the cable pulley. A connecting slot is formed on a casing of the deceleration device. The deceleration device includes an outer ring body and at least one insert slot formed on an external surface. The power winch includes a clutch device for selectively fixing the connecting slot to the insert slot to transmit the dynamic force from the deceleration device to the cable pulley. The clutch device is a sealed assembly and a control handle is provided for making a horizontal movement to achieve the clutching effect and prevent water, dust or other foreign matters from entering into the clutch device, damaging components, causing failure or malfunction, or clamping an operator's hand or foreign matters. |
| US08973901B2 |
Double drum traction winch
A double drum traction winch supporting a first and second rotatable drum is provided. The circumferential surface of each drum is provided with circumferential grooves perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum. The grooves of each drum are subdivided in a first set of grooves for guiding a first wire and a second set of grooves for guiding a second wire. The grooves of the first set alternate with grooves of the second set such that the circumferential surface of each drum is provided with multiple grooves of the first group, each interpositioned between two grooves of the second group. Therefore the traction winch is capable of cooperating with a first wire in the first set of grooves or with a second wire in the second set of grooves, wherein both wires differ in type of material and/or cross section and/or maximum tensile strength. |
| US08973900B2 |
Lighted tip for flexible rods
In one aspect, a lighted tip for attachment to a flexible rod comprises a tip body having proximal and distal ends, a mechanical connector at the proximal end, a lens connected to the distal end, a light source that emits light through the lens, and a holder coupled to the light source and the lens. A circuit is completed or interrupted as the holder moves in relation to the tip body, thereby switching the light source on or off. In another aspect, a lighted tip for attachment to a flexible rod comprises a lens forming a distal end of the lighted tip. The lens is cylindrical over at least some of its length, and the tip further includes a light source at least partially within the cylindrical lens portion and a mechanical connector at a proximal end if the lighted tip, for connecting the tip to the flexible rod. |
| US08973899B2 |
Jacking pole
A jacking pole apparatus is disclosed. A jacking pole may include two tubular members, slidably engaged with one another in such a manner that they may extend or expand. A jacking pole may engage two surfaces or objects and extend therebetween in order to provide support. Further, a jacking pole may vertically displace an object or surface. A jacking pole utilizes locking mechanisms to remain in certain positions and provide continuous support for surface and objects. The locking mechanisms may also be utilized during vertical displacement in order to facilitate such motion. |
| US08973889B2 |
Tube clamp
Embodiments of a clamp for compressing a flexible tube are disclosed herein. In one such embodiment, the clamp includes a first member, a second member moveably coupled to the first member to move into and out of a clamping position to apply a compressive force to the tube, a locking member to hold the first and second members in the clamping position, a third member moveably retained between a pair of sidewalls of one of the first member and the second member, and a fourth member moveably coupled to one of the first member and the second member and engageable with the third member to apply an additional compressive force to the tube. |
| US08973888B2 |
Polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and method for producing same, and silicon nitride powder for mold release material for polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and slurry containing same
Provided are a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and a method for producing a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold, with which high-quality silicon ingots can be obtained at high yields by minimizing sticking with the surfaces of the silicon ingot casting mold, and losses and damages that occur when solidified silicon ingot is released from the mold. The method for producing a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold having a release layer, including: forming a slurry by mixing a silicon nitride powder with water, coating the surface of the mold with the slurry, and heating the mold at 400 to 800° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen, after coating the slurry. |
| US08973886B2 |
Actuator including mechanism for converting rotary motion to linear motion
An active vibration control device is provided that is configured to control the position of a body relative to a reference frame. The control device includes sensors that provide input signals corresponding to movement of the body in at least one direction, a rotary rotary actuator configured to control the position of the body, and four-bar linkage connecting the rotary rotary actuator to the body. The linkage converts the rotary motion output from the rotary actuator into a linear motion of the body. The controller, based on the input signals from the reference frame sensors, provides control signals to the rotary rotary actuator which acts through the linkage to position the body in the at least one direction relative to the position of the reference frame. |
| US08973884B1 |
Belt tensioning apparatus for securing a child safety seat in a vehicle
An improved lower anchor strap tension adjusting mechanism for varying tension in a restraint connected to a vehicle. The mechanism comprises first and second adjuster ends and a length of web spanning therebetween. One end of the web is attached to one of the adjuster ends. A guide is provided on one or both adjuster ends enabling the web to be looped around the guide(s) and between the ends in multiple passes. A web lock device is connected one of the ends to engage the web and allow the length of the web spanning between the first and second adjuster portions to be fixed. The number of loops of web spanning between the adjuster ends determines the mechanical advantage in the tension force applied to the anchor strap by the adjuster compared to the tension applied to the free end, improving ease and security of safety seat installation. |
| US08973882B2 |
Lighted cup holder for seating arrangements
A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder. |
| US08973878B2 |
Surface mount systems and methods
Herein are disclosed systems and methods and assemblies for mounting an accessory base to a surface (e.g., a wall surface). The systems comprise a mounting bracket which can be attached to the surface by a double-faced adhesive such as a stretch-releasing adhesive. The accessory base can be attached to the mounting bracket. |
| US08973876B1 |
Adjustable bracket assembly
A bracket assembly for adjustably and releasably affixing bracket elements to an adjustable elongated support member includes a cylindrical base, at least one cylindrical core having an orthogonal arm, and a cylindrical cap. The bracket assembly provides adjustable vertical bracket positioning by the adjustable elongated support member. Abutting bracket assembly cylindrical cores provide a range of orthogonal arm positions 180 degrees or less, one to the other. The orthogonal arm provides additional 360 degree adjustable positioning for any element attached to the arm outward end. |
| US08973872B2 |
Fuel line in an aircraft
A line segment of a fuel line in an aircraft for connecting at least three lines is provided. In order to provide fuel channeling in an aircraft, having, for example, better damage or leakage features, a line segment is provided that has a wall structure forming a continuous cavity. The wall structure has at least three adapter openings for connecting the continuous cavity with respectively one line. The wall structure is designed double walled between the adapter openings in such a way that an intermediate cavity is formed, which encases the continuous cavity. |
| US08973868B2 |
Airborne cooling system
An aircraft having a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system can be used to cool a heat emitting component. In one form the cooling system is a refrigerant system and includes a relatively high temperature device such as, but not limited to, a condenser. The relatively high temperature component is placed in thermal communication with a passing air flow. In one embodiment the aircraft includes a pod in which at least a portion of the cooling system is disposed. For example, a condenser of a vapor cycle refrigerant system can be located in the pod and in thermal communication with the air flow. The cooling system can also include a device capable of delivering a cooling fluid into the air flow and/or to the relatively high temperature component. The cooling fluid can be evaporated to provided additional cooling. |
| US08973860B2 |
Aerial recovery of small and micro air vehicles
A method, apparatus, system, and computer system to facilitate aerial recovery of an air vehicle are disclosed. In various embodiments, a drogue is established in a drogue recovery orbit and an air vehicle is recovered with the drogue. Establishment of the drogue in a drogue recovery orbit may include establishment of a mothership in a mothership recovery orbit or actuating control surfaces on the drogue. Recovering the air vehicle may include maneuvering the drogue and the air vehicle in a cooperative manner to facilitate recovery of the air vehicle or utilizing a homing device on the drogue to guide the air vehicle. The various techniques disclosed may be modified to compensate for wind. |
| US08973856B2 |
Handling apparatus and methods for handling a roller of a roller crusher
The invention relates to a handling apparatus for handling a roller of a roller crusher. The handling apparatus comprises a movable base, a carrier pivotably attached to said base and adapted to carry the roller, at least one carrier pivoting device pivotably attached to said base and attached to said carrier, said carrier pivoting device being extendable, and at least one roller pivoting device pivotably connected to said base, said roller pivoting device being adapted to releasably engage said roller. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a roller to a roller crusher and a method for dismounting a roller to a roller crusher. |
| US08973853B2 |
Process for dry-grinding a polysaccharide derivative
In a process for producing a particulate polysaccharide derivative by dry-grinding a moist polysaccharide derivative, one or more of the properties selected from median diameter, median length, bulk density and dissolution rate is controlled by controlling the temperature of the polysaccharide derivative prior to dry-grinding. Advantageously one or more of the properties selected from median diameter, median length, bulk density and dissolution rate of the particles after dry-grinding is adjusted to a first value by a first temperature of the polysaccharide derivative prior to dry-grinding and is adjusted to a second value by a second temperature. |
| US08973852B2 |
Method for preparing a cathode material for lithium secondary battery
Disclose is a method for preparing a cathode material for a lithium secondary battery, the method comprising the steps of: preparing an amorphous silicon oxide; using the prepared silicon oxide as a starting material; and milling the amorphous silicon oxide, a lithium silicon oxide and a transition metal silicon oxide at a predetermined ratio, drying the milled material, and heat-treating the dried material in an atmosphere of inert gas, thereby preparing a lithium transition metal silicon oxide. |
| US08973849B1 |
Attachment for a pressure washer
Embodiments of the invention relate to an attachment for a pressure washer to facilitate cleaning of secondary surfaces. The attachment includes a body with three walls, two of the walls are in a parallel relationship and a third wall is substantially perpendicular to the two parallel walls. A single rolling element is in communication with the two parallel walls and spaced apart from the third wall. The single rolling element may be applied to a secondary surface so that the attachment rolls along the surface thereof while liquid is ejected from the pressure washer to clean the secondary surface. |
| US08973846B2 |
Rail fastening system
A system for fastening a rail to a substrate has an anchor in the substrate, a fastener having a shank secured in the anchor and a head above the substrate, an angle guide plate vertically traversed by the shank, an annular part between the head of the fastener and the guide plate, and a spring clip engaged between the head and the part and shiftable transversely of the rail and of the shank between a preinstallation position horizontally offset from and not engaging the rail and a final installation position bearing vertically downward on the rail. A seal ring engages in both the preinstallation position and the final installation position around the shank and compressed between the part, the angle plate, and the shank so as to prevent water from traveling down the shank into the anchor. |
| US08973843B2 |
System for generating an incrementally completed security mark
A system (10) for generating an incrementally completed security mark (20′″) includes a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program. The computer program includes computer readable code for selecting a carrier object (20, 20′, 20″, 20′″); computer readable code for selecting a number of steps in a workflow associated with the carrier object (20, 20′, 20″, 20′″) and a security level for each step in the workflow; computer readable code for determining available carrier object candidate areas (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) to which to write information at each step in the workflow; and computer readable code for determining a number of bits to be input at each step in the workflow based upon the respective security levels and the available candidate areas (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5). The system further includes memory and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and to the computer-readable medium. |
| US08973840B2 |
Integrated circuit
There is disclosed an integrated circuit comprising a management unit for managing the occurrence of predetermined events in the integrated circuit. The management unit comprises: a processing unit adapted to determine the occurrence of a predetermined event in the integrated circuit; a data storage unit adapted to store information regarding the determined event occurrence; an output interface adapted to output a signal based on the stored information regarding the determined event occurrence; and an output generating unit adapted to analize the stored information and to generate a signal to be output by the output interface based on results of the analysis. |
| US08973838B2 |
Small detection plate
A small detection plate has a chip module and an antenna module. A chip of the chip module is coupled to an antenna conductor of the antenna module via a coupling loop. The antenna conductor is an antenna loop and comprises a wire arranged in at least one winding. The antenna loop is mechanically connected to the second carrier by textile embroidering technology or by wire laying technology. Adjacent windings and the ends of the wire are insulated from one another. |
| US08973837B2 |
Electronic card
An electronic card including a first substrate, a control unit, a display unit and a driving circuit is provided. The control unit is disposed on the first substrate, receives an external voltage so as to convert the external voltage into an operation voltage, and selectively receives or provides display data. The driving circuit is disposed on the first substrate, coupled to the control unit and the display unit, and outputs a driving signal to the display unit to drive the display unit according the operation voltage and the display data. |
| US08973832B2 |
RFID tag and RFID system
An RFID tag includes: a base sheet in which a plurality of first slits are formed to extend alternately from two opposite sides from an end of the base sheet; an antenna pattern provided on the base sheet by folding the antennal pattern to avoid the first slits; an RFID chip provided over the base sheet and electrically connected to the antenna pattern; an elastic sheet provided over any one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the base sheet; and a protective sheet provided on a surface of the elastic sheet opposite to the surface that is in contact with the base sheet and including second slits formed to correspond in position to the first slits of the base sheet. |
| US08973830B2 |
PET-C based security laminates and documents
A method of preparing a security laminate including the steps of: a) providing a polyethylene terephthalate substrate (1); b) stretching the polyethylene terephthalate substrate in either a longitudinal or a transversal direction; c) coating and drying a first coating composition (2) on the stretched polyethylene terephthalate substrate; d) stretching the coated polyethylene terephthalate substrate in the longitudinal or transversal direction not selected in step b) in order to obtain a coated biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate substrate having a layer of the first coating composition with a dry thickness between 50 nm and 400 nm; e) coating and drying a second coating composition (3) on top of the dry layer on the biaxially stretched substrate, wherein the first coating composition contains a copolymer selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl—functional, partially-hydrolyzed vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer and a polyester-urethane copolymer; and wherein the second coating composition contains a hydroxyl—functional, partially-hydrolyzed vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer. Security laminates and security documents containing them are also disclosed. |
| US08973828B2 |
Coupon system and method with synthetic barcode module
A coupon management system includes a synthetic barcode module. The synthetic barcode module comprises light management components and a controller. The light management components include an LED operating as both an optical receiver and an optical emitter. The LED receives light pulses and emits light pulses. The controller interfaces with a compatible electronic device such as a cell phone, receives codes corresponding to coupon barcodes, generates signals corresponding to light received by light management components via the LED, determines if the received light pulses correspond to scanner output, and outputs driver signals to cause the light management module to emit light pulses that emulate light reflected from a scanned barcode to communicate the coupon barcode optically. The controller determines if the received light pulses correspond to barcode scanner by checking stimulus timing (e.g., by determining if the timing of received light pulses corresponds to light pulses emitted from a barcode scanner). A signal conditioning circuit operably coupled to the LED and the controller improves a signal to noise ratio and supplies a logic level signal to the controller module corresponding to light received by the LED. The light management module includes an LED driver configured to regulate electrical power supplied to the LED. |
| US08973827B2 |
Adapter system for a portable electronic device
An adapter system including an adapter unit is described herein. The adapter unit includes receptacles shaped for removably receiving at least a portion of a portable electronic device therewithin. The adapter unit further includes at least one of an image capture device and a data capture device controllable by operating at least one user interface of the portable electronic device. |
| US08973825B2 |
Method and system for safe use of magnetic strip cards
This invention relates to a method and system to ensure the safe use of magnetic strip cards in order to prevent the theft of information contained in the magnetic strip of a industry standard magnetic strip card. Security system enabling the safe use of magnetic strip cards that implements the method, composed of a half-cylinder, equipped with a special slot of a thickness almost similar to the magnetic strip card and wide of one card length, a mechanical card loading and rotating device, card presence and position sensors, electrical motors for the mechanical system, an overall electronic command and control module and the physical security box containing all parts of the system. |
| US08973824B2 |
Cards and devices with magnetic emulators with zoning control and advanced interiors
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to act as a magnetic stripe read-head detector and a data transmitter. A multiple layer flexible PCB may be fabricated to include multiple magnetic emulators. An emulator may include a coil that includes magnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferromagnetic, material in the coil's interior. Coils may be associated with zones. As a read-head is detected to move from zone-to-zone, coils may be activated to transmit information in those zones. |
| US08973823B2 |
Security apparatus
Disclosed is apparatus for use with an RFID proximity card and with a steel door and frame assembly. The door is of the type having a magnet and the frame is of the type having a bore, which, when the door is closed in the frame, presents towards the magnet. The bore is of the type provided to permit the mounting of a magnetic door contact in the frame. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly which: in use, is received by the bore and grippingly engages said frame; produces a first signal when the card is operatively presented thereto; and produces a second signal when the door is closed to bring the magnet adjacent the sensor assembly and into alignment with the bore. |
| US08973821B1 |
Conversion/transfer of non-negotiable credits to entity independent funds
In one embodiment, an account is established for non-negotiable credits provided by an entity to one or more users. Interactions that earn a quantity of non-negotiable credits are detected. The quantity of non-negotiable credits from the interactions is added to the account. The non-negotiable credits have redemption restrictions imposed by the entity. In absence of a conversion operation that converts the non-negotiable credits to entity independent funds, a commerce partner does not accept the non-negotiable credits for goods/services that it provides. A quantity of the non-negotiable credits is subtracted from the account. The subtracted quantity of non-negotiable credits corresponds to a quantity of entity independent funds resulting from the conversion operation that converts the non-negotiable credits to a quantity of the entity independent funds in accordance with agreement terms mutually established by the commerce partner and the entity. The commerce partner is compensated by the entity. |
| US08973807B2 |
Bonding tool, electronic component mounting apparatus, and manufacturing method of bonding tool
In some cases, it is difficult to carry out ultrasonic joining of high quality with a conventional bonding tool. A bonding tool includes: a horn that transmits an ultrasonic vibration; an ultrasonic vibrator that is provided at one end of the horn, and generates the ultrasonic vibration; and an electronic component holding part that holds an electronic component, wherein the electronic component holding part has a male fitting part in a shape of a tapering-off, and an electronic component holding face that holds the electronic component on an opposite side to the male fitting part, a female fitting part in a shape according to a shape of the male fitting part is formed in a predetermined face of the horn, and the male fitting part is fitted into the female fitting part via an adhesion layer. |
| US08973805B2 |
Surgical fastener applying apparatus including a knife guard
A surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a cartridge-receiving assembly and a cartridge assembly releasably engagable therewith. The cartridge assembly includes a housing and a knife assembly having a knife translatable from an initial position to a deployed position and a knife guard pivotable between a storage position, wherein the knife guard substantially encloses the knife member, and a use position, wherein the knife member is exposed for translation through the housing. The knife guard engages to the knife member such that translation of the knife member rotates the guard to the use position. |
| US08973804B2 |
Cartridge assembly having a buttressing member
A staple cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a deck and a plurality of staples deployable into tissue. The staple cartridge assembly also includes a buttressing member removably attached to the deck and a firing member movable relative to the cartridge body during a firing stroke to deploy the plurality of staples into the tissue, wherein the buttressing member is completely removed from the deck as a result of the firing stroke. |
| US08973803B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus with control features operable with one hand
A surgical stapling apparatus may comprise a handle assembly, a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and an articulation actuator. The handle assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion moveable relative to the first portion. The end effector, connected to the shaft by the articulation joint, is configured to perform an end effector function when the second portion is actuated. The articulation actuator, which is configured to move the end effector relative to the shaft, and the second portion may be moveable in an actuation plane. |
| US08973802B2 |
Wire-processing machine with length-compensating unit
A wire-processing machine or apparatus includes a wire-feeding apparatus for guiding a wire, wherein the wire-processing machine or apparatus contains a wire drive for forward movement of the wire and a guide pipe with an entry opening and an exit opening. The wire-processing machine or apparatus contains a swivel unit with drive and a wire-gripping apparatus which is arranged on a swivel arm, wherein an exit side end of the guide pipe is fastened to the swivel arm. The wire drive and the guide pipe are arranged in such manner that the wire can be shot-in through the guide pipe. The wire-feed apparatus further contains a length-compensating unit which is arranged in the area of the guide pipe and which, in a first state, shortens an effective length of the guide pipe and, in a second state, lengthens the effective length of the guide pipe. |
| US08973795B2 |
Multifunctional strap system for handheld portable electronic devices
A multifunctional strap system for portable electronic devices having a case and a strap on the back of the case. The case securely holds a protective electronic device while allowing access to all necessary features of the device. The strap securely couples a user's hand or other personal effects to the device. The strap may also be attached to a clip that removably attaches the strap to the bottom of the device. The detachable clip of the strap allows the strap system to loop around and be secured onto an object. The case may have an insert that can be used as a kickstand or a protective cover of a card held into place by the strap. |
| US08973791B2 |
Frame for a device for holding and replacing casting plates and assembly
A frame, for a device for holding and replacing plates for transferring molten metal contained in a metallurgical vessel having a casting channel, defines a housing for receiving and holding a plate, when the device is assembled, in the operating position in the vicinity of the casting channel of the metallurgical vessel. The frame is arranged to enable the introduction of the plate into the housing, and the extraction of the plate from the housing, by translation along a plate insertion direction. The housing is formed so as to have an overall planar symmetry in relation to a central longitudinal plane parallel with the plate insertion direction. The frame comprises slots for receiving thrusters intended, when the device is assembled, to apply a force, in the direction of the metallurgical vessel, on a plate inserted in the housing. |
| US08973789B2 |
Closure valve assembly for a container
A closure assembly for a container having a housing with a fluid passage, a retaining ring attached to an inner surface of a wall of the housing and having a sloping centering flange, and a valve positioned in the housing and sealing the fluid passage. |
| US08973788B1 |
Portable hand sanitizer dispenser
A portable hand sanitizer dispenser which contains hand sanitizer within an internal cavity, and which includes a dispensing body having tapered left and right sides and a U-shaped opening on a top end thereof, a pivotally attached metal clip across the opening by which user clips the dispenser onto an item, such as a belt loop, and also including a grip pad member on a front side having rows of spaced apart protuberances thereon thereby enhancing the ability to grip the dispenser during use. |
| US08973787B2 |
Portable beverage-dispensing device for use by groups
The dispensing device (1) has a beverage receptacle (2) with holes (200) in the base thereof, said holes being stopped with valves (3); a supporting base (4) that supports the receptacle; serving mechanisms (5) for opening the valves; and a cooling element mounted between the receptacle and the stand. The base (20) of the receptacle has, within, a convex central portion (201) and a peripheral portion (202) with the emptying holes, and the outer part thereof has a concave central portion (203) and a peripheral zone (204) with housings (205) for mounting a respective valve. The stand has an upper portion (40) in which the receptacle fits, and supporting legs (41). The serving mechanisms (5) are mounted in the upper portion of the stand, operationally facing the respective valve. The cooling element (6) is designed to be fitted inside the upper portion of the stand, with the base of the receptacle located above said element. |
| US08973784B2 |
Dispensing device
A system of medicament dispensers includes a plurality of dispenser housings each having a unique first indicia and a plurality of containers each having a unique second indicia. The unique second indicia of each of the containers corresponds to one of the unique first indicia of a corresponding one of the dispenser housings. Methods for associating various containers and dispensers is also provided. |
| US08973782B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing elongated articles
An apparatus for dispensing elongated articles such as straws, including: a container for holding the elongated articles; a hopper to receive some of the elongated articles, where the hopper is reversibly movable between a closed state and an open state; and a manipulator for performing a cycle to release a single elongated article by isolating a single article and then moving the hopper from the closed state to the open state, thereby releasing only the single elongated article. |
| US08973780B2 |
Can end with reinforcing bead
A can end for a two-piece beverage can is described. The can end has a center panel positioned about a vertical center axis. The center panel has a means for opening the can end located on a public side. A circumferential strengthening member is located about the center panel. A wall extends upwardly from the circumferential strengthening member. A curl is joined to an upper end of the wall. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A reinforcing bead is located on the wall between an uppermost portion of the wall and a lowermost portion of the wall. |
| US08973778B2 |
Self-adjusting connector
A self-adjusting connector for attaching a fuel tank accessory component to a wall of a fuel tank includes a mounting portion, a flange portion and a load-accommodating portion. The mounting portion is adapted to be attached to a wall of a fuel tank at an attachment site The flange portion is adapted to be attached to a fuel tank accessory component. And the load-accommodating portion is situated between the mounting portion and the flange portion and permits the mounting portion and the flange portion to move relative to one another. In at least some implementations, the relative movement permits loads applied by the fuel tank wall, such as due to temperature or other changes in the wall, to be accommodated without undue stress on the accessory component or undue reaction forces on the tank wall. |
| US08973777B2 |
Beverage can with disc
A beverage can (1) having a base (10) defining a re-entrant bead (17) in which a resilient disc (50) is held captive. The maximum dimension of the disc (50) is designed to be larger than the internal diameter of the re-entrant bead (17) and thus, when the resilient disc (50) is fitted into the re-entrant bead (17), the disc (50) adopts a concave, domed shape. The degree of doming can accommodate any variance between the dimensions of the disc (50) and that of the reformed base (10) of the can (1). One or more drainage ports may be provided on the periphery of the resilient disc (50) so that any liquid trapped between the surfaces of the base (10) and the resilient disc (50) may drain. |
| US08973775B2 |
Disposable beverage container adapted to dispense an item through the side of the container
Provided is a disposable beverage container adapted to dispense an item through the side of the container. The open space in the downward-facing cavity at the bottom of many typical cups is utilized by providing therein one or more deflectable storage members, such as a blister-pack-type storage member, with an item sealed inside such as gum, a mint; candy; a pharmaceutical; a prize; a toy; or any other item. The item can be dispensed by pushing radially outward on the deflectable storage member and causing the item to break through a breakable member on the outside of the cup, such as aluminum foil. Various example embodiments, materials, and methods are described. |
| US08973774B1 |
Waste container with actuatable, internal bag obstruction member
Waste container including a base defining a waste-receiving compartment, a lid movably attached to the base and movable between a first position covering a waste insertion opening and a second position in which it does not obstruct the waste insertion opening and a support portion including an aperture through which a bag is placed into the compartment. An obstruction mechanism includes an actuator and an obstruction member having at least one part that selectively engages with the bag at a location below the support portion. The actuator is manually and/or automatically rotatable to cause rotation of the obstruction member between a first position in which the obstruction member is in a first plane not obstructing insertion of waste into the bag and a second position in which the obstruction member is in a second plane obstructing insertion of waste into the bag. |
| US08973773B2 |
Seals
The invention provides a seal that forms part of a container for storing and dispensing consumer products. The container can be used in place of conventional blister packs for the packaging of pills, tablets or capsules or multi-cavity containers for organising and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensation according to a predefined dosage regimen. The container includes a tray having a generally planar top surface into which has been formed one or more discrete cavities for receiving the consumer products. The seal includes a cover film (1) having a pattern of electrically conductive tracks (14) that defines a circuit per cavity. Pre-formed lines of separation (4) define a removable portion (2) per cavity to retain the consumer products in that cavity until it is removed along its line of separation. Each removable portion (2) is attached to the remainder of the cover film (1) by a frangible bridge region defined by a gap in the associated pre-formed line of separation (4) and which provides a pathway for the associated circuit (22). The frangible bridge region is torn to break the associated circuit (22) when the removable portion (2) is released or removed so that the contents of the underlying cavity can be dispensed. |
| US08973770B2 |
Cover for pressure cooker with locking pieces
A pressure cooker cover comprises a cover (1) and a float valve (2), wherein a seal ring (7) is installed in the inner edge of the cover while hooks (8) are installed in the two side edges of the cover. A push-pull device (9) which can move the hooks back and forth is mounted in the ends of the hooks. The push-pull device comprises a rotating base (9-1) arranged in the middle portion of the cover, a rotating shaft (9-2) and a locking piece (9-3) which is coupled with the rotating shaft (9-2). Sliding chutes (9-31) are provided at the two sides of the locking piece. Guide columns (8-1) which are slidingly matched with the sliding chutes are set at two ends of the hooks (8). |
| US08973767B1 |
Indoor firewood rack
A sturdy, wall mounted indoor firewood rack which includes a detachable tray capable of catching and retaining dirt, wood chips, residue, snow, and water. |
| US08973766B2 |
Rack for storing chain ratchet binders
A rack and method for storing tie-down chain ratchet binders on a surface. The rack includes a base that preferably is mounted on a truck wall. A first finger is provided on the base and a first recess is defined therein. The first recess is configured so that the shaft of a chain ratchet binder is receivable therein. The rack further includes a second finger spaced laterally from the first finger and defining a second recess therein that is aligned with the first recess. The shaft of the binder is received in the first and second recesses and is supported by the first and second fingers. A plurality of similarly aligned pairs of first and second fingers with associated first and second recesses is provided on the base, vertically spaced from each other. Thus, rack is able to store a plurality of chain ratchet binders vertically spaced from each other. |
| US08973764B2 |
Sample display holder
A sample display holder is configured to present a fabric covering. The sample display holder includes a backer board, mechanically coupled to a plurality of joined cellular material sample sections further including a rear cellular material sample section mechanically coupled to the backer board and a front cellular material sample section mechanically coupled to a label. Each cellular material sample section further includes a cell mechanically coupled to and surrounded by the fabric covering. Each cell and each fabric covering further includes a front hole and a rear hole wherein all holes are aligned. A magnetic unit is attached to the backer board and further including a mounting mechanically coupled to a magnet. A magnetic plate is mechanically coupled to the front cellular material sample section. The plurality of joined cellular material sample sections can be compressed by magnetically coupling the magnet to the magnetic plate. |
| US08973759B2 |
Sieving device, sieving device for developing device, and powder-charging device
A sieving device including a hollow cylindrical body, a filter disposed at a bottom portion of the hollow cylindrical body, and a blade configured to rotate in close proximity to the filter around a rotation axis thereof crossing the filter to thereby stir powder supplied to the hollow cylindrical body. |
| US08973758B2 |
Metal basket fitting inside kamado grills for removing charcoal
An ash basket can act as a sieve or strainer, allowing a user to lift out the charcoal from a kamado grill, clean out the ash, and place the ash basket back into the grill for future use. The ash basket retains larger pieces of charcoal that can be reused, while allowing the ash to pass through to a bottom plate of the grill. The bottom plate has openings to permit the ash to fall to an ash collection chamber. Without the ash basket, pieces of charcoal can block the openings in the bottom plate, making ash collection difficult. Moreover, with the openings blocked, proper air flow through the openings. Finally, the ash basket creates and additional air space that covers the entire surface of the interior walls by separating the ash from the wall, improving air flow, which is critical to the kamado grill design. |
| US08973755B2 |
Compliance aid labeling for medication containers
The present application is directed to patient compliance aids for a medicine container. A base label may be adhered to the medication container, and one or more indicia disposed on the base label. A top label may cover at least a portion of the base label. |
| US08973751B2 |
Protective case for a wildlife surveillance system
A protective case that resists fractures, punctures, deformations, and other failures for use with a wildlife surveillance system is provided. The protective case includes a cooperating base and cover. The base and cover define a cavity therebetween, which houses the wildlife surveillance system. The base and cover interlock with each other, providing multi-dimensional stability of the entire assemblage. In addition, the protective case is made from a material that can endure manipulations, handling, or attacks from various wildlife animals, including, e.g., bears and others. |
| US08973747B2 |
Package for dental implant
Package (1) for an implant (2), in particular for a dental implant, comprising a housing (5) with a compartment (51) that can be closed by way of a pivotable and/or slidable cover (4) so as to be essentially liquid-tight, said compartment being intended for a first section (2′) of the implant (2), and an area (19) for a second section (3) of the implant (2), said area being separated rated from the compartment (51) by way of a housing wall (8), wherein a passage (35) connecting the compartment (51) and said area (19) is provided in the housing wall (8) for a transition section (3′) between the first section (2′) and the second section (3) of the implant (2), and wherein the housing wall (8) comprises a removal slot (9, 36) for removal of the implant when the cover (4) is open without separating the sections (2, 3). The package (1) comprises at least one fluid cartridge (12) and an associated release element (18) and the fluid cartridge (12) can be opened by way of the release element (18) when the cover (4) is closed such that fluid located in the fluid cartridge (12) can flow out into the compartment (51). |
| US08973746B2 |
Hydrogen storage apparatus with heat-dissipating structure
A hydrogen storage apparatus includes a canister and at least one hydrogen storage unit. The canister has at least a hollow rod. The hydrogen storage unit is disposed in the canister. The hydrogen storage unit includes a housing, a heat-dissipating channel and a plurality of heat-dissipating partitions. The periphery of the housing is configured with a plurality of grooves, and each groove has a plurality of first holes. The heat-dissipating channel is located within the housing. Each heat-dissipating partition has a plurality of second holes and connects to the housing and heat-dissipating channel. The heat-dissipating partitions divide the space inside the housing. The first holes and the second holes connect to the inner space of the housing. |
| US08973743B2 |
Woven wire conveyor belt and a method of forming the same
A woven wire conveyor belt having a plurality of spiral wires and a plurality of connecting wires operably associated with the plurality of spiral wires to form a conveying surface with a plurality of openings formed therein. Each of the plurality of spiral wires has a first side wall and a second side wall that are substantially flat. The connecting wires can be crimped or straight wires. The spiral wires can be left spiral wires, right spiral wires or a combination of left and right spiral wires. The spiral wires and the connecting wires are preferably formed from round wire. Preferably, the woven wire conveyor belt is an endless belt. The conveyor belt can be a balanced weave wire belt, a double weave wire belt, a rod reinforced weave wire belt, a chevron weave wire belt, a double balance weave wire belt, and a single weave wire belt. |
| US08973741B2 |
Transporting apparatus
An apparatus for transporting objects includes a guide arrangement for supporting and guiding along a movement path at least one carriage supporting a support element suitable for receiving at least one object. A movement arrangement moves the carriage along the movement path. The carriage is provided with rolling elements and the guide arrangement includes at least three guides that are parallel to one another, each of which is arranged for supporting and guiding a respective rolling element in an operative configuration of the carriage. The guides define respective movement profiles conjugated and shaped so that each rolling element abuts on the respective guide at each point of the latter along the movement path. The rolling elements are arranged at the vertices of a triangle with respect to a plane that is parallel to the guides. |
| US08973735B2 |
Mechanisms for transferring items
A transfer mechanism for transferring items between one or more input streams and one or more output streams is disclosed. The transfer mechanism comprises a turret, an arm extending from the turret, and a carrier mechanism engaged with the arm. The carrier mechanism comprises a base and a plurality of rods extending from the base. At least one of the rods is movable relative to at least one other rod. The rods are configured to engage void areas in the items. |
| US08973733B2 |
Article orienter and attendant orientation operations
An article inspection and orientation adjustment assembly is generally provided. The assembly is generally characterized by a primary subassembly operatively linked for travel with a secondary subassembly. The primary subassembly includes a vision system for visually inspecting conveyed articles, and an array of actuators, actuators thereof responsive to detections of the vision system and selectively energizable for conveyed article engagement in furtherance of altering an orientation of the conveyed article. The secondary subassembly includes a friction bar extending along a travel path for the conveyed articles, energization of an actuator of the array of actuators resulting in frictional engagement of an actuated article with the friction bar so as to rotatingly orient the actuated article. |
| US08973729B2 |
Coupling device
A coupling device including at least one torque transmitting device, which can be engaged and/or disengaged in the axial direction by a lever element and which is frictionally engaged in the engaged state, and including at least one wear compensation device, which has at least one rotatable ramp ring that can be clamped by the lever element at least temporarily and which has at least one rotatably mounted spindle drive with a spindle shaft, the spindle drive acting on the ramp ring. The wear compensation device has at least two continuously variable free running units which act in different rotational directions, a first free running unit being designed to rotate the spindle shaft when a wear state of the torque transmitting device is sensed and a second free running unit being designed to prevent a reverse rotation of the spindle shaft. |
| US08973716B2 |
Brake mechanism for a non-motorized wheeled vehicle
Brake mechanisms for a wheel of non-motorized wheeled vehicle such as, e.g., a shopping cart, are described. In various embodiments, the brake mechanism can provide a variable amount of braking force or torque between zero and an amount sufficient to lock the wheel. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism includes a brake plate that is movable toward and away from a surface of the wheel hub along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. The brake plate is configured not to rotate when the wheel and hub are rotating. Frictional engagement between the brake plate and the surface of the wheel hub provides the braking force. The brake plate and/or the surface of the wheel hub can include engagement features such as, e.g., protrusions and slots. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism fits entirely within the wheel. |
| US08973714B2 |
Door engagement device for elevator
A door engagement device for an elevator according to the present invention is configured in such a manner that biasing-force applying/changing means applies a turning preventing force for preventing turning of a lever main body and changes a direction of a biasing force to a direction of an anti-turning preventing force to the lever main body by action of turning guiding means with movement of a car door. Accordingly, an engagement-mechanism driving device can be driven with a reduced space at low cost. |
| US08973711B2 |
Intermediate scaffold joint
An improved intermediate scaffold joint comprising a frame, a first mounting member, a second mounting member, and a vertical stub. The frame has an interior side, an exterior side, and a top side. Both the first mounting member and the second mounting member are attached to the frame's exterior side for securing the frame to an existing scaffold structure. A vertical stub is attached to the frame's top side for attaching an intermediate vertical scaffold member to the frame. |
| US08973709B2 |
Brake module and lift having the same
A lift includes a mast and a brake module. The mast is for disposing on a working surface and has at least one track. The brake module is connected to a lift module mounted on the mast and includes at least one friction member and at least one forcing member. The friction member has a pressing portion and an axle oppositely arranged. The pressing portion is substantially shaped to engage the track. The forcing member is rotatably disposed on the axle for pivoting axially between a first position and a second position. At the first position, the pressing portion can be moved along the track and stopped by the lift module. At the second position, the forcing member displaces the friction member to force the pressing portion tightly against the track. Thus, the brake module is held in position relative to the mast. |
| US08973707B2 |
Toe board for scaffolding and a method for producing a toe board
A toe board of a scaffold system and a method of producing the toe board, the toe board configured to be attached to a working or walking surface of the scaffold in order to limit lateral movement upon the surface, the toe board made from a steel board unit having a hollow profile enclosed by covers and mounting units inserted at each end with multiple types of fastenings. |
| US08973704B2 |
Vibration absorbing mounting device
A vibration absorbing mounting device may include an outer housing, a mounting shaft, a core, a first nozzle valve spaced apart from and disposed below the core, an inner housing spaced apart from one side and the other side of the core, with the first nozzle valve being mounted to the inner housing, and a chamber separator fixed to the core and brought into close contact with and sliding on the first nozzle valve, wherein the chamber separator forms a first chamber and a second chamber, and an elastic member formed between the core and the inner housing and between the inner housing and the outer housing, wherein fluid is filled in the first chamber and the second chamber, and a first nozzle fluidly-connecting the first and second chambers is formed in the first nozzle valve. |
| US08973702B2 |
Volumetric piezoelectric seismic wave source and related methods
Seismic wave sources and related methods are provided. A seismic wave source includes a housing, plural pillars and an excitation system. The housing is split in two halves along a plane including a longitudinal axis of the housing. The plural pillars are made of piezoelectric elements and are positioned inside the housing to have one end in contact with a semi-cylindrical middle portion of one half of the housing and another end in contact with a semi-cylindrical middle portion of the other half of the housing. The excitation system connected by wires to the plural pillars and is configured to provide electrical signals to the piezoelectric elements. Upon receiving the electrical signals from the excitation system, the pillars generate forces on the housing thereby generating seismic waves. |
| US08973700B2 |
Exhaust system component
The present invention relates to an exhaust system component (1) for an exhaust system of a combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with a housing (2) having at least one housing wall (4), which separates an interior space (5) of the housing (2) exposed to an internal pressure (Pi) during the operation of the exhaust system from a surroundings (6) surrounding the housing (2) and having an ambient pressure (Pu).In order to improve the durability of the component (1) even with small wall thicknesses, at least one stiffening element (3) can be provided, which is fastened to and arranged on the housing (2) such that it counteracts an internal pressure (Pi) that is above the ambient pressure (Pu) induced by the deformation of the housing wall (4). |
| US08973695B2 |
Vehicle wheeled device
A vehicle wheeled device has a drive wheel, two foot pads and two support wheels. The drive wheel is adapted to drive the device along a longitudinal drive path with the foot pads being located at opposing longitudinal sides of the drive wheel. The two support wheels of the device are adapted to engage the ground face at one of the longitudinal sides of the drive wheel with the drive path being located therebetween. |
| US08973691B2 |
Electric off-road wheeled vehicle
An off-road vehicle has four wheels and side-by-side driver and passenger seats. At least two of the wheels are driven by an electric motor powered by batteries disposed in the vehicle. |
| US08973685B2 |
Turbine driven reaming bit with stability and cutting efficiency features
A reaming bit designed to operate with low torque fluctuation when driven with a turbine at speeds in the order of 300-600 RPM and above features a profile that is arcuate from the gauge dimension to the nose area or alternatively has a blunt straight taper section but with a ratio of profile length (PL) to bit size (BS) of under 0.75. The blades extend into a concave cone and the cutting structure continues along the blades towards the center. The blades have a step near the gauge section to increase the exposure of the blade cutting structure. An array of protrusions are disposed parallel to and behind the cutting structure to increase high speed stability and adjacent the blade step transition to protect outer casing on run in. |
| US08973680B2 |
Lockable reamer
A downhole tool comprises a body, an extendable cutting member operable to cooperate with a hydraulically actuated cam member, and a cam member lock. The lock is configurable to be activated downhole to restrict movement of the cam member relative to the body and prevent extension of the cutting member. |
| US08973678B1 |
Misspelled word analysis for undesirable message classification
Misspelled words are identified in incoming email messages. The presence of misspelled words in emails is used to help determine which the emails are spam. Various statistical information concerning the number, prevalence, distribution, etc. of misspelled words in email messages is analyzed to detect spam or other forms of undesirable email, such as phishing emails. In some embodiments, the language in which an email is written is identified in order to aid in the identification of misspelled words. In some embodiments, the analysis of the misspelling information is combined with other techniques used to identify undesirable email. |
| US08973675B2 |
Flasked pressure housing
A system for containing electronics positioned in a downhole tubular. The system includes a pressure housing, a rigid end piece, a compliant end piece, an inner tubular member, one or more annular standoffs, and a chassis. The pressure housing is supported within the downhole tubular. The rigid end piece and the compliant end piece are fixedly coupled within opposing ends of the pressure housing. The inner tubular member is disposed within the pressure housing and has opposing ends. One of the opposing ends is coupled to the rigid end piece, and the other of the opposing ends is free to move relative to the compliant end piece. The chassis is disposed within the inner tubular member and houses the electronics. Each standoff is disposed between the inner tubular member and the pressure housing and includes at least one radially extending portion compressed therebetween. |
| US08973674B2 |
Drilling system and method of operating a drilling system
A drilling system (10) including a drill string (13) which extends from a floating drilling rig to a well bore, and a tubular riser (12) which surrounds at least part of the portion of the drill string (13) between the well bore and drilling rig, the riser (12) having a telescopic joint (20) between a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion of the riser, the first tubular portion extending down to a well head at the top of the well bore and the second tubular portion extending up towards the drilling rig, the telescopic joint (20) comprising an inner tube part (20b) which is mounted within an outer tube part (20a), the drilling system (10) further including a riser closure device (26) which is mounted in the second tubular portion of the riser (12) and which is operable to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the riser (12) and the drill string (13) whilst permitting the drill string (13) to rotate relative to the riser (12). |
| US08973672B2 |
Device for triggering a fire extinguishing system by means of a sprinkler
A device is provided for triggering a fire extinguishing system by a sprinkler, the device being arranged between the pipe for the extinguishing agent and the sprinkler and including a multiple-armed toggle-lever joint acting between a load axis of the triggering element and a sealing element that is arranged at an angle of 80 to 120° thereto. The device has the advantage that dry pipe sprinklers whose glass bulbs can only absorb low mechanical forces can also be arranged for use with pipes that exhibit large entry cross-sections, large volume flows and high pressures as the forces from the pipe that arise have to be absorbed only in part by the sprinkler glass bulb. It is further advantageous that the sealing force of the sealing element can be adjusted by means of an actuator. |
| US08973671B2 |
Smart compact indoor firefighting robot for extinguishing a fire at an early stage
The proposed invention is an indoor firefighting robot which has the capability to climb stairs and negotiate several types of floor materials inside buildings. it can withstand very high temperature up to 700 Celsius for as long as 60 minutes using multiple thermal insulation technique. It can communicate with trapped and injured persons inside the fire scene and can send back video and audio information describing the fire environment inside the building to the controller. It has also an insulated container at the rear with oxygen masks to help victims to breathe safely in the smoke environment in the early stage of the firefighting process. Several of these compact firefighting robots can be launched and can work together inside the room or multiple rooms under fire with assistance of remote control unit. The fire robot can avoid obstacles while trying to rescue injured victims. |
| US08973666B2 |
Running adapter
A plug for sealing a conduit comprises a body having a first section and a second section, and at least one seal element for creating a seal between the plug and the conduit. The at least one seal element is adapted to be energized by movement in a setting direction of the first body section relative to the second body section. The plug further comprises seal locking means comprising a first portion and a second portion wherein as the at least one seal is energized, the seal locking means first portion is rotatable unidirectionally relative to the seal locking means second portion to take up the movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in the setting direction and prevent movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in a releasing direction, opposite the setting direction. In one embodiment the seal locking means first portion is a locking nut. |
| US08973665B2 |
System and method for performing intervention operations with a compliant guide
A technique for subsea intervention operations incorporates use of a compliant guide that extends between a surface location and a subsea installation. The technique facilitates deployment of tool strings into a subsea well. For example, a portion of the compliant guide can be used as a subsea lubricator during pressure deployment of tool strings. In some applications, a tool entry guide can be connected into the subsea installation to facilitate deployment of tool strings into the subsea well. |
| US08973662B2 |
Downhole debris removal tool capable of providing a hydraulic barrier and methods of using same
A downhole tool for removing debris from a wellbore comprises a body having a bore, a collection member, and a means for creating a hydraulic barrier within a wellbore annulus. The hydraulic barrier within the wellbore annulus restricts upward movement of a debris laden fluid within the wellbore annulus causing the debris laden fluid to be directed toward the collection member. Thus, the hydraulic barrier facilitates removal of debris from the wellbore. |
| US08973659B2 |
Degradable polymer and legume particulates for well treatment
A method of treating a treatment zone in a well is provided, the method including the steps of: (A) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a degradable polymer particulate; (ii) a legume particulate; and (iii) a continuous liquid phase; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the treatment zone of the well. The invention can be used, for example, for leak-off control or fluid diversion purposes. |
| US08973657B2 |
Gas generator for pressurizing downhole samples
An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly. |
| US08973656B2 |
Wellbore operations, systems, and methods with McNano devices
Systems and methods for using very small devices, “McNano devices,” to facilitate and enhance operations in the oilpatch. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). |
| US08973654B2 |
System and method for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall
A system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, the second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. The support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of the anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with the ramping surface. |
| US08973653B2 |
Running tool
A running tool (10) for inserting and setting an assembly into a bore in a well, the tool comprising a main body (11) having a hydraulic cylinder (12) for actuating one or more locking elements (60, 61) on the main body for, in use, reaction with the bore, an outer sleeve (40) rotatably mounted on the main body, a rotatable mandrel (13) to which, in use, torque is applied and means (42, 43, 44) for transmitting the torque from the mandrel to the outer sleeve. |
| US08973651B2 |
Modular anchoring sub for use with a cutting tool
A cutting tool that inserts into a tubular for cutting the tubular from within. The cutting tool includes a motor, a cutting head, permanent anchor between the motor and cutting head, an electronics portion, and a modular anchoring sub that can be between the motor and electronics portion or on the upper end of the cutting tool. The modular anchoring sub provides flexibility in where anchoring elements are positioned so that depending on the application, the modular anchoring sub can be positioned so that it provides its maximum anchoring force for stabilizing the cutting tool during use. |
| US08973647B2 |
Heat exchanger and air conditioner having the same
A heat exchange fin in a heat exchanger is disposed between two refrigerant pipes spaced apart from each other includes a guide protrusion including first inclined planes inclined upward along opposite sides of a center line of a refrigerant pipe row in a symmetric fashion and second inclined planes inclined downward from upper ends of the first inclined planes, and the first inclined planes and the second inclined planes are provided with louver members, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. |
| US08973640B1 |
Demount tool assembly and methods for automated tire changer machine
A tire changer machine and tire demounting methodology includes a demount tool assembly having a demount tool selectively positionable relative to a support and configured to extract a bead of the tire from the wheel rim. A guide element is mounted to the support, and the guide element is operable to provide a limited degree of freedom of the distal end from a predetermined path of motion in a tire demount procedure, thereby allowing the distal end to reliably grip the tire bead while the support arm is maintained in a stationary position relative to the wheel rim. |
| US08973639B2 |
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 a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08973633B2 |
Tire inflation system with discrete deflation circuit
A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source in fluid communication with multiple tires of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the tires. Means are fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit for enabling selective inflation and deflation of the tires. The means include a first pneumatic circuit for inflation of the tires, and a second pneumatic circuit for deflation of the tires. The second pneumatic circuit is discrete from the first pneumatic circuit and is common to more than one of the tires. The means provides controlled deflation of the tires in the second pneumatic circuit based upon a predetermined condition, preventing deflation of the tires until the vehicle is parked, or limiting the deflation of the tires, which in turn enables the tire inflation system to accommodate a desirable increased pressure in the tires. |
| US08973632B2 |
Wheel for vehicles
A wheel including a tire and a rim wherein the tire includes: a pair of beads, each of the beads being provided with a base, wherein the rim includes a pair of axially outer flanges defining respective bead housing seats, each of the bead housing seats including a base portion, and wherein the base of at least one of the beads and the base portion of the respective bead housing seat are mutually coupled by means of at least one mechanical coupling element, wherein the mechanical coupling element is provided with parts and has a length greater than its width, the length being lower than the circumference of the tire measured at the base of the bead and the width being lower than the axial width of the base of the bead and of the base portion of the respective bead housing seat. |
| US08973631B2 |
Pneumatic tire
In a pneumatic tire in which the sipe extending in a direction crossing a tire circumferential direction is provided on a land portion (block) of a tread portion, a wide part having a wide groove width is provided at three or more places in a length direction of the sipe, and the wide part and a narrow part are formed alternately on a tread surface along the sipe length direction. A plurality of the wide parts are extended in a sipe depth direction from the tread surface, and are provided by changing extended lengths in the sipe depth direction. |
| US08973630B2 |
Tire including concave recesses in a circumferential tread
A tire having an equatorial plane and a circumferential tread is provided. The tread includes at least one recess defined by at least one concave surface having a plurality of sipes formed therein. Optionally, the at least one concave surface can include one or more channel disposed therein. |
| US08973628B2 |
Portable purse strap hook
The portable purse strap hook is slidably and removably mounted on a purse strap. The portable purse strap hook includes a flexible sheet having at least one releasable fastener attached thereto for releasably fastening laterally opposed ends thereof to form a sleeve slidably disposed on the purse strap. A hook is pivotally secured to the inner surface of the flexible sheet. The hook is pivotal between a stored position within the sleeve and a position extending from the sleeve so that the hook may be used to hang the purse from a stationary support. |
| US08973625B2 |
Structure of oil filling device
An oil filling device includes an oil filling funnel, an extendable tube assembly, a direction adjustment assembly, and a coupling assembly. The oil filling funnel is mounted to a first end of the extendable tube assembly. The extendable tube assembly has a second end mounted to the direction adjustment assembly. The direction adjustment assembly is mounted to the coupling assembly that is attachable to an oil filling hole of an engine. The direction adjustment assembly enables adjustment of the direction of the extendable tube assembly and the oil filling funnel with respect to the engine, while the extendable tube assembly allows the oil filling funnel to be selectively moved toward or away from the oil filling hole. Thus, the oil filling device may accommodate various heights and angles of oil filling hole of engine and allows filling of oil into the engine to be conducted in a smoother manner. |
| US08973616B2 |
Modified pipe inlet
A pipe, such as a liner for repairing a failing culvert, comprises a continuous wall defining an inner wall surface and an exterior wall surface. The pipe further defines a central fluid passageway extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The inner wall surface of the pipe defines a waveform-like geometry near the inlet end, said waveform-like geometry including an initial curvature beginning at the inlet end of the pipe and continuing until reaching a predetermined location where an inner diameter of the pipe is minimized, the curvature then continuing with the inner diameter increasing again to a second predetermined location, before the inner diameter again decreases to a third predetermined location and then remains substantially constant along the remaining length of the pipe, thus creating an annular recess in the inner wall surface of the pipe. |
| US08973614B2 |
Outlet switch device and an outlet switch method
The outlet switch device includes a fixed unit, an outlet switch mechanism, an inlet switch mechanism and a driving mechanism. The outlet function switch is realized through the relative rotation between the outlet switch mechanism and the fixed unit; the fixed unit includes a control cavity and an inlet waterway connected to the external water resource; the outlet switch mechanism includes a switch plate, which is movable connected inside the control cavity and divides the control cavity into an upper cavity and a lower cavity; the inlet switch mechanism controls the inlet waterway to control the water turning into the upper cavity or the lower cavity, making the switch plate move up and down with the effect of the water; the driving mechanism is disposed between the switch plate and the fixed unit to transform the action up and down to rotation. |
| US08973608B2 |
Adjustable fluid pressure amplifier
The amplifier includes a housing containing a chamber with a delivery outlet containing a non-return delivery valve. An inlet pipe projects into the chamber and a resilient obturator ring is engaged with and located about the pipe to be resiliently-movable in the chamber. An annular exhaust aperture surrounding the pipe can be sealed by the obturator ring, the obturator ring being responsive to fluid flow in the inlet pipe such that fluid flow causes the obturator ring to oscillate between conditions which alternately permit and prevent fluid from leaving the chamber through the exhaust aperture thereby causing a pulsed pressure increase in the fluid flowing through the delivery outlet. An adjuster is provided for adjusting the distance by which the fluid inlet pipe projects into the chamber and moves the pipe using co-operably inclined faces. The obturator ring and the delivery valve are shaped to create a venturi effect. |
| US08973602B2 |
Gas shutoff device
The present invention provides a gas shutoff device that prevents tampering procurement of gas or tamper due to stealing of the gas shutoff device.When an event, in which a gas pressure value of a pressure measuring unit 32 after a predetermined operation performed by a provider in installation is kept equal to or less than a first predetermined pressure value for a first predetermined time or longer and then the gas pressure value is kept equal to or more than a second predetermined pressure value for a second predetermined time or longer, happens at a predetermined number of times, the gas is shut off by a shutoff unit 39, communication with the outside is performed by an external communication unit 34, restoration is permitted by a restoring unit 38 while when there is a predetermined operation by the provider after the shutoff, the restoration permission state implemented by communicating with the outside by the predetermined operation by the provider and inputting communication of a response from the outside. |
| US08973598B2 |
Priming valve device for water circuit of a beverage machine
A priming valve device for a beverage machine. The device includes a casing assembly including a water inlet, a water outlet, and a drain and venting portion for discharging water or air during priming and a valve assembly associated with the casing assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve member which is moveable to a closed position which closes the water outlet by elastic return when the pressure in the water inlet decreases under the elastic return pressure of the valve member. |
| US08973595B2 |
Battery-powered control valve and operation thereof
The present disclosure describes, among other things, a method. The method may include receiving, by a wireless communication device, an instruction to actuate a valve. The method may also include receiving a period of time. The method may also include applying energy from a battery to the valve for the period of time. |
| US08973591B2 |
Dishwasher with a motor driven filter backflush system and associated backflush method
A dishwasher has a wash chamber and sump disposed below the wash chamber, wherein wash fluid supplied to the wash chamber collects in the sump. A main pump is configured to drawn wash fluid from the sump and supply the wash fluid to the wash chamber, for example via spray arm assemblies. A filter is operably disposed to filter the wash fluid recirculated by the main pump. A backflush line has an outlet disposed downstream of the filter, and a backflush pump is configured to supply backflush fluid through the backflush line against the filter. A reservoir separate from the sump is provided and sized to hold a measured amount of fluid. The backflush pump draws the backflush fluid from the reservoir at a defined time. |
| US08973590B2 |
Holder for a concealed tooth cleaning implement
The present invention is a disguised holder or case that appears to be a lipstick application dispenser but has there within a dental scaler concealed in a faux lipstick tube. The device is designed to fool an observer into believing that the user is applying lipstick rather than picking at or removing food between teeth and therefore can be used by a person in public places. |
| US08973589B2 |
Embossing techniques
An embossing apparatus for applying an embossing pattern to a wrapper for a smoking article, the embossing apparatus configured so as to act to at least partially minimize the reduction, in at least one direction, in the tensile strength of the wrapper resulting from the application of said embossing pattern. |
| US08973588B2 |
Plasticizer composition for degradable polyester filter tow
A filter material adapted for use as a filter element of a smoking article is provided, the filter material being in the form of a fibrous tow that includes a plurality of filaments of a degradable polyester and a plasticizer composition applied thereto, the plasticizer composition and the degradable polyester having a Relative Energy Difference calculated using Hansen Solubility Parameters of less than about 1.3. Exemplary degradable polyesters include polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate adipate and copolymers or blends thereof. Exemplary plasticizer compositions include one or more of dimethylisosorbide, propylene carbonate, methylbenzyl alcohol, glycerol carbonate acetate, glycerol carbonate ethyl ether, and mixtures thereof, optionally in combination with triacetin. Filter elements and smoking articles, such as cigarettes, that contain the filter material are also provided. |
| US08973586B2 |
Disposable smoking pipe
A disposable smoking pipe may comprise a shaft having a mouthpiece end and a bowl end, a recess being formed in the bowl end, a mouth opening formed in the mouthpiece end, and a passage extending from the mouth opening to the recess to put the recess in fluid communication with the mouth opening. The shaft has an exterior surface with a generally cylindrical in shape between the mouthpiece end and the bowl end, and the shaft is formed from a corncob. |
| US08973583B2 |
Wound retractor
An incrementally adjustable wound retractor (500), having a first ring (504) with a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, a flexible second ring (502), having a lumen and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve (506), disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the first and second rings (502, 504), where the second ring may be rolled over itself to provide a sleeve with a radical retraction force sufficient to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. |
| US08973579B2 |
Self-contained modular deployment system
An apparatus for deploying oxygen masks that includes a pre-packaged modular system that does not require manual repacking of oxygen masks by aircraft technicians. The cartridge is for use with a manifold having a passageway in fluid communication with a source of breathable gas. The cartridge includes an end wall, a sidewall extending from the end wall and terminating at a distal end adjacent to an opening. A flexible member defines a chamber inside the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the passageway when the cartridge is coupled to the manifold. The flexible member has an outlet. A mask assembly is disposed inside the cartridge. The mask assembly has a hose coupled to the outlet of the flexible member. A cover is removably attached to the distal end of the at least one side wall. |
| US08973578B2 |
Apparatus for respiratory support and non-invasive detection of alveolar derecruitment for patients suffering from respiratory failure
Apparatus for respiratory support and non-invasive detection of alveolar recruitment/derecruitment provides air supply to a patient at a base pressure and an additional pressure which can be varied at a frequency of from 5 to 10 Hz and transducers applied to the conduits supplying air to the patient to send electric signals to a computer to obtain a variable positive end-expiratory pressure and a to obtain an end expiratory resistance at varying values of positive end expiratory pressure and defining the state of pulmonary recruitment as the value of the positive end-expiratory pressure which corresponds to a point of maximum expiratory resistance. |
| US08973576B2 |
Blower
A blower includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, a stationary component provided to the housing, an impeller positioned between the inlet of the housing and the stationary component, and a motor adapted to drive the impeller. The housing and the stationary component cooperate to define a volute that directs air towards the outlet. The housing includes a separating wall constructed and arranged to divide the volute into a high speed airpath region and a low speed airpath region. |
| US08973564B1 |
Recreational throwing apparatus and corresponding objects therefor
A recreational throwing apparatus comprises, in the exemplary embodiment, a handle portion and an engagement portion engaged with the handle portion and configured for selective frictional engagement with an engagement aperture of an object. Additionally, the engagement portion provides a means for substantially preventing rotation of the object about the engagement portion when engaged therewith. Thus, with the object frictionally engaged with the engagement portion in a desired orientation, the apparatus may be swung in a desired direction, causing the object to disengage and travel in the desired direction. |
| US08973563B2 |
Internal combustion engine control apparatus
An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes means that detects an inlet temperature that is a temperature in a vicinity of an inlet of a purification catalyst disposed in an exhaust path and means that detects a turbine temperature that is a temperature in a vicinity of an exhaust turbine of a turbo-supercharger disposed in the exhaust path, and also includes means that controls a valve overlap that is a state in which an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine are open simultaneously. When the inlet temperature is lower than an inlet high temperature reference value, and the turbine temperature is higher than a turbine high temperature reference value that is higher than the inlet high temperature reference value, the valve overlap amount is increased so as to be greater than a turbine high temperature time reference amount. |
| US08973558B2 |
Method and system for fuel vapor control
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel vapor recovery system including a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and a canister. During selected conditions, the valve is modulated and pressure pulsations in the fuel vapor recovery system are monitored. Valve degradation is identified based on correlations between the valve modulation and the resultant pressure pulsations. |
| US08973554B2 |
Two solenoid valve relay two-stage fuel injection valve for diesel engines
The present invention provides a two solenoid valve relay with a two-phase fuel injection valve for a diesel engine, which is installed on a valve itself to enable injection at pressure greater than opening pressure, at which the fuel enters into a fuel valve, thereby improving fuel injection performance, and which is configured to enable adjustment of an injection timing at the opening pressure within the valve, wherein injection timings through a solenoid valve is provided for low load and high load, respectively, such that a distinct difference exists between the injection timings to open the nozzle hole of the nozzle in a differential manner at pressure higher than the pressure, at which the fuel enters to the fuel valve and internal spring opening pressure, thereby injecting fuel at high pressure even at low load to facilitate vaporization, and wherein, in case of a high speed operation or high load, low pressure/high pressure needle valves are opened at the same time to quickly inject fuel of a high volume through a plurality of nozzle holes, thereby improving combustion performance of an engine, and wherein a space between the needle valve and the nozzle hole which are closed after the injection is minimized because the nozzle hole is opened differentially and sequentially according to pressure, thereby avoiding waste of fuel and reducing harmful gas (smoke, Nox). |
| US08973553B2 |
Multi-sensing fuel injection system and method for making the same
A multi-sensing fuel injection system for internal combustion engines. The system includes a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the internal combustion chamber. The fuel injector is electrically insulated from an engine body of the internal combustion engine by way of a first electrically insulated member. A second electrically insulated member is provided for fixedly disposing the fuel injector within the combustion chamber. The electrical insulation of the fuel injector, in conjunction with the integration of an ion sensing circuit including a resistor and a power source for supplying voltage to the fuel injector, allows for a full measurement of the ionization current. |
| US08973552B2 |
Integral oil system
An oil management system includes an engine housing assembly which defines a first rotor volume and a second rotor volume. An oil cooler assembly arranged between the first rotor volume and the second rotor volume. |
| US08973550B2 |
Oil supply device for an internal combustion engine
An oil supply device for a crankcase of an internal combustion engine feeds oil from a reservoir to a main oil duct of the crankcase. A filter switching device allows a selection from a plurality of oil filter units in the flow path of the oil to be selectively connected into the oil flow path, to set a proportion of the oil filter units to active and a proportion of the oil filter units to passive. A switching unit switches between the active and passive states and opens up a pressurized oil flow path to the active oil filter unit(s) and also a drainage flow path between the passive oil filter unit(s) and a drainage duct. An evacuation device drains or evacuates oil from the drainage duct which has accumulated at the passive oil filter unit(s). |
| US08973549B2 |
Radiator frame for a cooling module, and cooling module or cooling device for an internal combustion engine
A radiator frame (10) for a cooling module of an internal combustion engine, having a fastening element (100) for fastening the cooling module to/on/in a radiator of the internal combustion engine, the fastening element (100) having a retaining face (123), by which the cooling module (1) can be locked in a translational and optionally a rotational direction, and an individual fastening element (100) has at least two retaining faces (123) in such a way that said fastening element (100) can be seated on mating faces at/on/in the radiator. |
| US08973548B2 |
Piston upper part of an assembled or welded piston with extended cooling spaces
A liquid cooled piston of an internal combustion engine includes a piston lower part and piston upper part which has a combustion chamber recess. These piston components are supported via joining lands which are spaced apart radially and together form a dividing plane, and are joined together with a material-to-material fit. In order to receive piston rings, the piston upper part has a ring area and includes an annular cooling channel which extends into the piston lower part and is connected to an inner cooling space via connecting channels. The cooling channel is adjoined by recesses which are oriented in the direction of a piston head, are configured as a blind hole and widen conically starting from the cooling channel as far as a recess bottom. The recess bottom can be of a pronounced undulating enlarged surface or a finely undulating configuration. |
| US08973545B2 |
Valve-timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A valve-timing control apparatus includes a drive rotating member; a driven rotating member fixed to a cam shaft; an electric motor configured to rotate the driven rotating member relative to the drive rotating member; a motor housing connected integrally with the drive rotating member; a cover member located to face a front portion of the housing; a tubular motor output shaft provided inside the housing to be rotatable relative to the housing; and a plug member fixed to an inner circumferential surface of a tip portion of the tubular motor output shaft and configured to inhibit lubricating oil supplied into the tubular motor output shaft from leaking to an external. The plug member includes a core member formed in a bottomed tubular shape and formed with a through-hole in its bottom portion, and an elastic body coating at least the through-hole and an outer circumferential surface of the core member. |
| US08973543B2 |
Valve timing controller and assembling method of the same
A valve timing controller includes a reed valve interposed between an end surface of a vane rotor and an end surface of a driven shaft. The reed valve has a fixed part, a first reed part and a second reed part. Each of the first reed part and the second reed part has each lower limit pressure for allowing working oil to flow from a first supply passage to a second supply passage. The lower limit pressure of the first reed part is different from the lower limit pressure of the second reed part. |
| US08973542B2 |
Centering slot for internal combustion engine
A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device includes a rotor connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes. A stator is engaged with the rotor, and includes a plurality of webs. Pressure chambers are provided between each of the webs and vanes. A centering slot is provided on the stator and/or the rotor. A pressure medium control valve is disposed in one of the vanes of the rotor, and is configured to not only selectively lock and unlock the position of the rotor relative to the stator, but is also configured such that pressure medium in the pressure chambers is veritable through the centering slot and thereafter through the pressure medium control valve. |
| US08973541B2 |
Pressure pulse generator
A pressure pulse generator includes a cylinder (2), a body (9) connected to the cylinder (2), a first channel (15) extending from the cylinder (2) to a pressure sink LP, a pressure fluid circuit having a second channel (4) extending to the cylinder (2) from a pressure source HP, an actuator piston (3) being displaceable arranged, a controllable first valve body (5) arranged in the second channel (4) to open or close a pressure fluid flow in the second channel (4), an electro element (7) to control the valve body (5), a second valve body (8) arranged at or to the second channel (4) for opening or closing of the channel (4). The second valve body (8) is an element rigidly connected to the actuator piston (3). |
| US08973538B2 |
Inline engine having side-mounted heat exchangers
An engine is disclosed. The engine may have an engine block with a front end, a back end opposite the front end in a length direction, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a top, and a bottom opposite the top. The engine may also have at least one cylinder head connected to the top of the engine block, and a first heat exchanger mounted at the first side of the engine block and configured to receive a flow of raw coolant and a flow of fresh coolant. The engine may further have a second heat exchanger mounted at the first side of the engine block, between the first heat exchanger and the top. The second heat exchanger may be configured to receive a flow of fresh coolant from the first heat exchanger and a flow of combustion air. |
| US08973537B2 |
Engine having thermostat and system thereof
An engine system may include a thermostat casing connected to a first, second, third, and fourth flow channels, a valve guide in which a main valve that opens and closes the first flow channel is formed at one side, a closing valve that opens and closes the second flow channel is formed at the other side, and a bypass valve is formed adjacent to the closing valve, an elastic member that elastically supports the valve guide to enable the main valve to block the first flow channel and the closing valve to block the second flow channel, a driver that moves the valve guide so that the main valve opens the first flow channel and the closing valve opens the second flow channel according to a temperature of a coolant, and a control unit that controls the temperature and a flow of the coolant by controlling the driver. |
| US08973535B2 |
Steam-generator temperature control and optimization
A control method for boiler outlet temperatures includes predictive control of SH and RH desuperheater systems. The control method also includes control and optimization of steam generation conditions, for a boiler system, such as burner tilt and intensity, flue-gas recirculation, boiler fouling, and other conditions for the boiler. The control method assures a proportional-valve control action in the desuperheater system, that affects the boiler system. |
| US08973534B2 |
Pop up tennis ball pet toy
The invention relates to a pet toy wherein a two-piece molded plastic encasement contains apertures that allow a ball or balls to protrude and extrude as a result of rotation of the top of the toy and fixed raised protrusions which naturally cause a ball to essentially “appear” and “disappear” and an animal must solve by attempting to retrieve the moving ball or balls. |
| US08973527B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus, plasma processing method, method for cleaning plasma processing apparatus and pressure control valve for plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus is provided with a first exhaust path which extends downward from an exhaust hole; a second exhaust path which is connected to a downstream end portion of the first exhaust path in the exhausting direction and extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first exhaust path extends, and whose cross-section, which orthogonally intersects with the exhausting direction, is horizontally long such that a widthwise length is greater than a vertical length in the cross-section; a third exhaust path which is connected to a downstream end portion of the second exhaust path in the exhausting direction and extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second exhaust path extends; a pump which is connected to a downstream end portion of the third exhaust path in the exhausting direction and depressurizes an inside of a processing container; a pressure control valve which is provided in the second exhaust path, and comprises a pressure control valve plate which is capable of closing the second exhaust path and controls a pressure at upstream and downstream sides in the exhausting direction; and a shut-off valve which is provided in the third exhaust path and comprises a shut-off valve plate which opens and closes the third exhaust path. |
| US08973525B2 |
Thin film deposition apparatus
A thin film deposition apparatus includes: a deposition source that discharges a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit disposed at a side of the deposition source and including a plurality of deposition source nozzles arranged in a first direction; a patterning slit sheet disposed opposite to the deposition source nozzle unit and including a plurality of patterning slits arranged in the first direction; a position detection member that detects a relative position of the substrate to the patterning slit sheet; and an alignment control member that controls a relative position of the patterning slit sheet to the substrate by using the relative position of the substrate detected by the position detection member, wherein the thin film deposition apparatus and the substrate are separated from each other, and the thin film deposition apparatus and the substrate are moved relative to each other. |
| US08973522B2 |
Dual feeding spray device and use thereof
This invention is directed to a spray device for spraying two or more components. The two or more components are maintained separated in the spray device and are mixed post atomization. This invention is also directed to a gravity fed spray gun and a dual feeding device for spraying two or more components. |
| US08973506B2 |
Transporting system
The invention relates to an in-house track-bound transporting system with self-propelling carriages that move on rails. The system has stoppers to prevent said carriages from crossing over open rail ends or track borders, and the system is provided with stops. The stoppers collide with the stops in order to prevent a crossing-over, said stops having first and second fixed stop elements. The stoppers can be moved between a first crossing-over position and a second crossing-over position such that the first stop elements can be crossed over in the first crossing-over position of the stoppers, and the second stop elements can be crossed over in the second crossing-over position of the stoppers, wherein the first stop elements cannot be crossed over in the second crossing-over position of the stoppers, and the second stop elements cannot be crossed over in the first crossing-over position of the stoppers. |
| US08973504B2 |
Bullet including an air-guiding recess
The present invention relates to a bullet including an air-guiding recess, comprising: a head 20; and a tail 30 disposed behind the head 20, and including an odd number of air-guiding recesses 32 formed so as to be curved in the bottom and outer circumferential surfaces thereof. The air-guiding recess 32 is characterized by having a sloped bottom that increases in depth while progressing to the bottom surface of the tail 30. Accordingly, vortex is prevented from being generated at the rear side of the bullet, so as to significantly increase the effective range thereof and simultaneously improve accuracy when shooting same. |
| US08973502B2 |
Simultaneous nonelectric priming assembly and method
A priming assembly and a method are provided for coupling a plurality of detonators to at least one explosive through a plurality of transmission lines. The priming assembly may include a housing that receives the plurality of detonators and the plurality of transmission lines. In use, the plurality of transmission lines may communicate with the plurality of detonators within the housing to transmit explosive charges from the plurality of detonators to the at least one explosive. |
| US08973501B2 |
Printing layers of ceramic ink in substantially exact registration differential ink medium thermal expulsion
A method of partially imaging a substrate, for example glass, with a print pattern comprising layers of ceramic ink in substantially exact registration. The method relies on a mask ink layer defining the print pattern and differential thermal expulsion of ceramic ink medium during a heat fusing process between the areas outside the print pattern and within the print pattern. This results in pigment and glass frit forming a durable image material adhered to the substrate within the print pattern and non durable material outside the print pattern, enabling its removal outside the print pattern to leave the desired layers of ceramic ink within the print pattern in substantially exact registration. |
| US08973500B2 |
Method for controlling the amount of dampening solution in a printing unit of a printing press
A method for controlling an amount of dampening solution in a printing unit of a printing press using a computer and a measuring device, includes setting an amount of dampening solution in the printing unit based on data of a current print job, reducing the amount of dampening solution towards a smearing threshold with the computer, recording color measurement values with the measuring device in at least one full tone area with low area coverage and in at least one halftone area with high area coverage on a printing material of the current print job, and stopping the reduction of the amount of dampening solution with the computer when a dot gain of the halftone in areas with high area coverage increases significantly and a density of the full tone in areas with low area coverage increases significantly. |
| US08973499B2 |
Apparatus for operating a printing press with a plurality of operating zones, printing press and machine having the apparatus and method for safely operating a machine
An apparatus includes a mobile control device for safe operation of machines for processing printing materials. The machine is divided into a plurality of spatially delimited zones and the position of the control device can be detected in relation to the plurality of zones. It is possible to determine the zone in which the control device is located by using the position of the control device. Certain functions of the machine are enabled or disabled depending on the determined zone. A printing press having the device and a method for safely operating a machine for processing printing materials, are also provided. |
| US08973490B2 |
Cooking apparatus with detachable support and method for using the same
A cooking apparatus including a pan and a detachable support and a method for using the same to cook and flavor food are provided. The pan includes a bottom and a plurality of perforations arranged therein. The detachable cylinder includes a bottom surface, a generally circular sidewall extending upward from the bottom surface, and a plurality of fasteners formed on the bottom surface. The plurality of fasteners are sized and arranged to correspond with a sizing and arrangement of a subset of the perforations. The detachable cylinder is optionally secured to the pan by coupling the fasteners to the subset of perforations and by rotating the detachable cylinder in a first direction to move the fasteners into a locked position. The detachable cylinder is optionally disengaged from the pan by rotating the detachable cylinder in a second direction to move the fasteners into an unlocked position. |
| US08973487B2 |
Beverage machine
A beverage machine (1), in particular to a coffee machine, has a main flow path (3), that leads through a heating device (2), and a bypass flow path (4) that circumvents the heating device (2). The bypass flow path (4) branches off from the main flow path (3) upstream of the heating device (2). The main flow path (3) is connected to a water tank (5) at the input side and to a dispensing location (6) at the output side. A main flow pump (7) is arranged in the main flow path (3) between the water tank (5) and the heating device (2). Thus a bypass pump (8) is arranged in the bypass flow path (4) to provide a cost-efficient and accurate admixing of cold water. |
| US08973485B2 |
Modular manufacturing of beverage production machines
A modular method of manufacturing a set of beverage production machines with different beverage-related functions. The machines are designed for producing a beverage on the basis of pre-portioned ingredient packages. The method includes providing a plurality of identical core units having control circuitry and a beverage production module for housing an ingredient package and feeding a liquid to the interior of the ingredient package, providing a plurality of different base platforms that differ as to beverage production functions, and manufacturing a set of different beverage production machines by mounting respectively at least one of the core units on a top surface of one of the differing base platforms while also mounting water reservoirs on the base platforms. |
| US08973480B2 |
Missile canister
The invention covers a missile canister (10) for accommodating a missile (20) along a longitudinal axis (L) of the canister. The canister comprises a plurality of generally planar longitudinal wall portions (14) connected together to form a tubular vessel having a polygonal cross-section. The interconnecting portions (16) between wall sections (14) are generally flexible so that when a missile (20) is launched the bending moment at the interconnecting portions (16) generated by the increase of pressure in the vessel is substantially less than the bending moment (10) generated at the wall portions (14). The interconnecting portions (16) allow relative angular deflection between adjacent wall portions (14) at respective interconnecting portions (16) when said missile (20) is launched. |
| US08973476B2 |
Ratcheting torque wrench
A new ratchet wrench has a slide gear that is laterally enclosed within the head. Shoulders on the slide gear are curved and outwardly flanked by a single recess. The distance from the top of the shoulder to the base of the recess is no more than half the difference between the outside diameter and the root diameter of the teeth on the ratchet. Those teeth have essentially planar faces, top lands that traverse at least one quarter of the pitch, and bottom lands that extend continuously from the faces, have essentially constant radius, and traverse at least one quarter of the pitch. A pin projects out the back and enables a user to shift the wrench between clockwise and counterclockwise ratcheting. All cavities for the ratcheting assembly are recessed from the face in an arrangement that can be machined in a single set-up on a computer-controlled vertical mill. |
| US08973474B2 |
Screwdriver bit structure having auxiliary positioning function
A screwdriver bit structure having auxiliary positioning function includes a screwdriver bit of which one end is a circular cylinder and having a driving portion that is any one of a slotted type, a cross type and a polygon type. Another end of the circular cylinder is a fitting portion that is buckled to the screwdriver bar. The features of the invention are that the circular cylinder has a concave ring groove near the front of the driving portion. An auxiliary sheath is a long tube body that has a tube hole. The internal diameter of the tube hole is slightly larger than the periphery of the circular cylinder. A protruding ring is disposed to an internal wall of the tube hole. Accordingly, the tube hole of the auxiliary sheath can cover the periphery of the circular cylinder to allow the screwdriver bit to achieve the absolute positioning. |
| US08973471B2 |
Three-protuberance open-end wrench
A three-protuberance open-end wrench includes a head section. The head section has a first jaw and a second jaw. Two first protuberances are front and rear, side by side, formed on a holding face of the first jaw. A second protuberance is formed on a holding face of the second jaw. A throat is formed between the holding faces of the first and second jaws for receiving a threaded member therein. The protuberances of the first and second jaws serve to hold the threaded member. The protuberances form a non-isosceles triangle. |
| US08973470B1 |
Wrap-around wrench head
A wrench head includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a third jaw member. The first jaw member includes a first prong and a second prong. The second jaw member includes a third prong and a fourth prong. The second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member at a first hinge. The third jaw member includes a fifth prong and a sixth prong. The third jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member at a second hinge. |
| US08973469B2 |
Rachet wrench
A ratchet wrench mainly includes a main body installed with a driving gear and a driven gear respectively having teeth formed spirally and engaged with each other. A confining chamber in the main body has an inner wall formed with ratchet teeth able to restrictively lock with ratchet teeth formed on the teeth of the driven gear. An interactive member is installed in an insert hole of the driven gear, with one end connected with the orientating member and another end positioned on the cover. A pressing piece is fixed on the interactive member, confined in the insert hole of the driven gear. A spring is located between the pressing piece and the driven gear. By switching the orientating member, the driving gear can easily change rotating direction, with a strong locking effect. |
| US08973462B2 |
Pedal assembly having a pedal arm release
The pedal assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a mounting bracket and a stationary cross member. The pedal assembly includes a swing bracket, a striker plate, and a pedal arm. The swing bracket is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a pedal pivot axis. The striker plate is pivotally connected to the swing bracket. The pedal arm includes a primary pivotal connection to the swing bracket at a first pivot axis. The pedal arm includes a secondary connection to at least one of the striker plate and the swing bracket, to allow the entire pedal assembly to pivot about the pedal pivot axis upon depression of the pedal pad. During a vehicle collision of sufficient magnitude, the cross member collides against and forcibly rotates the striker plate which disengages the secondary connection to allow the pedal arm to freely pivot about the first pivot axis. |
| US08973460B2 |
Linear actuator
A linear actuator suitable for mobilizing a load comprises: a leg linked to the load by one of its ends with a ball joint with three degrees of freedom in rotation; a plate that is mobile in translation along an axis belonging to a plane of a support of the actuator, said mobile plate being mechanically linked to the leg by its other end. The linear actuator also comprises at least one first elastic cable, fixed by one of its ends to the mobile plate, and fixed by its other end to the support, being engaged in a first pulley fixed to the support. The actuator can notably be used to mobilize a simulation platform mounted on a hexapod. |
| US08973459B2 |
Parallel link robot
A parallel link robot includes a first arm including a first joint portion; a second arm including a second joint portion swingably engaging with the first joint portion, the second arm being connected to the first arm to make up a link mechanism; and a biasing mechanism unit which biases the second joint portion toward the first joint portion. The biasing mechanism unit includes a connection member attached to the second arm and the connection member includes a locking portion configured to lock the connection member to the second arm. |
| US08973458B2 |
Gear unit
A gear unit having at least one shaft supported by a bearing in the gear unit housing, the spatial region of a bearing of a shaft situated in a cutout of the gear unit housing being limited at least partially towards the interior of the gear unit by a limiting device, in particular one that has a cutout for a shaft supported in the bearing, the lowest point of the cutout effecting a minimum oil level in the spatial region of the bearing. |
| US08973457B2 |
Gear mechanism and geared motor
A gear mechanism may include a first gear, a second gear engaged with the first gear, and a stopper part formed in the second gear. The stopper part may be engaged with the first gear to prevent turning of the first gear. The stopper part is a part where a tooth is not formed in an outer peripheral part of the second gear. The stopper part includes a protruded part protruded to an outer side in a radial direction with respect to a tooth tip circle of a tooth part of the second gear, and a recessed part recessed to an inner side in the radial direction with respect to the protruded part and adjacent to the protruded part in a circumferential direction and, when turning of the first gear is stopped, a tip end side of the tooth part of the first gear is abutted with the recessed part. |
| US08973455B2 |
Electric drill forward and reverse rotation automatic switching apparatus
An electric drill forward and reverse rotation automatic switching apparatus includes: a gearbox, a first-stage gear, a first-stage gear shaft, a second-stage gear, a second-stage gear shaft, a transition gear, a transition shaft, a third-stage gear, and an output shaft. The first-stage gear is fixed on the first-stage gear shaft. The second-stage gear is fixed on the second-stage gear shaft. The first-stage and second-stage gear shafts are disposed on the gearbox housing. The transition gear is disposed on the transition shaft which is fixed on the gearbox housing. The output shaft is disposed on the gearbox housing. The third-stage gear is sleeved on the output shaft and disposed on the gearbox housing. The first-stage gear shaft engages with the second-stage gear and the transition gear simultaneously. The transition gear engages with the third-stage gear. The second-stage gear shaft and the output shaft are on the same axis. |
| US08973454B2 |
Power transmitting apparatuses
A power transmitting apparatus with improved power transmitting efficiency and reduced lag time for shifting speeds can comprise a starting clutch mechanism configured to selectively transmit and cut off driving power of engine to wheels of a vehicle, a plurality of gear-stage clutch devices operatively positioned to transmit power between the starting clutch mechanism and the wheels, an input and an output of the plurality of gear-stage clutch devices configured at predetermined gear ratios, and a gear-stage selecting device configured to select any one of the gear-stage clutch devices in accordance with a vehicle operating condition and selectively set a gear ratio for power transmission from the engine to the wheels. The gear-stage clutch devices can comprise alternately arranged driving clutch discs and driven clutch discs, and hydraulic pistons. The hydraulic pistons can be configured to selectively engage or disengage the driving clutch discs and driven clutch discs such that driving power of the engine is transmitted to the wheels at a corresponding predetermined gear ratio when the driving clutch discs and driven clutch discs are engaged. |
| US08973452B2 |
Electric actuator
In a body of an electric actuator, dust collecting pipes are disposed as a pair along an axial direction of a hole portion of the body. The dust collecting pipes are connected respectively to negative pressure supply ports provided in an end block, and include plural first through fifth suction holes separated mutually along an axial direction of the dust collecting pipes. Distances between the first through fifth suction holes are formed so as to become smaller stepwise from one end side of the dust collection pipes, on the side of the negative pressure supply ports, to the other end side thereof. |
| US08973450B2 |
Attitude control device
The present invention controls rolling motion of a vehicle by eliminating the detrimental influence of gyro moment on the motion of the vehicle and actively using gyro moment generated by a flywheel constituting an energy storing device. The invention relates to an attitude control device for a vehicle mounted with a flywheel as an energy storage device, the flywheel being pivotally supported about first and second axes mutually orthogonal with each other, the flywheel being mounted on a body of the vehicle such that the first axis extends in a front-rear direction of the body, the attitude control device comprising locking means for locking movement of the flywheel about the first axis, wherein a rolling motion of the vehicle is controlled by locking the movement of the flywheel about the first axis using said locking means. |
| US08973449B2 |
Device for an endoscope washing machine
The invention relates to a test device for testing the inspection device of a washing machine for endoscopes, the inspection device including a connection that can be sealingly connected to an opening of an endoscope and feeding a fluid under pressure, said connector having a flow meter and/or a pressure transducer and the test device comprising at least one test chamber that can be sealingly connected to the connector by means of a test opening, wherein the test chamber is designed to be adjustable. |
| US08973448B2 |
Device for sampling working liquids of industrial machines
A device for sampling working liquids of industrial machines, comprising a container (2) having an aperture (3) and a closing member (4) engaged to said aperture (3) for fluid-tight sealing same aperture. The pressure inside said container (2) is below 101000 Pa. |
| US08973447B2 |
Thermophoretic sampler
A thermophoretic sampler includes a sample assembly into which a removable sample cartridge can be inserted. The sample cartridge holds a substrate that, upon insertion, is exposed to a sample chamber. Thermophoresis is induced in the sample chamber, causing nanoparticles to be deposited on the substrate. |
| US08973442B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor
An ultrasonic sensor, including a diaphragm cup, a housing and a decoupling element, the diaphragm cup and housing having a lateral surface, the decoupling element being at least partially made from an elastic material and having a continuous recess bounded by an inner wall of the decoupling element, the diaphragm cup and/or the housing being at least partially situated in the recess. To prevent sound being transmitted through a gap between the diaphragm cup and the decoupling element and/or between the housing and the decoupling element, the inner wall of the decoupling element is tautened by the contraction of elastic material at least around an area of the lateral surface of the diaphragm cup, circumferentially surrounding the diaphragm cup and/or the housing, and/or a lacquer layer applied on the lateral surface of the diaphragm cup, and/or the lateral surface of the housing so that the inner wall in this area rests flush against the lateral surface of the diaphragm cup and/or the lacquer layer applied on the lateral surface of the diaphragm cup and/or the lateral surface of the housing. |
| US08973440B2 |
Piezoelectric resonator element, piezoelectric resonator, piezoelectric oscillator, resonator gyro element, resonator gyro sensor, and electronic apparatus
A piezoelectric substrate includes vibrating arms, a base portion to which one end portion of each vibrating arm is connected, spindle portions formed in the other end portion of each vibrating arm, formed to have a large width, and having first groove portions formed therein, and second groove portions that are formed along the resonator center line of each vibrating arm, and flexure-torsional combined resonator is excited. A piezoelectric resonator element has flexural resonator of flexure-torsional combined resonator that is excited as its principal resonator and sets the cutting angle of the piezoelectric substrate, the widths and the depths of the first groove portion and the second groove portion, and the thickness of the vibrating arm such that the frequency-temperature characteristics represent third-order characteristics with respect to the temperature. |
| US08973436B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing levels of insoluble fluids
A method and apparatus for sensing levels of insoluble fluids within a storage vessel utilizing an array of main capacitive sensors having differing geometries. The array of main capacitive sensors gives the ability to measure the levels of insoluble liquids in a vessel. Each of the main capacitive sensors include at least one pair of conductive plates capable of submersion in the at least three insoluble fluids, and the geometries of the pair of conductive plates differ and are distinct, such as in distance or in width, in each of the main capacitive sensors. In addition, the apparatus and method may include at least one reference sensor placed intermittently along the height of the vessel to provide input as to the permittivities of the insoluble fluids. |
| US08973434B2 |
Monitoring system for well casing
A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure. |
| US08973433B2 |
Dual differential pressure multiphase flow meter
A flow meter and method of determining a parameter of a downhole multiphase fluid is disclosed. Multiphase fluid flows through a downhole tubular member having first section, second section and third section, wherein the second section is disposed between the first section and the third section and an inner diameter of the second section is greater than an inner diameter of the first section and an inner diameter of the third section. Absolute pressure measurements of the multiphase fluid are obtained at each of the first section, second section and third section using absolute pressure gauges. The parameter of the downhole multiphase fluid is determined from the absolute pressure measurements. |
| US08973431B2 |
Apparatus for diagnosing causes of NOx conversion efficiency degradation
An apparatus for on-board diagnoses of causes of NOX conversion efficiency degradation including: a diagnosis exhaust-pipe fuel injection control unit; a NOX purification device failure specifying unit; and an oxidizing catalyst device failure specifying unit. |
| US08973430B2 |
Diesel particulate filter system
A diesel particulate filter (“DPF”) system is provided with temperature sensors at an entrance side and an exit side of a diesel oxidation catalyst, an SV ratio determining device that determines an exhaust gas SV ratio by measuring flow rate of exhaust gas during the DPF forcible regeneration, and an injector diagnosing device including a heat-generation region determining unit to which detection values of the temperature sensors and a determination value of the SV ratio determining device are input to determine whether or not these values are within a theoretical heat-generation region, and an actual injection amount diagnosing unit that diagnoses a decrease amount in an actual injection amount of an exhaust pipe injector, when the detection values of the temperature sensors and the determination value of the SV ratio determining device are within the theoretical heat-generation region. |
| US08973429B2 |
System and method for detecting stochastic pre-ignition
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration intensity module and a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) detection module. The vibration intensity module determines a vibration intensity of an engine over a first engine cycle and a second engine cycle. The first engine cycle and the second engine cycle each correspond to a predetermined amount of crankshaft rotation. The SPI detection module selectively detects stochastic pre-ignition when the vibration intensity of the first engine cycle is less than a first threshold and the vibration intensity of the second engine cycle is greater than a second threshold. |
| US08973428B2 |
Method and device for measuring a part in a turbine engine
A device for measuring a part in a turbine engine, including a rod including a portion with a profile that corresponds to a profile of a portion of a calibration part of a same type as a part under examination, the portion of the rod further including visible marks for remote measurement arranged along its length. |
| US08973427B2 |
Apparatus and methods for the measurement of mass related parameters
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to resonating detection devices in which the sample flows through a conduit having a section in which the conduit is grouped or concentrated with the point of maximum movement. An exemplary device includes a primary conduit, at least one first flex section, at least one second flex section and at least one analysis section. The primary conduit cooperates with an energizer for inducing vibration and a programmed calculator for determining a resonant frequency to calculate a mass related parameter of the solution carried therein. |
| US08973422B2 |
Underfill detection system for a biosensor
A biosensor has an underfill detection system that determines whether a sample of a biological fluid is large enough for an analysis of one or more analytes. The underfill detection system applies an excitation signal to the sample, which generates an output signal in response to the excitation signal. The underfill detection system switches the amplitude of the excitation signal. The transition of the excitation signal to a different amplitude changes the output signal when the sample is not large enough for an accurate and/or precise analysis. The underfill detection system measures and compares the output signal with one or more underfill thresholds to determine whether an underfill condition exists. |
| US08973421B2 |
Competence diagnosis system for urea water temperature sensor
A competence diagnosis system for a urea water temperature sensor that can prevent a misdiagnosis when urea water is replenished in a urea tank. The system includes a urea water level condition determination unit that stores a urea water level, which is measured by a level sensor provided in the urea tank, in a storage unit immediately before key-off, obtains a level difference between the urea water level stored in the storage unit and a current urea water level after key-on, and allows a diagnosis by the competence diagnosis unit through temperature comparison when the level difference is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. |
| US08973419B2 |
Rolling mill and method of zero adjustment of rolling mill
The present invention discovers that a rolling direction force occurs even with conventional adjustment by the kiss roll state, pinpoints that the rolling direction force does not affect the roll thrust force, and thereby enables more precise initial roll gap position adjustment of a rolling mill (rolling zero adjustment).That is, this is based on the fact that high precision rolling zero adjustment becomes possible without being affected by any thrust force acting between rolls if performing differential asymmetrical roll gap zero point adjustment of the work side and the drive side so that the difference of the rolling direction forces acting on the roll chocks of the work side and the drive side of the work roll at the work side and the drive side (in practice, within ±5% of the sum of the rolling direction forces at the work side and the drive side). |
| US08973418B2 |
Mechanical combination lock
The present application includes a combination lock system having gears, cams, and an interference system. In one embodiment, the angular position of the cams is adjusted by a user interface through operation of the gears. When the cams are in a predetermined position, the interference system is movable with respect to the cams and the system is unlocked. The user interface may be a pushbutton keypad. |
| US08973416B2 |
Lock
A lock includes a bolt having latching and unlatching positions, and a locking component having a locking position in which the bolt is prevented from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position, and an unlocking position in which the locking component does not prevent the bolt from moving. A lock cylinder includes a cam having unlocking and deadlocking positions. A deadlocking component has a disengaging position in which the deadlocking component does not prevent the locking component from moving from its locking position to its unlocking position; and when the locking component is in its locking position, an engaging position in which the deadlocking component prevents the locking component from moving. When the cam is in its unlocking position, the locking component is in its unlocking position and a deadlocking component is in its disengaging position, and conversely when the cylinder cam is in its deadlocking position. |
| US08973414B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus
A laundry treating apparatus and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a laundry receiving unit for receiving laundry, a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the laundry receiving unit, a water supply unit for supplying water to the steam generator, a water softening member for softening water to be supplied to the steam generator, and a control unit for controlling the replacement or regeneration time of the water softening member to be displayed on a display unit. According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent and/or remove wrinkles or rumples on laundry. Furthermore, it is possible to replace or regenerate a water softening member at an appropriate point of time, thereby increasing convenience in use. |
| US08973411B2 |
Knit sock with targeted compression zone
A knit sock includes a foot portion having an upper instep area and a lower sole area integrally knit of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales. The lower sole area defines inner and outer arch regions. The inner arch region incorporates a targeted compression zone adapted to reside generally adjacent an inner arch of a wearer's foot. The compression zone includes axially extending compression ridges of variable length spaced apart from a top of the compression zone to a bottom of the compression zone. When the sock is worn, a compression force applied by the foot portion within the targeted compression zone is greater than the compression force in directly adjacent areas of said foot portion. |
| US08973410B1 |
Method of knitting a gusseted tongue for a knitted component
A knitted component including a knit element and a gusseted tongue is incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The knit element and the gusseted tongue are formed together as a knitted component during a knitting process as a one-piece element. The gusseted tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and is joined with the knit element in an instep area of the upper. The knitting process includes steps of forming portions of the knitted component, transferring portions of the knitted component to opposite needle beds, shifting needle beds along a lateral direction to cause portions to overlap, and joining the overlapped portions by knitting to form the gusseted tongue. |
| US08973405B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for reducing foaming downstream of a submerged combustion melter producing molten glass
Apparatus including a flow channel defined by a floor, roof, and sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. One or more combustion burners is positioned in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and transfer heat to a molten mass of glass containing bubbles having a bubble atmosphere flowing through the flow channel. The burners contribute to formation of a channel atmosphere above the molten glass. Apparatus includes a device, at least a portion of which is positionable under a level of the molten glass in the flow channel, configured to emit a composition into the molten glass under the level to intimately contact the composition with the molten glass and bubbles therein. The composition diffuses into the bubbles to form modified atmosphere bubbles sufficiently different from the channel atmosphere to increase diffusion of a species in the channel atmosphere into the modified atmosphere bubbles. |
| US08973401B2 |
Coated, antimicrobial, chemically strengthened glass and method of making
The disclosure is directed to a chemically strengthened glass having antimicrobial properties and to a method of making such glass. In particular, the disclosure is directed to a chemically strengthened glass with antimicrobial properties and with a low surface energy coating on the glass that does not interfere with the antimicrobial properties of the glass. The antimicrobial has an Ag ion concentration on the surface in the range of greater than zero to 0.047 μg/cm2. The glass has particular applications as antimicrobial shelving, table tops and other applications in hospitals, laboratories and other institutions handling biological substances, where color in the glass is not a consideration. |
| US08973395B2 |
Cold-storage heat exchanger
A cold storage heat exchanger includes multiple refrigerant tubes, a cold storage container that is bonded to the refrigerant tube and defines a compartment receiving a cold storage material, and an inner fin arranged inside of the cold storage container. The cold storage container has a portion that stops and fixes the inner fin, and the cold storage container has a space where air is sealed. The space of the cold storage container is located at an upper side of the member that stops and fixes the inner fin. Accordingly, a stress applied to the cold storage container in the expansion of the cold storage material can be reduced. |
| US08973393B2 |
System and method for improved cooling efficiency of an aircraft during both ground and flight operation
An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency comprises at least one air conditioning pack, coupled to an aircraft, having at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source and having an air compression device inlet. The system further comprises at least one air flow path for redirecting a first portion of a first volume of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device inlet. The air flow path includes a shutoff valve to enable the air flow path during ground operation of the aircraft and to disable the air flow path for flight operation of the aircraft. The air compression inlet mixes the first volume of aircraft interior outflow air with a second volume of aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture. The air conditioning pack conditions and circulates the air mixture into the aircraft interior. |
| US08973392B2 |
Refrigerator
A locking apparatus of an ice bucket of a refrigerator capable of simplifying the structure of the ice bucket while preventing the cool air of the ice making compartment from leaking and the ice bucket from being shaken, the refrigerator including a locking apparatus accommodating portion formed at a lower portion of the ice making compartment, a lever hingedly coupled to the locking apparatus accommodating portion, and an elastic member configured to elastically bias the lever, wherein the lever is configured to interfere with a locking projection of the ice bucket, and a button portion configured to adjust the position of the locking protrusion by rotating the lever, wherein a gasket mounting portion formed around an opening portion of the ice making compartment is formed to be extended to the inner side of the ice making compartment to make contact with the gasket mounting portion in a two-area contact manner. |
| US08973389B2 |
Mobile cooler with ice maker
A mobile cooler having an ice maker includes: a main body having first and second spaces which are thermally blocked; a cooling device positioned at a lower portion of the main body and providing cooling air to the first and second spaces; a plurality of shelves installed in the first space; an ice tray installed in the second space; an ice bank positioned on a lower surface of the ice tray and detachably mounted in the main body; and a cover that covers an opening in which the ice bank is inserted. |
| US08973388B2 |
Duct type air conditioner
Even in the case of drop accident occurring due to a certain cause during transport or the like, it is intended by the present invention that any deformation of a motor support or a fan panel will not occur. A fan mechanism includes fan units having fan panels disposed vertically, motor supports mounted inwardly of said fan panels, motors mounted on said motor supports so that output shafts of the motors are parallel to the surfaces of the fan panels, fans positioned inwardly of said fan panels and driven by the motors, and spacers mounted to the motor supports so as to be positioned between the motor supports and a top plate or a bottom plate that serves as a bottom during conveyance. |
| US08973387B2 |
Vehicular air conditioning system
A vehicular air conditioning system capable of suppressing the power consumption of a refrigerating cycle is disclosed. The vehicular air conditioning system comprises a refrigerating cycle circuit comprising a compressor, an outside heat exchanger and an inside air conditioning heat exchanger annularly connected in order, and a device cooling circuit comprising a heating unit, an inside cooling heat exchanger, an intermediate heat exchanger and a pump being annularly connected, the intermediate heat exchanger being constructed such that one end of a piping of the cooling medium for air conditioning is connected to a liquid piping, the liquid piping providing connection between the outside heat exchanger and the inside air conditioning heat exchanger, and an opposite end of the piping of the cooling medium for air conditioning is connected to a suction port of the compressor. |
| US08973383B2 |
Humidity control apparatus, environment test apparatus, and temperature and humidity control apparatus
A humidity control apparatus has a humidity control apparatus having a humidifying part for humidifying air and a dehumidifying part for dehumidifying to control humidity of a humidity control space. The dehumidifying part has: a main body part that is configured to encapsulate a working fluid therein and to cause a heat-pipe phenomenon. A heat-insulating part fits externally to the main body part and a heat absorption part absorbs heat from a base side part located on one side of the main body part in relation to the heat-insulating part and thereby condenses the working fluid that evaporated into gas in a front side part located on the other side of the main body part in relation to the heat-insulating part. The dehumidifying part dehumidifies the air by means of the front side part of the main body part where the working fluid in liquid form evaporates. |
| US08973381B2 |
Vehicle air conditioning system
A vehicle air conditioning system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the compressor to manage operation of the compressor during a cooling operation that provides temperature reduction of air flowing across heat transferring portions of the evaporator. The controller further manages operation of the compressor in a moisture releasing operation in response to termination of the cooling operation. The moisture releasing operation includes, for example, finite operation of the compressor that retards release of moisture from the heat transferring portions of the evaporator. |
| US08973380B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting refrigerant leaks in cooling systems
A method of detecting loss of refrigerant within a cooling system of the type having a condenser, a refrigerant receiver in fluid communication with the condenser, a sensor configured to detect a level of refrigerant within the receiver, an evaporator in fluid communication with the receiver, and a pump or compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser, includes establishing a baseline measurement of refrigerant mass contained in the receiver with the sensor during certain power loads applied to the cooling system, monitoring a mass of refrigerant in the receiver with the sensor at a certain power load applied to the cooling system, and identifying whether the monitored mass of refrigerant is less than the baseline measurement of refrigerant mass over a predetermined period of time. Systems for detecting loss of refrigerant are further disclosed. |
| US08973376B2 |
Interface between a combustor basket and a transition of a gas turbine engine
An interface (10) is provided between a combustor basket (12) and a transition (14) of a gas turbine engine (16). The interface (10) includes a tongue (18) formed in one of the combustor basket (12) and the transition (14), and a groove (20) formed in another of the combustor basket (12) and the transition (14). The tongue (18) is received within the groove (20) to define the interface (10). A sealing arrangement is also provided and includes an annular combustion outlet (12′″) and an annular transition inlet (14′″), with a labyrinth seal (72′″) positioned between an end (68′″) of the annular combustion outlet and an end (70′″) of the annular transition inlet to form a labyrinth path (34′″) there between. An inner diameter (24′″) of the annular combustion outlet (12′″) is axially aligned with an inner diameter (22′″) of the annular transition outlet (14′″). |
| US08973373B2 |
Active clearance control system and method for gas turbine
A method to provide clearance control for a gas turbine having a multi-stage compressor and a turbine having turbine buckets rotating within a turbine shell, the method includes: selecting a first compressor stage from which to extract compressed air; ducting the compressed air from the first compressor stage to the turbine shell; passing the compressed air from the first compressor stage to thermally contract the turbine shell; selecting a second compressor stage from which to extract compressed air and deselecting the first compressor stage; ducting the compressed air from the second compressor stage to the turbine shell, and passing the compressed air from the second compressor stage to thermal expand the turbine shell. |
| US08973368B2 |
Mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine
A mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, including a main mixer with fuel injection holes located between at least one radial swirler and at least one axial swirler, wherein the fuel injected into the main mixer is atomized and dispersed by the air flowing through the radial swirler and the axial swirler. |
| US08973364B2 |
Gas turbine engine with noise attenuating variable area fan nozzle
A high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a variable area fan nozzle with an acoustic system having an acoustic impedance. |
| US08973359B2 |
Floating wave powered generator
A wave powered generating device includes a floating vessel with onboard pendulum mechanism, an anchor with a mooring chain connected with the vessel, a lever arm, an upstanding post having a tip connected with the lever arm and a foot coupled with a universal coupler, a pendulum moveably mounted on the lever arm being erected above a platform deck of the vessel by the upstanding post, a gear mechanism incorporating with a centrifugal flywheel coupled with the universal coupler via a transmission mechanism for delivery of momentum of the pendulum, and a power generating mechanism driven by the gear mechanism. Under undulating waves, the pendulum, being mounted on the lever arm, sways laterally around an axis of the upstanding post, causing the upstanding post to rotate hence delivering the momentum of the pendulum to drive the power generating mechanism via a transmission shaft and the gear mechanism. |
| US08973347B2 |
Pilot burner of a gas turbine engine, combustor, and gas turbine engine
A pilot burner of a gas turbine engine is provided. The pilot burner includes a front body with an axial expansion along a center axis of the pilot burner, the center axis having an axial direction towards a burning zone of the gas turbine engine. The front body includes a pilot burner face which is directed to the burning zone. A material is deposited in the front body progressing in the axial direction to form a high temperature resilient body in the axial direction of the front body and to form a high temperature resilient face of the pilot burner face. |
| US08973344B2 |
Automatic driveshaft coupler for auto header hookup
An agricultural harvester (100) comprises a self-propelled vehicle (102); a feederhouse (104); a driveshaft (114) supported on the feederhouse (104), the driveshaft (114) having a first coupler (116) fixed to one end of the driveshaft (114), the first coupler (116) comprising a coupler body (420), a piston (416) disposed in the coupler body (420), and a first key (302) mechanically coupled to the piston (416) to be extended or retracted by the piston (416) to engage a mating coupler on a second driveshaft (120) of an agricultural harvesting head (106) that is supported on the feederhouse (104). |
| US08973341B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for producing containers
The apparatus includes an operating unit, which can be a welding unit for welding a closing film to an edge zone of a containing element or a separating unit for separating containing elements from portions of sheet material. The apparatus includes a control unit programmed to enable the operating unit to selectively process a continuous strip of containing elements or discrete groups of containing elements. |
| US08973339B2 |
Method for operating a brake system and a round baler with a brake system
A method for controlling a braking mechanism for a supply roll with wrapping material for a round baler that passes through a first phase wherein, after detection of sufficient crop material in the baling chamber, wrapping material is brought up to the baling chamber and introduced into the baling chamber. The braking mechanism provides a higher braking force during the wrapping operation than the first phase. The wrapping operation is started on detection of movement in the wrapping material. This prevents the braking mechanism from being activated prematurely and leaves sufficient time to deactivate the braking mechanism after the wrapping operation. |
| US08973337B2 |
Modular sheet metal building kit
A modular construction kit for erecting a building is provided. The kit comprises a plurality of base track sections, a plurality of roof receiving tracks, and a plurality of wall panels. The base track is a U-shaped channel that extends around the base of the building and maintains the lower edges of the wall panels in a linear alignment. Wall panels include male, female, and hybrid (male/female) varieties, each variety having a different tongue and groove configuration on laterally opposing ends of the panel. Each wall panel has an outer skin and an inner skin separated by two divider walls and a structural bridge, which provide structural support across two axes. The roof receiving track is affixed to the upper edges of the wall panels to provide a supporting shelf for a roof structure. Thus, the invention is an easy to assemble kit for rapidly erecting buildings. |
| US08973334B2 |
System and methods for thermal isolation of components used
An isolator system for preventing the conduction of thermal energy between the metal components of a wall assembly comprising isolator plates adapted to be placed between the metal components of a wall assembly and made of an insulating material. The isolator plates include at least one opening for receiving a fastener, said opening has an annular shoulder adapted to extend into an opening for receiving said fastener in a metal component of a wall assembly. Also disclosed herein is a thermal isolation washer and a girt for use with polymer panel construction. |
| US08973330B2 |
Expansion bracket, system, and method
An expansion bracket absorbs movement of a wall stud to prevent damage to a wall covering attached to the wall stud. The expansion bracket can include a main body having a main body flange, formed of a deformable material, and having a wall stud attachment end configured to attach to the wall stud via a wall stud attachment element. The main body can also have a furring attachment element configured to attach a furring to the main body. When the main body is attached to the wall stud and the furring, and the wall covering is attached to the furring via a wall covering attachment element, the main body flange is configured to absorb, via deformation, at least a portion of the movement of the wall stud due to heat-based expansion of the wall stud. |
| US08973328B2 |
Floor tile expansion joint
A floor tile expansion joint accommodates differential thermal expansion or contraction of modular floor tiles used in flooring applications. One or more rows of floor tile expansion joints may be connected to modular floor tiles for various floor tile applications. |
| US08973326B2 |
Modular floor system
A modular fitted flooring system includes a plurality of bearing plates (2) and a plurality of panel elements (3) designed to be hooked onto the bearing plates (2), the bearing plates including a plurality of supporting elements (7), a panel hooking element (13), and elements (14) for bearing the load of the panel elements, and being complete with jointing elements (20, 21) for connecting one bearing plate (2) to the next, the panel hooking element (13) consisting of a plurality of teeth designed to engage in grooves (17) provided on at least two edges of the panel element (3), the teeth (13) being arranged on the plate so as to create a gap between one panel element and the next in a direction (Y) crosswise to the direction of installation (X) of the panel elements. |
| US08973320B2 |
Post and panel construction
An assembly for integrating an elongate structural member such as a post or a beam, and one or more panels is provided. The elongate structural member includes a notch defined within the elongate structural member. The notch includes a base surface and two side surfaces at opposite ends of the base surface. At least one of the side surfaces is tiered, with the tiered side surface including an inner portion and an outer portion that are substantially parallel to each other. The inner portion is substantially perpendicular and is adjacent to the base surface. The outer portion is offset from the inner portion and is positioned further away from the other side surface compared to the inner portion. A first panel is positioned within the notch and in contact with at least the base surface and the inner portion of the tiered surface. A second panel may also be positioned within the notch. |
| US08973313B2 |
Building envelope member with internal water reservoir
Buildings which include rudimentary plumbing can be transported as a set of disassembled modular parts and then assembled on site. The assembled building includes a water reservoir in the roof and a sewage reservoir in the base, so as to enable gravity-based water supply and sewage disposal in the absence of traditional plumbing and sewage infrastructure. Building envelope elements having internal reservoirs, and methods for constructing such building envelope elements are also described. |
| US08973312B2 |
Self-centering damper
A self-centering damper has an elongated damping body and at least one returning device. The elongated damping body has at least one first wing plate and a supporting element connected to and extending from the first wing plate. The at least one returning device is connected to the damping body and has two holding rib plates respectively connected to the end segments of the damping body, a supporting rib plate securely connected to the damping body between the holding rib plates and at least one pre-stressed stay wire extending through the supporting rib plate and connected the holding rib plates in a tension condition. |
| US08973311B1 |
Mobile elevated building
A mobile elevated building assembly is configured to be compactly transportable in a transportation mode yet readily reconfigured to an installed mode after set-up with a building held many meters off of the ground by a tower supported off of the ground by outriggers. A flat-bed trailer is used to transport the assembly while in its transportation mode, and the trailer can optionally remain attached to the bottom of the tower in the installed mode. A foldable stairway and top-of-stairs platform can form a subassembly that can be pivotally attached where they connect to one-another, and this connection can be supported by a horizontal upper member of the tower. The platform can include one of at least two horizontal support members for holding the building on top of the tower. Methods are provided for reconfiguring the assembly and subassemblies between their transportation mode and their installed mode. |
| US08973308B1 |
Folding swivel seat and table
A seating system with a platform and a table mounted on the platform. Four folding swivel seats are mounted and arranged in an arcuate arrangement around the table wherein each folding swivel seat has a seat portion, a back and a center of the seat portion. Each folding swivel seat is a seat distance wherein the seat distance is at least 8 inches to no more than 24 inches. Adjacent folding swivel seats are separated by a distance from the center of adjacent folding swivel seats. Two folding swivel seats are separated from a projection of a table flat portion. |
| US08973306B2 |
Two-stage linked sliding door of machine tool
A two-stage linked sliding door of a machine tool is provided with a first door half and a second door half movable through different strokes. Pulleys are disposed individually at two opposite end portions of the second door half, and a wire is stretched between the pulleys. The opposite end portions of the wire are secured to the door frame or the first door half by two wire tensioning springs, individually, such that the opposite end portions face each other. These two springs are juxtaposed and offset with each other so that their respective central axes do not line on the same axis. |
| US08973305B2 |
Mitered shutter
A shutter panel and an installation including a shutter panel in an architectural opening. The shutter panel has mitered corners without exposed end grain. The shutter panel is connected directly to structures defining the architectural opening. |
| US08973303B2 |
Ambient light control
The invention relates to a control device (10) for use in an ambient light control system (20) for controlling ambient light entering a space (1) through an opening (2). An ambient light prediction unit (11) provides ambient light prediction values, which are predictions of an ambient light property at the opening (2). An ambient light adjusting unit (12) provides, at different ambient light adjusting time points, an ambient light adjusting signal depending on the ambient light prediction values for an upcoming ambient light prediction time period. The ambient light adjusting signal is adapted for use by an ambient light modifying element (22) for modifying the entering of ambient light into the space (1) through the opening (2). By taking the predicted ambient light conditions at the opening (2) into account, necessary adjustments can be made at temporally spaced ambient light adjusting time points, resulting in fewer disturbances of the users. |
| US08973301B2 |
Environment-friendly planting device with automatic percolation and irrigation of hermetic liquid
An environment-friendly planting device with automatic percolation and irrigation of hermetic liquid includes a planting container and draining and irrigating pipes. An inner part of the planting container is orderly provided with a first layer having ceramic aggregates and sand, a second layer having medical stones, sand and perlites, and an organic substrate layer from bottom to top. The first layer and the second layer are for storing water. The first layer has a first draining and irrigating pipe having a U-shaped inner cavity. The second layer has a second draining and irrigating pipe having a U-shaped inner cavity as a snorkel. The first draining and irrigating pipe and the second draining and irrigating pipe respectively have a first end connected to a vertical water inlet pipe, and a second end sealed. A bottom of the water inlet pipe is sealed. The organic substrate layer is for cultivating plants therein. |
| US08973298B2 |
Bladed fishing lure assembly
A fishing lure assembly is disclosed which comprises a blade free to oscillate, yaw and produce a trailing wake as the fishing lure assembly is displaced through water. A weight is affixed to the fishing lure assembly, but inferiorly disposed such that the blade is free to oscillate and have a yaw divergence which is substantially unaffected by inertia of the weight. The fishing lure may be variably constructed to include one or more hooks and soft bait and hard bait bodies which are disposed to follow behind in the trailing wake. In one embodiment, a float is added to the lure assembly. In another embodiment, a combination of a frame and blade is disclosed, the blade being flexible and resilient and affixed to the frame such that the blade is securably affixed but replaceable in a fishing environment. |
| US08973295B2 |
Trigger mechanism
This invention includes an adaptive mechanism for activating a firearm's trigger comprising a bite-activated trigger assembly, a cable assembly, an actuator assembly, lanyard, and a storage assembly. When properly assembled, the actuator is mated adjacent to the firearm's trigger in such a manner that the actuator is not exerting a force significant enough to activate the firearm's trigger. One end of the cable assembly is attached to a bite trigger assembly. The bite trigger assembly includes two bite plates that are pivotally joined together near the centerline of the bite plates. The bite trigger assembly also includes a feature to mount with the lanyard assembly. Finally the bite-activated trigger assembly includes a storage assembly that is used to stow the bite trigger assembly when the firearm is not in use. |
| US08973291B2 |
Motorized foam greeting card
A greeting card which contains a foam body covered by a front and rear surface material and one or more cavities contained therein for accommodating components of a sound and motor module. The greeting card contains a mobile object, which in a preferred embodiment includes a bundle of individual fiber strands. The bundle of fiber strands are attached to the motor module such that activation of the motor module cause the bundle of fiber strands to separate and spin or twirl. The bundle of fibers strands are attached to the motor through an opening in an upper perimeter surface of the foam body. The bundle of fibers together with the printed front and back surface material combine to resemble a character having a tuft of hair which spins upon activation of the motor module. The greeting card also contains a sound module which plays back audio upon activation. |
| US08973288B2 |
Footwear incorporating angled tensile strand elements
An article of footwear may include various first strands and second strands. The cutting and second strands may extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to the sole structure. The first strands may have a substantially vertical orientation and the second strands may have a rearwardly-angled orientation. The first strands may be located in a midfoot region of the footwear and the second strands may be located in both the midfoot region and a heel region of the footwear. Angles between the first strands and the second strands may be at least 40 degrees. Additionally, the second strands may have at least fifty percent greater tensile strength than the first strands. |
| US08973287B2 |
Shoe midsole and footwear
A shoe midsole has a sole plate, a plurality of blades integrally standing on the sole plate, a cover bonded to the circumference of the sole plate, and a fluid sealed between the sole plate and the cover. A first concave part in a shape equivalent to a sole of a foot is formed on the surface of the sole plate, on which the plurality of blades stand, wherein the plurality of blades are accommodated within the first concave part. The plurality of blades are aligned at a predetermined interval in a direction nearly orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sole plate, and some of the plurality of blades are tilted toward the toe. |
| US08973285B2 |
Grain-drying facilities
The present invention provides grain-drying facilities which can effectively use the heat energy of a biomass combustion hot-air that has been generated in a biomass combustion furnace.The grain-drying facilities adopt technical means of providing the grain-drying facilities 1 which include: a biomass combustion furnace 3 provided with a heat exchanger 24 for generating hot air on the basis of a combustion heat of a biomass fuel and an outside air which has been taken in from the outside; and a circulation type grain-drying apparatus 2 provided with a grain-drying portion 7 to which the hot air that has been generated in the biomass combustion furnace 3 is supplied through a pipe 15 for supplying the hot air, wherein the above described circulation type grain-drying apparatus 2 has a grain-heating portion 6 which has a plurality of heating pipes 6a for heating the grains in the above described grain storing/circulating tank 5, and also has an air-exhaust fan 14 that is communicated with an exhaust side opening 6c that is located in one end side of each of the heating pipes 6a, and has a pipe 11 for supplying an exhaust hot-air, which communicates the exhaust hot-air sent from the above described biomass combustion furnace 3 with a supply side opening 6b that is located in the other end side of the heating pipe 6a. |
| US08973284B2 |
Hair dryer
A hair dryer apparatus and method for use in hair care. The apparatus preferably includes a nozzle, a housing, an ion generator disposed within the housing, and an ozone generator disposed within the housing. Further, disposed within the apparatus may be a circuit board, which is in electronic communication with at least three control buttons, a microprocessor, a liquid crystal display, and a voltage regulator. |
| US08973279B2 |
Coordinate measuring machine with support beam having springs
A coordinate measuring machine has 1) an anchor beam with a top end and a bottom end, 2) at least one support beam having a top end and a bottom end, and 3) a cross-beam supported on the top ends of both the anchor beam and the at least one support beam. In addition, the coordinate measuring machine also has 4) a base supporting the bottom ends of the anchor beam and the at least one support beam. At least one of the at least one support beams has a first spring and a second spring. In preferred embodiments, the first spring is adapted to allow movement and is spaced from the second spring in a direction that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cross-beam. |
| US08973277B2 |
Multi-axis bow sight
A bow sight that decouples the shooter's bow cant from elevation adjustments. A segmented support assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is configured to attach to the bow. The distal portion is rotatably attached to the proximal portion and configured to rotate around a Y-axis relative to the proximal portion. A micro-adjust controls the rotational position around the Y-axis of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion. An elevation assembly is attached to the distal portion. A bezel assembly is attached to the elevation assembly. The elevation adjustment moves the bezel assembly along a substantially vertical axis while the bow is held at a bow cant greater than zero. The micro-adjust decouples the shooter's bow cant from operation of the elevation assembly. A windage assembly is optionally located between the elevation assembly and the distal portion. |
| US08973275B1 |
Portable saw, in particular a portable band saw
Portable saw includes a housing and a continuous saw blade provided in the housing. A throat in housing is shaped and sized for exposing a portion of a continuous saw blade so saw blade contacts and cuts an object brought into contact with the saw blade, in use. A power unit detachably attached to housing includes a drive for driving the saw blade. A side handle is provided on housing, and an end handle is detachably attached to the housing. The housing, saw blade, power unit, and handle are sized so user can carry and use the portable saw. Housing includes two halves detachably attached to each other so the user can take them off and replace them with a different housing having different handles and a different throat to provide a different throat having a different size and shape than the throat of the removed housing. |
| US08973273B2 |
Foldable chisel
A chisel includes a blade and a first handle and second handle that are each rotatably coupled to the blade. The first handle forms a first channel adapted to receive a first side of the blade and the second handle forms a second channel adapted to receive a second side of the blade opposite the first side. The two handles are rotatable between an open and a closed position. In some cases, the two handles comprise a rotatable coupling such that the first handle and the second handle rotate with one another in opposite directions between the closed and open positions. The chisel further can have an over-center structure configured to impede rotation of the two handles from the closed toward the open position. In some cases, the two handles each form an interlocking component adapted to releasably couple the two handles when they are rotated to the open position. |
| US08973272B2 |
Razor cartridge
The present invention relates to a razor cartridge capable of simultaneously shaving flat and sharply curved surfaces, said razor cartridge comprising: a blade housing, on which a plurality of razor blades are formed; and an upper housing coupled to the blade housing and defining a rectangular opening for outwardly exposing the edges of the razor blades to enable the latter to contact the skin, wherein the blade housing includes a first razor blade mounting portion and a second razor blade mounting portion that define a plurality of slots to which the razor blades are coupled, and a hinge portion connects the first razor blade mounting portion and the second razor blade mounting portion. |
| US08973270B2 |
Method for producing panels and panel produced according to the method
The invention relates to a method for producing floor panels, characterized by the following steps: a) scattering glued wood fibers or wood chips to form a wood material cake, b) pressing the wood material cake at elevated temperature to form a large-format substrate plate, which is provided press-finished and has a press skin that arose during the production of the substrate plate at least on the top of the substrate plate, c) applying a base coat made of a liquid melamine-based resin to the upper face of the substrate plate, wherein the resin at least partially diffuses into the top surface layer of the substrate plate and at least partially penetrates and improves the region of the press skin, d) drying the base coat, e) applying a primer to the base coat, f) drying the primer, g) applying at least one water-based paint enriched with pigments in order to produce a decoration, i) applying a seal made of at least one melamine-based resin enriched with wear-resistant particles and cellulose fibers, j) drying the seal, k) applying a base coast made of a liquid melamine-based resin to the lower face of the substrate plate, wherein the resin at least partially diffuses into the lower surface layer of the substrate plate, l) drying the base coat, m) applying a counteracting layer to the lower face of the substrate plate, n) pressing the layer structure under the effect of pressure and temperature, o) dividing the substrate plate into panels of the desired width and length, and p) attaching connecting means and locking elements to opposite side edges in order to connect and lock a plurality of panels without glue to form a floatingly laid floor composite. |
| US08973265B2 |
Installation method of water-chamber working apparatus
According to an installation method of a water-chamber working apparatus of the present invention, the water-chamber working apparatus includes a base that holds heat transfer tubes on a tube plate surface and is fixed to the tube plate surface, and a manipulator that is coupled with the base, suspended in a water chamber and arranged therein, and has a separable configuration. In this case, a base installing step of installing the base on the tube plate surface and a manipulator coupling step of carrying the separated manipulator (a front stage and a rear stage) into the water chamber sequentially and individually and coupling the manipulator with the base (a coupling link) are performed. |
| US08973264B2 |
Method of machining a turbine disk
A method of manufacturing a turbine disk involves machining to an initial form a slot in a turbine disk using a firm cutting tool. An intermediate form is then machined using a second cutting tool different from the first cutting tool. A final form using a third cutting tool different from the first cutting tool and the second cutting tool is then machined. |
| US08973259B2 |
Method for manufacturing a multilayered circuit board
A method for manufacturing a multilayered printed circuit board including forming a first insulating resin substrate having a metal layer substantially corresponding to dimensions of a semiconductor device, forming a second insulating resin substrate, forming a recess extending to the metal layer of the first insulating resin substrate such that a surface of the metal layer is exposed, accommodating the semiconductor device in the recess such that the semiconductor device is mounted on the surface of the metal layer, and forming a resin insulating layer on the first insulating resin substrate such that the semiconductor device accommodated in the recess is covered. |
| US08973255B2 |
Circuit-substrate-related-operation performing apparatus
A circuit-substrate-related-operation performing apparatus for performing a circuit-substrate-related operation which is an operation on a circuit substrate, including: a plurality of heads including at least one work head and at least one detection head; a head holding device configured to hold, at a holding portion thereof, one of the plurality of heads; a moving device configured to move the head holding device; a head stock device in which the plurality of heads are stocked; and a controller configured to control the circuit-substrate-related-operation performing apparatus, wherein the controller includes a head attachment control portion configured to control the moving device and the head holding device such that the head holding device is moved to a set position which is set with respect to the head stock device and such that an arbitrary one of the plurality of heads is held by the head holding device. |
| US08973252B2 |
Folded planar Litz wire and method of making same
Several embodiments of a circuit device using principles of planar Litz wire construction are disclosed using flexible printed circuit boards on which a given set of conductors is located on one surface only. The FPCBs are folded at strategic locations to effectively cause conductors in adjacent parallel planes to effectively cross one another to realize the advantages of braided Litz wire conductors, but without the use of vias or circuit interconnections between opposite sides of any given FPCB or between different sections of a continuous FPCB wherein each section defines its own coil or coil set. |
| US08973250B2 |
Methods of manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structure
Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The method of forming a MEMS structure includes forming a wiring layer on a substrate comprising actuator electrodes and a contact electrode. The method further includes forming a MEMS beam above the wiring layer. The method further includes forming at least one spring attached to at least one end of the MEMS beam. The method further includes forming an array of mini-bumps between the wiring layer and the MEMS beam. |
| US08973249B2 |
Test fixtures for automotive parts and methods of fabricating the same
Test fixtures for automotive parts, methods of fabricating test fixtures for automotive parts, and methods of heat testing automotive parts are disclosed. A method of fabricating a test fixture for supporting an automotive part may include forming a plurality of vertical support blades. Each of the plurality of vertical support blades comprises a support portion contoured to correspond to at least a portion of an underside of the automotive part. The method further includes assembling the plurality of vertical support blades such that each vertical support blade is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from an adjacent vertical support blade. The method further includes attaching the plurality of vertical support blades to a base such that the support portion of each of the plurality of vertical support blades is positioned to engage the corresponding portion of the underside of the automotive part. |
| US08973242B2 |
Dispenser lid and container including the same
A method of constructing a container, comprising disposing a primary lid over a storage cavity, the primary lid including a top surface that defines a dispenser portion through which items within the storage cavity may be dispensed, pivotally attaching a dispenser lid to the primary lid, the dispenser lid including a first biasing pin anchor and one of the dispenser lid and the primary lid having a second biasing pin anchor, connecting a first longitudinal end portion of a biasing pin to the first biasing pin anchor, and connecting a second longitudinal end portion of the biasing pin to the second biasing pin anchor, such that the biasing pin urges the dispenser lid towards an open position. |
| US08973241B1 |
Method and apparatus for joining composite structures
A method and apparatus for forming a joint between a first composite structure and a second composite structure. A number of tab sections may be formed at an end of the first composite structure. The first composite structure may comprise a first skin, a second skin, and a core located between the first skin and the second skin. A tab section in the number of tab sections may comprise a first skin section of the first skin, a second skin section of the second skin, and a core section of the core. A portion of the core section may be removed from each tab section to form a number of tabs at the end of the first composite structure. The first composite structure may be attached to the second composite structure using the number of tabs to form the joint between the first composite structure and the second composite structure. |
| US08973240B2 |
Disc brake pad mounting and retention system and method
A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction. |
| US08973237B2 |
Method of joining two portions of an underwater pipeline laid on the bed of a body of water to conduct fluid and/or gas
A method of joining two portions of an underwater pipeline laid on the bed of a body of water to conduct fluid and/or gas, the method including: joining a telescopic sleeve, having a first coupling head, to a first end of a first pipeline portion above the body of water; laying the first end, the telescopic sleeve, and the first coupling head on the bed of the body of water; joining a second coupling head to a second end of a second pipeline portion above the body of water; laying the second end and the second coupling head on the bed of the body of water, close to the first coupling head; roughly aligning the first and second coupling head in the body of water; and clamping the first and second coupling head to each other in the body of water. |
| US08973236B2 |
Method of manufacturing custom sized plastic tote having intermediate sleeve
A method of manufacturing a custom sized plastic tote lighter in weight than heretofore known custom sized plastic totes is provided. The method comprises separating an injection molded tote into upper and lower portions by cutting the injection molded tote. A sleeve or middle portion of plastic material is secured to the upper and lower portions of the injection molded tote to create a custom sized plastic tote of a desired height. Alternatively, portions of different injection molded totes may be used to create a custom sized plastic tote. The sleeve may be made from different materials and may be made of multiple pieces. |
| US08973231B1 |
Methods for forming electrically precise capacitors, and structures formed therefrom
High precision capacitors and methods for forming the same utilizing a precise and highly conformal deposition process for depositing an insulating layer on substrates of various roughness and composition are disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of depositing a first insulating layer on a metal substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD); (b) forming a first capacitor electrode on the first insulating layer; and (c) forming a second insulating layer on the first insulating layer and on or adjacent to the first capacitor electrode. The methods provide an improved deposition process that produces a highly conformal insulating layer on a wide range of substrates, and thereby, an improved capacitor. |
| US08973228B2 |
Method for producing piezoelectric actuator and method for producing liquid transport apparatus
A vibration layer is formed by the AD method on a cavity plate before forming pressure chambers, a common electrode is formed on the vibration layer, and a piezoelectric layer is formed on the common electrode by the AD method. Subsequently, the pressure chambers are formed in the cavity plate by the etching. After that, individual electrodes are formed on the piezoelectric layer. Subsequently, the stack of the cavity plate, the vibration layer, the common electrode, the piezoelectric layer, and the individual electrodes is heated at about 850° C. to simultaneously perform the annealing of the piezoelectric layer and the sintering of the individual electrodes and the common electrode. Accordingly, the atoms of the cavity plate are suppressed from being diffused into the driving portions of the piezoelectric layer. |
| US08973211B2 |
Detector cleaner and/or tester and method of using same
An apparatus for cleaning a detector comprising a housing and a bowl connected to the housing having a detector chamber adapted for enclosing a detector to be cleaned, a contacting surface positioned on the bowl, and one of more air nozzles positioned within the detector chamber for directing one or more bursts of compressed air at a detector to clean the detector, and a fan positioned within the housing operable to draw air within the detector chamber into a filter, and a dust collector for containing dirt and debris dislodged from a detector during the cleaning operation. |
| US08973210B2 |
Robot cleaner
Provided is a robot cleaner. In an embodiment, the robot cleaner for avoiding obstacles and sucking foreign materials using a plurality of sensors and a suction motor is characterized in that a drive suppression unit for detecting obstacles having a corresponding height is integrated with a base for forming a lower portion of a main body in order to not climb obstacles of a constant height during a driving period of the robot cleaner. The present disclosure according to the embodiment improves drive stability of the robot cleaner by sensing a threshold in erroneous state of the sensor for sensing the threshold. |
| US08973209B2 |
Connecting apparatus for hinging a joining element rigidly connected to a wiper arm
The invention relates to a connecting apparatus (24) for hinging a joining element (100, 102, 104, 142, 152, 162, 122 166), which is rigidly connected to a wiper arm, by way of an adapter (62), which is held non-rotatably by the joining element (100, 102, 104, 142, 152, 162, 166), to a connecting element (26) fastened to a wiper blade (10), wherein between the connecting element (26) and the adapter (62) a joint (52, 82) running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade (10) is provided, and the adapter (62) forms a frame of two side walls (64) of a front end wall (66) and a rear end wall (70), the frame being partially covered toward the top in the region of the front end wall (66) by a cover wall (68) such that an opening (74) remains toward the rear end wall (70). It is proposed that the adapter (62) has means (76, 78, 80, 86) which are suited for mounting and fixing three different joining elements (100, 102, 104). |
| US08973206B1 |
Trowel with depth adjustment
A trowel (1) having a rounded plate (6) slidably attached to a flat plate (5). The flat plate is preferably attached to an angled handle (10). Curved prongs (2) extend from the flat plate through apertures (7) located within the rounded plate. The prongs are used to obtain a desired depth of a bed of mortar (9) as the rounded plate is used to smooth out the mortar bed. An upper surface (11) of the rounded plate may be used as a scraper or scoop when the trowel is turned over. |
| US08973193B2 |
Methods of optimizing a pressure contour of a pressure adjustable platform system
The present invention provides a method of optimizing a pressure contour of a pressure adjustable platform system by (a) measuring pressure in a plurality of bladders in the pressure adjustable platform system; (b) assessing whether a change in pressure in one or more of the plurality of bladders occurs; (c) determining whether a subject on the pressure adjustable platform system has adjusted position, moved or tossed; (d) generating an adaptive sleep algorithm; and (e) adjusting the pressure in one or more bladders. |
| US08973191B1 |
Bi-elevation pillow system
A bi-elevation pillow system for allowing two users to lie side by side with each of their heads respectively positioned at a different elevation by using the pillow system has a base pillow member with a general shape of a rectangular prism. The base pillow member has a cavity with a cushion component located inside. A base pillow bottom surface has a linear channel located on it. The system has a secondary pillow member with a general shape of a rectangular prism with a cavity having a cushion component located inside. In a first position for storage, the base pillow bottom surface is rotated against and interfaces with a secondary pillow bottom surface. In a second position for use, the secondary pillow is rotated about a hinge 180 degrees in an open configuration and placed on a ground surface for use. |
| US08973190B2 |
Foam with green tea additive for foam mattresses, pillows and cushions
A method of making foam imparts antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities to the foam. Green tea powder is added to the polyol raw materials for making memory foam. The green tea memory foam is used to make pillows, cushions and mattresses. Green tea foam in the top layer of a mattress acts as an antiodorant such that less of the chemical smell of the memory foam is perceived by the user. In addition, the bacteria and mold that would otherwise develop in the moist warmer sleeping environment on memory foam are killed by the green tea additive to the foam. Measurable antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities in the green tea foam are achievable by adding green tea powder constituting less than 2% of the weight of the resulting green tea foam. A neck-support contour pillow is made using memory foam that contains green tea and a green dye. |
| US08973185B2 |
Support device which is adjustable by an electric motor
Support device, which is adjustable by an electric motor, for cushioning of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or lying on has a first support part, and a second support part pivotable about a pivot axis, between which a third support part is provided. Support device has an electric motor drive which has an adjusting element connected in a force-transmitting manner to the second support part by an actuating element for pivoting second support part. Actuating element has a rod-like configuration, by which the adjusting element is guided in a linearly displaceable manner in guide formed on third support part. Actuating element engages with second support part for pivoting the second support part eccentrically relative to pivot axis. |
| US08973183B1 |
Sheet for a split-top adjustable bed
A sheet for covering at least a portion of a mattress that includes a movable first section and a movable second section adjacent to and proximate to the movable first section comprises a first sheet section for covering at least a portion of the movable first section, a second sheet section laterally adjacent to the first sheet section configured to cover at least a portion of the movable second section, wherein the first and second sheet sections are joined together at a sheet junction, a first member projecting laterally from the first sheet section toward the second sheet section and extending up to the sheet junction, and a second member projecting laterally from the second sheet section toward the first sheet section and extending up to the sheet junction, wherein a portion of the first member overlays a portion of the second member proximate the sheet junction. |
| US08973182B2 |
Devices and implements for deterring monsters, specters, demons, and the like
A devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface and which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided. The external device may be capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed. |
| US08973180B2 |
Crib and reversible changing table thereof
A reversible changing table installed on a crib frame of a crib includes a bracket and a pivoting mechanism. The pivoting mechanism is disposed on at least one corner of the bracket and has a locking mechanism. The bracket is installed on the crib frame through the pivoting mechanism such that the bracket is capable of being rotated with respect to the crib frame, and the locking mechanism is used for preventing the bracket from being rotated with respect to the crib frame. |
| US08973179B2 |
Portable camping sink
The portable camping sink includes a hollow rectangular housing with top, bottom, left, right and rear walls and an open front. A basin is hinged to the front of the bottom wall and is movable between a closed position where it closes the front and an operative position lying at a right angle to the front where it can function as a sink. Locks and straps maintain the basin in its inoperative or operative positions. A water container has a size and shape allowing it to be inserted into the housing and includes a spout overlying the basin when the basin is in its operative position. Racks or shelves are hinged to the housing sides. Straps allow the portable sink to be suspended from the trunk of a tree during use. Shoulder straps allow a person to carry the camping sink on his back. |
| US08973178B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger for a shower tray can be arranged in the bottom of the shower tray for the heat recovery from wastewater so as to heat fresh water. To this end, the heat exchanger has a planar cover plate as the drain surface over which the wastewater drains. The cover plate forms the bottom of the shower tray, over which a lid that can be removed without the use of tools is arranged as a tread plate. The heat exchanger preferably includes a distributor element, which is arranged for distributing the wastewater over the drain surface. The distributor element is preferably a retaining element, which retains the wastewater at an upper edge of the drain surface and forms an overflow along the upper edge. |
| US08973172B2 |
Noise shield
An apparatus comprising: a mount plate and at least one noise reduction element connected the mount plate. An article of head wear comprising: a shell having an upper portion and a lower open portion, at least one aperture located near the lower portion, and a noise reduction plate obstructing the at least one aperture. An article of head wear comprising: a shell having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a noise reduction element connected to the shell. A noise reduction element comprising: a frame having a framework, and a soundproofing element covering the framework. An apparatus comprising: a mount plate, and at least one aperture in the mount plate, wherein the aperture is formed to accommodate a noise reduction element. |
| US08973169B2 |
Protective garment with modular storage system
Protective garments having a modular storage system that enables the wearer to move and customize the position of pockets and other storage features, and hence the location of tools and other apparatus or accessories. The protective garment, including the modular storage system, are fire resistant such that they are in compliance with National Fire Protection Association and European Norm standards for firefighting garments set by the European Committee for Standardization, which is also known as Comité Européen de Normalisation, and may be integral with the protective garment. |
| US08973168B2 |
Athletic pants
Athletic pants including a compression garment made of a stretchable fabric configured to substantially conform to the contours of a person wearing the compression garment. The compression garment includes a hollow torso section having an opening at its upper end and a pair of hollow legs extending in a direction away from the opening and terminating in a cuff. Cover portions are disposed over and surround at least a portion of each leg. Each of the cover portions having attached and free ends, with the cover portions being attached at their attached ends to the compression garment and otherwise being unattached to the compression garment such that the free ends are selectively positionable respectively along the length of the leg over which the cover portion is disposed. |
| US08973167B2 |
Invented face decoration mask
This invention provides a face decoration mask which makes two stand racks easy to extend, fold or stand still. The decoration mask includes the connection parts of first stand rack and second stand rack; this decoration mask is designed with strand space on the eyes of face, and there are ridges on two sides; the opposite side of ridges is corresponding grooves; on the one side of said first and second stand rack, there is a holding extend from connection part to users' ears and set on the face for decoration; on the other side of connection part, there is an end part, which extend from the connection part to make bowl-like shape and buckle into groove to make first and second rack stand still. |
| US08973166B1 |
Edging for brim of cap or visor
An attachment for the edge of an extending brim of a baseball type cap or visor is disclosed which is mounted on the edge of the extending brim to protect or repair the edge. The attachment easily mounts on the brim of a cap or visor and remains securely thereon. The brim is inserted into a slot through the side and along the full length of the attachment. The slot has flared edges that permit the attachment to be easily attached to the brim edge. As the edge attachment is mounted on the edge of a cap or visor the flared edges are deformed outward creating a spring force that firmly holds the edge attachment on the brim. The edge attachment may have an extension that extends over the top of a brim to provide additional space for the display of words, graphics, etc. that are larger than can be displayed on the much narrower front or top edge of the attachment. Barbs on the inside of the edging attachment near the slit bite into the top and bottom of the brim to further assist in holding the attachment on the brim. |
| US08973164B2 |
Fiber blends for garments with high thermal, abrasion resistance, and moisture management properties
Fiber blends useful for garments with a balance of high thermal, abrasion resistance, and moisture management properties are disclosed. The fiber blends comprise a hydrophobic fiber component, a hydrophilic fiber component, a structural fiber component, and an optional antistatic fiber. Yarns, fabrics, and garments comprising the fiber blends are also disclosed. Such garments are particularly useful for occupations requiring high thermal properties and abrasion resistance, such as fire fighters, utility workers, and military personnel, without compromising comfort of the wearers by maintaining breathability and moisture management properties of the fabric. |
| US08973162B1 |
Assistive and protective garments
A garment consists of a close-fitting sleeve body formed of a stretch textile, and which includes an open upper end, an open lower end, and a body-receiving volume extending through the sleeve body from the open upper end to the open lower end. Opposed, spaced-apart, surface-gripping parts are applied exteriorly to the sleeve body near the open upper end and the open lower end, respectively. The surface-gripping parts are each formed of a gripping material different from the stretch textile, and the gripping material is slightly sticky or adhesive so as to cause the surface-gripping parts to grip, and to resist slipping relative to, surfaces they come in direct contact with without leaving a resulting residue on touched surfaces. |