最新美国发明专利第2015-03-17期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08980085B1	Ozone dissolution chamber An ozone dissolution chamber utilizes the principle of laminar stratification of gas in a turbulent dissolution chamber. The dissolution chamber is much shorter in height than the conventional tower dissolution chamber, and ensures a high degree of dissolution of ozone in water and, consequently, a high degree of oxidation of organic and metal impurities to a final oxidation state.
US08980082B2	Method of simultaneously removing sulfur and mercury from hydrocarbon material using catalyst by means of hydrotreating reaction Disclosed herein is a method of simultaneously removing sulfur and mercury from a hydrocarbon material, including: hydrotreating the hydrocarbon material containing sulfur and mercury in the presence of a catalyst including a metal supported with a carrier to convert sulfur into hydrogen sulfide, and adsorb mercury on a metal active site or a carrier of the catalyst in the form of mercury sulfide.
US08980081B2	Method of making high energy distillate fuels A process of upgrading a highly aromatic hydrocarbon feedstream comprising (a) contacting a highly aromatic hydrocarbon feedstream, wherein, a major portion of the feedstream has a boiling range of from about 300° F. to about 800° F., under catalytic conditions with a catalyst system, containing a hydrotreating catalyst and a hydrogenation/hydrocracking catalyst in a single stage reactor system, wherein the active metals in the hydrogenation/hydrocracking catalyst comprises from about 5%-30% by weight of nickel and from about 5%-30% by weight tungsten; and (b) wherein at least a portion of the highly aromatic hydrocarbon feedstream is converted to a product stream having a boiling range within jet or diesel boiling ranges.
US08980079B2	Electrolytic cell for ozone production An electrolytic cell includes at least one free-standing diamond electrode and a second electrode, which may also be a free-standing diamond, separated by a membrane. The electrolytic cell is capable of conducting sustained current flows at current densities of at least about 1 ampere per square centimeter. A method of operating an electrolytic cell having two diamond electrodes includes alternately reversing the polarity of the voltage across the electrodes.
US08980076B1	Electro-deposited passivation coatings for patterned media A method of fabricating a magnetic recording disk including providing a magnetic recording layer having a pattern of raised areas and recessed areas formed thereon and providing a mask layer on the raised areas of the magnetic recording layer. The method further including electrodepositing a first protection layer on the magnetic recording layer, removing the mask layer, and depositing a second protection layer above the first protection layer.
US08980075B2	Digital microfluidic platform for actuating and heating individual liquid droplets A digital microfluidic platform utilizes dual active matrix circuitry to actuate and heat liquid droplets on a biochip. Liquid droplets are introduced into a droplet handling area of the biochip where they can be actuated by electrodes residing in pixels of an actuating active matrix array according to the electrowetting on dielectric phenomenon and heated by heating elements residing in pixels of a heating active matrix array. Pixels of the actuating active matrix array and the heating active matrix array are independently addressable such that droplets in the droplet handling area can be selectively heated and actuated according to their location. The actuating active matrix array and heating active matrix array can be formed on the same or different substrates with the droplet handling area disposed above or between the substrates.
US08980070B2	Bipolar membrane and method of manufacturing the same To provide a bipolar membrane featuring improved adhesion between an anion-exchange membrane and a cation-exchange membrane without accompanied by an increase in the membrane voltage.[Means for Solution]A bipolar membrane comprising a cation-exchange membrane and an anion-exchange membrane joined together facing each other, wherein at least one of the ion exchange membranes contains a chlorinated polyolefin.
US08980066B2	Thin film metal oxynitride semiconductors The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor film and a method of depositing the semiconductor film. The semiconductor film comprises oxygen, nitrogen, and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, gallium, indium, and tin. Additionally, the semiconductor film may be doped. The semiconductor film may be deposited by applying an electrical bias to a sputtering target comprising the one or more elements selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, gallium, indium, and tin, and introducing a nitrogen containing gas and an oxygen containing gas. The sputtering target may optionally be doped. The semiconductor film has a mobility greater than amorphous silicon. After annealing, the semiconductor film has a mobility greater than polysilicon.
US08980061B2	Profile bar screen for digester vessels The improved profile bar screen is for draining treatment liquor from a suspension of comminuted cellulose material and treatment liquor in an essentially cylindrical digester vessel. The profile bar screen is designed with horizontal support arches that have expansion slots allowing the otherwise rigid structure of the support arches to flex and adapt to any unevenness of the vessel wall, thus allowing support shoulders to rest against the inside of the vessel wall.
US08980057B2	Fibrous paper structures utilizing waterborne shape memory polymers A fibrous structure. The fibrous structure can be a paper product treated with a waterborne shape memory polymer. The waterborne shape memory polymer can include structural units, wherein each structural unit comprises: a) a switching segment comprising a semicrystalline or amorphous polymer; b) a chargeable unit comprising a cationically or anionically chargeable group; and c) a cross-linkable unit comprising a monomer, wherein the cross-linkable unit connects the switchable segment to the chargeable unit, wherein the waterborne shape memory polymer is dispersible in water.
US08980056B2	Composition and process for increasing the dry strength of a paper product A dry strength additive composition generally includes an anionic and/or amphoteric polyacrylamide having a molecular weight of less than 1,000,000 Daltons, wherein the amphoteric polyacrylamide has a net negative charge; a cationic and/or amphoteric starch; and a cationic non-starch polymer having a charge density greater than 1 milliequivalent per gram (meq/g) at a pH of 3. The components defining the composition can be added to a pulp suspension sequentially or as a pre-blended mixture.
US08980054B2	Soft tissue having reduced hydrogen bonding The present invention provides a modified cellulosic fiber having reduced hydrogen bonding capabilities. The modified fiber formed in accordance with the present invention may be useful in the production of tissue products having improved bulk and softness. More importantly, the modified fiber is adaptable to current tissue making processes and may be incorporated into a tissue product to improve bulk and softness without an unsatisfactory reduction in tensile.
US08980051B2	Sulfonation of pulp produced by alkali pulping process This invention relates to the delignification of lignocellulosic pulp. More particularly, the invention relates to sulfonation and bleaching of the alkali pulping produced by Kraft pulp processes or produced through combination of alkali pulping processes and extended delignification stages.
US08980048B2	Plasma etching apparatus A plasma etching apparatus includes a process chamber, a susceptor, microwave permeable plate that is made of a dielectric material that allows microwaves to pass therethrough, a microwave supplying portion including a microwave generation apparatus that generates microwaves of a predetermined frequency, a gas supplying portion for supplying a process gas, an evacuation portion, a bias electric power supplying portion; and an alternating bias electric power control portion that controls the alternating bias electric power, wherein the alternating bias electric power control portion controls the alternating bias electric power so that supplying and disconnecting the alternating bias electric power to the susceptor are repeated to allow a ratio of a time period of supplying the alternating bias electric power with respect to a total time period of supplying the alternating bias electric power and disconnecting the alternating bias electric power to be 0.1 or more and 0.5 or less.
US08980040B2	Manufacturing method of absorbent article A method of manufacturing an underpants-type absorbent article having an outer body provided with a mutually separate front piece, back piece and connecting sheet, and wherein the front piece and the back piece are mutually joined at side areas and are mutually connected by the connecting sheet extending in the front-to-rear direction at the crotch area, and an inner body containing an absorptive body and which is overlapped and anchored to the connecting sheet on the inside of the outer body, comprises, in turn, transporting a continuous body of the front piece in the form of a front piece web and a continuous body of the back piece in the form of a back piece web in a machine direction while maintaining a spacing area in a cross-machine direction, forming a continuous body of the outer body in the form of an outer body web by attaching the connecting sheet to the front piece web and the back piece web at intervals in the machine direction so as to straddle the spacing area, cutting the outer body web in order to form edges that define leg holes, and attaching the inner body to the outer body web.
US08980033B2	Filament winding method and filament winding apparatus A filament winding method performs a hoop winding step including a first step of fixing an end of a fiber bundle to a liner surface at a starting position of hoop winding, a second step of hoop winding the fiber bundle having the end fixed to the liner surface in the first step, a third step of fixing the fiber bundle hoop wound in the second step to the liner surface at an ending position of hoop winding, and a fourth step of cutting the fiber bundle upstream in a fiber bundle supplying direction of the position where the fiber bundle is fixed in the third step.
US08980030B2	Method and apparatus for forming a multi-layered tire component Methods and apparatus for forming a multi-layered tire component, the steps of the method including providing a mechanical system, the system including a plurality of cutting members; translating a sheet of material along a translation path through the mechanical system; cutting a first strip from the sheet with one or more of the plurality of cutting members, this step occurring during the step of translating; mechanically applying the first strip to a building surface, this step occurring during the step of translating; cutting a second strip from the sheet subsequent to the step of cutting the first strip, this step occurring during the step of translating; mechanically applying the second strip to a building surface, this step occurring during the step of translating.
US08980028B2	Metal base substrate and manufacturing method thereof In a metal base substrate with a low-temperature sintering ceramic layer located on a copper substrate, bonding reliability is increased between the copper substrate and the low-temperature sintering ceramic layer. A raw laminated body is prepared by stacking, on a surface of a copper substrate, a low-temperature sintering ceramic green layer including a low-temperature sintering ceramic material containing about 10 mol % to about 40 mol % of barium in terms of BaO and about 40 mol % to about 80 mol % of silicon in terms of SiO2, and this raw laminated body is subjected to firing at a temperature at which the low-temperature sintering ceramic green layer is sintered. In the thus obtained metal base substrate, a glass layer composed of Cu—Ba—Si based glass with a thickness of about 1 μm to about 5 μm is formed between the metal substrate and the low-temperature sintering ceramic layer.
US08980027B2	Process for manufacturing a part made of a ceramic matrix composite containing matrix phases for healing and deflecting cracks The method comprises the steps of: forming a porous fiber-reinforcing structure; introducing into the pores of the fiber structure powders containing elements for constituting the composite material matrix; and forming at least a main fraction of the matrix from said powders by causing a reaction to take place between said powders or between at least a portion of said powders and at least one delivered additional element; the powders introduced into the fiber structure and the delivered additional element(s) comprising elements that form at least one healing discontinuous matrix phase including a boron compound and at least one discontinuous matrix phase including a crack-deflecting compound of lamellar structure. At least a main fraction of the matrix is formed by chemical reaction between the powders introduced into the fiber structure and at least one delivered additional element, or by sintering the powders.
US08980026B2	Gap seals for electronic device structures An electronic device may have structures such as housing structures, display structures and other device structures that form gaps when assembled. To prevent intrusion of moisture and other environmental contaminants, the gaps may be filled using gap sealing material. The gap sealing material may be a liquid polymer that is applied to the gap in a way that creates an excess protruding portion. Light-based processing techniques and application of solvent may be used to remove excess material. A sealing material such as an adhesive may be applied to gaps to forming a sealing structure. A material may be applied to the adhesive sealing material to cause the sealing material to expand and fill the gap. An undersized gasket may be placed in a gap. The gasket may include materials such as polymer that expands upon application of moisture.
US08980021B2	Metal treatment to eliminate hot tear defects in low silicon aluminum alloys An aluminum alloy and a method of casting. At least one of zirconium, scandium, a nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, aluminides and borides, and rare earth elements are added to the alloy while in the molten state such that upon solidification, the cast alloy exhibits improved hot tear resistance. In a particular form, the nucleating agent may be titanium diboride for grain refining. Other agents that can be used for grain refining include scandium, zirconium, silicon, silver and one or more rare earth elements. In the case of rare earth elements, mischmetal may be used as a precursor. Combinations of titanium diboride and at least one other agent are especially effective in reducing the incidence of hot tearing in products cast from the modified aluminum alloy.
US08980019B2	Steel rail and method of manufacturing the same A steel rail includes: by mass %, higher than 0.85% to 1.20% of C; 0.05% to 2.00% of Si; 0.05% to 0.50% of Mn; 0.05% to 0.60% of Cr; P≦0.0150%; and the balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein 97% or more of a head surface portion which is in a range from a surface of a head corner portion and a head top portion as a starting point to a depth of 10 mm has a pearlite structure, a Vickers hardness of the pearlite structure is Hv320 to 500, and a CMn/FMn value which is a value obtained by dividing CMn [at. %] that is a Mn concentration of a cementite phase in the pearlite structure by FMn [at. %] that is a Mn concentration of a ferrite phase is equal to or higher than 1.0 and equal to or less than 5.0.
US08980018B2	Ferritic stainless steel sheet excellent in heat resistance and workability and method of production of same Ferritic stainless steel sheet for an exhaust part which has little deterioration in strength even if undergoing long term heat history and is low in cost, excellent in heat resistance and workability characterized by containing, characterized by containing, by mass %, C: less than 0.010%, N: 0.020% or less, Si: over 0.1% to 2.0%, Mn: 2.0% or less, Cr: 12.0 to 25.0%, Cu: over 0.9 to 2%, Ti: 0.05 to 0.3%, Nb: 0.001 to 0.1%, Al: 1.0% or less, and B: 0.0003 to 0.003%, having a Cu/(Ti+Nb) of 5 or more, and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities.
US08980016B2	Chromium-free solution for treating metal surfaces An acidic chromium-free solution for treating a metal surface containing: a vanadium cation source and/or a vanadyl cation source; an organic acid as an anion source; and at least one oxoacid as another anion source is provided. The oxoacid is selected from oxoacids of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and chlorine. A metal component composed of, for example, aluminum or magnesium is brought into contact with the chromium-free solution to form a vanadium coating film of a surface of the metal component. A surface treating process using this chromium-free solution is useful for formation of a coating film having low corrosion resistance and low electric resistance.
US08980015B2	Non-chrome passivation of steel Chromate free treatments and compositions for applying a conversion or passivation coating to metal surfaces. Preferred compositions comprise a film forming latex polymer, fluoacid, phosphoric acid, and a polyoxyethylene/oxypropylene block copolymer. The requisite metal surfaces are contacted by the compositions and dried. Rinsing is optional.
US08980014B2	Cartridge and water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system for a cartridge A cartridge for use in a detergent-dosing system of a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular, a cartridge for use in a domestic dishwasher of the type having a detergent dispenser configured with a holding space for holding the cartridge, the cartridge including at least a pair of chambers, each chamber for holding a detergent separate from any detergent held by another chamber; and a pair of seals, each seal being associated with a respective one of the chambers for substantially precluding discharge of a detergent retained by the respective chamber and each seal being configured to be opened at least once for a discharge of detergent from the respective chamber and to be closed again at least once.
US08980005B2	Liner assembly for chemical vapor deposition chamber Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method for lining a processing region within a chamber. In one embodiment, a modular liner assembly for a substrate processing chamber is provided. The modular liner assembly includes a first liner and a second liner, each of the first liner and second liner comprising an annular body sized to be received in a processing volume of a chamber, and at least a third liner comprising a body that extends through the first liner and the second liner, the third liner having a first end disposed in the process volume and a second end disposed outside of the chamber.
US08980004B2	Crucible and method for pulling a single crystal A crucible for pulling a silicon single crystal has a double structure comprising a silica crucible and a graphite crucible covering an outside of the silica crucible, wherein the silica crucible is provided at its opening end portion with an inward falling prevention means for imparting a radially outward force to a body portion of the silica crucible.
US08980003B2	Method of manufacturing silicon carbide single crystal In a method of manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal, a silicon carbide substrate having a surface of one of a (11-2n) plane and a (1-10n) plane, where n is any integer number greater than or equal to 0, is prepared. An epitaxial layer having a predetermined impurity concentration is grown on the one of the (11-2n) plane and the (1-10n) plane of the silicon carbide substrate by a chemical vapor deposition method so that a threading dislocation is discharged from a side surface of the epitaxial layer. A silicon carbide single crystal is grown into a bulk shape by a sublimation method on the one of the (11-2n) plane and the (1-10n) plane of the epitaxial layer from which the threading dislocation is discharged.
US08980000B2	Density-matching alkyl push flow for vertical flow rotating disk reactors In a rotating disk reactor for growing epitaxial layers on substrate or other CVD reactor system, gas directed toward the substrates at gas inlets at different radial distances from the axis of rotation of the disk has both substantially the same gas flow rate/velocity and substantially the same gas density at each inlet. The gas directed toward portions of the disk remote from the axis may include a higher concentration of a reactant gas than the gas directed toward portions of the disk close to the axis, so that portions of the substrate surfaces at different distances from the axis receive substantially the same amount of reactant gas per unit area, and a combination of carrier gases with different relative molecular weights at different radial distances from the axis of rotation are employed to substantially make equal the gas density in each region of the reactor. The system may be applied with a combination or carrier gases at multiple gas inlets, a combination of carrier and reactant gases at multiple inlets, and may be used with an arbitrarily large number of gases, when at least two gases of different molecular weights are provided. A linear flow pattern is achieved within the reactor, avoiding laminar recirculation areas, and permitting uniform deposition and growth of epitaxial layers on the substrate.
US08979996B2	Composition containing quaternary amino-functional organosilicon compunds and production and use thereof The invention relates to a composition and to a method for the production thereof, comprising quaternary amino-functional organosilicon compounds, in particular in the form of oligomers and polymers, which can be present ranging from partially hydrolyzed form to completely hydrolyzed form, and which are in particular soluble in water, have a low VOC content, and to the use thereof.
US08979995B2	Suspension for producing a layer increasing the coefficient of friction, molded part having such a layer increasing the coefficient of friction, method for the production thereof, and use thereof The invention relates to a suspension for producing a friction-increasing layer on a substrate, which comprises a liquid suspension medium, a predominantly inorganic binder or precursor compounds thereof and suspended hard material particles. The invention further relates to a shaped body comprising a substrate and a friction-increasing layer which has been applied to at least part of the surface of the substrate and comprises a predominantly inorganic binder matrix and hard material particles embedded therein, where the thickness of the binder matrix is less than the average particle size of the hard material particles so that the hard material particles project from the binder matrix and where the friction-increasing layer has been formed from a suspension according to the invention. The invention likewise relates to a process for producing the abovementioned shaped bodies and also their use for producing press or clamp connections and also as securing element.
US08979993B2	Ceramic compositions for increased batch feed rate A precursor batch composition that can be used to make porous ceramic articles is provided. The batch composition includes a cellulose-based polymer and, in particular, a methylcellulose showing a specified micro-calorimetry thermal response fingerprint. The methylcellulose can also have a cloud point above a specified temperature.
US08979990B2	Dispersant composition The invention relates to a composition containing a polyepoxide with polyether lateral chains and pendant hydrocarbyl groups. The invention further relates to a composition containing a particulate solid, an organic or aqueous medium, and a polyepoxide with polyether lateral chains and pendant hydrocarbyl groups. The invention further relates to novel compounds, and the use of the polyepoxide with polyether lateral chains and pendant hydrocarbyl groups as a dispersant.
US08979989B2	Ink for inkjet recording, ink cartridge and inkjet recording apparatus An ink for inkjet recording including a pigment, a penetrating agent and water, wherein the pigment includes: an ozone-oxidized carbon black, including carbon black oxidized by ozone and having a volatile matter content of the carbon black of 10% by mass to 20% by mass and a BET specific surface area of 90 m2/g to 150 m2/g; and a resin-coated carbon black, including: carbon black; and a resin present on a surface of the carbon black.
US08979981B1	Reusable, moisture wicking liner apparatus for produce containers and associated method A liner apparatus and method of extending the shelf like of produce items using said liner apparatus, in which the liner has first and second substantially planar surfaces, and is comprised of a felted body composed of a plurality of alpaca felting fibers and a fiber binding agent, said alpaca felting fibers being felted together with said fiber binding agent to form a felted body that wicks excess moisture from the surface of produce items placed in contact with said felted body.
US08979980B2	Gas cleaning unit and method for cleaning gas A gas cleaning unit for cleaning a main raw gas stream from a plant comprises a plurality of gas cleaning chambers (34a-c), each gas cleaning chamber (34a-c) equipped with a cleaning chamber inlet (46a-c); an inlet manifold (32), for dividing said main raw gas stream flowing therethrough into a plurality of separate fractional raw gas streams for flow to said cleaning chamber inlets (46a-c); and a plurality of heat exchangers (40a-c), each heat exchanger (40a-c) being located downstream of the inlet manifold (32) for exchanging heat with a respective fractional raw gas stream entering a respective cleaning chamber (34a-c).
US08979978B2	Graphene membrane with regular angstrom-scale pores Technologies are generally described for perforated graphene monolayers and membranes containing perforated graphene monolayers. An example membrane may include a graphene monolayer having a plurality of discrete pores that may be chemically perforated into the graphene monolayer. The discrete pores may be of substantially uniform pore size. The pore size may be characterized by one or more carbon vacancy defects in the graphene monolayer. The graphene monolayer may have substantially uniform pore sizes throughout. In some examples, the membrane may include a permeable substrate that contacts the graphene monolayer and which may support the graphene monolayer. Such perforated graphene monolayers, and membranes comprising such perforated graphene monolayers may exhibit improved properties compared to conventional polymeric membranes for gas separations, e.g., greater selectivity, greater gas permeation rates, or the like.
US08979974B2	Composition for collecting metal component The present invention provides a composition for collecting a metal component from a metal component-containing material, the composition containing a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of lanthanoid elements and elements in group 2 of the periodic table, and a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements in groups 3, 4, 12, and 13 of the periodic table and transition metal elements in the 4th period of the periodic table. The present invention further provides a method for collecting a metal component using this composition. With the use of the composition of the present invention, a metal component can be easily and efficiently collected from a material containing a highly useful metal component such as noble or rare metal.
US08979965B2	Magnetic attachment for box fan filter An air filter attachment apparatus for temporarily attaching a furnace-type air filter to a face of a box fan with a ferromagnetic box frame. The attachment apparatus comprises a plurality of magnetic flaps secured to respective top and side edges of the air filter, either directly or via a filter-receiving frame. The filter/frame is sized to approximate the face dimensions of the fan, and the flaps are foldable forwardly toward the fan to lie flat on top and side surface of the fan's metal box frame. Each flap includes magnetic attachment means to secure the flap to the fan.
US08979960B2	Motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement A motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; and a cyclonic separation apparatus located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan. The cyclonic separation apparatus comprises: a plurality of cyclones each with an air inlet port and an air outlet port; and a cooling air flow path. The motor comprises a permanent magnet brushless motor, a switched reluctance motor or a flux switching motor. The fan has an outer diameter the same or less than the diameter of the motor. The plurality of cyclones, the motor and the fan are arranged in a circular array about a central axis of the cyclonic separation apparatus. The arrangement comprises a baffle for directing air flow from the fan out of the circular array. The motor is located in the cooling air flow path.
US08979959B2	Industrial air vacuum filter assembly An air vacuum filter assembly is disclosed for use in filtering particulates from smoke and air during scrap metal cutting processes. The air vacuum filter assembly includes an enclosed container forming an air chamber therethrough between an air inlet and an exhaust outlet. A pair of fans creates a vacuum pressure in the container to suction air through the air chamber. A deflector within the enclosed container deflects and directs the air along a predetermined path through the air chamber between the air inlet and exhaust outlet. A series of filters are provided in the air flow path to filter and clean particulates from the smoke and air prior to the air exiting the container through the exhaust outlet and into the atmosphere.
US08979955B2	Production of pyrolysis oil Methods for fractional catalytic pyrolysis which allow for conversion of biomass into a slate of desired products without the need for post-pyrolysis separation are described. The methods involve use of a fluid catalytic bed which is maintained at a suitable pyrolysis temperature. Biomass is added to the catalytic bed, preferably while entrained in a non-reactive gas such as nitrogen, causing the biomass to become pyrolyzed and forming the desired products in vapor and gas forms, allowing the desired products to be easily separated.
US08979951B2	Additives for improving the cold properties of fuel oils The invention provides terpolymers of ethylene, at least one ethylenically unsaturated ester and propene, which a) contain from 12.0 to 16.0 mol % of structural units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated ester, b) contain from 1.0 to 4.0 methyl groups derived from propene per 100 aliphatic carbon atoms, and c) have fewer than 6.5 methyl groups stemming from chain ends per 100 CH2 groups. and also their use as cold additives for middle distillates.
US08979943B2	Arm prosthetic device A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Some segments may provide movement about more than one axis using a single actuator. The prosthetic arm apparatus may include a user interface incorporated therein and may include one or more communication systems for communicating with external devices.The prosthetic limb includes at least one antenna in connection with the controller for transmitting and receiving signals. The at least one antenna including the housing of the prosthetic limb segment as a radiating element. The prosthetic limb further includes a user interface integrally formed in the housing. The user interface including a status indicator for displaying information and having a flexible protective cover disposed around a portion of the housing and covering the user interface, the flexible protective cover including a translucent portion over the status indicator.
US08979942B2	Multilayer surgical membrane One aspect of the present invention relates to a multilayer surgical membrane. The surgical membrane can include a substantially fluid impermeable outer layer, an inner layer that includes a plurality of fenestrae, and a middle region disposed between the inner and outer layers. The middle region can include at least one channel that extends through the middle region. The middle region can have a first surface in contact with the inner layer. The at least one channel can imbibe fluid under a compressive or tensile load and the fenestrae can deform to exude fluid under the load.
US08979935B2	Joint space interpositional prosthetic device with internal bearing surfaces Joint space interpositional prosthetic devices for positioning between surfaces of a joint in a patient are disclosed. The prosthetic device may have exterior surfaces affixed to the joint surfaces and may have internal surfaces which provide bearing surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the bearing surfaces are encapsulated within the device. The exterior surfaces of the device may include bone securement features to facilitate attachment of the prosthetic device to the joint surfaces.
US08979931B2	Nucleus replacement device and method A method of replacing a nucleus pulposus material wherein curable nucleus pulposus material is injected into a balloon in an intervertebral space. The balloon has an inlet port and an outlet port that are connected to a pressure-measuring device. After the catheter is placed in the intervertebral space, the balloon is filled with a radio-opaque solution until the desired balloon volume is attained. The nucleus replacement material is then fed into the inlet port of the balloon, while the radiopaque agent is allowed to leave via the outlet port. Once the balloon is completely filled and curing of the curable nucleus replacement material is accomplished, the catheter and ports are removed, and the annular defect can be sealed.
US08979928B2	Sacroiliac joint fixation fusion system A sacroiliac joint fixation fusion system that provides a method of fixation and fusion of the sacroiliac joint and a sacroiliac joint implant which upon placement within the articular region of the sacroiliac joint facilitates stability and fusion of the sacroiliac joint.
US08979927B2	Spinal implant with staples A spinal implant having a spinal cage and a plurality of staples. The spinal cage is configured to be positioned in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The plurality of staples are moveably disposed on the spinal cage and configured to be inserted into the adjacent vertebrae so as to secure the spinal cage in the intervertebral space when the spinal cage is positioned therein. A method of securing the spinal implant within the intervertebral space.
US08979925B2	Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.
US08979924B2	Apparatus and methods for repairing the function of a diseased valve and method for making same An apparatus for repairing the function of a diseased valve includes an annular first support member expandable to a first diameter. An annular second support member is spaced axially apart from the first support member and is expandable to a second diameter that is independent of the first diameter. A tubular graft section interconnects the first and second support members. The graft section defines an annulus having a third diameter that is independent of each of the first and second diameters. A prosthetic valve is secured within the annulus of the graft section. The bioprosthetic valve has at least two valve leaflets that are coaptable to permit the unidirectional flow of blood. Methods for repairing the function of a diseased valve and for making the apparatus are also provided.
US08979923B2	Tissue fastening systems and methods utilizing magnetic guidance Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.
US08979921B2	Polymeric, degradable drug-eluting stents and coatings Absorbable stents and absorbable stent coatings have been developed with improved properties. These devices preferably comprise biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate, and optionally polylactic acid and other absorbable polymers and additives. Compositions of these materials can be used to make absorbable stents that provide advantageous radial strengths, resistance to recoil and creep, can be plastically expanded on a balloon catheter, and can be deployed rapidly in vivo. Stent coatings derived from these materials provide biocompatible, uniform coatings that are ductile, and can be expanded without the coating cracking and/or delaminating and can be used as a coating matrix for drug incorporation.
US08979916B2	Apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a blood vessel An improved apparatus for delivering and deployment of an expandable stent with a protection sheath within a blood vessel is provided. The system comprises a fluid pressure device which is coupled with a retraction device for the protection sheath such that after retraction of the protection sheath the stent is automatically deployed by the fluid pressure device. The advantage of the invention is an easy and simple operation of the apparatus.
US08979911B2	Porous bone screw A bone screw is described which includes a one-piece threaded screw body composed at least partially of a rigid foam. The screw body is headless and includes a bore extending therethrough to define a cannula and thereby providing the screw body with an annular shape defining a radial wall thickness. At least a central portion of the screw body is formed of the rigid foam which defines a matrix having a plurality of inter-connected pores therein. The inter-connected pores are disposed throughout the complete radial wall thickness of the screw body from an outer surface of the screw body to an inner surface thereof within the cannula, such as to permit bone in-growth through the complete radial wall thickness of the annular screw body. The inter-connected pores and the cannula thereby respectively allow bone in-growth through the complete radial wall thickness and the full axial length of the screw body.
US08979909B2	Tissue repair suture plates and methods of use Tissue repair suture plates and methods of use are provided which can, in general, allow soft tissue to be secured to bone. In one embodiment, a tissue repair suture plate can include a plurality of openings formed therethrough that can each be configured to have one or more sutures passed therethrough. Each of the sutures can be configured to be coupled to a soft tissue to be positioned against bone for healing thereagainst such that the soft tissue can have multiple sutures coupled thereto at different areas thereof. One or more bone fixation elements can be coupled to the plate and can be configured to attach the plate to the bone. The plate can be configured to move between a first configuration in which the plate has a first maximum length and a second configuration in which the plate has a second, greater maximum length.
US08979907B2	Arthroplasy revision system and method The present method includes the following steps: removing a portion of a previously implanted spinal arthroplasty device; and attaching a revision component to a remaining portion of the previously implanted spinal arthroplasty device to alter a biomechanical characteristic of the implanted arthroplasty device. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of limiting motion between adjacent vertebrae including the steps of accessing an implanted spinal arthroplasty device comprising a cephalad component fixed to a first vertebra and a caudal component fixed to a second vertebra inferior to the first vertebra, the cephalad and caudal components having a range of motion between them, and attaching a revision component to the cephalad and caudal components to reduce the range of motion. The invention also includes revision devices for revising the biomechanics of implanted spinal arthroplasty devices.
US08979906B2	Spine rod clamping body and pedicle screw assembly comprising same A pedicle screw assembly having a spine rod clamping body designed for exhibiting a limited amount of elastic deformation at a region location between its spine rod mounting portion and its bone screw connecting portion. When the pedicle screw assembly is placed in a spine stabilization procedure, a limited amount of motion within the fixation apparatus as a result of the spine rod clamping body exhibiting a limited amount of elastic deformation at the region location between its spine rod mounting portion and its bone screw connecting portion. This limited amount of motion can accelerate bone fusion. By reducing movement-induced stress concentrations, the limited amount of elastic deformation provided by the spine rod clamping body can enhance a rate at which bone fusion progresses and can reduce the potential for damage to the interface between the bone screw and bone.
US08979904B2	Connecting member with tensioned cord, low profile rigid sleeve and spacer with torsion control A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body and a receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity. The longitudinal connecting member assembly includes a tensioned cord and has hard, non-elastic sleeves for attachment to the bone anchors, at least one spacer located between the bone anchors, and in some embodiments, an end elastic bumper and cord blocker. A down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver.
US08979903B2	Revision fixation plate and method of use A connection system is provided that joins a revision fixation plate to a previously implanted skeletal fixation plate. In one form, the system allows the previously implanted plating system to be revised without disturbing the original implant components. In one aspect, the connection includes joining the revision fixation plate to a previously implanted fastener. In another aspect, the revision fixation plate is directly joined to a previously implanted fixation plate. In yet another aspect, the connection includes forming a dynamic relationship between the previously implanted plating system, the revision fixation plate, and the affected vertebrae. In one form, the dynamic relationship enables movement between the previously implanted plating system and the affected vertebrae and in another form, the dynamic relationship enables movement between the previously implanted plating system and the revision fixation plate.
US08979900B2	Spinal stabilization device A flexible connection unit for use in a spinal fixation device that includes: a longitudinal member having first and second ends and a flexible member interposed between the first and second ends, at least one of the first end and second end configured to be engaged by a first bone securing member; and at least one spacer located between the first and second ends, the spacer comprising a resilient element and a ring element encircling at least a portion of the resilient element, wherein the ring element is configured to be engaged by a second bone securing member.
US08979894B2	Coated looped suture A suture including a reinforced loop is described herein. The suture includes an elongate body including a proximal section and a distal section, wherein the distal section includes first and second overlapping sections and a loop. A polymeric coating is positioned on at least a portion of the distal section to reinforce the loop.
US08979890B2	Surgical instrument with jaw member A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector first and second tissue engaging surfaces that are slanted with respect to a transection plane. The end effector may, for example, have an electrode defining a V-shaped cross sectional profile. The end effector may comprise a plurality of raised surfaces that are received by a plurality of indentions when the end effector is in the closed position. The end effector may comprise a cutting member having a plurality of bands.
US08979888B2	Paranasal ostium finder devices and methods Devices and methods for locating sinus ostia and positioning a guide wire within the sinus ostia. The subject devices include a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a curved region located between the distal and proximal ends, and an interior channel, an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel and a probe tip joined to the guide wire. Certain devices further include expandable portions for engaging and treating body anatomy.
US08979887B2	Devices, systems, and methods to control stomach volume Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for reducing stomach volume in a subject. In certain embodiments, a subject receives a stomach-volume-reducing device that optionally includes at least one reservoir configured to release at least one appetite suppressant. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device is responsive to one or more environmental conditions of the subject, for example, pH or chemical chemicals in the stomach of the subject. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device controls hunger in the subject.
US08979885B2	Devices, systems, and methods to control stomach volume Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for reducing stomach volume in a subject. In certain embodiments, a subject receives a stomach-volume-reducing device that optionally includes at least one reservoir configured to release at least one appetite suppressant. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device is responsive to one or more environmental conditions of the subject, for example, pH or chemical chemicals in the stomach of the subject. In an embodiment, the stomach-volume-reducing device controls hunger in the subject.
US08979883B2	Obturator tip A surgical instrument for use with a surgical portal apparatus includes an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis. A dilating member disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft and has a first longitudinal arc segment and a second longitudinal arc segment being in diametrical opposed relation. The first and second longitudinal arc segments define respective first and second radii of curvature transverse to the longitudinal axis, and decrease from proximal to distal to define a generally tapered configuration of the dilating member. The first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature at predefined longitudinal positions of the dilating member such that the first longitudinal arc segment extends distally beyond the second longitudinal segment to define a penetrating tip. The penetrating tip has a reduced profile and is dimensioned to facilitate initial insertion of the dilating member into tissue.
US08979882B2	Devices, methods, and kits for forming tracts in tissue Described here are methods and devices for forming tracts in tissue. Some of the devices feature an elongate member, a suction member coupled to a distal portion of the elongate member, and a tissue-piercing member slidably housed within the elongate member for forming a tract in tissue. Other devices feature more than one suction member. Methods for forming tracts in tissue are also described here. In some methods, a device is advanced adjacent tissue, where the device features one or more suction members and a tissue-piercing member. Suction is applied so that the tissue is drawn against the one or more suction members, and a tissue-piercing member is advanced in a first direction through the drawn tissue to form a tract in or through the tissue. Kits incorporating one or more of the devices described here, in conjunction with one or more tools or the like, are also described here.
US08979881B2	Methods and handpiece for use in tissue dissection A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.
US08979879B2	Nucleus chopper and splitter A surgical instrument for both chopping and splitting the nucleus of an eye has a handle housing a shaft mounted within a guide tube which slides into and out of the instrument to bring first and second jaws into and out of contact with one another. The jaws are planar and positioned approximately perpendicular with the axis of the handle. The bottom edges of the jaws are brought into alignment to form a cutting edge when the jaws are forced together, and separate to perform a splitting action within a cut when the jaws are moved apart.
US08979878B2	Instrument for the surgical removal of a defective heart valve An instrument for the surgical removal of a defective heart valve. The instrument has elements that can be collapsed, in which the instrument cutting elements are collapsed when the instrument is introduced into the surgical field and are covered by means of contact protective sheaths. The instrument cutting elements are formed as cutting ring halves that can fold in around a hinge axis, these cutting ring halves being elastically deformable during the folding-in process, whereby their deformation is achieved by fish joints that also serve to aid in mutually moving the contact protective sheaths onto each of two body members.
US08979876B2	Devices and methods for tissue restoration Devices and methods for tissue restoration. In an exemplary embodiment of an implantable restraining device of the present disclosure, the device comprises a first engaging component and a second engaging component at least substantially parallel to one another, a first swivel arm, comprising a first fixed arm, a first expandable arm, and a first hub, and a second swivel arm, comprising a second fixed arm, a second expandable arm, and a second hub.
US08979875B2	Methods and systems for medializing a turbinate Methods and systems for medializing a turbinate. Exemplary embodiments comprise methods and systems for repositioning a turbinate proximal to a septum. Certain embodiments comprise an implant and a flexible member coupled to the implant. Embodiments may also comprise an insertion device to install the implant in a desired location.
US08979872B2	Devices for engaging, approximating and fastening tissue New interventional methods and devices for reducing gastric volume, and thereby treating obesity, are disclosed. The procedures are generally performed laparoscopically and may generally be described as laparoscopic plication gastroplasty (LPG) in which, after obtaining abdominal access, spaced apart sites on a gastric wall are engaged and approximated to create one or more tissue folds that are then secured by placing one or more tissue fasteners to produce one or more plications projecting into the gastrointestinal space. These procedures are preferably carried out entirely extragastrically (i.e. without penetrating through the gastrointestinal wall), thereby minimizing the risks of serious complications. Minimally invasive devices for engaging, approximating and fastening soft tissues are disclosed that enable these new interventional methods to be carried out safely, efficiently and quickly.
US08979871B2	Image-guided therapy of a tissue Image-guided therapy of a tissue can utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or another medical imaging device to guide an instrument within the tissue. A workstation can actuate movement of the instrument, and can actuate energy emission and/or cooling of the instrument to effect treatment to the tissue. The workstation and/or an operator of the workstation can be located outside a vicinity of an MRI device or other medical imaging device, and drive means for positioning the instrument can be located within the vicinity of the MRI device or the other medical imaging device. The instrument can be an MRI compatible laser probe that provides thermal therapy to, e.g., a tissue in a brain of a patient.
US08979862B2	Rod coercer A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating handle branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second handle branches, first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the first and second handle branches, and means for releasably locking the handle branches and the implant gripping arms in a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, the implant gripping arms of the rod coercer can be secured to each other by a flexible retainer.
US08979861B2	Method and system for performing spinal surgical procedures using natural orifices This disclosure describes devices and methods for performing spinal surgical procedures. In some embodiments, a method may include positioning at least a portion of at least one surgical instrument in at least one naturally occurring orifice of a human by a user. In some embodiments, a method may include accessing an interior space of the human using at least one of the surgical instruments. The method may include performing at least a portion of a spinal surgical procedure using at least one of the surgical instruments positioned in at least one of the naturally occurring orifices of the human. The method may include removing at least one of the surgical instruments from at least one of the naturally occurring orifices upon completion of at least a portion of the spinal surgical procedure.
US08979859B2	Depth of Impaction A method for determining a depth of impaction of a prosthetic cup into an acetabulum using an end effector and a movable impactor shaft is provided, wherein the prosthetic cup may be positioned at a distal end of the impactor shaft. The method may position the distal end of the impactor shaft at a known pose relative to the end effector, track a spatial pose of the end effector relative to a spatial pose of the acetabulum, determine a spatial pose of the prosthetic cup based on the spatial pose of the end effector and the known pose between the distal end of the impactor shaft and the end effector, and determine the depth of impaction based on the spatial pose of the prosthetic cup and the spatial pose of the acetabulum.
US08979855B2	Customized patient-specific bone cutting blocks A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.
US08979852B2	Tools for implantation of interspinous implants and methods therof The present disclosure provides a single insertion and compression instrument to facilitate the implantation of a spinous process implant, such as a spinous process fixation device, between and about adjacent spinous processes. The instrument has a first leg and a second leg, each with a handle and implant engaging portions. The implant engaging portions releasably couple to the spinous process implant and have compression pads to facilitate compression of fasteners on the plates into bone.
US08979850B2	Surgical guide device A surgical guide device comprises first and second limbs pivotally connected together, with a respective guide sleeve pivotally attached to each limb. Each guide sleeve has a bore through the sleeve that can guide a drill bit or bone fixing for insertion into a fragmented bone portion. The device has an orientation mechanism adapted to change the orientation of the guide sleeves relative to the limbs as the limbs move relative to one another, so as to maintain the orientation of the guide sleeves relative to one another during pivotal movement of the limbs.
US08979849B2	Osteochondral implant fixation procedure and bone dilator used in same A dilator for adapted to implant a graft in a bone. The dilator includes a hollow frusto conical configuration having a distal and proximal end, a continuous tapered outer surface extending from said distal end to said proximal end of said dilator, the continuous tapered outer surface configured to engage a bone in order to radially expand the bone outwardly as the dilator is advanced into an opening, one end of dilator having a cross-section less than the cross-section of the opening for insertion into the opening, and the other end of the dilator having a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the opening so that insertion of the body member in the opening expands the opening.
US08979843B2	Electrosurgical cutting and sealing instrument A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke may be regulated by a linear actuator, for example.
US08979841B2	Ablation catheter Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
US08979840B2	Irrigant distribution system for flexible electrodes Ablation electrode assemblies having a longitudinal axis include an electrode core member; an electrode shell; and an irrigant distribution element. The electrode core member comprises a thermal insulator and has a first end; a second end; and at least one irrigation passageway. The electrode shell comprises an electrically conductive material, defines an inner volume, and has a first end; and a second end. The second end of the electrode shell is configured for connection to the first end of the electrode core member. The electrode shell is sufficiently flexible for deflection of the distal end of the electrode shell relative to the longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly. The irrigant distribution assembly comprises a first end; and a second end, wherein the second end of the irrigant distribution element defines a circumferential irrigation port between the irrigant distribution element and the electrode core member.
US08979837B2	Flexible tip catheter with extended fluid lumen A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.
US08979836B2	Endoscopic surgical instrument The application relates to an endoscopic surgical instrument, and in particular to an instrument for endoscopic mucosa resection. The instrument includes a device for feeding in at least one liquid (for injection and/or dissection) and a device for high frequency surgery. These devices are combined within a single surgical instrument, in the interest of uniform handling.
US08979835B2	Sensing contact of ablation catheter using differential temperature measurements Tissue ablation is carried out using insertion tube having at least one ablation electrode, a first temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently proximate the ablation electrode to detect heat generated during the ablation procedure, a second temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently distant from the ablation electrode to be unable to detect the heat, and electronic logic circuitry linked to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor and programmed to compute a temperature differential between respective temperatures sensed by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor when conveying the electromagnetic energy. Satisfactory contact status between the ablation electrode and the target tissue is indicated when the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US08979831B2	Thermochemical ablation system using heat from delivery of electrophiles Thermochemical ablation techniques may provide ablation of bodily tissue using chemical reaction energy. The chemical reaction energy is provided by chemical reactions including a highly reactive electrophilic reagent provided to a target tissue location.
US08979830B2	Treatment of cellulite and adipose tissue with mid-infrared radiation An apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.
US08979825B2	Implantable fluid delivery device including gas chamber pressure sensor An implantable medical device is configured with a pressure sensor arranged within the device to reliably and accurately measure the pressure within a propellant gas chamber at least partially surrounding a therapeutic fluid reservoir of the device. In one example, a housing of the IMD includes a protrusion that is configured to provide clearance for fluid communication between a propellant gas chamber pressure sensor and the propellant gas chamber.
US08979824B2	Stent delivery system having retention structure A stent delivery system including an elongate shaft of a medical device, a stent selectively coupled to a distal portion of the elongate shaft, and a coupling mechanism for selectively coupling the stent to the elongate shaft by inserting a tab on one of the stent or the elongate shaft into an opening in the other of the stent or the elongate shaft. The tab may be deflected from a first position to a second position to disengage the tab from the opening.
US08979822B2	Catheter assembly A catheter assembly comprises a first catheter including a wall with an inner surface at least partially defining a lumen. A second catheter is connected to the wall of the first catheter and is disposed outward of the inner surface of the wall. The second catheter is at least partially covered by a sheath portion of the first catheter. A first portion of the wall of the first catheter is made of a relatively low durometer elastomeric material and is relatively extensible. A second portion of the wall is formed of a relatively high durometer elastomeric material and is relatively inextensible.
US08979817B2	Multi-chamber container with seal breach detection A container having multiple compartments formed by frangible seals in the interior chamber of the container is disclosed. The container comprises an indicator adapted to provide an indication that a seal breach between the chambers has occurred. Methods of forming a container having a seal breach detection indicator are also disclosed.
US08979812B2	Stoma pad/seal ring A stoma pad configured to cooperate with a fluid handing tube comprises a flexible, resilient, soft annular pad having a generally flat bottom surface and a convex annular wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and a circular hole extending through the center of the annular wall and the bottom surface. A stoma pad assembly comprises the stoma pad and a retention, support or holding device for securing the stoma pad on a patient.
US08979810B1	Nasal aspiration systems and related methods A nasal aspiration system for removing secretions from the user's nasal canals includes a port having a cap and a vacuum canister coupled on opposite ends. The cap includes two aspiration tubes extended therefrom. The aspiration tubes are configured for inserting into a user's nasal canals. The port includes a valve disposed therein, where the valve is operable to control the flow of nasal secretion from the aspiration tubes into the vacuum canister.
US08979806B2	Medical device with adjustable tissue ingrowth cuff Methods and apparatus are disclosed for making and using adjustable epidermal tissue ingrowth cuff and catheter assemblies for transcutaneous placement to provide periodic or continuous external access for medical purposes to an interior body region of a patent who requires such medical treatment over an extended period of time.
US08979805B1	Catheter connector securement device A catheter connector and securement device system includes a connector seated within a securement device. The securement device includes a lower shell member having a perimeter wall defining an interior cradle space that conforms to the connector body. A cover member is hinged to the lower shell member at a hinge line and is movable from an open position for insertion and removal of the connector to a closed position wherein the cover member releasably latches to the lower shell member to retain the connector within the lower shell member. A catheter retention device may be spaced from the perimeter wall.
US08979803B2	Stylet for bilumenal flexible medical device Utilizing the technology and methods disclosed, the characteristics of flexibility and rigidity for intralumenal devices, including coaxial two piece devices such as stylet and needle sets, can be adapted by a physician or device manufacturer according to the type of procedure, the patient size and unique anatomical challenges of a given procedure. Rigidity and flexibility are actively controlled by the operator at predefined portions of a device through rotating the stylet within the cannula to bring about alignments of customized notches to impart target flexibility or rigidity profiles at specific spots on the device. The device operator is able to alter the relationship and orientation of specific notched and non-notched segments of either or both the stylet and cannula that are strategically located at said critical points along the length of the device.
US08979801B2	Microcatheter devices and methods for targeted substance delivery Delivery catheters useable to deliver substances, articles or devices to target locations within the bodies of human or animal subjects. The delivery catheter generally comprises a catheter having a tissue penetrating distal tip member on the distal end and one or more delivery aperture(s) whereby a substance, article or device may be delivered through the lumen of the catheter body and out of the delivery aperture(s). In some applications, the substance delivery catheter is used in combination with a transluminal tissue penetrating catheter having a penetrator that is advanced to a first location. The delivery catheter is then advanced through (or over) the penetrator, through intervening tissue, to a desired target location.
US08979797B2	High pressure delivery system and method for treating pelvic disorder using large molecule therapeutics The invention relates generally to methods and systems for the treatment of pelvic tissues using a high pressure injection device to deliver a therapeutic composition that includes a large molecule therapeutic agent, such as a nucleic acid or a polypeptide, to a target tissue in the pelvic area. Methods of the invention can improve delivery of the therapeutic agent into the tissue, which can be beneficial for the treatment of a pelvic tissue disorder, such as bladder and prostate tumors.
US08979796B2	Applicator for treating skin An applicator for treating skin, includes a housing, in which a device for perforating an area of skin is arranged, wherein the device for perforating the skin can be brought into contact with the area of skin through an opening in the housing. At least one device for disinfecting is additionally arranged in the housing, and the device for disinfecting acts upon the area of skin through the same opening. With the applicator, a particularly secure and simple handling can be achieved.
US08979788B2	Systems, devices and methods for cardiopulmonary treatment and procedures A cardiopulmonary bypass system utilizing membrane-based reciprocating positive displacement blood pumps (“pod pumps”). In one aspect, the pod pumps are constructed to provide reduced shear forces on the blood being pumped. In another aspect blood flow through the pod pumps can be controlled by a controller using information from pressure sensors in the control chamber of the pod pumps. In another aspect, the pod pumps are included on a disposable unit that can be received and held by a receptacle means on a base unit, the base unit also providing pressurized control fluid to the pod pumps on the disposable unit through the receptacle means.
US08979786B2	Autoretroperfusion devices and systems Devices, systems, and methods for providing retroperfusion to at least one ischemic tissue in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein enable an anastomosis to be formed between a vein and an artery without the use of sutures and through a non-invasive procedure. In addition, various disclosed embodiments provide a cannula device comprising a Y-configuration for bifurcating arterial flow between an anastomosis and the underlying artery. The devices, systems and methods herein can further provide simultaneous autoretroperfusion therapy to more than one area of an ischemic tissue.
US08979777B2	Portable cool therapy device Apparatus for a disposable, portable thermal therapy device that is self-contained for shipping as a single unit to a patient. The therapy device has a shipping configuration that presents a single, self-contained durable container. The container includes an insert that defines a compartment between the insert and the container. The compartment stores various electrical components, such as the power connection. The insert has a cavity that contains a pump and stores a thermal pad and associated fluid lines. The insert is a shell with a cable grip that secures the cable from pump and a recessed area for securing the pump. The edges of the insert are sealed to the inside surface of the box. A carrying strap is secured to the sidewalls of the box in a manner that prevents protrusions and aid in minimizing storage.
US08979775B2	Combination ultrasound-phototherapy transducer A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.
US08979773B2	Dental treatment diagnostic method, method for calculating determination indicators, program and computer There is provided a method of calculating an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw in orthodontic treatment wherein an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw which becomes objective materials for a dentist to decide the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw of a patient in orthodontic treatment of the patient can be calculated easily, and by appropriately combining the results of other inspection methods, the dentist is able to diagnose easily with high objectivity and correctness, moreover with a short period of time, and its program.Using the distance (S−A) between S and A, the distance (S−Xi) between S and Xi (i is an integer from 1 to 4. X1=B, X2=Pog, X3=Gn and X4=Me.) and the distance (Go−Xj) between Go and Xj (j is an integer from 1 to 4. j=i or j≠i.) which are measured by the cephalometric radiography of a patient, an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw in orthodontic treatment is calculated by calculating P=((S−Xi)+(Go−Xj))/(S−A).
US08979771B2	Acoustic myography system and methods Acoustic impulses from a muscle are converted into an electrical signal with a transducer such as a piezo film microphone, and analog or digital signal processing circuitry determines the density of self-similar spectral components of the signal and generating an output signal representative of the contractile force of the muscle based upon the density of the self-similar spectral components. The circuitry is used to determine self-similar spectral components of the signal and the density of those components, and the density is used to provide an output signal filtering. Different embodiments use combinations of filtering, Fourier analysis and correlation or auto-correlation. The self-similar spectral components may be pre-determined or determined through signal processing. The output signal may be used to calculate muscle contractile force, fatigue or other muscle conditions.
US08979770B2	Extraction and diagnostic fluid devices, systems and methods of use The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for RNA isolation from biological samples containing white blood cells, such as whole blood. The devices have a device body that includes a first chamber having a first membrane that selectively binds white blood cells, a second chamber having a second membrane that reversibly binds RNA and a plurality of ports that are removably attached to a reagent pack and waste receptacle via a valving system controlled by a control unit.
US08979768B2	Surgical device for the collection of soft tissue A handheld biopsy device comprises a handpiece, a fluid collection system, and a power transmission source. The handpiece is configured for grasping by a single hand and is independently manipulatable by hand for movement of the instrument toward and away from the patient. An elongated piercer extends from the distal end of the handpiece. The piercer has a sharpened distal end and a port located proximal to the distal end for receiving a portion of tissue mass. An elongated cutter is disposed coaxially relative to a piercer lumen of the piercer. A distal blade of the cutter slides distally past the port of the piercer to severe the tissue portion drawn into the port by vacuum. The handpiece further comprises a holster for detachably connecting a cutter rotation transmission and a cutter axial transmission to the power transmission source.
US08979767B2	Neural monitoring system A neural monitoring system for determining a proximity between a stimulator and a nerve within an intracorporeal treatment area of a human subject includes a stimulator, a mechanical sensor, and a receiver. The stimulator is configured to extend within the intracorporeal treatment area and to provide an electrical stimulus therein. The mechanical sensor is configured to be placed in mechanical communication with the muscle and to generate a mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a sensed mechanical movement of the muscle. The receiver is configured to: receive the mechanomyography output signal from the mechanical sensor; receive an indication of a magnitude of the provided intracorporeal stimulus; determine a magnitude of acceleration of the muscle from the received mechanomyography output signal; and determine a proximity between the stimulator and the nerve from the magnitude of the provided intracorporeal stimulus and the magnitude of acceleration of the muscle.
US08979766B2	Sensor system A sensor system comprises a mat (20) for placement over a patient's mattress including a number of sensors (10) located in the mat. The sensors include a sensor housing (12), a sound vibration sensing element in the form of a PVDF membrane (13), and means for amplifying sensed sounds. The PVDF membrane is coated/covered with a typically latex, impedance matching layer (14). The sensor automatically provides for auscultation, in which the patient's own weight, from the patient lying on the bed, compresses their thorax against the membrane, compressing also the patient's clothing, bed sheet and mattress cover material between the two. The recoil in the mattress opposes the body mass, thus compressing the membrane against the thorax. The impedance matching layer on top of the membrane transmits fine breath sounds through to the membrane as the latex does not weaken or attenuate the fine breath sounds but transmits them to the PVDF membrane. However being flexible, it is not uncomfortable to lie on.
US08979761B2	Sleepiness assessment apparatus A sleepiness assessment value P1 is set to be an average heart rate HR (S130). A sleepiness assessment value P2 is set to be a standard deviation σ of a respiration interval RespI for one minute (S150). A sleepiness assessment value P3 is set to be a value that is obtained by dividing, by one minute, an integrated value of a square of an average heartbeat interval RRIavg in a case where a variation in which a heartbeat interval RRI increases occurs (in a case where an RRI count value Xi is a value of one) (S190). A sleepiness assessment value P4 is set to a value that is obtained by averaging a variation ratio in a case where a variation in which the respiration interval RespI increases occurs (in a case where an RRI count value Yi is a value of one) (S210). A sleepiness assessment value P is set to be a value obtained by summing values that are obtained by multiplying the individual sleepiness assessment values P1 to P4 by weight coefficients a to d, each of which is set for a corresponding one of the sleepiness assessment values P1 to P4 (S220). When the sleepiness assessment value P is smaller than a value of zero, it is determined that a person is highly alert (S240), and, when the sleepiness assessment value P is equal to or larger than the value of zero, it is determined that the person is less alert (S250).
US08979759B2	Ultrasonic imaging device and information processing device Ultrasonic imaging device noninvasively measures cardiac muscle stiffness or intracardiac pressure. The device includes: an ultrasonic probe (2) transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the heart; a signal-processing section (15) processing reflected echo signals; a display section (14) displaying results of signal processing as an image; and an input section (10) setting a predetermined point on the image. The signal-processing section (15) includes: a shape-extracting section (152) perceiving information on the shape of the heart from the reflected echo signals; a natural-frequency detecting section (153) detecting natural frequency of the heart from the reflected echo signals; and a calculating section (154) calculating stiffness of the cardiac muscle or the intracardiac pressure, wherein the calculating section (154) accurately calculates the stiffness of the cardiac muscle from the natural frequency of the heart and calculates the intracardiac pressure from the stiffness of the cardiac muscle that has been calculated.
US08979758B2	Sensing module for orthopedic load sensing insert device A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensing assemblages (1802), electronic circuitry (307), an antenna (2302), and communication circuitry (320). The sensing assemblages (1802) are between a top plate (1502) and a bottom plate (1504) in a sensing platform (121). The bottom plate (1504) is supported by a ledge (1708) on an interior surface of a sidewall (1716) of a housing (1706). A cap (1702) couples to top plate (1502). The cap (1702) is adhesively coupled to the housing (1706). The adhesive is flexible allowing movement of the cap (1702) when a force, pressure, or load is applied thereto.
US08979757B2	Method and system for monitoring the condition of livestock A method and system for monitoring the condition of livestock comprises a plurality of sensors (115, 103, 113, 111, 107, 105) for sensing a plurality of different behavioral parameters of an animal. The sensed data is transmitted by a unit (115), wirelessly, t a central processor (119) and a plurality of status conditions of the animal is determined on the basis of the transmitted, sensed data such as the onset of parturition, fertility status and other health status conditions. The unit (115) may be permanently worn by the animal and may keep an electronic record of the status conditions of the animal.
US08979755B2	Devices and systems for remote physiological monitoring Devices and systems are provided for the remote monitoring of physiological parameters of a patient. An exemplary wireless physiological monitoring device comprises a substrate formed of a flexible biocompatible material. The substrate has a surface for affixing to the skin of a patient. A wireless data transmission device, a biosensor, and a power source are integrated with the substrate. The biosensor is configured to measure a physiological parameter. Flexible conductors are integrated with the substrate and are configured to electrically couple the biosensor and the power source with the data transmission device.
US08979751B2	Specula A supplementary blade for a speculum is disclosed, the speculum having a plurality of primary blades movable relative to each other for opening and closing, wherein the supplementary blade comprises an anchor portion attachable to the speculum and a blade portion movable with respect to the anchor portion, and the blade portion is shaped to interact with at least one of the primary blades to move into an extended position in response to opening of the primary blades.A speculum is disclosed having a plurality of primary blades movable relative to each other for opening and closing, wherein at least one of the blades comprises a means for attaching a supplementary blade thereto to increase the functional length of the at least one blade.
US08979747B2	Endoscopic ports and related kits and methods An endoscopic port that includes an elongate cannula defining a central lumen that extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cannula and is sized to receive at least one endoscopic instrument therein. The cannula further defines a first opening that extends through a sidewall of the cannula at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The first opening is sized to receive a suture passer.
US08979740B2	Bi-directional handle for a catheter A steerable catheter or sheath includes a catheter or sheath body defining a longitudinal axis; first and second actuation wires extending from a proximal end of the body; and a control handle coupled to the body for steering a distal end of the body. The control handle includes a grip portion including a pivot; a wire diverting assembly located on the grip portion at a location separate from the pivot; and an actuator assembly coupled to the pivot and configured for pivotal movement in a single plane. The wire diverting assembly can include first and second actuation wire connection locations that are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The first and second actuation wires can extend toward the wire diverting assembly in a first orientation, and the wire diverting assembly can change the first orientation to a second orientation that is at an angle to the first orientation.
US08979739B2	Bending tube and medical instrument Included are a bending tube; slits; wire guides; an outer coat member; and hole portions that are formed between particular slits in a distal end region that is forward from a central region on an outer circumference of a cylindrical member, each of the hole portions being communicated with any one of the slits, the wire guides covered by the outer coat member being respectively fixed to the hole portions while being attached to the cylindrical member from an outside thereof.
US08979736B2	Treatment endoscope A treatment endoscope includes that a body cavity insertion portion which includes a main body distal hard portion, and a main body curving portion provided to a proximal side of the main body distal hard portion, one or more treatment arm/arms projecting to a distal side from the main body distal hard portion, each of the treatment arm/arms including a curving mechanism, an operation portion provided to the proximal side of the body cavity insertion portion, and an observation section configured to image a field of view in a body cavity, the observation section including an imaging section provided within the main body distal hard portion. The treatment endoscope includes that an operation portion attaching/detaching mechanism configured to removably attach the operation portion to the body cavity insertion portion, and an observation section attaching/detaching mechanism configured to removably attach the observation section to the body cavity insertion portion.
US08979730B2	Method and system for providing behavioural therapy for insomnia The disclosed system and method provide for the automatic assessment of the presence/severity of the sleep problem and its exact nature. The assessment is based on qualitative information about sleep patterns, insomnia-related factors and daytime consequences, as well as quantitative information about sleep patterns measured by a sensor. By combining the different sources of information (subjective as well as objective data), the diagnosis gives more insight into the nature of the sleep problem and is therefore more accurate. Furthermore, the disclosed system may be used to select specific components of the system that are medically relevant to the individual and therefore create a personalized program. The system teaches a selection of self-management skills that could help the individual to better cope with sleep disturbances and target those factors that maintain the problem or make it worse by a particular individual.
US08979729B2	Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person. For example, the masking algorithm may be partly tailored to the hearing loss characteristic of the person. A tinnitus rehabilitation device used in conjunction with a personal sound reproducing system is also described.
US08979726B2	Hemostasis composition with magnetite A composition and method of arresting the flow of blood from a bleeding wound. The composition preferably includes an anhydrous salt ferrate compound preferably combined with an effective amount of an insoluble cation exchange material and an effective amount of anhydrous Magnetite mixed uniformly together. Povidone iodine may be added for enhanced antimicrobial properties. In the method, a quantity of the composition is magnetically attached to a surface of a magnet, after which the powderous mixture is applied to the wound by pressing the surface covered with the powderous compound against the wound for a time sufficient to clot the blood to arrest substantial further blood flow from the wound.
US08979720B2	Strength and balance exercise apparatus A strength and balance exercise apparatus is provided having a pair of exercise arms pivotally supported from the floor. Each arm has handgrips for grasping and manipulation of the arm by the user. A passive force generating means, in this case, double-acting hydraulic cylinders are connected between the floor and the exercise arms to resist movement of the arms. According to the method, the user grasps the handgrips and manipulates the arms to get slow resistance of the passive force generating means while maintaining balance in a standing position.
US08979719B2	Kettlebell and method of manufacturing a kettlebell A kettlebell comprising a handle and a main body portion. The handle comprising a loop handle having a grip portion and first and second arm portions extending from opposite ends of a center portion attaching the grip portion of the handle to the cast body portion. The arm portions have distal ends and the cast main body portion is cast around the distal ends of the handle arms. The main body weight portion is cast around a portion of the handle to thereby secure the handle to the cast main body portion. The body portion is cast onto the end of the handle such that the body portion is both formed and attached to the handle in a single operation thereby providing a secure connection between the main body and the handle. The body may only become detached from the handle through fracture of the handle or the body.
US08979718B2	Hand-held exercise weight An exercise weight includes a weight member, a handle member spaced apart from and substantially surrounding the weight member, and at least one attachment member joining the weight member to the handle member so that the weight member is located inside the handle member. The exercise weight has a relatively narrow profile, or width, to avoid contact with the body during exercise.
US08979710B2	Adaptable exercise system and method A system and method for correlating a video content presentation rate with an exercise machine operation rate is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is an interactive video system that adapts easily to use with a wide range of gym equipment utilizing a video presentation device that includes an accelerometer and/or camera. The camera embodiment utilizes vision algorithms to determine periodicity and motion orientation prior to modifying the input as a function of the type of exercise equipment is being utilized, in order to determine a cadence. In one embodiment the camera does not rely on seeing the limbs being exercised but utilizes the observation that even highly trained athletes have a degree of extraneous motion of their theoretically immobile body parts during exercise. A prerecorded video presentation is modulated by sensing proximate vibrational energy to determine cadence in the case of the accelerometer.
US08979705B2	Method and system for controlling aircraft engine starter/generator A system and a method for controlling an aircraft engine starter/generator. The system includes an AGB of fixed gear ratio for coupling mechanically to a turbine shaft of the engine to enable the engine to be started, a gearbox having multiple gear ratios mechanically coupled to a gearwheel of the AGB, a starter/generator mechanically coupled to a gearwheel of the gearbox, and a controller to cause the gear ratio of the gearbox to be changed as a function of the mode of operation of the starter/generator.
US08979704B2	Hybrid drive of a motor vehicle and method for controlling a hybrid drive A hybrid drive of a motor vehicle having an automated manual transmission with two input shafts and a common output shaft. The first input shaft can be connected to the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine by a clutch and can be brought into a drive connection to the output shaft by a first group of shiftable gearwheel sets. The second input shaft has a drive connection to the rotor of an electric machine, which can operate as a motor and a generator, and can be brought into a drive connection with the output shaft by a second group of selectively shiftable gearwheel sets. The input shafts can be coupled by coupling-shift element. The hybrid drive is provided with a second electric machine, which can operate as a motor and a generator and has a rotor that can be connected to the first input shaft.
US08979702B2	Configuration for compact planetary transmission A compact five-speed transmission planetary hear train includes a first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, and third brakes and first, second and third clutches. The first, second and third brakes and first, second and third clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and four different reverse speeds between the input and the output.
US08979700B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08979697B2	Large-ratio speed changing apparatus A speed changing apparatus for changing an input speed to an output either greatly slower or faster, the apparatus has a coaxial pair of ring gears that includes a large ring gear having a pitch diameter A and a small ring gear having a pitch diameter D. A coaxial pair of spur gears includes a large spur gear having a pitch diameter B and a small spur gear having a pitch diameter C. The large spur gear meshes with the large ring gear and the small spur gear meshes with the small ring. A carrier member is connected to one of the input and output shafts of the apparatus. Two gears of one of the two coaxial pairs being fixed together to operate epicyclically on the carrier. One gear of the other of the two coaxial pairs being fixed to the frame of the apparatus and the other gear being connected to the other of the input and output shafts. In the apparatus, the four gears satisfy the dimensional relationship of A=K+i, B=K, C=K−j and D=K+i−j.
US08979687B2	Torque transmission chain and torque transmission device A torque transmission chain and torque transmission device of which the strength of links is increased by devising lock points that regulate the maximum relative rotation angle between the links are provided. Lock points that contact with pins and interpieces to regulate the maximum relative rotation angles are provided at four portions, that is, a front surface of a link front pillar portion, a rear surface of a link rear pillar portion and a front surface and rear surface of a link intermediate pillar portion. Each of allowable maximum relative rotation angles regulated by the lock points of a link outline portion is set so as to be smaller than each of allowable maximum relative rotation angles regulated by the lock points of the link intermediate pillar portion.
US08979685B2	Impact protector mounting The current invention relates to impact protector mountings and methods of using such mountings for parts or structures that are susceptible to impact or the forces of an impact. Protectors of the invention are useful to protect any parts or structures in vehicles, including bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, utility vehicles, and other vehicles. Impact protector mountings of the invention can be used to protect any parts and structures, including sprockets, disc brake rotors, engine parts, bottom brackets, drivetrain components, and other components susceptible to impact damage.
US08979684B2	Mechanical tensioner with one way damping An apparatus for imparting tension to multiple strands of an endless loop power transferring member encircling a drive sprocket and at least one driven sprocket. A tensioner mechanism includes a slider assembly having a fixed body defining a slot, a slider body engaged within the slot for movement between opposite ends of the slot, and a spring urges the slider body toward one end of the slot. The slider body is operably engageable with at least one tensioning arm for driving the at least one tensioning arm to tension the power transferring member. A link assembly can include two link members pivotally connected to the slider body at first ends and individually connected at second ends to two tensioning arms.
US08979683B2	Bicycle electric actuator unit A bicycle electric actuator unit basically has a housing, an electric drive part and a cable holding member. The electric drive part is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to an electrical cable. The cable holding member is provided at an outer surface of the housing to hold a portion of the electrical cable. The bicycle electric actuator unit can be for example part of an electric bicycle component such as an electric front derailleur or an electric rear derailleur.
US08979682B2	Ball bat including a reinforced, low-durability region for deterring barrel alteration A ball bat includes one or more low-durability regions fortified by one or more reinforcing elements. If the reinforcing element is altered or removed, the durability of the ball bat is significantly reduced. For example, if the ball bat is subjected to internal shaving or external rolling in an attempt to increase the bat's performance, the reinforcing element would de removed or damaged such that the durability of the bat is reduced to the point that the ball bat's performance remains below a specified limit.
US08979681B1	Methods and apparatus for batting tee having rapid return Methods and apparatus for a batting tee having a base removably matable to a post that includes a pivot mechanism including a pivot point located between axially aligned first and second springs connected to a cable extending along a coincident longitudinal axis of the first and second springs. The pivot point allows the post to rotate at the pivot point in response to an impact on the ball holder and/or post. The springs force the post back to an upright position.
US08979679B2	Golf ball having hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions A golf having hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions is disclosed. In wet playing conditions, moisture may be repelled by the hydrophobic portions and attracted to the hydrophilic portions. Thus, the surface of the hydrophobic portions may remain dry such that the friction between a golf club head and the golf ball surface is not reduced. As a result, the golf ball may not be adversely affected by wet playing conditions.
US08979674B2	Iron-type golf club head or other ball striking device A ball striking device, such as an iron-type golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface and a rear surface, and a body connected to the face. The body has a sole member and a rear cavity defined at least partially by the sole member and the rear surface of the face. The body has an elongated, recessed channel extending within the cavity along a juncture line between the rear surface of the face and the sole member. Additionally, the head is formed in part by a face member having a first leg forming at least a major portion of the face and a second leg extending rearwardly from a bottom end of the first leg and forming at least a portion of the sole member. The head may further be formed by a body member connected to the face member.
US08979673B2	Golf club heads with weight redistribution channels and related methods Embodiments of golf club heads with weight redistribution channels are described herein. Other examples and related embodiments are also disclosed herein.
US08979670B2	Golf club head with textured striking face A golf club head includes a heel portion, a toe portion, a hosel, and a striking face. The striking face includes a plurality of scorelines each having an average depth no less than about 0.10 mm, a plurality of micro-grooves each having an average depth no greater than about 0.010 mm, and a plurality of textured surface treatment regions superimposed on the micro-grooves so as to at least partially intersect the micro-grooves.
US08979668B2	Putter-type golf club head and putter-type golf club The present invention relates to a putter-type golf club head with a face on a front side to hit a golf ball comprising a head main portion provided with a concave portion on a side of the face, and a face insert made of elastic material attached to the concave portion of the head main portion, the face insert having a three-layer structure comprising of a first layer disposed at the front, a third layer disposed at the rear, and a second layer disposed between the first layer and the third layer, each of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer having a hardness of h1, h2, and h3 and a rebound resilience of r1, r2, and r3, and the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer satisfying the following relations: h2r2, and r1>r3.
US08979666B2	Golf club shaft In a shaft 6, a shaft full length is defined as Ls, and a distance between a tip end of the shaft and a center of gravity G of the shaft is defined as Lg. Lg/Ls is 0.52 or greater and 0.65 or less. A shaft weight is equal to or less than 52 g. Preferably, the shaft 6 has butt partial layers a5 and a6. When a point separated by 250 mm from a butt end Bt is defined as P2; a range from the point P2 to the butt end Bt is defined as a specific butt range; the total weight of the butt partial layers a5 and a6 existing in the specific butt range is Wa gram; and a weight of the shaft in the specific butt range is defined as Wb gram, Wa/Wb is preferably equal to or greater than 0.4.
US08979660B2	Helicopter amusement apparatus A helicopter amusement apparatus, which enables hovering, climbing and descending, and flying back and forth in a play helicopter by force of muscles with excellent steering performance. The helicopter amusement apparatus is equipped with a hydraulic system, which enables positioning a balancing weight in a suitable location to obtain equilibrium according to the weight of the using pilot to enable lifting and driving the cockpit by means of a small force generated by a rotor activated by the power source of the pilot's feet.
US08979648B2	Game system One object is to provide a video game system that can technically restrain real money trade. In accordance with one aspect, a server device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a determination unit 58 configured to determine whether an exchange of exhibited game contents and bid game contents is concluded based on a game content parameter value characterizing the exhibited game contents and the game content parameter value characterizing the bid game contents; and an updating unit 61 configured to update an owned game content storage unit 52 such that, only when the determination unit 58 determines that the exchange is concluded, the exhibited game contents are stored in association with player identification information of a bidder player and the bid game contents are stored in association with player identification information of an exhibitor player.
US08979645B2	Gaming device having a selectively accessible bonus scheme A gaming device having a bonus scheme, wherein the player may choose when to play a bonus scheme, so long as the player is qualified to do so. The method of qualifying the player to enter the bonus round connects or links the base game operation of the gaming device with the bonus scheme. The reels of the base game contain symbols which alone or in combination with other symbols yield one or more bonus awards to a player. The bonus awards are escrowed and displayed a bonus award escrow display. Once the player obtains a single bonus award, the player becomes eligible or qualified to play the bonus round and the player may choose to do so at any time. The player can accumulate bonus awards and use multiple bonus awards at one time.
US08979642B2	Systems and methods for electronic fund transfers for use with gaming systems Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.
US08979639B2	Gaming system and method providing multiway evaluation for a game associated with multi-component symbols configured to affect a base count and/or a value of one or more modifiers Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing multiway evaluation for a game including multi-component symbols that are utilized to determine one or more modifiers. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of reels including a plurality of individual symbols and a plurality of multi-component symbols including a plurality of the individual symbols. The gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols on the reels and determines a quantity of adjacent reels that each displays at least one instance of a first individual symbol. The gaming system determines a modifier for each of the adjacent reels based on a quantity of instances of the first individual symbol displayed by that reel, and determines any awards for the first individual symbol based on the determined quantity of adjacent reels and any determined modifiers.
US08979634B2	Wagering games with reel array interacting with simulated objects moving relative to the reel array Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for executing a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed which includes a memory device that stores instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the gaming system to: display a symbol array at a first position of a three-dimensional (3D) space; display a 3D object at a second position of the 3D space, the 3D object having two or more surfaces each lying in a respective plane of the 3D space and each having a respective symbol modifier; display the 3D object and/or symbol array moving towards each other; display, in the symbol array, symbols indicative of a wagering-game outcome; and, in response to the 3D object engaging the array, modify each of the symbol-array symbols by the symbol modifier of the 3D object which engages that symbol.
US08979631B2	Gaming machine capable of realistically informing of a payout rate The present invention provides a gaming machine that is capable of realistically informing a player of a payout rate, via an effective rendering of such a type in which the player is permitted to participate. In this gaming machine, when the routine migrates to a bonus game, a player makes an input operation via a first display panel to thereby advance a game in a second display panel that is provided upward of the first display panel. In this manner, as the bonus game, a game of such a kind in which the player is permitted to participate can be executed at a position that is easily seen from an upward periphery.
US08979629B2	Scratch-card game system and corresponding game medium The game system is characterized in that it comprises a first instant game based on the purchase by a player of a game medium (1) that in particular bears results information for said first instant game, accessible to the player after removing a first mask and that reveals itself to be either winning (1b, 1c) or losing (1a), the winning result information in the first instant game indicating to the player either a direct winnings (1b) on said first instant game, or a right (1c) to participate in a second instant lottery game accessible via an instant and automatic lottery computer server means.
US08979628B2	Method and apparatus for gaming with alternate value payouts Systems and methods are provided for permitting a player to play a game at a gaming device. The gaming device provides a payout for the game. The payout is redeemable for one of a plurality of values, and at least two of the plurality of values are different from each other. The values typically have different corresponding forms of payout, such as cash or merchandise credits.
US08979625B2	Wagering game system with shared community preferences A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes associating, by at least one of one or more processors, sets of one or more individual preferences with respective players at the respective gaming terminals. The method further include determining by at least one of the one or more processors, based on the sets of individual preferences, a set of one or more community preferences that govern the community event.
US08979616B2	Gear processing machine A gear grinding machine wherein a tooth alignment operation is performed prior to grinding, is equipped with a workpiece processing rotation shaft (22) which rotates a workpiece (W1) located at a workpiece processing position (P2); a workpiece swing device (30) whereby a tailstock (50) that holds the workpiece (W1) is swung between a workpiece replacement position (P1) and a workpiece processing position; a workpiece alignment rotation shaft (52) which rotates the workpiece held by the tailstock (50); and a tooth alignment sensor (43) that detects the rotation phase of the workpiece, which was rotated by the workpiece alignment rotation shaft. Before the workpiece held by the tailstock is placed at the workpiece processing position, the rotation of the workpiece alignment rotation shaft is controlled on the basis of the rotation phase detected, so that the workpiece will engage with a threaded grinding stone (16).
US08979614B2	Deburring machine A deburring machine for removing burrs from workpieces includes a framework, a deburring mechanism and a transport mechanism. The deburring mechanism mounted on the framework, includes deburring units positioned on the framework. The transport mechanism is positioned on the framework adjacent to the deburring units. The transport mechanism includes a base, multi-station rotating plate and a first driver. The base is positioned on the framework. The multi-station rotating plate is rotatably positioned on the base. The first driver is positioned on the framework and connects with the base. The first driver is capable of driving the multi-station rotating plate to transport the workpieces to the plurality of deburring units, the plurality of deburring units are capable of removing the burrs of the workpieces.
US08979611B2	Polishing pad, production method for same, and production method for glass substrate A polishing pad having a polishing layer comprising a thermoset polyurethane foam, wherein about the thermoset polyurethane foam, the Asker C hardness value thereof is 82 or less as a 60-second value, the hardness value being a value after the foam is immersed in water for 24 hours, and further the value of the tensile storage modulus E′ (30° C.) thereof at a frequency of 1.6 Hz satisfies the following expression (1): Y<5X−150 (1) wherein Y represents the tensile storage modulus E′ (MPa), and X represents the Asker C hardness value (60-second value) after the foam is immersed in water for 24 hours.
US08979607B2	Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display panel According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, which includes preparing a pair of substrates including respective alignment films formed therein and subjected to photo alignment treatment, providing a sealing material on a frame area of the alignment film of one of the pair of substrates, and bonding the pair of substrates to each other with the sealing material, and curing the sealing material to form a sealing member, and forming a liquid crystal layer in space surrounded by the pair of substrates and the sealing member. The sealing material satisfies the following formula B≦2000 [μm]/A.
US08979606B2	Method of manufacturing a ruthenium-based spark plug electrode material into a desired form and a ruthenium-based material for use in a spark plug A method of making an electrode material for use in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes ruthenium as the single largest constituent. The disclosed method includes hot-forming a layered structure that includes a ruthenium-based material core, an interlayer having a refractory metal disposed over the ruthenium-based material core, and a nickel-based cladding disposed over the interlayer.
US08979604B1	Flying ski and elongated board for flying ski An improved elongated board for a flying ski designed to be towed behind a conventional powered watercraft utilizing a standard ski tow rope or similar device. The elongated board comprises a front end and a back end. The front end extending from a front edge to about one-half of the length of the elongated board, the back end extending from a back edge to about one-half of the length of the elongated board, and the back end has a greater mass than the front end.
US08979599B2	Connector having insertion detection An electrical connector includes a molded body having at least one recess for receiving an electrical contact crimped onto a power supply wire. The body includes a flap that is mobile between a position allowing the insertion of a contact into the recess, and a locked position in which the flap locks the contact in the recess. The flap is translatably mobile relative to the body and forms a single hinged part with the latter. A system also includes a bulb provided with a connection socket and the connector.
US08979598B2	Assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve An assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve includes a first connector and a protective sleeve. The first connector has a plugging portion. The protective sleeve is movably coupled to the first connector and has a sheath. The sheath of the protective sleeve is selectively sleeves the first connector.
US08979597B2	Leadframe having selectively removable bridges between terminals and contacts The present invention relates to a leadframe having a plurality of connections for electrical conductors, a plurality of contacts and at least two outer current bars, and to a connecting socket having a leadframe as well as to a system for transmission of electrical power, in particular from a plurality of solar modules (photovoltaic modules), having a connecting socket such as this. In order to devise a leadframe which occupies as little space as possible, at least one connection (32a-e) is provided for an electrical conductor between the outer current bars (34a, b). This allows the leadframe to have a compact physical shape. The invention is based on the discovery that leadframes are used in the prior art to bridge the distances between predetermined contact separations, offering the possibility of producing, in one stamped part, strip conductors which have different geometries. Furthermore, a connecting socket having such a leadframe is described, and a system for transmission of electrical power using such a connecting socket.
US08979595B2	Electrical connector and method of manufacture An electrical connector, including a shell, a housing and a plurality of metal terminals, configures a chamber that several ribs allocate the chamber with terminal recesses, a ramped portion being formed at the bottom of chamber, the terminals pass through terminal recesses in which the terminals are assembled amid housing, among the sections of the terminals, a contact section forming a engagement in front of the ramped portion of chamber.
US08979594B2	Electrical receptacle An electrical receptacle includes a first plastic main body, a tongue plate structure, plural signal interface structure segments, and a second plastic main body. The second plastic main body has at least one structure segment fixing space. At least a first portion of said plural signal interface structure segments are previously accommodated and fixed within the at least one structure segment fixing space. The second plastic main body with the first portion of said plural signal interface structure segments and the first plastic main body are combined together, and assembled with the first plastic main body, the tongue plate structure and a second portion of said plural signal interface structure segments so as to produce the electrical receptacle.
US08979593B2	Low profile electrical connector An electrical connector includes a metal shell and two terminal seats, the two terminal seats and the metal shell together define a mating slot. Each terminal seat having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, the terminal seat including a housing, a metal frame and a plurality of terminals. The metal frame includes a bottom plate and two side plates. Each side plate includes a pivoting portion, each terminal seat is pivoted to the metal shell via the pivoting portions. The pivoting portion is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion. The plurality of terminals are embedded in and fixed to the housing, each terminal includes a contact portion and a soldering portion, the contact portion extends into the mating slot, and the soldering portion is positioned at the first end portion.
US08979588B2	Method and system for improving crosstalk attenuation within a plug/jack connection and between nearby plug/jack combinations An RJ45 communication jack has a housing with a top, bottom, front, and back. A foil is immediately adhered to and partially covers the housing. A top or bottom of the housing is covered by a first portion and a second portion of the foil wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a nonconductive gap. The gap extends from the front of the housing to the rear of the housing.
US08979583B2	Terminal-mounting structure and terminal used in the same terminal-mounting structure The invention provides a terminal-mounting structure for mounting a terminal to a terminal-receiving portion, which includes the terminal and the terminal-receiving portion. The terminal includes an elongated plate-shaped connecting portion, a pair of wings extending from both edges of the connecting portion which are disposed in a width direction of the connecting portion and being perpendicular to the connecting portion, and a locking hole formed in the connecting portion and located between the pair of wings. The terminal-receiving portion includes a tube portion for receiving the terminal therein, and a lance capable of being locked to the locking hole of the terminal and positioned between the pair of wings. A front face of the connecting portion is not covered by the pair of wings at all. The pair of wings extends in a same direction.
US08979578B2	Electrical connector with relative movement of mid sections of contacts inhibited by frictional engagement with a recess An electrical connector for transmitting data signals between the insulated conductors of a first data cable and corresponding insulated conductors of a second data cable, including a first part having a socket shaped to at least partially receive a plug of said first data cable; a second part having a plurality of insulation displacement contact slots shaped to receive end sections of the conductors of the second data cable; and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts including resiliently compressible spring finger contacts extending into the socket for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the first cable; insulation displacement contacts seated in corresponding insulation displacement contact slots for effecting electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the second data cable; and mid sections extending therebetween, wherein relative movement between the mid sections of the contacts is inhibited by a fastener.
US08979577B2	Bridging terminal A bridging terminal includes a cap and four conductive pieces. Each of the flexible conductive pieces has two pin portions and a connecting portion. The connecting portions are combined in an assembling chamber of the cap. The pin portion of the first flexible conductive piece has a front-left-outer facet and a front-right-outer facet jutting frontward, and has a flexible arch jutting backward. The second and third flexible conductive pieces have each of their pin portions including a left-outer facet, a right-outer facet and a slot. The pin portion of the fourth flexible conductive piece has a rear-left-outer facet and a rear-right-outer facet jutting backward, and has a flexible arch jutting frontward. When the flexible conductive pieces are aligned and piled, the flexible arches are received in the corresponding slots. Thereby, the bridging terminal provides improved electric conductivity, bonding strength and stability, while preventing elastic fatigue and premature failure.
US08979575B2	Electrical connector assembly having assistant heat dissipating device An electrical connector assembly for use with an electronic package, includes an electrical connector having a plurality of contacts, and an assistant heat sink mounted upon the electrical connector and having an opening to allow the electronic package connecting with the contacts.
US08979573B1	Connector block with spring-loaded electrical terminal assemblies An electrical terminal or spring terminal for forming an electrical connection between a wire conductor and a current bar includes a spring and a spring retainer, the spring retainer not integral with the spring and not integral with the current bar. Engageable abutment surfaces on the spring retainer and the current bar cooperate to transfer spring force to the current bar.
US08979569B2	Modular connectors and associated systems and methods Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular connector assemblies that generally include a connector and an attachment unit. The connector includes a connector housing, the connector housing including a first coupler element. The attachment unit includes an attachment unit housing, the attachment unit housing including a second coupler element. The first coupler element can be configured and dimensioned to interlock with the second coupler element for movably securing the connector to the attachment unit. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to methods and systems for modular connector assemblies.
US08979568B2	Electrical plug-in connector having locking clips The invention relates to an electrical plug-in connector, comprising a first and a second housing half, the first housing half (2) having two opposite U-shaped locking clips (8), which are each pivotably retained on both sides on bearing journals (12) and which each have locking projections (9) on both sides, the locking projections having a recess (11), wherein said recesses act on locking pins (13) of the second housing (3) when the locking clips (8) are closed so that the two housing halves (2, 3) are pressed against each other, characterized in that the first housing half (2) has at least one web (4), which penetrates a recess (6) of the second housing half (3) intended therefore when the two housing halves (2, 3) are joined so that the housing halves lie against each other in an accurately fitting manner, and in that the locking clips (8) have lateral shields (7), which cover the bearing journals (12) of the first housing half (2) and the locking pins (13) of the second housing half (3) in the locked state of the system plug-in connector, wherein each shield (7) has a straight edge (17) between the bearing journal receptacle (22) and the locking pin (13).
US08979563B2	Electric contact module and electric contact box for an electric unit, as well as electric equipment and electric unit The invention relates to an electric contact module, particularly electric test module, for an electric unit, preferably an electric distribution unit such as an electric voltage or power distribution unit or an installation of an electrical substation of an urban electrical power system, having a casing having first electrical contact means electrically connectable by/to a first electric unit, and a slider having second electrical contact means electrically connectable by/to a second electric unit. The slider may be provided in a plurality of positions in relation to the casing. Locking recesses 132 and locking protrusions 232 may be used to set the positions of the slider. Furthermore, an electric contact box is disclosed having one or a plurality of electric contact modules according to the invention, wherein the electric contact box preferably comprises two, three or five electric contact modules or an integer multiple thereof.
US08979560B2	Lever type connector A lever type connector in which workability in inserting terminals is enhanced is provided. A lever type connector 1 includes a connector housing 22 for containing terminals 61 at terminal ends of wires, and a lever 30 which is rotatably mounted on the connector housing 22, and rotated at a wire extending side of the connector housing 22 thereby to move a mating connector to be engaged with the connector housing 22 up to a normally engaged position. The lever 30 includes a pair of arm parts 31 (31a, 31b), and a connecting part 38 for interconnecting respective base end parts 51 (51a, 51b) of the arm parts 31. A recess part 53 for enlarging a distance between the base end parts 51 is provided on at least one of inner walls 50 (50a, 50b) of the base end parts 51 of the arm parts 31 which are opposed to each other.
US08979558B2	Interposer assembly A shielded interposer assembly includes an electrically conductive plate, an electrically conductive EMI cage, and an interposer. The cage is configured to be supported by the electrically conductive plate and defines a cage interior. The interposer that defines first and second opposed mating interfaces. The interposer is configured to be supported by the electrically conductive plate such that each of the first and second mating interfaces is disposed in the cage interior. The EMI cage has front and rear ends that at least partially define front and rear mating paths that are configured to receive respective first and second electrical devices so as to mate the first and second electrical devices to the first and second mating ends, respectively, of the interposer.
US08979557B2	Liquid-tight conduit fitting with grounding element A fitting for terminating a conduit includes a substantially tubular fitting body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a rearward end opposing the forward end. The fitting body includes a first liquid-proof coating that includes a rearward sealing rim. A gland nut is rotatably coupled to the rearward end of the fitting body. The gland nut includes a second liquid-proof coating that includes a forward sealing rim. A grounding ring is positioned between the gland nut and the fitting body and contacts the fitting body. Upon axial movement of the gland nut, the grounding ring engages the rearward sealing rim of the first liquid-proof coating on the fitting body and the forward sealing rim of the second liquid-proof coating on the gland nut to form a sealed relationship therewith.
US08979556B2	Communication socket and communication device A communication socket comprises an outer casing, a circuit board, a communication connector, and a power terminal set. The outer casing has a power terminal passage formed penetratingly in the outer casing. The circuit board and the communication connector are arranged inside the outer casing. The communication connector is disposed between a side wall of the outer casing and the circuit board, and the communication connector electrically connects to the circuit board. The power terminal set is arranged in the power terminal passage and passed through the circuit board, wherein one end of the power terminal set exposes from the side wall of the outer casing, and another end of the power terminal set passes through the circuit board, and wherein the power terminal set and the circuit board are insulating to each other. The instant disclosure also provides a communication device.
US08979546B2	Method and system for quantitative assessment of facial emotion nulling A method and system are presented to address quantitative assessment of facial emotion nulling of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene, comprising a single facial expressions and a background, to a subject on a display; (2) adjusting the facial expression on the scene; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the adjusted facial expression relative to the accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (6) transforming the modulated facial expression; (7) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (8) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium.
US08979545B2	Method and system for quantitative assessment of social interactions nulling testing A method and system are presented to address quantitative assessment of social interactions nulling testing of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of body images and a background; (2) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one input device; (3) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (4) modulating the adjusted body image relative to the accuracy of the received feedback; (5) calculating a critical threshold parameter for the subject; (6) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium.
US08979543B2	Method and system for quantitative assessment of word identification latency A method and system are presented to address quantitative assessment of word identification latency of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene, comprising a plurality of letters and a background, to a subject on a display; (2) moving the plurality of letters relative to the scene; (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 quantitatively refined feedback; ((6) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium.
US08979540B2	Method and system for quantitative assessment of visual form discrimination A method and apparatus are presented to address quantitative assessment of visual form discrimination in a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to a subject on a display, said scene comprising a plurality of elements and a background; (2) distorting at least one geometric characteristic of at least one; (3) modulating the contrast level of the predetermined section of the scene; (4) moving the predetermined section relative to the scene, the movement being tracked by said subject via at least one input device; (5) receiving feedback from the subject via the input device; (6) quantitatively refining the received feedback relative to the scene; (7) adjusting at least one distorted geometric characteristic relative to the accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (8) calculating the critical threshold parameter for the subject; and (9) recording the critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium.
US08979537B2	Firearm barrel plug and training method A training/safety plug for use in firearms is provided. In one implementation, the plug comprises a chamber end and a shaft extending away from the chamber end. The chamber end is adapted to fit within a chamber of a designated firearm, the chamber end has a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to prevent the chamber end from extending into a barrel of the designated firearm and further comprises a strike surface for receiving an impact of a firing pin and a proximal end dimension such that the chamber end is not engaged by an ejector mechanism of the firearm. The shaft comprises a barrel end coupled to and extending distally from the generally cylindrical chamber end. The training/safety plug renders the designated firearm inert. Methods of training a student to target a firearm or other targeting device are also disclosed.
US08979536B2	Preformed malleable dental articles and methods A hardenable dental article including a base and at least one outer surface extending from the base, wherein at least the base and the at least one outer surface of the hardenable dental article includes a hardenable dental material; and a multi-layer polymeric film conformable release liner in contact with at least a portion of the at least one outer surface.
US08979534B2	Tooth scaffolds Provided is an acellular mammalian tooth-shaped scaffold including a compound that is chemotactic, osteogenic, dentinogenic, amelogenic, or cementogenic. Also provided is a method of replacing a tooth in the mouth of a mammal, where the tooth is absent and a tooth socket is present in the mouth at the position of the absent tooth. The method includes implanting an acellular scaffold having the shape of the missing tooth into the tooth socket. Additionally, a method of making a tooth scaffold is provided. The method includes synthesizing an acellular scaffold in the shape of a mammalian tooth and adding at least one compound that is chemotactic, osteogenic, dentinogenic, amelogenic, or cementogenic.
US08979531B2	Double-arched tweezers for dental operations In order to get good access for treatment at hidden parts of the oral cavity, double arched tweezers are disclosed, that can favorably be applied for operations at one or the other side of the mouth and by left- or right-handed dentists.
US08979528B2	Customized orthodontic appliance method and system An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Other aspects are directed to a self ligating orthodontic bracket system that includes a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of a bracket; embodiments that include an orthodontic appliance and method of producing and using the same, and preferably employed in a lingual orthodontic system, that includes friction reducing features between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire placed within the archwire slot.
US08979524B2	Method and apparatus for making a light weight container An apparatus for forming a blow-molded container includes a mold, a mandrel, and a die. The mold includes a bottom section for forming a container bottom, a sidewall section for forming a plurality of sidewalls, a spout section for forming a spout, and a neck section for forming an upwardly converging neck member coupling the sidewalls to the spout having a convex radius transition section of approximately three inches in a container having an overall height of approximately ten inches. The mandrel and the die are operative to form a parison that assumes an ovoid cross-section within the mold with the outer surfaces of the parison positioned approximately equidistant from sidewall section of said mold.
US08979514B2	Pump pressure control valve with shock reduction features A pump includes a pump casing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, and fluid moves from the first chamber to the second chamber during a stroke. The pump also includes a needle that is movably disposed in the first chamber and a valve carriage that is movably disposed in the second chamber. The valve carriage includes an internal stop, and the valve carriage also includes a cavity therein that is partially defined by the internal stop. The pump further includes a valve that is movably disposed within the cavity of the valve carriage, and the valve is operable to be impacted by the needle during the stroke. Also, the needle is operable to impact the valve carriage during the stroke. Moreover, the valve is operable to impact the internal stop during the stroke at a time different from the needle impacting the valve carriage.
US08979510B2	Micropump and driving method thereof A micropump includes: a fluid suction tube for suctioning fluid; a pumping tube connected to the fluid suction tube and providing a suction force and a discharge force to surroundings while repeatedly being expanded and contracted by an external signal; a deform tube connected to the pumping tube and having an aperture that is deformed by the suction force and the discharge force of the pumping tube; and a fluid discharge tube connected to the deform tube and discharging fluid.
US08979501B2	Connection of a shaft to a rotating component For connecting a shaft to a rotating component, especially of a shaft to a turbine wheel of an exhaust gas turbocharger, an intermediate component is provided by means of which the shaft is connected indirectly to the rotating component. The connection between the rotating component and the intermediate component is a form-locking and/or force-locking connection, especially a riveted connection.
US08979498B2	Turbine airfoil having outboard and inboard sections A turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine and formed from at least an outboard section and an inboard section such that an inner end of the outboard section is attached to an outer end of the inboard section. The outboard section may be configured to provide a tip having adequate thickness and may extend radially inward from the tip with a generally constant cross-sectional area. The inboard section may be configured with a tapered cross-sectional area to support the outboard section.
US08979497B2	Blade arrangement, especially stator blade arrangement A blade arrangement on a wall of a fluid flow path of a turbomachine includes a locating channel disposed in the wall and having undercut flanks. A plurality of blades each having a blade-side root section corresponding to the undercut flanks. A plurality of intermediate filling pieces correspond to the undercut flanks and separate each of the blade-side root sections. The plurality of blade-side root sections and intermediate filling pieces are seated in a form-fitting manner and fixed in a force-locking manner in the locating channel. The plurality of intermediate filling pieces fill out the locating channel so as to form a gas flow-side surface essentially free of a disturbing contour between the blade-side root sections. Each of the plurality of intermediate filling pieces includes a threaded hole disposed essentially perpendicular to a base of the channel. A screw is disposed in the threaded hole.
US08979493B2	Fluid pump The invention relates to a fluid pump, in particular liquid pump, with a rotor, with a rotor shaft (11) and with at least one rotor blade for delivering the fluid, wherein the rotor with regard to its diameter may be changed between a first, compressed condition, and a second expanded condition, wherein the at least one rotor blade comprises at least two erection elements (12, 13, 14) which are distanced to one another along the longitudinal axis (18) of the rotor shaft (11) and which project away from the shaft in the expanded condition of the rotor, as well as at least two limp rib elements (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30) which run at a distance to one another from one erection element (12, 13, 14) at least up to a further erection element, wherein a limp membrane (10) is held between the rib elements, which is tautened in the expanded condition of the rotor. A good compressibility of the rotor with low counter-forces, as well as a simple setting-up of the rotor may be achieved by the membrane-like design of the rotor blades. The membrane may for example be manufactured with the immersion method.
US08979490B2	Fan inlet diffuser housing riveted center body retention A fan inlet diffuser housing system includes an air cycle machine, a housing coupled to the air cycle machine, an inlet fan disposed on the air cycle machine and configured to pass inlet air into the fan inlet diffuser housing, a center tube disposed in the housing, a diffuser cone disposed around the center tube, an inboard strut supporting the inner tube within the diffuser cone, and an outboard strut supporting the inner tube within the diffuser cone, the outboard strut being integral with the diffuser cone, wherein the inboard strut is coupled to the inner tube with a first plurality of mechanical fasteners, and the outboard strut is coupled to the inner tube with a second plurality of mechanical fasteners.
US08979488B2	Cast turbine casing and nozzle diaphragm preforms Various turbine component preforms are disclosed having near-net shape features. In one embodiment, a turbine casing preform is disclosed. The turbine casing preform includes an as-cast body comprising a partially cylindrical wall section of a turbine casing, the wall section having an inner surface and an outer surface. The turbine casing preform also includes a circumferentially-extending vane slot formed in the wall section on the inner surface. In another embodiment, a turbine nozzle diaphragm preform is disclosed. The turbine nozzle diaphragm preform includes an as-cast body comprising a partially-cylindrical wall section of a turbine nozzle diaphragm having an inner surface and an outer surface. The turbine nozzle diaphragm preform also includes an as-cast, circumferentially-extending seal member projecting from one of the outer surface or inner surface.
US08979484B2	Casing for an aircraft turbofan bypass engine A casing for an aircraft turbofan bypass engine includes an outer ring, an inner hub and a plurality of struts radially extending therebetween. An annular portion of an engine core casing having an outer wall and an inner wall, is disposed between the outer ring and inner hub, forming an annular splitter supporting an upstream splitter tip structure. The annular splitter further includes an intermediate wall disposed in the annular splitter fixed to the outer wall and the struts, to distribute loads from the annular splitter box to the struts.
US08979478B2	Fully enclosed seal and bearing assembly for between-bearing pumps A bearing and seal assembly for supporting and sealing a terminating outboard end of an impeller shaft in a centrifugal pump such as a between-bearings pump includes only one seal but provides advantages typical of a dual-seal assembly, including barrier fluid protection against seal damage caused by abrasive slurries, and protection against leaking of toxic process fluid to atmosphere. A bearing housing sealed to the pump's pressure casing encloses the seal, bearing, and terminating impeller shaft end. Leakage of process fluid past the seal is prevented by a lubricating, pressurized, cooled barrier fluid which is circulated through the bearing housing by an external pump and/or by an internal, shaft-driven impeller. Because the impeller shaft terminates within the bearing housing and does not penetrate to atmosphere, the barrier fluid is contained within the bearing housing and a second seal is not required.
US08979472B2	Directional, sealable wind-powered turbine A cylindrical wind-turbine has an intake opening set in a known direction of oncoming wind (such as towards the direction of an expected oncoming train). A central plunger acts as a valve to regulate airflow, and may seal the intake opening. Exit valves are situated near the rear of the device and/or at the rear in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The intake opening and exit valves may be opened or closed depending on readings from wind and water sensors. Generally speaking, when there is sufficient wind and low threat of water, the openings and valves are open, collecting wind energy. When there is a lack of wind or presence of water, the openings and valves are sealed to protect the interior components of the device from the elements and unnecessary wear and tear, prolonging the life of the device.
US08979471B2	Bearing carrier with multiple lubrication slots A bearing assembly, a pump with a bearing assembly and a method of lubricating a pump bearing using a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes a bearing carrier and a bearing housing that are rotatably connected to one another to permit axial adjustment of the pump's impeller or other fluid-conveying apparatus, as well as variable rotational positioning of the bearing carrier relative to a pump housing. Numerous lubricant access apertures placed around the periphery of the bearing carrier facilitate lubricant passage from a connection on the bearing housing to the bearings, regardless of the rotational position of the carrier relative to the bearing housing or other pump structure.
US08979470B2	Gas turbine engine and method for cooling the compressor of a gas turbine engine A gas turbine engine includes a compressor with rotor blades having roots connected into seats of a compressor drum. The rotor blade roots and/or the compressor drum have longitudinal passages for a cooling fluid, connecting higher pressure areas to lower pressure areas of the gas turbine engine.
US08979469B2	Heat treatment apparatus and method of transferring substrates to the same A heat treatment apparatus includes a vessel loading unit on which a substrate vessel configured to accommodate a plurality of substrates at a first interval is loaded, a substrate holder configured to hold the plurality of substrates at a second interval which is smaller than the first interval, a substrate transfer unit capable of supporting the substrates and configured to transfer the plurality of substrates between the substrate holder and the substrate vessel and includes at least two substrate supporting parts stacked with the first interval therebetween and configured to be simultaneously advanced and retreated relative to the substrate vessel and individually advanced and retreated relative to the substrate holder, and a control unit configured to control an upper one of the at least two substrate supporting parts to be in an inoperative state when a lower one is supporting the substrate.
US08979468B2	Loading work apparatus with attachment tools A loading work apparatus includes booms, attachment tools, an implement tool removably attached to the attachment tools, and implement tool cylinders. The implement tool includes an engaged member on a back surface thereof. The attachment tools include an attachment unit having an engaging member engaged with the engaged member, coupling members supporting the transverse shaft, and lock members locking/unlocking engagement between the engaging member and engaged member. Each coupling member includes brackets on lateral opposite sides of the lock member. The transverse shaft is supported at opposite ends thereof by lower portions of the right and left brackets. The support shaft is supported at opposite ends thereof by intermediate portions of the right and left brackets. The transverse shaft and the support shaft bridge across the lock member.
US08979464B2	Production facility, and production system Provided is a production facility which allows a worker to perform manual works such as restoration, setting change, and manufacturing, without entering an action area of a robot. The production facility includes a casing, a swaging as a dedicated device housed in the casing, for performing swaging using a boot band, and an internal transfer device. A human work area on the front side of the production facility and an action area of a transfer robot on the back side of the production facility are separated by the swaging device and the casing. The worker positioned on the front side of the production facility operates swaging device without entering the action area of the transfer robot so that the transfer robot need not be stopped when the work is performed.
US08979457B2	Device for fastening A device for fastening includes a threaded rod, a nut that can be screwed on the rod and elements for locking the nut in rotation in relation to the threaded rod including an intermediary ring mounted between a skirt of the nut and an end of the threaded rod, this ring including rotational coupling elements with the end of the threaded rod and rotational coupling elements with the skirt of the nut. The nut is elastically deformable to tightening during the screwing on the threaded rod.
US08979456B2	Retention clip assembly A retention clip assembly is for attachment to a stud. The assembly includes a base plate and a cover plate. The base plate includes a base rim and a locking finger extending from the base rim. The cover plate includes a cover rim and a flange. The cover rim defines a lock opening configured for receiving the locking finger therein to retain the cover plate to the base plate. The flange extends inwardly from the cover rim at an angle which is acute such that the flange overlays the cover opening and is configured for engaging the external teeth on the stud. The cover plate attached to the base plate with a sheet of material therebetween. The cover plate and base plate are positioned such that the flange engages the external teeth of the stud to prevent removal of the retention clip assembly from the stud.
US08979451B2	Self-leveling lift-assisted decking system for use in a cargo trailer An improved captive beam decking system is disclosed for use in a cargo trailer. The system includes a beam assembly and a foot assembly that is selectively engagable to a vertical sliding track system. The sliding track system is attached to the sidewall of a trailer vertically. The beam can be easily moved at different heights that are selected based upon the configuration of the cargo trailer.
US08979450B2	Function element, method for producing a function element Some embodiments of the invention relate to function elements for fixing in seat rails of aircraft. The function element according to the invention may include: a fixing rail with a web running in the x direction and a multiplicity of extensions which protrude beyond the web in a y direction to form a T profile, wherein the fixing rail is formed corresponding to the seat rail such that the fixing rail can be inserted in the seat rail and moved along the x direction into a holding position in which the extensions sit between the holes below the slots, at least one fixing peg which is arranged mobile on the fixing rail and can be brought into a blocking position in which the fixing peg engages in a hole of the seat rail so that the function element is fixed in the x direction.
US08979445B2	Cutting tip and rotary cutting tool employing same A rotary cutting tool includes a first end defined by a cutting profile and structured to perform cutting operations on a workpiece. The cutting tool also includes an opposite second end structured to be mounted in a machine tool, a central longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a generally cylindrical body disposed about the central longitudinal axis between the first end and the opposite second end. The cutting profile includes a first portion adjacent the central longitudinal axis and disposed generally at a first angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; a second portion adjacent the first portion and disposed generally at a second angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; and a third portion adjacent the second portion and disposed generally at a third angle relative to the central longitudinal axis. The second angle is greater than both the first and third angles.
US08979444B2	Cutting bit adapted to cut metal and wood and associated method A cutting bit adapted to cut wood or metal is disclosed. The cutting bit is prepared by a process which includes the step of performing a forming operation on a metal blank so as to create a formed metal part that includes (i) a shaft having a polygonal shaped drive surface and defining an axis, (ii) a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the body being attached to the shaft, the body further having a first shoulder and a second shoulder at the distal end thereof, the first shoulder defining a first cutting edge segment, and the second shoulder defining a second cutting edge segment, the axis extending between the first cutting edge segment and the second cutting edge segment, (iii) a central cutting member extending from the body so that the central cutting member is aligned with the axis, (iv) a first cutting spur extending from the distal end of the body, the first cutting edge segment being interposed between the first cutting spur and the axis, and (v) a second cutting spur extending from the distal end of the body, the second cutting edge segment being interposed between the second cutting spur and the axis. The process of preparing the cutting bit further includes the step of performing a carburization operation on the formed metal part after the first step so as to create the cutting bit. The cutting bit is particularly useful in performing a drilling operation on a metal construction wall stud to form a hole therein.
US08979442B2	System and method for modifying a gas turbine engine in the field A system and method for modifying a gas turbine engine in the field to drill a series of cooling holes in a turbine rotor disk made of a superalloy. A portable field repair system includes a stand configured to receive, support, and position a turbine rotor disk, a drill having a self-feeding spindle and configured to automatically drill a predetermined depth through a superalloy and to automatically stop upon completion, a drill guide configured to coordinate the drill with a plurality of radial axes associated with a precise hole pattern to be cut and a drill mount configured to mechanically couple the drill to the drill guide and to position the drill during the modification of the gas turbine engine turbine rotor disk.
US08979441B2	Power tool with integral pencil sharpener In one embodiment of the present invention, a power tool includes a housing having a first opening formed therein with a motor being contained within the housing. The tool includes a device for sharpening a writing implement. The sharpening device is at least partially contained within the housing and accessible through the first opening which permits the writing implement to be inserted into the sharpening device. The sharpening device is operatively connected to the motor such that operation of the motor drives the sharpening device.
US08979436B2	Water craft bumper A watercraft bumper for a watercraft may include a sleeve to connect to a piling, the sleeve being detachably connected to the piling, the sleeve having a slit to open and close to detachably connect to the piling, the slit being in communication with a central aperture to cooperate with the piling, and the sleeve including a biasing device to open and close the slit.
US08979433B2	Liquid containment berm and method of use A liquid containment berm and its method of creation, assembly and use, wherein the berm has one or more interior seal members, a floor member and an outer wall member created by applying an expandable foam polymer along a desired retention or flow control pathway, the foam polymer expanding to form the liquid impermeable outer wall member. The berm is assembled and installed on site about a liquid container.
US08979432B2	Vortex flow type water surface control device for draining device In a conventional storm overflow chamber of a combined sewer system, inflowing floating debris do not flow into an intercepting pipe in a rainy weather, and flow out to a public water body, causing a water pollution in the public water body. According to a vortex flow type water surface control device for a draining device of the present invention, a control plate (6) higher than at least a separating weir (1) is provided between an opening of an inflow pipe (2) and an opening of an intercepting pipe (3) in a storm overflow chamber of a combined sewer system. Moreover, a guide wall (7) higher than at least the separating weir (1) is provided along the separating weir between the opening of the inflow pipe (2) and the separating weir (1).
US08979429B2	Drainage and material-settling device for conveyance channels A drainage and material-settling device for conveyance channels, comprising an elongated base member for placement in a channel transverse to the main direction of flow through the channel. A plurality of spaced-apart upright members extend from one side of the base member. At least two anchor members extend from the other side of the base member and are placed in a subsurface of the channel. That number of upright members corresponding to the number of anchor members are secured to the anchor members such that the base member is sandwiched between the anchor members and the upright members. Those upright members not secured to anchor members are secured to further connecting members.
US08979427B2	Coastal recovery utilizing repositionable shoal module A coastal recovery module including a body portion defining an interior compartment. The coastal recovery module may also include a selectively sealable fluid conduit. The selectively sealable fluid conduit may provide a fluid communication between the interior compartment and an exterior of the body portion, the fluid conduit configured for selectively flooding and dewatering the interior compartment. The coastal recovery module may further include a wave energy mitigation structure associated with at least a portion of a top surface of the body portion.
US08979426B2	Boat lift apparatus A boat lift apparatus includes a base having a first base beam and a second base beam and a moveable boat support platform having a first lifting beam, a second lifting beam, and at least one cradle support connected to and suspended between the first and second lifting beams. At least two first support struts connect the first base beam and the first lifting beam, and at least two second support struts connect the second base beam and the second lifting beam. When the boat support platform is in a lowered position the at least two first support struts are generally parallel to both the first base beam and the first lifting beam, and the at least two second support struts are generally parallel to both the second base beam and the second lifting beam.
US08979422B2	Cover having a wear-resistant surface and method for the production thereof The invention relates to a cast-iron cover fitted with at least one traffic-bearing surface which in turn comprises at least segment-wise a wear-resistant layer constituted by chilling the cast iron. Preferably the wear-resistant layer exhibits a Brinell hardness larger than 275 HBW but less than 350 HBW. A method of the invention furthermore relates to manufacturing a cast-iron cover, first manufacturing a shaped body. Then an activation layer is made within the shaped body. Cast iron is poured-in in a way to be at least partly chilled at a contact surface with the activation layer.
US08979421B2	Manhole cover and method for manufacturing same A manhole cover maintains a strength and weight the same as those of conventional manhole covers made of cast iron, eliminates the risk of theft, and achieves improved corrosion resistance and sealing properties. The manhole cover comprises: a base unit made of composite materials having compositions containing 12 to 18 wt % of glass fiber, 17 to 23 wt % of a polyester resin, with the remainder being calcium carbonate (CaCO3), wherein the base unit is mounted on the manhole such that an upper portion of the base unit is exposed aboveground; and a metal reinforcement unit which is uniformly distributed within the base unit to reinforce the base unit and increase weight and strength of the base unit.
US08979419B2	Security barrier The invention relates to a security barrier, and a method for operation thereof. The security barrier (10) comprising a support (12) and a barrier member (30) movable relative to the support between a stowed position and a deployed position. The support (12) having an upper part (22) for positioning substantially at ground level (106). The barrier member (30) being rotatably mounted relative to the support (12) such that an axis of rotation (76) of the barrier member (30) is above the upper part (22).
US08979417B2	Attachment system An attachment system for attaching a first component to a second component is provided, the system including a cylindrical element which has an outer lateral surface and a sleeve-shaped element which has an inner lateral surface, by means of which the two components may be variably attached to each other. At least one rib is arranged on one of the lateral services of the cylindrical or sleeve-shaped element and is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the cylindrical and sleeve-shaped elements. A projection is arranged on the other lateral surface of the sleeve-shaped or cylindrical element, the rib and the projection being provided on the cylindrical and sleeve-shaped elements in such a way that the sleeve-shaped element may be mounted on the cylindrical element, and the cylindrical element may be rotated relative to the mounted sleeve-shaped element in variable axial positions around the axis. The rib is brought into communication with the projection during rotation, and the cylindrical element being thereby fixed in place relative to the mounted sleeve-shaped element in the axial direction.
US08979415B2	Adhesively bonded joint in agricultural boom structure An adhesively bonded joint in a boom arm of an agricultural sprayer has a tee-shaped brace member with a top flange and a stem extending from the top flange. A brace-receiving portion of the joint has a slot formed therein that receives the stem of the tee-shaped brace member. The sides of the stem and underside of the top flange are adhesively bonded to facing surfaces of the brace-receiving portion. The slot is formed with a v-shape, with the mouth of the slot being wider than the width of the distal end of the slot, to provide some flexibility in the angular positioning of the tee-shaped bracing member. The joint further includes a locking collar around an end of the tee-shaped brace. Opposite sides of the locking collar engage notches on either side of the slot to lock the stem of the tee-shaped brace member in the slot.
US08979414B2	Connection system A connection system includes a sheet-metal part which is connected to a base plate. A connecting slot is formed in the base plate, and the sheet-metal part includes a connecting tab. The connecting tab includes a retaining region and a first stop. The connecting slot has a first end which faces towards and which is opposite the retaining region. The retaining region is inserted into the connecting slot in an assembly position. The retaining region includes a surface which engages an underside of the base plate in a connected position. The first stop is exposed in the assembly position. During the transition from the assembly position into the connected position, the first stop is inserted into the connecting slot and is brought into engagement with the first end of the connecting slot.
US08979412B2	Tip unit for a cosmetic applicator A tip unit of a cosmetic applicator includes a tube portion connected to a hollow body of the cosmetic applicator, and a tip portion tapering away to a point from the tube portion. The tip portion has a passage space contain liquid cosmetics advanced from the hollow body through the tube portion, and has a plurality of flexible blade segments, a plurality of guiding grooves defined respectively by corresponding adjacent pairs of the blade segments, and a plurality of slits, each communicating the passage space with a respective one of the guiding grooves, and being enlargeable when the tip portion is deformed so as to permit flow of the liquid cosmetics from the passage space to the respective one of the guiding grooves therethrough.
US08979409B2	Device for storing and selectively dispensing different products A device for storing and dispensing different product possesses at least two interlocking product dispenser units each possessing a product dispensing outlet through which stored product may be selectively dispensed.
US08979408B2	Method and apparatus for applying solid paint to skin An apparatus for applying solid paint to the skin includes a housing having opposite first and second ends, a first quantity of solid paint in a first receptacle, a second quantity of solid paint in a second receptacle, and an actuator for longitudinally shifting the first receptacle relative to the housing. A pusher may be operatively coupled to the actuator and include a threaded shaft and a first receiver configured for removably mounting the first receptacle. The pusher and the first receptacle mounted therein may move longitudinally relative to the housing corresponding to relative rotational movement of the actuator. The first and second receptacles may be removably mounted in the apparatus whereby the receptacles and the quantities of solid paint contained therein may be removed and replaced without the need for tools. The first and second receptacles may be sized and configured so that their positions may be alternated.
US08979404B2	Image forming apparatus, image forming system and program product An image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit; plural trays; a sheet feed unit that feeds a sheet held in one of the trays; a correspondence storing unit that stores correspondence between trays and kinds of sheets; a priority setting unit that sets priority to a designation of the tray or to a designation of the kind; a sheet feed control unit that feeds the sheet from one of the trays when the priority is given to the designation of the tray and the one of the trays is designated, and searches one of the trays that holds the sheet of the designated kind based on the correspondence to feed the sheet from the searched tray when the priority is given to the designation of the kind and the kind of the sheet is designated; and a setting change unit that changes a setting of the image forming unit correspondingly to the kind of sheet.
US08979403B2	Camera body, interchangeable-lens camera, and method of determining mounting of lens A main CPU (a mounting determination part) in a camera body makes a determination by detecting voltage, at a lens detection terminal, n1 consecutive times at time intervals of dl, at the time of turning on a power supply with a power switch. After a result of the determination turns out to be non-mounting, the main CPU makes a determination by detecting voltage, at the lens detection terminal, n2 consecutive times at time intervals of d2 (where n2 and d2 are equal to or greater than to n1 and d1, respectively) on condition that any one of conditional expressions d1
US08979402B2	Friction member for brake mechanism and camera shutter using the same A friction member for a brake mechanism in a camera shutter is provided. The friction member includes at least two carbon nanotube composite layers stacked on each other, each carbon nanotube composite layer includes a polymer and a carbon nanotube structure including a number of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a same direction. An angle defined by the carbon nanotubes oriented along the same direction in adjacent carbon nanotube composite layers ranges from greater than 0 degrees, and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The camera shutter using the friction member is also provided. The camera shutter includes a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism including a blade driving lever having a moving path. The brake mechanism includes two abovementioned friction members and a brake lever clamped between the two friction members. The brake lever is located at a termination of the moving path to brake the blade driving lever.
US08979401B2	Optical element The present invention relates to an optical element for use in a camera system for the inspection of passageways, a camera system for the inspection of passageways and a method of illuminating a passageway during inspection with a camera. An optical element for use in a camera system for the inspection of passageways comprises a first optical portion arranged to transmit light into a camera, a second optical portion arranged to transmit light emitted from a light source, the second optical portion located adjacent the first optical portion, and barrier means arranged to prevent light being transmitted from the second optical portion into the first optical portion.
US08979400B2	Drive mechanism for movable mirror of camera A camera movable-mirror drive mechanism includes a first shock-absorbing member, pushed by a main-mirror support member to absorb shock when the main-mirror support member rotates to a viewfinder light-guiding position; a second shock-absorbing member, pushed by the main-mirror support member when the main-mirror support member rotates to the retracted position; and a third shock-absorbing member, pushed by a sub-mirror support member to absorb shock when the sub-mirror support member rotates to a jutting position with rotation of the main-mirror support member to the viewfinder light-guiding position. When the main-mirror support member and the sub-mirror support member are in the viewfinder light-guiding position and the jutting-out position, respectively, the first shock-absorbing member is held by the second shock-absorbing member and does not contact the main-mirror support member and the third shock-absorbing member is held by the first shock-absorbing member and does not contact the sub-mirror support member.
US08979399B1	Monopod turret support A monopod turret type support for a camera or the like comprises an upper shaft aligned along a common axis with a lower shaft, and a pivot joint located between and uniting the upper shaft and lower shaft. The pivot joint may comprise a screw disposed to vary pressure acting on the interface between the upper shaft and the lower shaft. Pressure acting on the interface may be adjusted by inserting a pin to lock the screw to one of the upper and lower shafts, and rotating the upper shaft relative to the lower shaft. The upper shaft may terminate in a threaded attachment for threading to the camera. The lower shaft may terminate in a threaded adapter to enable threading to a threaded shaft of an environmental object.
US08979397B2	Camera body with integral strap connector Couplers that are configured to engage with an attachment point on a camera or lens. Following general camera construction, the attachment points are typically found on the bottom of the camera or lens. The attachment points may be specifically configured to engage with the couplers. The couplers may be freely rotatable relative to the camera to prevent binding or tangling of a camera strap to which the couplers are connected.
US08979395B2	Tools and methods for preparing a ferrule-less optical fiber connector A tool set for terminating an optical fiber with a fiber optic connector includes a crimping tool and a polishing tool. The crimping tool includes a locating feature for locating a housing of the fiber optic connector, a stop for locating an end of an optical fiber relative to the housing, and at least one anvil for crimping a crimp of the fiber optic connector to secure a position of the optical fiber relative to the housing. The polishing tool includes a locating feature for locating the housing and thereby locating the end of the optical fiber and a seat for activating a compression member of the fiber optic connector thereby securing the end of the optical fiber to the polishing tool.
US08979392B2	Photoelectric converter A photoelectric converter for optical signals includes a laser diode for emitting the optical signals, an optical transmission module for transmitting the optical signals, and a photo diode for converting the optical signals to electrical signals. The optical transmission module includes lenses oriented at ninety degrees from each other, with total internal reflection between the lenses, and optical fibers coupled with the lenses. The photoelectric converter has a high coupling precision between the lenses and the optical fibers, and the loss of optical signals is minimized.
US08979386B2	Rolling element bearing having replaceable seal A rolling-element bearing includes a first bearing ring (2) and a second bearing ring (4) opposing the first bearing (2) in a radial direction (3). A sealing element (6) of the rolling-element bearing includes a radially-encircling seal support (8) extending in the radial direction (3) by a predetermined distance towards the second bearing ring (4). The seal support (8) is interference-fit and removably attached to an axial end side (9) of the first bearing ring (2). A sealing lip (10) is attached to the seal support (8) and extends from an end of the seal support (8) opposite the first bearing ring (2) in the radial direction (3) up to a mating surface (12), which is part of the second bearing ring (2).
US08979385B2	Labyrinth seal of a radial rolling contact bearing having a radial flange A seal assembly for sealing a radial rolling contact bearing, having a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring, wherein the two sealing rings can be rotated relative to each other about a common axis of rotation and together form a labyrinth seal, wherein a sealing gap of the labyrinth seal that extends substantially radially with respect to the axis of rotation is covered radially by an axial projection of the second sealing ring, and the sealing gap at the axial projection opens axially into a first catch channel of the first sealing ring. A hub of the radial rolling contact bearing forms the second sealing ring. Therefore, the second sealing ring is integrated into the hub flange, which means that the hub flange performs the function of the second sealing ring and to some extent helps to form the labyrinth seal.
US08979384B2	Rolling bearing device A rolling bearing assembly in which the number of components is reduced, and a high speed operation can be enabled with an increase of the stirring resistance being avoided by a sufficient discharge of lubricant oil and with an increase of temperature within the bearing assembly being suppressed. The rolling bearing assembly includes a pair of raceway rings, which are inner and outer rings, a plurality of rolling elements interposed between the inner and outer rings and a retailer for retaining the rolling elements. Each of the inner and outer rings is provided with an axially extending raceway ring extension portion and an oil supply and drainage mechanism for supplying a lubricant oil, which concurrently serves as a bearing cooling medium, to the bearing assembly and for discharging the lubricant oil to outside of the bearing assembly is provided in the raceway ring extension portion.
US08979383B2	Dynamically-lubricated bearing and method of dynamically lubricating a bearing Dynamically-lubricated bearings and methods of dynamically lubricating bearings, including bearings used in gas turbine engines. Such a bearing includes an inner race having an inner race groove, an outer race having an outer race groove that opposes the inner race groove, rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races and in rolling contact with the inner and outer race grooves, and a cage disposed between the inner and outer races to maintain separation between the rolling elements. A lubricant is introduced into a cavity between the inner and outer races, and rotation of the inner race relative to the outer race causes air to enter pockets of the cage that contain the rolling elements, which in turn causes the lubricant to exit the cavity of the bearing.
US08979382B2	Rolling bearing With the inner race and shaft fitted with a clearance fit, the bearing satisfies the relation: t/w>0.5, where t is an inner race minimum thickness at a contact area between each rolling element and the inner race raceway, in the direction perpendicular to the raceway, and w is the circumferential distance between adjacent rolling elements (w=π×SD/Z, Z is the number of rolling elements, and SD is the bearing inner diameter). With the outer race and housing fitted with a clearance fit, the bearing satisfies the relation: t/w>0.5, where t is the inner race minimum thickness at a contact area between each rolling element and the outer race raceway, in the direction perpendicular to the raceway, and w is the circumferential distance between adjacent rolling elements (w=π×LD/Z, LD is the bearing inner diameter).
US08979376B2	Spherical plain bearing A spherical plain bearing for a ball-and-socket joint includes a plain bearing shell. The plain bearing shell comprises a sliding layer containing a sliding material, at least one dimensionally stable support layer, and at least one elastic layer.
US08979374B2	Rotating device A rotating device comprises a hub, a shaft, and a bearing unit. The bearing unit includes a surrounding portion arranged to surround the shaft, and a facing portion arranged to face an end of the shaft. A gap between the shaft and the surrounding portion includes two dynamic pressure generation portions and an intermediate portion arranged between the two dynamic pressure generation portions. The bearing unit further includes a path of a lubricant arranged to connect one side of one dynamic pressure generation portion and the intermediate portion. The shaft and the bearing unit are arranged so that the lubricant pushed out of the other dynamic pressure generation portion towards a gap between the end of the shaft and the facing portion stays in the gap.
US08979373B2	Linear motion bearing with interlock structure A linear motion bearing assembly comprising a ball retainer structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial ball tracks formed therein. The ball tracks including an open load bearing portion, an open return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions. A plurality of bearing balls are disposed in the ball tracks. A plurality of load bearing plates are axially positioned adjacent the ball retainer structure for receiving load from the balls disposed in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks. A first outer housing sleeve is effective to hold the ball retainer structure. The first outer housing sleeve includes a first interlock structure. A second outer housing sleeve is effective to hold the ball retainer structure, the second outer housing sleeve including a second interlock structure. The first interlock structure is effective to mate with the second interlock structure.
US08979369B2	Adhesive closure strip for bulk material product bag A bulk material product bag has an adhesive closure strip fixedly secured thereon. As a result of the adhesive closure strip being oriented transversely across the normally open end region of the bulk material product bag so as to be adhesively bonded to both the back and front sides of the bulk material product bag, the adhesive closure strip effectively closes and seals the open end region of the bulk material product bag. Handle structure can also be integrally incorporated within the adhesive closure strip.
US08979364B2	Combined panoramic and computed tomography apparatus A combined imaging apparatus for x-ray imaging of a subject in multiple modes has a supporting structure having an extended rotary arm, wherein the rotary arm has a computed tomography detector and a panoramic imaging detector, both mounted adjacently against a movable platen. A detector positioning apparatus is actuable to translate the position of the movable platen to either of at least first and second positions with respect to an x-ray source. The first position disposes the computed tomography detector in the direct path of an x-ray source and the second position disposes the panoramic imaging detector in the direct path of the x-ray source.
US08979361B2	Time-temperature dosimeter The present disclosure relates to a dosimeter for measuring exposure to heat over time in combination with peak temperature indicators and reversible temperature indicators. The preferred temperature indicator tag is credit card sized and comprises four time-temperature dosimeters. Each dosimeter has a wick in contact with a separate reservoir containing a mix of a colored dye, a wax and an amorphous polymer to indicate a distinct temperature range when the mix melts. The wicks are preferably made of porous paper with a pore size around 8 microns to allow for proper capillary action along its length. An adhesive, except where each wick contacts its respective reservoir and at a vent, preferably seals each wick. The tag preferably has a plurality of peak temperature indicators where each indicator has a blend of a dye, a wax and a polymer for a temperature indication range. The tag also preferably has a plurality of reversible temperature sensors.
US08979353B2	Light fixture having modular accessories and method of forming same A light fixture (400) includes a housing (401) having a cavity (403) for use with at least one accessory module (415). A light source (411) is integrated in the housing (401) such that the accessory module (415) is modular for allowing functionality of the light to be customized to a specific application. The light fixture (400) is particularly useful in an RV environment where a single light housing is all that is available which must have user selectable functionality in a limited space location. Moreover, the accessory module (415) makes it easy to move functional features from fixture-to-fixture enabling the user to achieve greater utility in many different lighting applications.
US08979351B2	Light guide plate, die, and die processing method A light guide plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface receives light in a first direction parallel with the second surface and emits the light towards the first surface in a third direction perpendicular to the first surface. The light guide plate includes a light receiving portion which receives the light; a light guiding path which guides the light in the first direction; and an emitting portion which emits the light by reflecting the guided light towards the first surface in the third direction. The emitting portion includes a plurality of V-shaped grooves extending on the second surface in a second direction crossing the first direction. Each V-shaped groove extends in the first direction and is formed so as to be deepest in the center in the second direction and become shallower as a distance from the center increases.
US08979350B2	Light guide plate and backlight module using same A light guide plate includes an incident surface, an emitting surface, and a reflecting surface opposite to the emitting surface. The incident surface connects the emitting surface to the reflecting surface. A plurality of microstructures is defined in the reflecting surface. Each microstructure is a slot. A cross-section across each microstructure and parallel to a light emitting direction is substantially V-shaped. Each microstructure is formed with two sidewalls. Each sidewall includes a plurality of stepped portions connected in order.
US08979347B2	Illumination systems and methods This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing illumination for lighting systems. One or more light emitters can be disposed about a longitudinal axis, such as in an at least partial polygonal shape, so that the light sources emit light radially outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. A collimating reflector can be disposed radially outward of the one or more light emitters and can be configured to at least partially collimate the light and to substantially preserve etendue of the light emitted from the light emitters. The one or more light emitters can substantially fill an input aperture of the collimating reflector in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The light can be coupled into a light guide, which can be configured to distribute the light to a target lighting area.
US08979345B2	Surface light emitting apparatus including an optical distributor The present disclosure relates to a surface light emitting apparatus including: a light source bar including a light source for generating an optical signal; at least one optical distributor for dividing the optical signal generated in the light source into a plurality of optical signals; a light guide plate for confining the plurality of optical signals divided by the optical distributor in an inside thereof and transfer the optical signals; and a scattering pattern formed on a surface of the light guide plate and for emitting a light by the optical signal transferred through the light guide plate.
US08979344B2	Backlight module using laser emitters as light source A backlight module includes a laser light source and a light guide plate. The light source locates beside a side surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate comprises a plurality of transflective films arranged along a direction in alignment the laser light source. When the light from the laser light source emits to the transflective films, a part of the light passes through the transflective films and transmits along a same direction, and another part of the light is reflected by the transflective films and emits into a light diffusion plate. The light beams reflected by the transflective films and into the light diffusion plate have the same intensity.
US08979343B2	Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same A backlight assembly including a container having a light exiting boundary, and a light source part. The container includes a first light source supporting part supporting first and second light sources, and a reflector extending from the first light source supporting part. The reflector reflects the light from the first and second light sources to guide the light to the light exiting boundary. The first light source is disposed under the light exiting boundary and generates the light. The second light source is spaced apart from the first light source in a first direction by a first distance. The first direction is substantially parallel with the light exiting boundary. The second light source is spaced apart from the light exiting boundary in a second direction by a first depth. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the light exiting boundary.
US08979340B2	Method and arrangement for coupling in radiation emitted by LEDs A method and arrangement for transmitting radiation emitted by LEDs operated in pulsed operation via at least one optical waveguide, wherein a first optical waveguide having first and second coupling surfaces is assigned to each LED, the first optical waveguides are in each case aligned, by their first coupling surfaces, with an assigned stationary LED, the second coupling surfaces are arranged on a closed path and a coupling surface of a second optical waveguide is assigned to the second coupling surfaces. In order that a high light power can be coupled into the second optical waveguide by means of the LEDs, it is provided that the second optical waveguide, in accordance with the clocking of the switched-on LEDs, can be aligned with the second coupling surface of a first optical waveguide from at least one switched-on LED.
US08979329B1	Method and apparatus for a curved wall reflector assembly A curved wall, square-shaped reflector assembly includes multiple reflector wall sections and multiple enclosure wall sections. Each reflector wall section is slidably coupled to a respective enclosure wall section by positioning a top reflector flange of the reflector wall section above a top support flange of the enclosure wall section and aligning alignment features on the enclosure wall section with holes on the reflector wall section. In addition, a bottom flange of the reflector wall section is positioned below a bottom edge of the enclosure wall section, thereby providing a consistent tension along the wall surface of the reflector wall section. Each enclosure wall section includes flange members on opposing side edges. Each of the combined reflector-enclosure wall sections are positioned orthogonal to one-another and coupled together along the adjacent flanges from the adjacent enclosure wall sections with rivets. The assembly reduces light leak without damaging the reflector surface.
US08979328B2	Optical lens and lighting device having same An optical lens for increasing viewing angle of light from a light emitting diode includes a bottom surface, a reflective surface, and a side surface connected between the bottom surface and the reflective surface. The light emitting diode is received in the bottom surface. The reflective surface defines a cone-shaped recess and is concaved from a top of the optical lens towards the bottom surface. A vertex angle of the cone-shaped recess defined by the reflective surface is less than or equal to 60 degrees.
US08979327B2	Spotlight The invention relates to a spotlight, in particular for at least partially illuminating a stage, wherein the spotlight comprises a housing for accommodating a light source and a lens, through which light emitted by the light source can leave the housing when the light source is accommodated in the housing and which is a Fresnel step lens, which is characterized in that the Fresnel step lens has at least one spiral step on at least one side.
US08979325B2	Lens and bulb-type light emitting device lamp employing the lens A lens and a bulb-type light emitting device lamp employing the lens are disclosed. The lens for changing light distribution of incident illumination light and emitting the illumination light includes a light incident surface that is curved, a top surface that is planar and via which at least a portion of light incident via the light incident surface is emitted, and a side surface that is uneven and via which at least a portion of light incident via the light incident surface is emitted. The bulb-type light emitting device lamp includes the lens and a light emitting device package including one or more light emitting devices.
US08979324B2	Optical device structures with the light outcoupling layers An optical device structure with a light outcoupling layer is provided. The optical device structure includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a layer of polyimide (PI) or its copolymer formed on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the layer of polyimide or its copolymer is prepared from at least one aromatic diamine and at least one cycloaliphatic dianhydride, and an optical component formed on the layer of polyimide or its copolymer.
US08979323B2	Led lighting device having light emitting and power circuitry integrated within a casing A LED lighting device comprising a casing, which houses a plurality of power LEDs set on a LED-carrier board; and a plurality of optical elements positioned in front of respective LEDs; the casing is formed by a first half-shell and a second half-shell joined along respective peripheral edges; the first half-shell is made of light permeable material and has a front plate facing the LEDs which constitutes a light emission plate; the second half-shell is made of heat conductive, light impermeable material and has a rear wall, onto which the board is applied and which constitutes a heat dissipation plate opposite to the light emission plate.
US08979321B2	Light guide A light guide (201) including a transparent element is presented. The transparent element includes an optical diverter section (204) including one or more reflective surfaces (205) forming walls of a notch (206) extending into the diverter section, where the reflective surfaces provide total reflections for directing light into directions lateral with respect to an arrival direction of the light. The transparent element includes an optical channel section (208) for receiving the light from a light source and for directing the light to the optical diverter section. The optical channel section includes a side surface (209) shaped to provide total reflections for directing light to the optical diverter section. The optical channel section makes it possible to place the light source a distance apart from the optical diverter section and also to prevent or at least to reduce direct propagation of light from the light source to the lateral directions.
US08979320B1	LED lighting device A lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) element configured to emit light about an axis. The lighting device further includes an optic of a transparent material. The optic includes a first surface configured to intersect and refract said emitted light to form a first light interior to the optic, a second surface configured to intersect and reflect said first light to form a second light interior to the optic. The optic further includes a third surface configured to intersect and reflect said second light to form a third light interior to the optic. The optic further includes a fourth surface configured to intersect and transmit said third light to form a fourth light exterior to said optic. The fourth surface is further configured to concentrate the fourth light about an emerging light plane perpendicular to said axis.
US08979319B2	Luminaire and illumination system Disclosed is a luminaire having a light exit window (30) for emitting light from the luminaire, and a reflective screen (40) arranged opposite the light exit window. The luminaire further includes a light source (20) which is arranged for indirect illumination of the light exit window via the reflective screen. The light source is arranged near the light exit window on an imaginary plane P substantially parallel to the light exit window and emits light away from the light exit window. The luminaire further includes a specularly reflective part (43) as part of the reflective screen, which specularly reflective part is concavely shaped for reflecting at least part of the light emitted by the light source towards a diffusely reflective part (42) of the reflective screen.
US08979318B2	Light source with a low color temperature LEDs having a low color temperature up to 5000 K, comprising a blue-emitting LED and, connected upstream thereof, two phosphors having a first phosphor from the class of the chliorosilicates and a second phosphor from the class of the nitridosilicates having the formula (Ca,Sr)2Si5N8:Eu.
US08979315B2	Lamp having outer shell to radiate heat of light source According to one or more arrangements, a lighting device such as a lamp may include a substrate on which one or more lighting elements are mounted. One or more aspects of the lamp may further provide heat conductive/dissipating properties. Additionally or alternatively, the substrate may include a through hole through which at least one wire of the lighting device may extend. For example, the wire may extend through the at least one through-hole from a first side of the substrate to a second side of the substrate. The wire may be connected to a pattern layer of the substrate. According to other aspects, the lighting device may further include a supporting body for supporting the substrate. The supporting body may include another through-hole through which the at least one wire further extends.
US08979314B2	Light emitting device In a light emitting device (10) includes a light source (11) which emits near-ultraviolet laser light and a fluorescent member (12) which includes a fluorescent body (13) that is excited by the light emitted from the light source (11) so as to emit light, the fluorescent member (12) includes a substrate (16) which is formed with a highly heat conductive member and a fluorescent body layer (14) in which particles (13d) of the fluorescent body (13) are deposited on the substrate (16).
US08979311B2	Power supply system for adjustable shelving A system for lighting shelving with a conductive bus and shelf connectors aligned to allow engagement and disengagement of the shelf connectors during positioning and repositioning of shelves.
US08979303B2	Light fixture with curved frame A lighting fixture for protecting and mounting an array of light sources such as LED modules. The fixture includes a frame with a first surface that arcs or curves with an arc angle of between ten and fifty degrees and an arc length of between about ten to fifteen times the arc height. A plurality of LED modules including a lens and bonnet reflector are each functionally coupled against the first surface to direct a combination refracted and reflected beam pattern, the beam pattern of each LED module having an peak luminous intensity directed substantially normally from the first surface in front of and against which each LED module is functionally coupled. The peak luminous intensity of the combination refracted and reflected beam pattern associated with each LED module has a positive angle with respect to the combination refracted and reflected beam pattern from adjacently located LED modules.
US08979302B2	Multiple wavelength LED array illuminator for fluorescence microscopy One embodiment provides light along an optical axis. It comprises a substrate and at least one array of multiple LED chips without individual packaging supported by the substrate. The LED chips emit light within different wavelength ranges and are distributed laterally with respect to the axis over an area, the LED chips having light emitting surfaces for emitting light in directions transverse to the area. An optical element adjacent to the light emitting surfaces of the LED chips in the at least one array collects and directs light emitted by the LED chips of the at least one array along the axis towards a target. Another embodiment is directed to a method for providing multiple wavelength light for fluorescent microscopy using the above system. Electric current is supplied to the multiple LED chips, causing them to emit light of multiple wavelengths. The currents supplied to the multiple LED chips are controlled so as to control the exposure of fluorescent dyes with different excitation wavelengths wherein the light emitted by the multiple LED chips include wavelength components at such different excitation wavelengths without having to move the multiple LED chips.
US08979299B2	Linear solid-state lighting with readily retrofittable modular structure A linear light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp having a readily retrofittable modular structure enables consumers or manufacturers to readily retrofit the lamp by replacing an LED module or internal electronic control units that include an LED driver in maintenance or lamp upgrade without hazards. The readily retrofittable modular structure includes a core assembly in each of lamp bases for easily securing or removing the electronic control unit through a mechanical securing means, and two sets of connection modules for quickly connecting and disconnecting the electronic control unit with the LED module. The readily retrofittable modular structure may use one bi-pin or two bi-pins to connect to the AC mains via pluggable wire for delivering power to the LEDs. Thus, the LLT lamp using the readily retrofittable modular structure may be configured as single-ended, double-ended, or double-ended with double shock-protection switches and can be cost-effectively retrofitted after initial installation.
US08979298B1	Flashlight with sidelight structure A flashlight with a sidelight structure is provided and is for use in illumination in dim environments or at night. A sidelight is peripherally disposed at a predetermined position on the flashlight and emits light in a second direction different from the direction of light emitted from a frontlight of the flashlight such that, depending on the required direction of irradiation, a user presses a frontlight switch to turn on the frontlight or presses a sidelight switch to turn on the sidelight. Therefore, the flashlight provides illumination broadly and flexibly.
US08979293B2	Lighting device, display device, and television device An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device in which a problem is hardly caused by a hole formed in a chassis of the lighting device. A backlight unit (a lighting device) 1 according to the present invention includes an LED (a light source) 17, a flat cable (a flat conductor) 22 connected to the LED 17, a chassis 14 including a hole 14e, a cable protector (a flat conductor protector) 23 including a protection portion 24 and an insertion hole 24a extending through the protection portion 24. The chassis 14 houses the LED 17. The flat cable 22 is inserted through the insertion hole 24a. The flat conductor protector 23 is arranged such that the protection portion 24 is positioned between an edge of the hole 14e of the chassis 14 and a portion of the flat cable 22 that is positioned in the insertion hole 24a.
US08979289B2	Illuminated knob for household appliance The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a control panel (2) produced from glass, a circular opening (3) disposed on the control panel (2), a knob (4) disposed in the opening (3), a casing (5) fixed to the rear side of the control panel (2), extending inwards from the control panel (2) and which protects the knob (4), light source (8) LEDs placed on the rear wall of the casing (5) and a light conductor (9) placed in the casing (5) and which provides the periphery of the knob (4) to be illuminated.
US08979288B2	Snap fit connection in a rear view mirror The invention is related to an external rear view mirror assembly including a positive connection that fits mirror components as a support frame mounted to a mirror housing or shell. The positive connection is a connector having a two part snap-fit connector with a first snap-fit connector part and a second snap-fit connector part.
US08979286B2	Spherical mechanical linkage and multi-axis trackers Spherical mechanical linkages may include a yoke defining a first axis and a second axis, a crank rotatably coupled to the yoke about the first axis; a deflecting member that defines a plane and that is coupled to the crank along a third axis, and a rocking frame slideably coupled to the yoke in the plane defined by the deflecting member and rotatably coupled to the yoke about the second axis. One or more components of the spherical mechanical linkage may be symmetric about an axis. A payload, such as a mirror or a camera, can be mounted on the linkage as part of a multi-axis tracker.
US08979273B2	Line display system using projector [Problem] A line display system capable of changing a line easily when the sporting event is changed is to be provided.[Means for Resolution] A line display system 1 includes plural projectors 100A, 100B each of which is installed to project a line image on a floor surface F or ground surface.
US08979268B2	Ophthalmic apparatus An ophthalmic apparatus including an operation stick to adjust an optical unit, comprising: a rotary dial that is provided on a side surface of the operation stick and rotates with respect to the operation stick; a trigger arranged on a top of the operation stick while being decentered with respect to the operation stick; and a control unit adapted to control to perform one of movement and focusing of the optical unit with respect to an object in accordance with rotation of the rotary dial and perform control to cause the optical unit to start a predetermined operation in accordance with press of the trigger.
US08979263B2	Diagnosing and remediating cognitive deficits involving attention, sequential processing, reading, speed of processing, and navigation Cognitive deficits involving attention, sequential processing, reading, speed of processing, and navigation may be diagnosed and remediated in a subject by respectively measuring and improving contrast sensitivity for motion discrimination of the subject. A background may be displayed with a contrast and temporal frequency and either single, or multiple, higher spatial frequencies that may repeat over a wider area than the individual frequency components. A test window may be superimposed over the background, and includes a test pattern with a contrast and a spatial frequency and a temporal frequency. The subject may provide a signal indicative of the direction the subject believes the test pattern moved. In response to this signal, the contrast of the test pattern, the spatial frequency of the background, the spatial frequency of the test pattern, or the temporal frequency may be modified, either by increasing or decreasing its respective value.
US08979258B2	Liquid ejection device A liquid ejection device has a feeding mechanism, a nozzle, an irradiating section, and a color meter. The feeding mechanism is configured and arranged to feed a medium in a feed direction. The nozzle is configured and arranged to eject a liquid to be cured by irradiation of light toward the medium. The irradiating section is configured and arranged to radiate the light toward the liquid landed on the medium. The color meter is disposed on a downstream side of the feed direction with respect to the irradiating section so as to perform color measurement of an image generated on the medium, the color meter being configured and arranged such that calibration of the color meter is performed by reading a reference. The irradiating section is configured and arranged to radiate the light when the calibration of the color meter is performed.
US08979257B2	Printing or coating apparatus and method An inkjet printing apparatus for printing on a substrate comprises a first support, which is a substrate support, and a second support which supports at least one inkjet printing head, at least one UV source of ultraviolet radiation, and at least one gas dispenser. The second support is moveable relative to a substrate supported by the first support. The printing head deposits ink on the substrate and the UV source cures the deposited ink. The gas dispenser is arranged to provide a layer of gas, which is at least depleted of oxygen, between the UV source and the substrate.
US08979256B2	White inkjet ink improved for dispersion stability An inkjet printing method includes the steps of a) providing a white inkjet ink and at least one color inkjet ink to an inkjet printer; and b) jetting the white inkjet ink at a higher temperature than the color inkjet ink onto an ink-receiver. The difference in jetting temperature between the white inkjet ink and the color inkjet ink is at least 5° C. Inkjet ink sets and inkjet printers are also disclosed.
US08979243B2	Inkjet printing apparatus, clogged nozzle recovering method and clogged nozzle recovery program An inkjet printing apparatus, a clogged nozzle recovering method, and a clogged nozzle recovery program are provided. The inkjet printing apparatus includes a head, a tank, a first pump, a cap, a second pump and a control means. The head is provided with a nozzle face and a plurality of nozzles. The tank is connected with the head through a tube. The first pump is connected with the tank and maintains the tank at a constant negative pressure. The cap for suction covers a part of the nozzles on the nozzle face of the head. The second pump is connected with the cap for sucking an inside of the cap. The control means controls to lower the negative pressure of the tank that is maintained by the first pump when the inside of the cap is sucked by the second pump.
US08979241B2	Using saturated mesh to control adhesive bond line quality In some aspects of the present application, a printhead assembly is disclosed that comprise a plurality of functional plates stacked together; an adhesive confinement structure comprising an adhesive-coated mesh substrate arranged between adjacent functional plates to provide bonding between the plates.
US08979237B2	Recording head control method and dot impact printer A recording head control method prevents head coil burnout caused by heat output while suppressing a drop in printer throughput. A control method for a recording head 18 of a dot impact printer 100 that prints information on a recording medium S by driving the recording wires 9 of a recording head 18 that has a plurality of recording wires 9 while a carriage 19 that carries the recording head 18 traverses the recording medium S, each of the recording wires 9 being allocated to printing one dot line in the scanning direction of the carriage 19, the control method including steps of: during dot line printing, determining before printing if the number of previously defined specific dot patterns P1, P2 contained in the dot line to be printed is greater than or equal to a reference number N of 2 or more; and printing the dot line based on the result of the decision.
US08979236B1	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a media roll, an image forming device, a conveyance unit, and a controller. In the roll, a printing medium having an adhesive face and no separation sheet on the adhesive face is wound in a roll shape. In pulling back the medium to the roll, the controller sets a linear velocity of the roll to be not lower than a linear velocity of a conveyance rotator of the conveyance unit. The controller controls a velocity difference between the roll and the rotator to be Va from a start of pulling back the medium to when a separation point of the medium from the roll reaches a tangent line of the roll in an area between the roll and the rotator. When the separation point reaches the tangent line, the controller switches the velocity difference from Va to Vb that is smaller than Va.
US08979227B2	Container and method for liquid storage and dispensing A method for measuring the volume of liquid, such as ink or solvent, remaining in a container, such as a replacement cartridge for a continuous ink jet printer, uses a reservoir enclosing an internal space having a variable volume for storage. The reservoir is adapted to provide a reduction in the pressure of the internal space, the reduction substantially monotonically increasing in magnitude as liquid is drawn into the printer, such that the volume of liquid remaining may be calculated from knowledge of the minimum withdrawal pressure required to draw further liquid from the reservoir into the printer. Containers for use with the method have a liquid dispensing port adapted to allow liquid to be dispensed when a withdrawal pressure at the exterior of the port is less than the pressure of the internal space and adapted to prevent the ingress of air into the internal space of the reservoir as liquid is dispensed.
US08979226B2	System and method for depositing solidifiable translucent fluid with a determined thickness An ink jet printing system to obtain a finished product comprising a printing station using nozzles with liquid ink for inkjet printing of at least one image on the surface of a suitable substrate. The system also includes at least a first deposit station with nozzles depositing a variable thickness of a solidifying translucent liquid on the substrate surface to produce a finished product without relief, positioned upstream of the drying station of the printed image relative to the direction of movement of the substrate in the system.
US08979224B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator having a mid-front plate structure that provides a superior coupling strength with respect to a middle wall while ensuring a simple shape and a high strength. The refrigerator includes a coupling member which is fixed to a front surface of the middle wall such that the mid-front plate is fixed to the middle wall. The mid-front plate includes an interior space to accommodate the coupling member and an insertion hole part allowing the coupling member to be inserted into the interior space therethrough. The mid-front plate is fixed to the middle wall by moving the mid-front plate toward the middle wall such that the coupling member fixed to the middle wall is inserted into the interior space and then by pushing the mid-front plate to one side.
US08979223B2	Adjustable coupling device for connection between sliding rail assembly and a sliding box An adjustable coupling device includes a base member fastened to a sliding rail assembly, a sliding block connected to the base member to support a sliding box, a first adjustment member rotatable to adjust the position of the sliding box horizontally subject to the constraint of a limiter member, and a second adjustment member rotatable to adjust the position of the sliding box vertically subject to the constraint of a push member.
US08979220B2	Locking element for locking of a panel cover on a module rail A locking element for locking of a panel cover on a module rail includes a bearing block with a flat mounting surface and threaded holes for mounting on the inside of the panel cover and a slide lock, which is mounted to move on the bearing block and has a locking tab. A sliding mechanism moves the slide lock from a locked position, in which the locking tab engages beneath the module rail, to a release position and vice versa. An actuating screw forms a rotary actuator, which can be activated through a hole in panel cover when the locking element is engaged.
US08979216B2	Power braking system with steering assist A vehicle power braking system has separate left and right brakes (11, 12) operable from a source of pressurized fluid (13) via relay valve means (16) controlled by separate left and right brake operating pedals (14, 15) to provide steering assistance during a turn. The relay valve means delivers a brake operating pressure proportional to the depression of the associated brake operating pedal to separate left and right shift valves (17, 18), each shift valve being connected with its respective operating pedal (14, 15) by a respective pilot line (19, 20) so that when each pedal is operated the associated shift valve is opened by the respective pilot line pressure to supply the proportional pressure from the relay valve means to the respective brake (11, 12). The relay valve means comprises a single relay valve (16) which supplies both shift valves (17, 18) and the pilot lines (19, 20) are interconnected via a shuttle valve (21, 22) so that the highest pilot pressure generated by operating the brake pedals (14, 15) is applied to the single relay valve (16) so that each shift valve receives the same brake applying pressure proportional to said highest pilot pressure.
US08979213B2	Apparatus and method for increasing the traction of vehicle wheels A traction device for a vehicle wheel can include a first locking segment and a second locking segment adapted to receive the first locking segment in a first direction. The second locking segment can be adapted to stop movement of the first locking segment through the second locking segment in a second direction opposite to the first direction. At least one traction element can be located between the first locking segment and the second locking segment. A method of attaching a traction device to a vehicle wheel including a rim and a tire is also described.
US08979212B2	Water sprays for dust control on mining machines This invention refers to innovative water sprays applications to significantly improve coal and quartz dust control around a continuous miner. Significant dust control is achieved through utilizing different types of sprays at locations on the top and sides of the miner chassis to create water curtains or shrouds of water around zones of high dust concentration and zones of high concentration dust transport. This is called “multiple lines of defense” spray system (MLD.) This invention also provides a method of reducing dust around a continuous miner by configuring a spray system, located at the top or sides of the cutter boom, thereby improving control of respirable dust.
US08979206B2	Seat back frame Embodiments of the present invention may include a seat back frame of a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has a seat back main body configured to support the back of an occupant and an extension portion extending from a side of the seat back main body. The seat back frame has a main body frame, an extension frame, and a connection member. The main body frame may form a framework of the seat back main body and may be mounted on a base. The extension frame may form a framework of the extension portion. The connection member connects the extension frame to a side of the main body frame. The connection member has a rear support portion and a front support portion. The rear support portion contacts the main body frame and the extension frame from the rear so that the rear support portion integrally couples the main body frame and the extension frame. The front support portion contacts with the main body frame and the extension frame from the front so that the front support portion can couple the main body frame and the extension frame.
US08979205B2	Seat assembly having a cross member A seat assembly having a seat back that includes a side frame member and a cross member. The cross member may have first and second support post openings for receiving a headrest support post. First and second sets of arcuate ribs may be disposed between the first and second support post openings. Members of the first set may be concave with respect to the first support post opening. Members of the second set may be concave with respect to the second support post opening.
US08979201B2	Dynamic furniture Dynamic furniture supports a seated or reclining user. The furniture includes a base, an actuator, a seat platform, and a back platform. The actuator is in circular connection to the base. The seat platform is in circular or excentric connection to the actuator assembly. The back platform is in circular or excentric connection to the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly, seat platform and back platform may be restricted in movement along paths by assemblies of the circular or excentric connections.
US08979198B2	Child safety seat A child safety seat includes a seat shell, a headrest and a latch. The seat shell has a seat portion and a backrest portion, the backrest portion having a rear surface, and a front surface for supporting a child's back. The headrest is adjustable along the backrest portion. The latch is accessible from the rear surface of the backrest portion, wherein the latch is biased to lock the headrest in position relative to the backrest portion.
US08979197B2	Child seat having an anchoring harness The present application describes child seats having anchoring harnesses that can attach with an external anchorage fixture, such as the anchorage fixture provided in a vehicle. In some embodiments, the child seat comprises a seat portion and an anchoring harness. The seat portion includes a rear edge, and a slot and a bar segment disposed adjacent to the rear edge, the bar being accessible from an outside of the seat portion and extending transversally. The anchoring harness is assembled with the seat portion and includes a fastener operable to attach with an external anchorage fixture for holding the child seat in place, wherein the anchoring harness is routed through the slot and wraps at least partially around the bar segment.
US08979196B2	Removably engaged wheelchair headrest A support frame removably engageable with a wheelchair using no fasteners or tool-requiring engagement components. The support frame is slidably engaged and disengaged to the wheelchair by vertical translation. In an engaged position the weight of the support frame and anything attached thereto is born entirely by the rigid frame of the wheelchair through a positioning of support members of the frame in a frictional engagement atop the push handles of the wheelchair. So engaged, the support frame allows for easy transfer to other wheelchairs or easy removal and engagement from a collapsible wheelchair prior to or after transport of the wheelchair in a car or vehicle.
US08979190B2	Tray with armrest clamp A tray attached to a pivot housing, support arm, and armrest clamp may be easily and quickly detached and reattached to an armrest on a chair. The tray may rotate around an arm hub when a stationary lower index plate in the arm hub is displaced from an upper index plate in the index housing. The tray is restrained from rotation when the upper and lower index plates are in contact with one another. The tray may be disconnected from the support arm while the support arm remains clamped to an armrest. The armrest clamp includes a bevel gear driven in rotation by a clamping ring on the support arm. The bevel gear drives rack gear attached to a traveling clamp jaw. Rotating the clamping ring displaces the traveling clamp jaw relative to a stationary clamp jaw, enabling the armrest clamp to securely clamp to an armrest.
US08979180B2	Detachable positioning and reinforcement structure and method of disassembling a front end assembly for a vehicle A detachable positioning and reinforcement structure includes a first wing structure operably coupled to a first automotive component. Also included is a second wing structure operably coupled to a second automotive component. Further included is a central portion removably coupled to the first wing structure, the second wing structure and a third automotive component disposed rearwardly of the central portion.
US08979174B2	Small overlap frontal impact countermeasure A countermeasure assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a front side rail extending in a generally longitudinal direction; a bumper having a main bumper member and a bumper extension forming an end portion of the bumper; and a pivot link having front and rear mounting portions. The front mounting portion is pivotably engaged with the bumper extension member to define a front pivot joint, and the rear mounting portion is pivotably engaged with the front side rail to define a rear pivot joint. The rear pivot joint is located rearward and inward from the front pivot joint. The bumper extension is bolted to the forward end of the front side rail. The bumper extension has a front member and a rear member, of which the rear member is bolted to the front side rail. The front member and the rear member of the bumper extension define a hollow box structure.
US08979173B2	Vehicle body floor structure for automobile A vehicle body floor structure for an automobile, includes a joint line extending in a vehicle width direction and connecting a rear edge of a dashboard lower panel and a front edge of a front floor panel, a side sill extending in a front-rear direction and connected to an outer edge in the vehicle width direction of each of the dashboard lower panel and the front floor panel, a floor frame member extending in the front-rear direction and connected to the dashboard lower panel and an upper surface of the front floor panel on a side inward of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, and a floor gusset extending in the vehicle width direction, connecting the side sill and the floor frame member, and disposed on the upper surface of the front floor panel along the joint line.
US08979169B2	Device for fastening a vehicle interior trim panel A device (20) for fastening a vehicle inner lining (14) to a lining support (12) includes a holding element (22) and a receiving element (24). The receiving element (24) has a latching portion (26) that is laterally open and into which the holding element (22) can engage such that it is fastened to the receiving element (24) in the axial direction. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method of mounting and demounting the vehicle inner lining (14) to or from the lining support (12) by means of this device (20).
US08979166B2	Fender panel mounting structure for vehicle A fender panel mounting structure for a vehicle is configured so that a fender panel can be removed without detaching the corner glass of a non-opening window. The fender panel mounting structure has the triangular non-opening window provided between a front pillar and an outside panel. A protrusion covering the upper frame member of the front pillar is formed at the upper edge of the fender panel covering the outer surface of the outside panel. A flange protruding to the inner surface side of the non-opening window from a side edge of the protrusion, the side edge facing the non-opening window, is provided on the protrusion. A clip having a slit extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is provided at the opening edge of the non-opening window at a position corresponding to the flange. The flange is engaged in a releasable manner with the slit.
US08979163B2	Holding device for fixing a portable driver information unit in the interior of a motor vehicle A holding device for fixing a portable driver information unit in the interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The holding device includes a first part and a second part. The first part and the second part are swivelable with respect to one another. The first part or the second part has, or both have, a material section through which the portable driver information unit is fixed between the first part and the second part.
US08979156B2	Vehicle panel attachment arrangement A vehicle panel attachment arrangement includes a vehicle panel, a clip supporting section, a first wall section, a second wall section and at least one resilient arm. The clip supporting section defines a shaft receiving hole extending therethrough. The first and second wall sections extend from the vehicle panel to first and second sides of the clip supporting section. The clip supporting section further defines a shaft insertion slot open to the shaft receiving hole. The shaft insertion slot extends in a radial direction from the shaft receiving hole between the first and second side walls. The at least one resilient arm extends from one of the clip supporting section and the first wall section in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction. A portion of the at least one resilient arm is aligned with the clip supporting section and another portion of the at least one resilient arm is offset from the clip supporting section as viewed in the radial direction.
US08979153B2	Water bottle strap carrier A water bottle strap carrier that includes a longitudinal strap, an upper latitudinal strap, and a lower latitudinal strap allows the users to easily grip and pickup a five gallon water bottle. The longitudinal strap restricts the vertical movement of the water bottle while the upper and lower latitudinal straps restricts the horizontal movement of the water bottle. A first and a second handle of the longitudinal strap are positioned above the water bottle providing griping areas for the users, and the rest of the water bottle strap carrier is positioned below the first and second handle as a harness around the water bottle.
US08979148B1	Fly jib for a crane and method of use A fly jib for a crane having a load block includes a variable length beam to which a load can be connected. A rotation mechanism is connected to the variable length beam, and is connectable to the load block so that said rotational mechanism can selectively rotate the variable length beam with respect to the load block. A balance mechanism is connected to the variable length beam, the balance mechanism automatically keeps the variable length beam in a horizontal position.
US08979147B1	Kitchen tongs A pair of tongs having two arms including a pivotal engagement therebetween with a pin. Each arm includes a jaw displaced from the pivotal engagement. A locking sleeve includes a channel therethrough with opposed tracks to receive the pin. Stops limit movement of the locking sleeve on the arms. A closure at the end of the channel includes a cup engageable with the locking sleeve. The stop at the distal end of the channel includes an opening therethrough conterminous with the channel. Each arm also includes an outer profile curved inwardly toward the pivotal engagement across which the locking sleeve slides. The pivotal engagement includes oblong holes in the arms with a resilient element biasing the arms apart.
US08979146B2	Vehicle bumper beam A vehicle bumper beam including: a resin beam having an elongate body extending along a vehicle-width direction, two tubular shock-absorbing portions disposed at the beam body's opposite longitudinal end portions extending in front-rear direction, the beam body and shock-absorbing portions being formed with each other; a metal beam disposed outside the resin beam in the front-rear direction, fixedly fitted to the resin beam. Further, flat attachment portions, formed with inner end portions of the shock-absorbing portions in front-rear direction; bent portions bent in a crank extending from attachment portions outward in front-rear direction, the beam body being to attachment portions via bent portions, the metal beam fixedly fitted to an outer surface of the beam body's intermediate portion; metal beam's opposite end portions extending beyond bent portions covering the right and left sides, fixedly fitted to distal end portions; each space defined by shock-absorbing portion, metal beam and bent portion.
US08979144B2	Self-aligning catch and latch A latch and catch assembly is provided to secure two or more components together in a locked or closed position. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a catch and a tensile member connected to a latch, wherein the assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The catch includes a lip configured to engage a recess formed in the latch when the assembly is in the closed configuration. In a further embodiment, the latch includes a pull-tab extending from the latch, wherein the pull-tab is configured to enable the user to move the assembly between the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, the catch has a wider proximal portion which tapers to a narrower distal portion, such that the catch has a “V”-shaped planform.
US08979143B1	Fire bolt assembly for a door A fire bolt assembly (10) includes a receiving tube (117) mounted in a door (106). A mounting member (32) is mounted to the receiving tube (117). A positioning bolt (151) is received in the receiving tube (117). A stop member (58) is securely mounted in the mounting member (32) to hold the positioning bolt (151) in the receiving tube (117). The front end (153) of the positioning bolt (151) is moved out of the receiving tube (117) by a spring (100) to engage with a coupling hole (116) in another door (112) or a door frame when the stop member (58) melts due to the heat of a fire, locking the door (106) in place during the fire. A stick (175) in the receiving tube (117) is moved to a blocking position preventing the front end (153) of the positioning bolt (151) from disengaging from the coupling hole (116).
US08979136B2	Luer connectors Luer connector including a primary Luer male connector, having a secondary female section extending from a top distal part of the primary Luer male connector back towards a proximal part thereof, the primary Luer male connector including a first inner fluid flow channel extending from a proximal end thereof to the secondary female section, the first inner fluid flow channel having a diameter of approximately d1 increasing at a connection point between the first inner fluid flow channel and the secondary female section to form a neck N the secondary female section having an internal diameter of d2 at a top distal part of the primary Luer male connector, where d1 is smaller than d2, the primary Luer male connector being configured to mate with a primary Luer female connector having a secondary male section including a second inner fluid flow channel ex having an internal diameter of approximately d1.
US08979134B2	Joint unit and joint assembly comprising such a joint unit for non-detachable connection of media-conveying lines A joint unit is provided, including a main body, a bush, which is fastened to the main body and forms with the main body a receiving space for a connecting piece, and a separately formed retaining unit arranged in a radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush. The radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush is open towards an axial end face of the bush in at least two circumferential portions. A connection assembly is further provided, including a joint unit and a connecting piece.
US08979132B2	Mudguard structure for straddle-ride type vehicle A mudguard structure for a straddle-ride vehicle suppresses the enlargement of an attachment portion of a mud shield plate and makes satisfactory the external appearance of the circumference of a rear fender. A mudguard has left and right erecting walls erecting to the rear from respective left and right outer edges thereof and a front-lower concave portion integrally continuing into a lower portion of a rear wheel runout concave portion of a rear fender. A box-like attachment portion for attachment to the rear fender is located at each of both, left and right, sides of the upper end portion of the mudguard.
US08979127B2	Steering column for vehicle Disclosed is a steering column for a vehicle. According to the present invention, as an adjusting bolt passing through a telescope slot to be coupled to the telescopic slot is slid in stages in the telescopic slot during a telescopic operation for adjusting a location of a steering wheel, a user can accurately and easily adjust the location of the steering wheel.
US08979123B1	Utility vehicle A utility vehicle includes a chassis frame, a single-row seat arranged on the chassis frame, and a rollover protective structure (R.O.P.S.) surrounding a riding space in which the single-row seat is arranged. The R.O.P.S. includes a right side unit and a left side unit, and a plurality of cross members for detachably coupling the right side unit and the left side unit. Each of the right side unit and the left side unit integrally includes a front pole portion, an upper beam portion, a mid pole portion, and a rear pole portion. For each of the right side unit and the left side unit, a lower end of the front pole portion, a lower end of the mid pole portion, and a lower end of the rear pole portion are individually and detachably coupled to the chassis frame.
US08979120B2	Methods and devices for restraining airbags Devices for restraining deploying airbags are disclosed, along with methods for using, making and refurbishing such devices. The devices and methods are designed to improve the safety of individuals in the vicinity of undeployed airbags, in particular, when there is a chance that the airbag may deploy unexpectedly. Unexpected airbag deployment can occur when the airbag deployment system is compromised, for example, by an accident such as an automobile collision.
US08979119B2	Vehicle side door A door inner panel includes a front operation opening and a rear operation opening that communicate with the inside of a door main body. A seal portion is formed at an edge of each of the openings. The seal portion allows a hole seal that covers the openings to be attached thereto. In the door inner panel, a first extension portion, a second extension portion, and a third extension portion extend, toward the rear opening, from the lower rear portion of the seal portion formed at the edge of the rear opening. The top ends of the first extension portion, the second extension portion, and the third extension portion are connected together to form a connection portion. A displacement preventing portion is located in the connection portion and prevents displacement of a door trim urged by a side airbag toward the door inner panel.
US08979117B2	Air cushion with a channel-shaped closure element The restraining function of support structure airbags in particular and mechanical airbags should be able to be specifically guaranteed in a simple manner. To this end, an air cushion for an airbag of a motor vehicle is provided, having a sleeve with at least one opening and a closure element arranged on the at least one opening in order to at least partially prevent air from flowing from a first direction, Furthermore, the closure element is flexible and has a channel-shaped design at least upon the flow of air from a second direction opposite the first direction. The closure element thus has the effect of a check valve.
US08979111B2	Bicycle on-board device and related mounting method A bicycle on-board device having a body that includes a containment space and is sized for insertion into a tube of a bicycle frame. The device has fastener locations that are located to match fastener locations on the bicycle frame for attaching cycling items, such as a bottle cage.
US08979110B2	Bicycle with battery mount A bicycle including a frame, a bottom bracket coupled to the frame and adapted to support a crankset, and a battery pack supported by the frame. The battery pack has a powered end cap with a tapered protrusion and a battery connector on an end of the tapered protrusion. The bicycle also includes a receiver supported by the frame and including a tapered socket in which the tapered protrusion is positioned. The tapered socket includes a power connector detachably coupled to the battery connector.
US08979108B2	Lever-propelled bicycle A bicycle equipped with two, oscillatingly mounted on a joint axis (1), rear-facing levers (2) with pedals (3) and a rotary-return mechanism comprising a hub (9), bearing-placed on an axis (8), on which fixed are two freewheels (6) cooperating with levers (2) and a third chainwheel (10) transmitting the drive through the chain (13) and sprocket (14) onto the bicycle's drive wheel (15). To each of the levers (2) attached is rotatively on an axis (5) one end of one of the two chains (7) which connect these levers (2) with one of the two freewheels (6), and the other ends of these chains (7) are mutually joined with a chain (11) run on a reversible chainwheel (12). The lever (2) together with a part of the chain (7) in the upper extreme position of the pedal (3) is tangent to one of the two freewheels (6), and the second lever (2) in the bottom extreme position of the second pedal (3) is in a near-vertical position. The chain (11) and reversible chainwheel (12) ideally are lying in a vertical plane tangent to freewheels (6). The rotary-return mechanism is equipped with guards (16) protecting chains (7) against falling off the freewheels (6). In a similar way, the guard (17) protects the chain (11) against falling off the reversible wheelchain (12). The bicycle according to the invention can be equipped with both an internal and external speed changer, and it can be produced in a horizontal version.
US08979102B1	Retractable wheel fairings for motor vehicles A retractable wheel fairing device for decreasing the aerodynamic drag and/or increasing downforce of a vehicle is described. The device includes a fairing body with a suspension-mounted support system such that the fairing body, when deployed, reciprocates up and downwardly with the corresponding wheel of the vehicle. The suspension-mounted support system is adapted to functionally or physically disengage the wheel fairing device from the suspension of the vehicle upon lifting of the wheel fairing device with a separate retraction system.
US08979097B2	Rotatable footplate integrated with a bearing assembly imbedded in a single-board sport board Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a rotatable footplate integrated with a corresponding bearing and well assembly that is imbedded into, screwed into, or otherwise, integrally a part of, a single-board sports board, such as a snowboard.
US08979095B2	Wheeled travois A collapsible, wheeled travois that may be used to transport multiple passengers in a hands-free mode is provided. The wheeled travois is quickly and easily assembled and includes detachable wheels, support members, load carrying surface, and harness.
US08979092B2	Luminous dart board set Disclosed is a luminous dart board set. The luminous dart board set comprises: a dart pin (10) including a magnet (11) at the front portion thereof; a dart board (20) made of either an iron plate or an iron rubber sheet and including a printed matter (22) having a printing pattern (21) on the front surface thereof; a body (30) including a fixing part (32) coupled to a bottom surface of the dart board (20) and outwardly bent along the circumference thereof, and a reinforcement part (33) perpendicularly bent in a direction extending away from the fixing part (32); a rim cover (50) including a cover part (51) bent along the circumference of the body (30) so as to cover the front surface of the circumference of the body (30), and a floodlight space (52) spaced apart from the cover part (51); LED parts (70) disposed on the inner face of the rim cover (50) so as to emit light toward the floodlight space (52); and a fluorescent pigment, a phosphorescent pigment, and/or a mixture of the fluorescent pigment and the phosphorescent pigment which is added to the dart pin (10), the rim cover (50), and the printed matter (22).
US08979089B2	Sheet post-processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and sheet post-processing method According to one embodiment, a sheet post-processing apparatus includes a machine body, a first roller pair, a tray, a second roller pair, a driving unit, an inlet sensor, a receiving unit and a control unit. The inlet sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet in the first roller pair driven by the driving unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive, from an image forming apparatus, sheet length information in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet as a target to which the print job is applied. The control unit is configured to control the driving unit to rotate, if the sheet length information indicates special length and the inlet sensor detects a trailing end of the sheet, at least rollers of the second roller pair a predetermined number of times and stop the rollers, the second roller pair nipping the sheet.
US08979088B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding portion is provided with a pair of separation rollers that include a feed roller which conveys the sent sheet and a retard roller which applies a rotation force to return the sheet in a direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction through a torque limiter in a state of being pressed against the feed roller. The sheet feeding portion further includes a rotation transmitting mechanism that transmits a rotation of the retard roller, at the time of sending the sheet to the sheet feeding direction, to the pickup roller and a changing mechanism that switches a retard pressure, which allows the retard roller to be pressed against the feed roller, according to a reaction force that is transmitted to the retard roller from the pickup roller.
US08979087B2	Substrate supporting edge ring with coating for improved soak performance Embodiments of the present invention provide a substrate supporting edge ring for supporting a substrate. In one embodiment, a substrate support ring is provided. The substrate support ring comprises an annular body. The annular body comprises an outer band extending radially inward from an outer annular sidewall; and a substrate supporting region extending inward from an inner portion of the outer band, wherein the annular body comprises a first material that is exposed and at least a portion of the substrate supporting region is covered with a coating comprising a second material that is different than the first material.
US08979082B2	Vibration damping bushing and manufacturing method thereof A vibration damping bushing including: an inner axial member; an outer cylindrical member through which the inner axial member is inserted; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the two members; and a stopper member that is fitted onto the inner axial member as a component of a first stopper mechanism that limits relative displacement of the inner axial member against the outer cylindrical member to one side in an axial direction. The inner axial member is formed with a latching depression that opens toward an outer periphery thereof, and the stopper member is provided with a latching piece that protrudes outward in the axial direction. The latching piece is engaged with the latching depression so as to provide a slipping out prevention mechanism for preventing the stopper member from slipping out from the inner axial member.
US08979077B2	Gas spring end member as well as gas spring assembly and suspension system including same A gas spring end member is dimensioned for securement along an associated suspension member having an associated planar surface and at least an associated first side surface. The gas spring end member can include a base wall disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis and a bracket wall that extends longitudinally-outwardly from the base wall. The bracket wall can be adapted for operative connection to the associated suspension member such that the gas spring end member can be supported thereon with the base wall disposed in longitudinally spaced-apart relation to the associated planar surface of the associated suspension member. A gas spring assembly including such an end member can be included. A suspension system and a method of installation including such a gas spring assembly can also be included.
US08979076B2	Air spring device An air spring device having a folding bellows which protects the rolling fold against contaminants, the folding bellows being fastened to that end of the rolling piston which lies opposite the rolling fold, and surrounding the outer guide at least over the length of the latter.
US08979074B2	Air springs with improved high temperature performance An air spring bellow comprising a vulcanized rubber component including the at least partially vulcanized residue of hydrogenated nitrile rubber and a rubber other than hydrogenated nitrile rubber.
US08979061B2	Supporting unit for oil pump of continuously variable transmission A supporting unit apparatus for an oil pump of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) may include the CVT disposed in a transmission housing, wherein an input shaft and a CVT case cover thereof may be disposed thereto, the oil pump which may be disposed in the transmission housing independent from the CVT and of which a rotating shaft and an oil pump case cover may be disposed thereto, a connecting member which engages the input shaft of the CVT and the rotating shaft of the oil pump for transmitting rotation of the input shaft to the rotating shaft, and a supporting unit which connects the CVT and the oil pump for preventing relative motion of the CVT and the oil pump.
US08979057B2	Swinging support device A swinging support device is provided which includes: a display device 120 which is opened and closed between a stowage position 121 and a view position 122; an opening and closing mechanism 110 operable to open and close the display device 120; a retaining mechanism 130 for holding the display device 120 located at the view position 122 by switching between at least two levels of retaining forces; a first acceleration sensor 160 mounted to a top inner surface portion 190 of a movable carrier in the vicinity of the display device 120; and a second acceleration sensor 170 mounted to the display device 120.
US08979056B2	Cabin air compressor support bracket A support bracket for a cabin air compressor (CAC) assembly includes a CAC mounting portion formed substantially orthogonal to an access portion and a structural support portion. A cross-support bracket mounting portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion. An upper lug portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion and substantially orthogonal to an upper lug. A plurality of CAC mounting holes is formed in the CAC mounting portion. A plurality of lower slotted holes and an upper slotted hole are formed in the cross-support bracket mounting portion. A ratio of a length of longitudinal offset defined between the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole to a length of lateral offset between a center of at least one of the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole is between 2.47 and 2.91.
US08979055B2	Tripod head A tripod head includes a shell, an adjusting member, a supporting member, and a locking member. The shell defines a receiving space and an adjusting opening communicating with the receiving space. The adjusting member includes a spherical adjusting portion and a connecting portion connected to the adjusting portion. The adjusting portion is received in the receiving space, and the connecting portion passes out of the shell through the adjusting opening. The adjusting portion adjusts a position and angle of the connecting portion relative to the shell by rotating in the receiving space. The supporting member supports the adjusting portion in the receiving space. The locking member locks the adjusting portion between the supporting member and the shell.
US08979054B2	Wall mountable storage assembly with articulating connection A wall mountable storage assembly including a storage device, at least one mounting plate, and at least one double-faced adhesive. The storage device includes a coupling bracket forming a first engagement feature. The mounting plate forms a second engagement feature. The first and second engagement features have a complimentary construction configured to provide a releasable snap fit connection in which the mounting plate can articulate relative to the coupling bracket. The adhesive is configured to be arranged between the mounting plate and a wall, with the mounting plate articulating relative to the coupling bracket to facilitate complete contact between the adhesive and the wall. The storage device can include two spaced-apart coupling brackets. Two of the mounting plates are provided, each carrying adhesive. The mounting plates can articulate independent of one another, accommodating variations in flatness of the wall to which the storage assembly is mounted.
US08979053B2	Ladder standoff support for a roof A standoff support for spacing a ladder and ladder jack from a roof. Two pairs of rods are pivotably mounted to a horizontally extending member mounted atop a ladder jack secured to a ladder. The rods are extended outwardly from the mounting member to stabilize and limit movement of the ladder jack and ladder relative to the roof.
US08979052B2	External material clamp and external material clamping structure The external material clamp comprises the fixed plate fixed to the foundation of the wall of the building, the horizontal plate extending forwardly from the center of the fixed plate, the upper support plate projected upwardly from the front end of the horizontal plate to support the upper side external wall with engagement, the lower support plate supporting the upper end of the external material 50 in the lower side with engagement, and the receiving plate at least a part of which is located above the horizontal plate to contact with the external material in the upper side with receiving a part of the load thereof. With this configuration, the load of the upper side external material is shared by the lower side external material and the receiving plate of the external material clamp.
US08979051B2	Shaft clamp A shaft clamp having a first clamp member and a second clamp member, each having a main body shaped to allow positioning of the clamp member about a shaft and engagement of a shaft by a surface of the main body, is disclosed. The two clamp members are pivotably connected together at adjoining ends and separable at free ends, much like a clam shell configuration. A locking mechanism engagable with the free ends of the first and second clamp members is used to secure and pull the free ends of the clamp members to one another as they are positioned about a shaft. Alternatively, a torque-assisting extension connected to at least one of either the first member or the second member may be included. The extension allows the shaft clamp to be rotated, moved, or otherwise maneuvered more easily as it is secured about a shaft.
US08979050B2	Positioning device for rod A positioning device includes a base, a press board, an antislip piece, and a positioning unit. The base includes an opening, and a mounting space. The mounting space is mounted on a rod. The press board is slidably mounted in the opening. The antislip piece is mounted on the press board and is close to the mounting space. The antislip piece is made of elastic material and is softer than the press board. The positioning unit includes a shaft mounted on the base and a driving member rotatably and eccentrically connected with the shaft. The driving member is driven between a pressing position for locking the rod and a releasing position for unlocking the rod. Thus, the user only needs to drive the driving member to lock or unlock the rod so that the rod is locked or unlocked easily and quickly.
US08979041B2	Apparatus for supporting a tablet An apparatus for supporting a tablet includes a case for receiving the tablet. A swivel includes a socket and a ball disposed and retained therein. The ball is selectively rotatable relative to the socket. The ball is coupled to the case and the socket is coupled to a mounting post. The mounting post is releasably fixed to a mounting bar. The mounting bar defines a mounting slot configured to fix the apparatus relative to a structure, such as a microphone stand or the like. The apparatus includes clamping mechanisms to enable a user to selectively fix and release the components of the apparatus such that a user can configure and fix the apparatus to a desired position for interfacing with the tablet, and then lock the apparatus in that desired position.
US08979036B2	Electrical rudder control system for an aircraft Disclosed is a vertical rudder control system for an aircraft. The system is comprised of a rudder trim compensation generator that is configured to generate a rudder trim compensation order to set the position of the rudder bar of the aircraft to a neutral position in which the rudder bar is controlled with nil (i.e., zero) pilot effort. The vertical rudder control system includes a flight control calculator for calculating rudder control orders to maintain the nil effort rudder bar position, with the calculation of the rudder control orders being based on a sum of the rudder bar position, determined by a detection unit, and the rudder trim compensation order. The rudder control orders are received by a rudder operating unit, which is used to deflect the vertical rudder by a deflection value based on the rudder control orders.
US08979035B2	Zero-shock separation system A system and corresponding method for a launch vehicle or spacecraft for releasably connecting a first body (100) with a first interface (101) and a second body (200) with a second matching interface (201), said system comprising: a belt (300) for releasably securing said first body (100) to said second body (200); a circumferential trench (203) at said second interface (201) for receiving said belt (300) in order to provide for a fixation of said belt (300) with relation to said second body (200); mechanical fixation means (301) attaching said belt (300) to said first body (100), said mechanical fixation means (301) being provided to enable a circumferential shifting movement of said belt (300) with respect to said circumference of said first body (100) in order to initiate a separation of the first body (100) from the second body (200), wherein said circumferential shifting movement induces a relative movement of said belt (300) with respect to said circumference of said first body (100) in order to remove said belt (300) from said trench (203), and wherein the system further comprising a releasing mechanism (303) causing said circumferential shifting movement.
US08979031B2	Aerial delivery system with munition adapter and latching release An aerial delivery system is configured to allow delivery of one or more releasable items after the system is extracted from an aircraft. One or more linear guidance devices and releasable securing mechanisms allow the aerial delivery system to deploy one or more releasable items at an appropriate time. The releasable securing mechanisms may utilize one or more rotatable latch plates. The one or more releasable items may be deployed simultaneously, or in a staged or staggered fashion. Through use of drag or lift-producing devices, the system may be recovered and reused. The attitude and/or azimuth orientation of the system may be varied prior to, during, and/or after release of a releasable item.
US08979029B2	System for carrying and dropping loads for a transport airplane The present disclosure relates to a system for carrying and dropping ammunition for a transport airplane. The system includes a container which contains at least one load, in particular ammunition, which is capable of being brought into a drop position, in which a portion is located outside the airplane, and from which a load can be dropped, usually by simply releasing the load.
US08979026B2	Air compressor backing plate A compressor for pressurizing a flow of air within an aircraft including an inlet providing the flow of air to the compressor. An outlet provides the flow of air, after pressurization by the compressor, to a chamber of the aircraft. A diffuser assembly is disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The diffuser assembly includes one or more vanes at least partially impeding the flow of air through the diffuser assembly. A backing plate is included having a surface adjacent to the one or more vanes. The surface includes a relief feature that enables air to bypass the one or more vanes. The relief feature has an axial depth of about 0.5% to 2.5% of a width of a flow path through the diffuser assembly or of about 0.5% to 5% of a thickness of a flange of the backing plate. A method of operating a compressor is also included.
US08979025B1	Compact cargo lift for commercial aircraft Apparatus for transferring cargo between upper and lower decks of an aircraft. A lift platform receivable in a through opening in the upper deck is raised and lowered by a mechanism using a cable and linear actuator, such as a ball screw. The entirety of the mechanism may be housed in a structure that forms a divider within the aircraft, such as a horizontal deck, vertical bulkhead, or the lift platform itself, thus saving valuable interior volume of the aircraft. Also provided is a recess formed in the lower deck that receives the lift platform. A translating floor assembly mounted in the recess includes transversely extending deck segments that are displaceable between a raised configuration level with the lower deck, and a lowered configuration that clears the recess to receive the lift platform. Installed tracks guide the deck segments between the raised and lowered configurations.
US08979024B2	Skid landing gear and an aircraft provided with such landing gear A landing gear (3) provided with first and second longitudinal bearing skids (4, 5) and with first and second transverse crossbars (6, 7). The landing gear includes at least one resilient fastener device (10) together with at least one blocking means (20) and at least one centering means (30) for each crossbar.
US08979021B2	Hydraulic air bleed valve system An air bleed valve having a housing with hydraulic fluid therein and a first acoustic wave sensor mounted within the housing so as to be covered in the hydraulic fluid and a second acoustic wave sensor mounted within the housing so that it can detect when air is present in the housing sufficient to be vented outside upon the opening of an air vent valve and where both the first acoustic wave sensor and the second acoustic wave sensor and the air vent valve are electrically connected to a air bleed controller. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second acoustic wave sensors are of the type known as a shear horizontal surface acoustic sensor.
US08979018B2	System and method for minimizing wave drag through bilaterally asymmetric design An air vehicle having a bilaterally asymmetric configuration for reducing wave drag may include a body having a longitudinal axis. The air vehicle may further include longitudinally offset engine nacelles, asymmetrically lengthened engine nacelles, and/or longitudinally offset protruding aerodynamic surfaces for reducing wave drag.
US08979011B2	Method and structure for separating the web material in a winding machine A winding machine includes an upper winding roller and a separation mechanism arranged at a location close to and below the upper winding roller. The separation mechanism includes a pivot shaft having an outer circumferential surface and at least one pinch arm having a connecting end coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft and a web engagement end extending outward from the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft. When the pinch arm is driven by a driving mechanism to rotate the web engagement end of the pinch arm to an engagement position where the web engagement end opposes the upper winding roller, the web engagement end of the pinch arm sucks and holds or guides a web material passing therethrough, whereby the web material is subjected to a pulling force induced by a roll of paper formed in a winding nip to tear and thus separate.
US08979005B2	Process for recycling absorbent sanitary products A process for treating used absorbent sanitary products by providing a rotary cylindrical autoclave having an inner surface and two ends, at least one of which terminates in a hatch that can be opened to enable access to the autoclave and sealably closed to enable pressurization of the autoclave; loading the autoclave with closed absorbent sanitary products; heating to a sterilization temperature and pressurizing the autoclave and at the same time driving the autoclave in rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof; and providing inside the autoclave a load of high-density tearing elements designed to facilitate thermal and physical destructuring of the absorbent sanitary products.
US08979004B2	Pneumatic atomization nozzle for web moistening A system, in certain embodiments, includes a nozzle. The nozzle includes a liquid passage, a first pneumatic passage, and an exit surface. The exit surface includes at least one recirculation inducing feature configured to reduce deposits adjacent to the first pneumatic passage.
US08979003B2	Filtration irrigation device A filtration irrigation method, filtration irrigation device and the manufacturing method thereof, said filtration irrigation device comprises a water carrying chamber, in which one or more porous filter membranes are arranged. One or more flow restrictors corresponding to each membrane are set on the wall of the water carrying chamber. The total permeation capacity of the flow restrictors is less than that of said filter membranes. The present invention can avoid the blockage of the device effectively.
US08979002B2	Venturi-effect spraying device and its use in cosmetology and in perfumery A manual compressed-air spraying device comprising a head in which are fixed an air nozzle forming a venturi and an output nozzle is disclosed. The head delimits, between the venturi and the output nozzle, a mixing chamber into which directly opens a conduit for channelling product to be sprayed. The output nozzle presents a convergent section and a divergent section downstream of the convergent section.
US08979000B2	Ultrasonic atomization method and apparatus In the ultrasonic atomization method, a liquid is ultrasonically oscillated in an atomization chamber 4 and a liquid column P is projected in carrier gas to thus atomize the liquid into mists, the carrier gas carrying the atomized mists outwardly of the atomization chamber 4; the carrier gas is forcibly sucked from a lateral point being away at a distance (d1) of 5 cm or less from a center axis m of the liquid column P and thereby a gas flow is blown across the liquid column P; the mists are separated away from the liquid column P by means of the blown gas flow; and such separated mists are transferred outwardly of the atomization chamber 4 by means of the carrier gas.
US08978997B2	Aromatic cover An aromatic cover is provided. An aromatic cover includes a flexible enclosure defining an outer surface and an inner surface. A cartridge fastener is attached to the inner surface. The cartridge fastener is configured to releasably retain an aromatic cartridge containing a quantity of aromatic material at a semi-fixed position along the inner surface. An aroma-permeable region of the flexible enclosure is proximate to the semi-fixed position, wherein the aroma-permeable region is configured to allow for a release of the aromatic material from the aromatic cartridge to the outer surface.
US08978992B2	Cooler bypass apparatus and installation kit A cooler bypass valve apparatus installed the apparatus between a heat exchanger and conduits coupled to a device carrying fluid that needs to be cooled. A housing includes an inlet port and first and second outlet ports. At least one thermal actuator and at least one valve are mounted in a fluid flow passageway in the housing and operative in response to the fluid temperature to move the at least one valve between operative positions opening and closing fluid flow from the inlet port through the first and second outlet ports between a heat exchanger bypass loop and a heat exchanger cooling loop. In another aspect, two thermal actuators control a separate valve associated with the first and second outlets between open and closed positions enabling fluid flow from the inlet port exclusively through one of the first and second outlet ports or in a combined partial flow through both of the first and second outlet ports.
US08978987B2	Contactless integrated circuit device An electronic device includes an integrated circuit linked to a coil antenna forming at least a spiral having opposite ends connected to the integrated circuit, and a plate support for supporting the integrated circuit and the coil antenna. The plate support is conductive and open ring shaped, wherein the internal circumference of the ring is concentric to the spiral. The opening of the ring is obtained by a cut through the plate support. The coil antenna is fastened to and isolated from the plate support through an insulating material. The cut and the plate support are filled by the same insulating material.
US08978985B2	Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period.
US08978982B2	Aiming system for imaging scanner An apparatus includes (1) an imaging lens arrangement having an optical axis, (2) an aiming light source configured to project visible light through the imaging lens arrangement to create an aiming pattern on a target object, (3) an imaging sensor detecting light from the target object through the imaging lens arrangement, and (4) a folding mirror tilted relative to the optical axis of the imaging lens arrangement. The folding mirror is positioned both on the optical path from the imaging lens arrangement to the imaging sensor and on the optical path from the aiming light source to the imaging lens arrangement. Both the imaging arrangement and the aiming arrangement share the same imaging lens.
US08978981B2	Imaging apparatus having imaging lens There is set forth herein in one embodiment an imaging apparatus having an imaging assembly and an illumination assembly. The imaging assembly can comprise an imaging lens and an image sensor array. The illumination assembly can include a light source bank having one or more light source. The imaging assembly can define a field of view on a substrate and the illumination assembly can project light within the field of view. The imaging apparatus can be configured so that the illumination assembly during an exposure period of the imaging assembly emits light that spans multiple visible color wavelength bands.
US08978974B2	Signature management system There is disclosed a method for customer signature management. A customer's signature may be captured by means of a signature capture panel. The capture signature may be stored in one or more data files with a date and time tag.
US08978973B2	Banking apparatus controlled responsive to data bearing records A banking system is controlled responsive, at least in part, to data read from data bearing records. The banking system includes an automated banking machine. The machine is operable to carry out a financial transaction responsive to a determination that data read from a data bearing record, such as a card that is read by a card reader in the machine, corresponds to stored information for an authorized user or financial account. The machine is operable to receive and dispense documents. The machine includes a check acceptor that is operative to receive checks and a cash dispenser that is operative to dispense cash. Document holding cassettes in the machine include circuitry that is wirelessly powered through inductive coupling. The machine can wirelessly read data from a cassette through use of induction.
US08978972B1	Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records Automated banking machines operate to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. Each of the automated banking machines includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. Transactions are authorized responsive at least in part to correspondence between card data and stored data corresponding to authorized users. Entities responsible for operating the automated banking machines receive messages that include information or update code items for software or firmware usable in the banking machines for which they have operational responsibility.
US08978971B1	Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records An apparatus that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records, includes at least one processor that is in operative connection with a card reader, a check acceptor, a cash dispenser and the display. The at least one processor causes the machine to operate to read card data from a user card, and to cause a determination to be made that the read card data corresponds to an authorized financial account. The at least one processor is operative to cause data to be read from a check and/or cash to be dispensed, and a financial transfer to or from the account corresponding to the value thereof. Unauthorized observation of manual inputs to an input device is prevented through the use of nonvisible light emitters that prevent the observation of such inputs via an electronic camera interception device.
US08978970B2	Banknote processing apparatus and banknote bundle dispensing method A banknote processing apparatus includes a dispensing transport unit for transporting banknote bundles, a bundle stacking unit for stacking the banknote bundles that are transported by the dispensing transport unit, a bundle dispensing unit for dispensing the banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit, a designating unit for designating a specific number of banknote bundles, and a control unit for controlling, when the number of banknote bundles reaches the specific number, the bundle dispensing unit to cause the bundle stacking unit to protrude to the outside of the apparatus to dispense the specific number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit, such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside.
US08978969B2	Anti-counterfeit device with dynamic barcode, system and method for anti-counterfeit with dynamic barcode An anti-counterfeit device with dynamic barcodes is disclosed. An anti-counterfeit system with dynamic barcodes provides an anti-counterfeit mechanism when a user uses an electronic value barcode. The anti-counterfeit device includes a barcode generator module, an anti-counterfeit generator module and a combination module. The barcode generator module generates electronic barcodes that can be read directly by a barcode reader. The anti-counterfeit generator module generates dynamic anti-counterfeit labels with dynamic exchange information varying in time. The combination module generates anti-counterfeit barcodes by combining the electronic barcodes and the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels. The dynamic anti-counterfeit labels are visible, and are used for enhancing the anti-counterfeit capability of the electronic barcodes. Moreover, the electronic barcode with the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels can be read directly and correctly by the barcode reader without illuminant interference. Therefore, whether the electronic barcodes are forged barcodes is determined by observing the dynamic changes of the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels.
US08978966B2	Dose counters for inhalers, inhalers and methods of assembly thereof A manually operated metered dose inhaler includes a dose counter chamber including a dose display tape driven by a ratchet wheel which is driven in turn by an actuator pawl actuated by movement of a canister, the tape unwinding from a stock bobbin during use of the inhaler, a rotation regulator being provided for the stock bobbin and including a wavelike engagement surface with concavities which engage against control elements in the form of protrusions on resilient forks of a split pin thereby permitting incremental unwinding of the stock bobbin yet resisting excessive rotation if the inhaler is dropped onto a hard surface.
US08978965B2	Spring cycle counter A spring cycle tracker system for a door mounted on a track having at least one spring, with the door having an open and closed position. The system has at least one sensed element and a tracker. The tracker has a sensor having at least one sensing element; and a controller having a counter, at least one input signal from the at least one sensing element and at least one output signal. The sensed element and the tracker are mounted such that when the door is moved towards the open position and/or the closed position, the sensed element and the controller are moved adjacent to each other so that the sensing element senses the sensed element, sending an input signal to the controller, incrementing the counter, tracking a number of times the spring is used.
US08978963B2	Carton with handle and dispenser A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel. End flaps can be respectively foldably connected to respective panels and at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A dispenser panel can be at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line extending in at least the top panel and at least one of the end flaps. An opening section can be at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line and can be foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The dispenser panel is at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening, and the opening section is positionable relative the first side panel to expand the dispenser opening.
US08978959B2	Ni—Fe-based alloy brazing filler material A Ni—Fe-based alloy brazing filler material is provided comprising, in mass %, Fe: 21 to 40%; Cr: 10 to 30%; P: 7 to 11%; B: 0 to 5%; Si: 0 to 4.5%; V: 0 to 5%; Co: 0 to 5%; Mo: 0 to 5%; the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities, wherein the mass ratio of Fe to P (Fe/P) is in a range of 2.6 to 5. The present invention provides a Ni—Fe-based alloy brazing filler material having a low melting temperature and a superior corrosion resistance and comprising raw materials that are relatively easily available, for use in manufacture of stainless-steel heat exchangers or the like.
US08978957B2	Coated rotary tool There is provided a tool for friction stir welding, which is capable of promoting temperature rise of materials to be joined during joining to achieve friction stir welding in a short time, is excellent in heat insulating property of a coating layer, and is excellent in oxidation resistance and wear resistance. A tool for friction stir welding according to the present invention is a tool for friction stir welding including a base material and a coating layer formed on the base material, wherein the coating layer is formed of one or more layers, and at least one layer of the coating layer has a thermal permeability of 5000 J/s0.5·m2·K or less.
US08978955B2	Anvil assemblies with collapsible frames for circular staplers Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed.
US08978950B2	Fuel container holding structure A fuel container holding structure for detachably holding a fuel container 40 including a nozzle 44 in its front end portion is provided with a front end holding portion 22 for holding the front end portion of the fuel container 40 and a rear end holding portion 28 for holding a rear end portion of the fuel container 40. The front end holding portion 22 includes a connecting portion 23 to which the nozzle 44 is connected and a buffer mechanism 25, 42 disposed between the connecting portion 23 and fuel container 40. The fuel container 40 is supported by the buffer mechanism 25, 42.
US08978949B2	Crossbow case A crossbow case comprises a T-shaped body forming a T-shaped internal cavity to receive a crossbow and a pair of shoulder straps attached to and extending from an upper horizontal portion of the body. Each of the straps has an end releasably connected to a lower vertical portion of the body.
US08978946B2	Roof bar for a motor vehicle A roof bar (10) for a motor vehicle (1) has an elongate load carrying member (213) and a single elongate stay (214) which are hingedly connected to a roof (5) of the motor vehicle (1) by a pair of base plates (211). The elongate load carrying member (213) is selectively held in a deployed position by a latch mechanism (222, 255) which latches a castellated edge of the elongate load carrying member (213) to a castellated edge of the single elongate stay (214) along a significant portion of the interface between the two components (213, 214) so as to provide a strong support for any loads carried by the roof bar (10). The components (211, 213, 214) forming the roof bar (10) are all relatively thin and the elongate load carrying member (213) and the single elongate stay (214) are arranged to fold flat on the roof (5) of the motor vehicle (1) so as to minimize any change in vehicle height when the roof bar (10) is stowed.
US08978945B2	Musical instrument strap and musical instrument connector A musical instrument strap 100 has a neck band 101 worn on the back side of the neck of a musical instrument player, and also has a musical instrument connector 10 that is connected to both ends of the neck band 101 extending forward respectively from the left and right sides of the neck and connects the neck band 101 to a musical instrument. The musical instrument connector 10 has a flat plate 1 that prevents a right portion of the neck band 101 that extends forward from the right side of the neck, and a left portion of the neck band 101 that extends forward from the left side of the neck, from approaching each other, thereby maintaining the distance between the right portion and the left portion; and a hook 5 capable of engaging with the musical instrument. The flat plate 1 has a hole where the right end of the neck band 101 is connected and a hole where the left end of the neck band 101 is connected, and the left and right holes are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance.
US08978944B2	Clamp braces and related methods In one embodiment, an apparatus to carry a portable device comprises a brace body, an adjustment mechanism coupled to the brace body, and a locking mechanism coupled to the brace body. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the apparatus for an adjusted fit and to retain the adjusted fit for the apparatus when not in use. The locking mechanism is configured to conform to a locked state to configure the apparatus for a bracing fit and to conform to an unlocked state to configure the apparatus for a relaxed fit. The bracing fit is configured to brace the apparatus at a usage position, and the relaxed fit permits positioning of the apparatus relative to the usage position.
US08978943B2	Armband for holding an electronic device An armband that holds an electronic device is presented. The armband includes a pouch which includes a window and an opening configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the pouch. The armband also includes an arm strap wherein the proximate end of the arm strap is coupled to the pouch, and wherein the arm strap includes: holes arranged in a specified pattern; loop cells at specified locations along the length of the arm strap; and a hook cell located at a distal end of the arm strap. The armband further includes a ring coupled to the pouch configured to allow the distal end of the arm strap to be passed through the ring and pulled toward the proximate end of the arm strap so that the hook cell can be coupled to one or more loop cells.
US08978940B2	Crown type sizer for a hanger A crown-type sizer for mounting on a hanger includes a body and a hook extending from a mid-point of the body. The sizer includes a pair of parallel walls and a pair of non-parallel walls, each wall of the non-parallel walls being joined to each wall of the parallel walls, the pairs of walls defining a lower open base and an open base in an upper part of the sizer for passing over the hook. Each of the parallel walls has a single boss disposed in a corner of the respective parallel wall and each non-parallel wall is shorter in height than at least one parallel wall.
US08978932B2	System and bottle for dispensing a fluid product A system and bottle for dispensing a fluid product including a device for sampling the product under pressure, the device having a body incorporating a piston for dispensing which is in communication with a plunger tube, the body being provided with a vent hole which is arranged in order to make it possible to offset the volume of product distributed with air, the system further including a tube cover surrounding the plunger tube over at least one portion of its length, the tube cover being associated to the body with a bushing which has an exterior surface around which the upper end of the tube cover is arranged and an interior surface wherein the body is mounted, the interior surface having an orifice which is in communication with the vent hole, the orifice emerging into the interior surface above the exterior surface.
US08978928B2	Apparatus for producing a drink, and the use of the apparatus An apparatus for producing a drink, for example milk, from mixing a powder formula with a liquid, preferably water, the apparatus preferably being an automated baby-milk machine. The apparatus is configured to prepare a drink concentrate by mixing the amount of formula necessary for the total amount of drink in a certain amount of hot liquid, and to add the right amount of liquid of a certain low temperature to the concentrate in order to reach the end volume of the drink at a safe drinking temperature.
US08978926B2	Flower vending machine and method of use of the same Flower vending machine and method of use of the same, with the object of preventing fogging of a display space comprised within said machine, said display space being accessible by means of at least one hatch covered by a transparent sheet to which is directed a flow of air to preventing fogging of the interior of the display space. In the method of use of said machine the cooling system is stopped, the flow of air is introduced and an air extractor external to the display space is activated. All this prevents the fogging of the display space, thereby guaranteeing excellent visibility of the flowers as well as their optimum preservation.
US08978915B2	Can end with strengthening bead configuration A can end that is attached to a metal can body with a bottom end forming a cavity that may be filled with food, liquid, etc. The can end is made of metal with a bead configuration located in the outer circumference of the can end that increases its resistance to deformation when subjected to high pressure cooking environments and assists in preventing the can end from separating along the frangible score.
US08978913B2	Filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle with selective opening A filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle has a funnel insert having a lockable flap with a lock, which is held by two elements which can each be pivoted about a pin. The flap is released only when both elements are pivoted to one side simultaneously by the filler tube of a gas pump nozzle. In order to open the flap with minimal actuating forces, the first element can be pivoted about a first pin and holds the hinge pin for the flap on its end far from the first pin, and the second element can be pivoted about a second pin and forms a locking hook. The two pins have a spatial distance from one another in the transverse direction and the two elements are loaded with respect to one another by at least one spring.
US08978910B2	Synthetic resin bottle A technical problem of this invention especially in the case of large-size bottles is to form a grip, without changing the bottle shape to a large extent, so that the body can be firmly held. The object of this invention is to provide a synthetic resin square bottle that can be used reliably because the bottle can be held firmly with a hand. A major means of solving the problem is a synthetic resin square bottle comprising a body having a rectangular shape in a plane cross-section and a groove-like waist portion disposed at a middle height of the bottle, wherein a pair of recessed portions for use as finger stops are formed in respective long side walls of said rectangular body over a predetermined area ranging from said waist portion downward to ensure that a plural number of fingers can be placed in at least one recessed portion for a finger stop purpose, and wherein a grip for holding the bottle is formed from both the pair of recessed portions and the waist portion.
US08978908B2	Dispensing head with overmolded hinge cap A dispensing head (103) for closing a vessel, mainly a tube or a vial, includes an outlet opening (135) and a hinged cap (104) for closing the opening (135) of the dispensing head. The dispensing head (103) and the hinged cap (104) are made of a single piece. The hinged cap (104) is molded over the dispensing head (103). The cap (104) can be secured onto the head (103) by anchoring even when the materials are not compatible.
US08978902B2	Folded slatwall inserts A folded slatwall insert is provided. A slatwall cover is illustrated anchored to a typical slatwall and covering at least one slat of the slatwall. A folded slatwall insert as disclosed prevents surface damage to a typical slatwall, allows for rapid and cost effective customization of the aesthetics of the slatwall, and can be used to mount custom graphics to the slatwall.
US08978901B2	Illuminated bottle holder Systems and methods are herein disclosed for holding a bottle (e.g., a wine bottle) at an angle that facilitates viewing the wine bottle label. The bottle holder may also include illuminating elements for casting viewing light upon the label of a wine bottle and to enhance viewing of the wine bottle shape, texture, and color. Such illuminating elements can be oriented upwards or downwards in order to cast last on the wine bottle above or below the illuminating elements. The bottle holder has at least two components: an elongated support member (bottle support member) and a wall mount. The wall mount can be fixed to a wall and the bottle support member can be secured to the wall mount. The wall mount and bottle support member can also include wiring and electrical connections to enable use of illuminating elements on the bottle support member.
US08978900B2	Bulk rail bracket A bulk rail bracket including at least three horizontally-oriented and vertically aligned support shelf rows, wherein each pair of consecutive support shelf rows is positioned such that the two support shelf rows in the pair are spaced by a height that is approximately a multiple of a rack unit size.
US08978891B2	Structure and method for packing display device A cushioning material includes a recess forming member that includes a protecting member and an engaging member to form a recess that contains inside an edge portion of a thin display device, and moreover on a rear frame that is positioned on a back surface of the thin display device a handle is provided that forms a gap between a display screen of the thin display device and a protecting member of the cushioning material that is positioned in front of the display screen by engaging and holding the engaging member of the cushioning material in a state of the edge portion of the thin display device being contained in the recess of the cushioning material.
US08978884B1	Automatic musical instrument neck support in hybrid cases Hybrid cases for musical instruments are disclosed. The cases have a semi-rigid back, a semi-rigid sidewall, a semi-rigid cover hingedly connected to selectively enclose a region of space when releaseably fastened closed, and a multi-part neck-brace. The neck-brace has a semi-rigid neck-support with a top surface that supports the instrument neck and a neck-clamp opposing the neck-support and affixed to the cover such that the instrument neck is automatically secured between the top surface of the neck-support and the neck-clamp upon fastening the cover closed and without the use of a neck-brace retaining band.
US08978882B2	Swing tag card holder An assembly for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, upon a panel that pivots to be received within a pouch, pocket or sleeve to hold and retain the card during transport and storage.
US08978872B2	High speed board feeder A transfer mechanism that transfers boards from a first conveyor onto a second conveyor having lugs using a stop, a cammed wheel for lifting boards over the stop, and a programmable computer controller for controlling the cammed wheel independent of the speed of the first and second conveyors.
US08978870B2	Device for conveying bundles for a strapping machine A conveyance device 1 for movement, within a strapping machine 100, of a succession of bundles 2 of flat objects. A first conveyor 10 moves each bundle 2 from an assembly zone to a transfer zone. A second conveyor 40 moves each bundle 2 from the transfer zone to a strapping zone. The first conveyor 10 longitudinally guides the stack of flat objects during the formation of each bundle 2 in the assembly zone, and longitudinally holds the bundle 2 during its movement from the assembly zone to the transfer zone.
US08978869B2	Centrifugal bowl parts feeder system with segmented tooling sections A centrifugal bowl parts feeder system with segmented tooling sections, the feeder system having segmented sections for a common centrifugal feeder bowl. The sections can be quickly and less expensively changed between various part sizes and configurations. With this system one can add and remove tooling segments (outside the bowl); securely and precisely locate the tooling segment with solid pins; maintain and use a tool RFID address to track specific parts and ranges of parts with a PLC Control as the bowl is modified; and harmonize the tooling segments and parts with RFID Tags tied to the PLC and the Tooling segments.
US08978867B2	Apparatus for setting price for multi-vending machine and method thereof Disclosed are an apparatus for setting a price for a multi-vending machine and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a price setting unit for inputting a price setting function, selecting a price setting column and inputting price information about the selected column; a control unit for controlling a price display of the selected column when the column is selected and the price information is input through the price setting unit; and a price display unit for displaying prices of products exhibited in a column according to a price display control of the control unit.
US08978858B2	Adjustable hydraulic slave cylinder for clutch incorporating a spring biased pressure plate A novel adjustable slave cylinder is disclosed. The improved slave cylinder is particularly well suited for use with a clutch incorporating an expanding friction disk. The adjustable slave cylinder provides a means for adjusting a clutch pressure plate's position via an adjustment mechanism external to the inside of an engine.
US08978857B2	Friction clutch system A friction clutch system mechanically couples a power source to a driven system of a vehicle to reduce the rotational inertia of the clutch system, provide torsional damping within the system, and minimize vibration (e.g., rattling) between a floater and a flywheel. In one embodiment, the friction clutch system includes a first friction disc assembly directly engaged with a second friction disc assembly. The first disc assembly may include protuberances that extend axially from a hub assembly, which in turn may include damping springs and an internal splined region for coupling to a splined, driven shaft. The second friction disc assembly includes openings, which may take the form of radial slots, configured to engageably receive the protuberances. The first disc assembly may be positioned adjacent to a pressure plate assembly or a flywheel. A floater plate may be located between the first and second friction disc assemblies.
US08978856B2	Over-torque protector device for a compressor An over-torque protector device including a drive pulley and a drive hub. A plurality of receptacles extends from a pulley face, and a plurality of links extends from a drive hub plate. Each link has a first end pivotably engaged to the plate and a second end provided with coupling means for releasably coupling the drive hub and the drive pulley for unified rotation through operative engagement with the receptacles in a device engaged state, the coupling means and the receptacles out of operative engagement in a device released state. The coupling means and the receptacles have relative axial movements induced by relative rotation between the drive pulley and the drive hub. Transition from the device engaged state to the device released state is induced by the relative axial movements of the coupling means and the receptacles.
US08978848B2	Apparatus for modularly adjusting shock absorber An apparatus for modularly adjusting a shock absorber includes a base, a plurality of pins, and a selecting mechanism. The pins are connected to the base. The selecting mechanism can select at least one of the pins to control at least one valve of the shock absorber.
US08978847B2	Electronically controlled pressurized damper A vehicle damper comprises a damping medium-filled damper body in which an element divides the damper body into two chambers. A microprocessor control unit is coupled to one or more valve and connecting arrangements that comprise at least one valve and a number of flow ducts. Respective valves and flow ducts of the valve and connecting arrangement are coupled both to respective damper chambers and a pressurizing element common to both of the chambers so that even in the chamber in which a low pressure prevails there is a positive pressure acting at all times. The valve and connecting arrangements comprise a continuously electrically controlled main valve, a non-return valve and one or more bleed valves.
US08978846B2	Bicycle damping enhancement system A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
US08978840B2	Asymmetry brake with torque limit An electric fail-safe is operable to move a first ramp between distinct positions. The first ramp is associated with the second ramp. There are balls intermediate the first and second ramps. When the electric fail-safe brake is in an actuated condition, the second ramp forces stationary brake disks to engage rotating brake disks which rotate with a shaft to cause braking of the shaft. There is a keeper associated with the second ramp which abuts a stop surface to limit the amount of torque applied to the rotary and stationary disks after a predetermined amount of braking force has occurred. A brake with a test switch is also disclosed.
US08978839B2	Pneumatic brake actuator with flow insensitive two way control valve A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.
US08978833B2	Double-deck elevator group controller A double-deck elevator group controller including a hall-installed car call registration device, cars of the first operation mode which are in charge of operation between even-numbered floors or between odd-numbered floors and cars of the second operation mode which serve all of the floors at which the cars can stop, are set, and in consideration of both combinations of boarding and alighting floors of registered from-hall car calls and an increment of the number of stops, the from-hall car calls are divided for assignment to the cars of the first operation mode and the cars of the second operation, whereby it is possible to meet from-hall car calls having arbitrary floors as the boarding and alighting floors and it is possible to improve the operation efficiency.
US08978829B2	Turbomachine fluid delivery system An exemplary system for delivering a turbomachine fluid to a supplied area is a pump configured to draw fluid from both a first container and a second container when operating in both a positive g-force environment and a negative g-force environment. The fluid from the first container in a positive g-force environment is a mixture of air and oil, and the fluid from the first container in a negative g-force environment is primarily oil.
US08978828B2	Method for metered dispensing of lubricant The invention relates to a method for metered dispensing of lubricants using a lubricant dispenser comprising a reservoir chamber filled with lubricant, a gas generating unit for electrochemically generating gas, a piston acted on by the generated gas for outputting the lubricant from the reservoir chamber, and an electronic control unit for controlling the electrochemical gas generation. According to the invention, the temperature of the lubricant or the environment is measured at time intervals, and an average temperature value is derived from a plurality of measured temperature values. Using stored correction values describing the temperature-dependence of the electrochemical gas generating rate, a control parameter determining the electrochemical gas generation is set for the average temperature value, having the requirement that the gas generating rate at the average temperature value corresponds to the target value that correlates to prescribed dispensing time.
US08978827B2	Wind driven automatic lubricator for a motorcycle drive chain One embodiment (100) collects air pressure created from forward motion of a motorcycle (300) in a reservoir assembly (1001) which stores a liquid lubricant, is attached to motorcycle frame (302), and comprises a containment chamber (102), cap (106), cap seal (104), air inlet port (107), lubricant outlet port (109), and an air inlet connector (108) and a lubricant outlet connector (110) to facilitate the external attachment of conduit. The air pressure is collected by and delivered to reservoir assembly (100-1) via an air collection conduit (118) attached to motorcycle front portion (306) by a mount (130) and urges liquid lubricant through a suction conduit (124), flow restrictor (112) and delivers lubricant via discharge conduit (114) to a chain applicator (116) attached to a motorcycle swing arm assembly (304) and to the inner circumference of drive chain (310). Lubricant flow ceases after motorcycle is stopped. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08978823B2	Arrangement of a scaffolding component and of a vertical scaffolding element An arrangement includes a scaffolding component having a connection head and a vertical scaffolding element extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis with a projection fastened thereto. A wedge is plugged, in a locking position, through two wedge openings in the connection head and through an aperture in the projection. Between the upper and lower head part of the connection head a slot is open towards the front and with which the connection head is plugged onto the projection. The slot has a shoulder of the upper head part which extends downwardly from horizontal upper slot surfaces formed in an insertion region of the slot and which is arranged above the horizontal upper boundary surface of the outer projection part. The shoulder is bounded downwardly with a horizontal shoulder slot surface via which the shoulder is supported on the horizontal upper boundary surface of the projection.
US08978819B2	Spark arrestor, muffler, and straddle type vehicle A spark arrestor mounted on a muffler connected to an exhaust pipe of an engine includes a cylindrical portion including an opening that extends therethrough from the outside to the inside thereof, two cap members that respectively close first and second ends of the cylindrical portion, a mesh portion that covers the opening, and a tail pipe extending from the inside to the outside of the cylindrical portion through the cap member, wherein the exhaust flows outside the cylindrical portion in a first direction, and a channel where the exhaust flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction is provided inside the cylindrical portion.
US08978816B2	Sound limiting acoustic shell using a hanging acoustic canopy A temporary building structure is provided. The temporary building structure includes a top wall and an opposing floor surface covered by the top wall. The top wall and the floor surface define a first building area and a second building area. The first building area includes a floor surface configured to receive a sound source. The structure further includes a portable sound limiting acoustic shell including an acoustic canopy covering at least a portion of the first building area in which the sound source is positioned. The acoustic canopy is positioned proximate the floor surface, such that the acoustic canopy concentrates sound generated by the sound source within the first building area and isolates the generated sound from the second building area.
US08978814B2	Vehicle steering device The present invention provides a vehicle steering device, comprising: a manual steering means for manually steering steerable wheels in a vehicle; a steering-torque detection means for detecting a steering torque applied to the manual steering means; a first electromotive-torque determination means for determining a first electromotive-torque value based on the detected steering torque; a vehicle-behavior detection means for detecting behavior of the vehicle; a second electromotive-torque determination means for determining a second electromotive-torque value based on a detected value obtained by the vehicle-behavior detection means; an electric motor for applying a combined electromotive torque to the steerable wheels; and a current control means for controlling current supplied to the electric motor based on a value of the combined electromotive torque obtained by adding the first electromotive-torque value to the second electromotive-torque value.
US08978813B2	Powertrain and steering assembly layout A vehicle includes an engine assembly configured to power a vehicle. The engine assembly defines a first engine end and a second engine end opposite the first engine end. The first engine end is spaced apart from the second engine end along a first direction. The engine assembly defines a third engine end and a fourth engine end opposite the third engine end. The third engine end is spaced apart from the fourth engine end along a second direction. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The vehicle further includes a steering assembly disposed in close proximity to the engine assembly. The steering assembly includes a steering body disposed closer to the first engine end than to the second engine end.
US08978810B2	Tractor The present invention provides a tractor which is configured such that front wheel axles are disposed above upper portions of front wheels so that the front wheels are prevented from being impeded by the front wheel axles even when the front wheels are steered to maximum angles in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction and turned to an angle over or approximate to a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tractor, whereby the tractor can be turned in place by manipulating a steering wheel.
US08978805B2	Working machine To make it possible to arrange an engine control unit in a narrow arrangement space by, for multiple purposes, using a support member for attaching an operation device. On a machine base supported by a traveling unit, an engine is mounted and a controlling part having an operator's seat is arranged; on one of left and right sides of the controlling part, a vehicle accessory is mounted and covered with an accessory cover; and on a front side of the operator's seat of the controlling part, and near the accessory cover, a support member is provided upright to provide an operation device. Between the accessory cover and the operation device, an engine control unit that controls the engine is arranged, and the engine control unit is attached to the support member.
US08978802B2	Air intake configuration for an agricultural harvesting machine An agricultural work vehicle includes a vehicle body having longitudinally extending sides. An enclosed engine compartment is configured within the vehicle body. An air inlet is defined in side of the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. A grain bin forward of the engine compartment includes a grain bin extension skirt mounted above the grain bin. An intake housing is mounted over the air inlet in the vehicle body side and includes a forwardly extending portion mounted alongside the grain bin extension with an inlet opening oriented so as draw air primarily from an area forward of the engine compartment and above the vehicle body.
US08978797B2	Vehicle approach notification device of saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle Provided is a vehicle approach notification device of a saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle that outputs a notification sound for notifying the approach of a vehicle. The saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle includes a front cover that covers the periphery of a head pipe of a vehicle body frame. The sound emission device is located inside the front cover, the front cover has an air opening for taking in air from an outside, and a ventilation passage that is a passage of the air from the air opening and is used for cooling at least one of a power engine of the saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle and electric components, and the sound emission device is arranged in the ventilation passage.
US08978791B2	Vehicle forming a self-balancing human transporter with an integrated photovoltaic module A vehicle forming a self-balancing human transporter, or “gyropode”, including a photovoltaic module to charge a battery electrically or to partially power an electric motor electrically from solar energy. The photovoltaic module includes a first portion which is fixed and extends along a standing and driving handle, and a second portion which is retractable between an extreme retracted position in which it allows the gyropode to be moved, and an extreme deployed position in which it acts as a stand for holding the gyropode when stopped with a determined inclination enabling optimum efficiency of the photovoltaic module to be obtained relative to a position of the sun.
US08978790B2	Retention of cutters in bore hole tools A cutter retention method which uses brazed material placed in cutter pockets and cutter pocket grooves or recesses to allow braze material between the cutters and cutter pockets and in said grooves and overlapping onto the top of the cutters to better retain the cutters in the cutting bore hole tool apparatus for enhanced cutter retention and extended drilling or boring time of drill bits, underreamers, section mills hole openers, casing cutters or other down hole tools used in bore hole drilling and completion operations.
US08978788B2	Cutting element for a drill bit used in drilling subterranean formations A cutting element for use in a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a cutting body having a substrate including a rear surface, an upper surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the rear surface and the upper surface, and a superabrasive layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve surrounding the peripheral side surface of the cutting body and comprising a superabrasive layer bonded to an external surface of the sleeve.
US08978782B2	System, apparatus, and method of conducting measurements of a borehole A bias unit having a support body in use to be integrated with a drilling assembly and rotatable therewith for drilling a borehole penetrating a geological formation. A pad is pivotally connected to the support body proximate to the leading edge of the pad. A spring-driven push rod is positioned and preloaded to engage the pad, proximate to the trailing edge of the pad, and to urge the pad outward from the support body to contact the borehole wall during drilling.
US08978780B2	Handheld power tool having a shiftable mechanism A handheld power tool with a shiftable mechanism, which is adjustable between two operating positions, has a coupling spring that is coupled with an adjustable shifting member of the mechanism. The coupling spring is embodied as a metastable spring.
US08978775B2	Downhole valve assembly and methods of using the same A wellbore servicing system including a work string and a valve tool defining an flowbore, wherein the valve tool is transitionable from a first mode to a second mode, from the second mode to a third mode, and from the third mode to a fourth mode, wherein the valve tool transitions from the first mode to the second mode upon an application of pressure to the flowbore of at least a threshold pressure, wherein the valve tool transitions from the second mode to the third mode upon a dissipation of pressure from the flowbore to not more than the threshold pressure, and wherein, in the first mode, the valve tool allows fluid communication via the flowbore in a first direction and disallows fluid communication in a second direction. Further, in the second, and third modes, the valve tool allows fluid communication in both the first and second directions.
US08978772B2	Casing hanger lockdown with conical lockdown ring A seal seals an annulus in a subsea assembly between a wellhead and a casing hanger landed on a shoulder within a bore of the wellhead. The seal includes a casing hanger seal ring disposed within the annulus. The seal ring engaged with an inner diameter surface of the wellhead, and engaged with an outer diameter surface of the casing hanger so that the seal ring prevents flow through the annulus. A nose ring is secured to a lower end of the seal ring so that, when the seal ring is energized, a conical surface of the nose ring engages a mating conical profile formed in the inner diameter surface portion of the wellhead and the nose ring engages a surface opposite the conical surface with a substantially smooth outer diameter surface portion of the casing hanger to limit upwards axial movement of the casing hanger.
US08978771B2	Subsea machine and methods for separating components of a material stream Systems and methods include using a subsea machine for separating a mixture received from a seabed well. The subsea machine includes: a chamber configured to receive and separate by gravity the mixture received from the seabed well. The chamber includes: a housing configured to contain the mixture received from the undersea well during separation, and a piston provided inside the housing and separating the housing into a top section and a bottom section. The piston is configured to move in a first direction along an axis to create more space in the top section for receiving the mixture from the seabed well and to move in a second opposite direction along the axis for removing the mixture from the chamber after separation has occurred.
US08978770B2	Systems and methods for riser coupling Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.
US08978764B2	Multi-stage fracture injection process for enhanced resource production from shales The invention relates to a method of generating a network of fractures in a rock formation for extraction of hydrocarbon or other resource from the formation. The method includes the steps of i) enhancing a network of natural fractures and incipient fractures within the formation by injecting a non-slurry aqueous solution into the well under conditions suitable for promoting dilation, shearing and/or hydraulic communication of the natural fractures, and subsequently ii) inducing a large-fracture network that is in hydraulic communication with the enhanced natural fracture network by injecting a plurality of slurries comprising a carrying fluid and sequentially larger-grained granular proppants into said well in a series of injection episodes.
US08978759B2	Electrostatic particulate coating methods and apparatus for fracturing fluids A method and apparatus for making up fracturing fluid with coated proppant applies opposed electrical charges to the proppant and its coating to create a uniform coating without extensive mechanical mixing, and additionally, the method applies opposed electrical charges to the coated proppant and fracturing fluid to enhance mixing.
US08978753B2	Cyclonic strainer A cyclonic strainer for a well intake that provides for improved separation of gas and fluid in naturally flowing wells during mechanical pumping operations. The strainer includes an elongated member having a channel formed longitudinally therein. A plurality of apertures extend through the elongated member angled downwardly into the channel and away from a center of the channel allowing for a better shear between gas and fluids. The angle of the ports causes fluid to be forced in an opposite direction, resulting in gases and fluids shearing more quickly and cleanly, due to kinetic energy. The angle of the ports can be varied to accommodate different conditions in various well environments. In well environments in which gaseous conditions are extreme, it can be desired for the ports to be sloped southwardly or downwardly at a greater angle than for well environments in which gaseous conditions are not as extreme.
US08978751B2	Method and apparatus for sealing a wellbore Methods and apparatuses for sealing a wellbore are provided. A seal assembly carried by a pair of opposing ram blocks of a blowout preventer is provided. The seal assembly includes a pair of seals carried by the pair of opposing ram blocks and a plurality of inserts carried by the pair of seals. The inserts include an upper body and a lower body with a rib therebetween. The upper and lower bodies each have an extended tip on a seal end thereof and a tip receptacle on a leading face thereof for receiving the extended tip. The extended tips are positionable in the tip receptacle of an adjacent inserts whereby an extrusion of a seal therebetween is restricted.
US08978750B2	Signal operated isolation valve A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
US08978748B2	Method of controlling a variable delivery pump fitted to a heating system Method of controlling a variable delivery pump fitted to a heating system comprising: a heat exchanger connected to two circuits of fluids, the variable delivery pump making it possible to vary the flow-rate of the first fluid inside the heat exchanger; a return loop on the primary circuit allowing the first fluid reaching the input of the heat exchanger to mix with a portion of the first fluid coming from the output of the exchanger; a first temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the second fluid coming from the secondary circuit; a second temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the first fluid coming from a primary circuit; a control unit electrically connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the sensors generating electrical signals as functions of the temperatures and constituting electrical input signals of the control unit.
US08978743B2	Fin tube heat exchanger A fin tube heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention includes fins 31 and a heat transfer tube 21 penetrating through the fins 31. A region that is surrounded by line segments connecting among two reference points BP and two leading edge reference points BPF is defined as a reference region. A region that is included in the reference region and located between an upstream reference line LU and a downstream reference line LD is defined as a specific region. Each fin 31 is provided with a cut-and-raised portion 12 having, in the specific region, another leading edge different from a leading edge 31f. The cut-and-raised portion is formed by cutting and raising a part of the fin 31.
US08978738B2	Casting delivery nozzle In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.
US08978732B2	Sonotrode holder A sonotrode holder for the oscillatable fastening of a sonotrode at a carrier is provided, wherein a direction of oscillation extends from the carrier to the sonotrode and the sonotrode holder has at least one oscillating body having at least one cut-out and the oscillating body is connected to the sonotrode at one end and has a mount which is configured for fastening at the carrier.
US08978730B2	Portable laminator A portable laminator designed primarily for home use where the laminator includes a handle for carrying which may also act as a guide for articles being fed into the laminator. In alternate embodiments, the laminator includes a cover which may first position acts as a guide for material being fed into the laminator and in a second position acts as a cover for the laminators feed slot. In additional embodiments, the laminator includes a double walled housing to provide insulation from the heating elements.
US08978729B2	Composite ply stabilizing system A stabilizing mechanism for resisting relative movement of upper and lower laminates of a composite structure having a core comprises a lower grip strip and at least one upper grip strip. The lower grip strip may be mounted to a tool upon which the composite structure may be processed. The lower grip strip may include an outer surface having at least one engagement feature for engaging at least one of the upper and lower laminates which make up the composite structure. The upper grip strip may have opposing outer surfaces which may include at least one engagement feature for engaging the lower strip and at least one of the upper and lower laminates.
US08978727B2	Support for at least one brush element and labeling machine A support for at least one brush element. The support includes at least one carrier, to which the at least one brush element is removably attached on a flat front side of the at least one carrier, and at least one bar, which is removably attached to the at least one carrier on a rear side opposite the front side of the at least one carrier. To the rear side of the at least one carrier at least one elastic locking element is attached, which is lockable with a plurality of parallel flutes of the at least one bar.
US08978725B2	Bicycle wheel rim structure A bicycle wheel rim structure is provided with a rim, a cap and a tape. The rim includes a first annular side portion, a second annular side portion and an annular bridge portion extending between the first and second annular side portions. The bridge portion has at least one opening. The cap includes a base plate and a projection. The base plate overlies an outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion. The projection extends from the base plate into the at least one opening. The tape is attached to the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion and overlying the base plate of the cap. The tape is dimensioned to cover an interface between a peripheral edge of the base plate of the cap and the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion.
US08978719B2	Bag's fitting and a bag with said fitting A fitting and a coupled bag and fitting. The coupled bag and fitting is provided wherein (a) the bag's opening is attached to the lower side of the fitting; (b) the fitting designed to easily connect and disconnect, the bag and fitting, on and out of a dispenser or a dispensers mounting-shoe; and (c) the fitting has at least one passage that enables material to pass from the dispenser into the bag. Further embodiments can also contain a mechanism for cleaning leftover from the dispensers outlet, an identification means enable recognizing the existence of the bag and bag's characters.
US08978710B2	Pneumatic insulating device An pneumatic insulating device (20) is disclosed comprising: a load bearing body, top (24) and bottom parts connected to the load bearing body; and a coiled, insulating pneumatic line (14, 14′) connect to and passing though the top and bottom parts, characterised by both the top and the bottom parts have fixing means (21) for fixing the device between external fixtures.
US08978707B1	Pipe testing fixture A pipe testing fixture including a housing with a chamber, an aperture centrally disposed on the housing. A groove centrally disposed within the lower chamber. A pipe fluidly engages the chamber through the housing. A pipe closure body with a handle slidingly engages the aperture and chamber with a plate disposed on the handle. The plate slidingly engages the chamber, the lower end sealingly engaging the groove, configured to seal the lower chamber of the pipe. A plate face gasket continuously disposed on the front and rear sides of the plate. A locking pin is engagable through a pin hole upon positioning the pin hole outside the upper chamber. The engagement and alternate disengagement of the locking pin through the pin hole places the plate in an open locked position and an alternate closed position within the chamber. A separate carrier pipe segment engages the pipe portions.
US08978703B2	Device for receiving liquids in aircraft and/or releasing liquids therefrom The invention relates to a device for receiving liquids in an aircraft and/or releasing liquids therefrom, especially during the flight, said device being arranged especially in an airplane. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which can receive large quantities of liquids in a rapid, reliable and flexible manner. To this end, the device can include a tank module with at least one tank container that is connected to a collector using a connecting shaft and a bulkhead module that can be connected to the tank module by the collecting tank. A closing element in the open position releases liquid from the tank module. In addition, a refueling module which is connected to the tank module by a supply line and a tube arranged on a winding device, and a receiving element attached to the tube, can provide refueling of the device.
US08978699B2	Blowout preventer status assembly A status assembly to provide visual and electronic indication of the position (open, closed, in-between) of the ram of a ram-type blowout preventer (BOP). The assembly is capable of coupling with a hydraulic motor that can be used to open and close the ram locks. The status assembly includes a rotatable element protruding from the BOP, a gear rotatable by the rotatable element, and an indicator that indicates the rotation position of the rotatable element and thus the linear position of the BOP ram. Some embodiments can also include a sensor that outputs an electronic signal to the system operator and can be incorporated into the main display for the BOP control system. This device is able to give immediate feedback to operators and to indicate whether each ram has achieved its intended travel.
US08978698B2	Blowout preventer monitoring system and method of using same A blowout preventer for sealing a tubular of a wellbore is provided. The blowout preventer has a housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the tubular, at least one ram slidably positionable in the housing (each of the rams having a ram block for sealing engagement about the tubular), an actuator for selectively driving the ram block (the actuator comprising a piston slidably positionable in a cylinder), and a monitor for detecting the piston therein. The monitor has a visual indicator on an exterior of the cylinder. The visual indicator is operatively coupled to the piston for displaying a position of the piston as the piston travels within the cylinder whereby a position of the ram may be determined.
US08978697B2	Filter element and control valve for a camshaft adjustment system A filter element for a control valve of a camshaft adjuster. The filter element has an annular filter fabric for extracting particles, and a gripping frame for fastening the annular filter fabric. The gripping frame is designed here for the planar bracing of the annular filter fabric on the control valve. Furthermore, a control valve is disclosed for a camshaft adjuster with a corresponding filter element.
US08978695B2	Flowline flapper valve A check valve assembly has a body having a central cavity intersected by upstream and downstream flow passages. A seat is secured by a threaded engagement in the upstream flow passage. An access bore intersects the cavity and has a support shoulder formed in it. A holder is supported on the support shoulder. A flapper is pivotally secured to the holder and located in the cavity for movement between an open position and a closed position blocking flow through the seat. A straight edge portion in the access bore engages a straight edge portion of the holder to prevent rotation of the holder. A fastener extends through a hole in the support shoulder into engagement with the seat to prevent rotation of the seat.
US08978691B2	Valve with adaptive facial sealing ring A valve including a flow control assembly having an adaptive, floating closure member is provided. In one embodiment, a ball valve includes a floating closure member having a shoulder enclosed within a recess of the valve body. The recess is larger than the shoulder of the closure member and allows axial movement of the closure member with respect to the valve body and along a flow path through the valve. Additional valve systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
US08978690B2	Automatic purging device for AC condensation drain lines An automatic condensate line purging device for HVAC condensation lines using pressurized gas. The purging device is installed in the condensate drain line of an air conditioning system allowing condensate flow through the device during normal operation where no clog has occurred in the condensate drain line. Should the drain line become clogged, a plug is displaced to seal the condensate drain causing the condensate to back-up up into the external condensate drain pan located beneath the condenser of conventional HVAC systems. When the drain pan fills with water, the safety float switch used to shut down the air conditioner is coupled to a solenoid valve mounted on the purging device wherein a charge of gas is directed into the drain line for removal of the clog.
US08978688B2	Dual mode electronic flow control system In various embodiments, two or more electronic flow selectors of an electronic fluid flow control system may be used to control the flow rates of multiple fluids. In a total flow control mode, a first electronic flow selector may be used to select a total flow rate of two or more fluids. A second electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate or ratio of a flow rate of one fluid to the total flow rate of the two or more fluids. In a direct flow control mode, each electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate of a unique fluid. One of the fluids may be oxygen, and the other fluid, a balance gas, may be selected as either nitrous oxide or air using an electronic balance gas selector.
US08978687B2	Actuating device and method for displacing the actuating device An actuating device or displacing a control device, such as a valve, gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, comprises a motor-gear unit (21) and a thread drive (22) which is operable by said motor-gear unit (21) and which comprises at least a threaded spindle (23) and a screw nut (24). The threaded spindle (23) is displaceable in an essentially axial direction so as to displace the control device (2) between a use position (7) and a non-use position (8, 9, 19, 20). To ensure a safe displacement into the non-use position in a simple way and independently of the pressure conditions prevailing between conveying medium and inner medium, the threaded spindle (23) is substantially axially displaceable beyond the use position (7) into a second non-use position (9). The invention also refers to a corresponding method for displacing the actuating device.
US08978681B2	Portable barrier A portable barrier has a pedestal assembly including (i) a plurality of legs that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of legs includes a first leg and a second leg, and (ii) a first limiter connected to the first leg and the second leg. The portable barrier further has a cover assembly including (i) a plurality of arms that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of arms includes a first arm and a second arm, and (ii) a covering connected to the first arm and the second arm. Further, the portable barrier has (i) a second limiter extending between the first arm and the first leg, (ii) a supplemental component movable with respect to the second arm; and (iii) a third limiter extending between the second arm and the supplemental component.
US08978679B2	Insta-garage A temporary garage device is disclosed that allows users to easily protect the outside of their vehicle from the elements. The temporary garage device comprises a protective cover component and a storage component for storing the protective cover component. Typically, the protective cover component is positioned in an arc-shape via a plurality of thin beams secured to the interior surface of the protective cover component to form a semi-rigid skeletal structure. Specifically, the protective cover component collapses in an accordion style for storage in the interior of the storage component. When needed, the protective cover component can then be linearly extended outward from the storage component in a semi-tubular configuration to cover the vehicle. Additionally, the storage component can comprise a plurality of wheels secured to a bottom side to allow the storage component to move and for ease in transportation of the temporary garage device.
US08978677B2	Multi-functional walking aid An improved cane with an internal grasping apparatus including an actuator on the cane handle and a plurality of clamps that extends from the foot or base of the cane. A cord system within the casing of the cane connects the actuator to the clamps so that when the actuator is in use, the clamps close or open to either grasp or release objects, depending on the amount of pressure applied to the actuator. Applying pressure to the actuator extends a plurality of clamps from the distal end of the cane that can be used to assist with grasping of objects. Releasing pressure to the actuator on the cane handle will retract the clamps back into the distal end of the cane to where the clamps are hidden.
US08978676B2	Umbrella stand An umbrella holder having a base, a holder removably attachable to the base, and a plurality of stakes to secure the base to the ground. A top surface of the base has a section to store the holder when not in use. A bottom surface of the base has a plurality of stake holders to hold the stakes when not in use. The holder has two tubes attached by link arms to allow the two holders to be adjustable relative to each other. The base also has a central main hole and a plurality of auxiliary holes so that a pole can be inserted through at least one of the tubes and through the main hole so as to be perpendicular to the ground, or through one of the auxiliary holes so as to be non-perpendicular to the ground.
US08978669B2	Dental floss dispenser with clip A dental floss dispenser (1) having a clip (2) located on a rear surface (11) of the dispenser for attaching the dispenser to a tube of toothpaste (5). The clip attaches to a lower edge of a tube of toothpaste and serves a dual purpose. The first purpose being to remind an individual to floss when brushing his or her teeth and the second purpose being to squeeze the toothpaste in the tube upward toward the opening of the tube as the toothpaste is dispensed out of the tube. The clip may also be a planar piece of material that is perpendicular to the dispenser and has a slot (18) that a lower edge of the tube is inserted into. The clip may be integrated into the dispenser or attached to the dispenser by a holder (10).
US08978663B2	Charger package for electronic cigarette components A charger package apparatus for use with electronic cigarette components, which include truncated components and elongated components that have an electrical coupling connected to a rechargeable power source. The apparatus includes a compact box enclosure with an access opening, and with plural compartments formed indies, which receive electronic cigarette components, and where are least one of the compartment is an elongated compartment. The box also includes a battery compartment with a battery contact for engaging a replaceable battery, and a charge circuit coupled to receive power from the battery contact. A charge contact assembly is coupled to the charge circuit and aligned with the elongated compartment to engage the electrical coupling of an elongated component, which can then transfer power to its rechargeable power source. Also, a lid is selectively engaged with the access opening to close the box.
US08978661B2	Composite smokeless tobacco products, systems, and methods A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a polymeric material in intimate contact with the smokeless tobacco and stabilized in conformance to a surface topography of the tobacco's fibrous structures such that the stabilized polymeric material secures the smokeless tobacco together. The smokeless tobacco product has a moisture-permeable porous surface and an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent.
US08978659B2	Therapeutic and protective dental device useful as an intra-oral delivery system A dental device has a U-shaped carrier with at least one channel for embracing an arch of teeth. There are recessed insets in the channel. Discrete inserts carrying a beneficial agent can fit into the insets and release the agent gradually. The device may be used in a therapeutic application and as an athletic mouthguard. Temporary blanks may be initially fitted in the insets, while a portion of the mouthguard is softened before an arch of teeth is pressed into the channel to make a custom impression. The inserts possess different physical properties than the carrier and may be positioned and shaped to mechanically buffer teeth of the arch from mechanical shocks as well as release beneficial agents. The inserts may be replaced or refreshed to maintain the beneficial agent. A dental device having a core carrying a beneficial agent inside a liquid-permeable shell functions as an infant's teething device.
US08978657B2	Dual-lumen tracheal tube with shaped lumen divider Various embodiments of a tracheal tube having a shaped divider disposed therein for separation of a tracheal tube into multiple ventilation lumens are provided. In some embodiments, the divider divides a tracheal ventilation lumen from a bronchial ventilation lumen. In some embodiments, the shaped divider provides an irregular inner diameter that allows a relatively bulky device to be inserted into one or both lumens.
US08978654B2	Personal air filter with amplifier and vibrator A personal air filter device having a housing defining a cavity and a central opening including a first and second vent. The device also includes a mouthpiece adjacent to the second vent and spaced apart from the central opening. The device has a filter within the housing for filtering air passing through the housing when inhaling and exhaling. The cavity resonates at audible frequencies for providing respiratory feedback when a user inhales or exhales.
US08978652B2	Anesthetic breathing apparatus having improved monitoring of anesthetic agent An anesthetic breathing apparatus has a first gas analyzer arranged to provide gas measurement data related to a first sample point to a control unit that is arranged in a servo or feedback control system configured to adjust delivery of a vaporized anesthetic agent from an anesthetic vaporizer to a delivery point in an inspiratory branch of a breathing circuit of the anesthetic breathing apparatus, The first sampling point is arranged in the breathing circuit downstream and close to the delivery point. A second gas analyzer arranged to be operated in a first mode of operation to provide gas measurement data for patient monitoring, and arranged to be operated in a second mode of operation to provide gas measurement data to the control unit. A switch over unit is fluidly connected to the second gas analyzer, and arranged to switch fluid communication of said second gas analyzer between the first sample point for the second mode of operation and a second sample point for the first mode of operation. The second sample point is arranged in a patient tubing close to a Y-piece at a patient connected to the breathing circuit.
US08978645B2	Dry powder aerosolized inhaler This invention provides an aerosolized inhaler which enables the drug powder to aerosolize within the inhaler by breathing in the air, comprising the main body (11) and the mouthpiece connector (12) connected thereupon, wherein the inhaler the main body (11) has drug holding opening (1), which connects with the vortex passage, and the vortex passage connects with the mouthpiece (9) on the mouthpiece connector (12). It has many obvious advantages as increasing the inhalation rate, pushing more drug granule to reach to the lower respiratory tract and even into the alveolus; and meanwhile, keeping the drug from being blown out of the inhaler when the users breathes out, preventing from cross inflection and minimizing the side effect of the drug to the whole body, and obviously lightening the burden on the users.
US08978644B2	Passenger service unit with emergency oxygen supply and reading light The invention relates to a passenger service unit (PSU) for use in an aircraft, comprising a reading light having a light source and a reflector partially enclosing the light source, and an emergency oxygen supply device comprising an oxygen source, a starter unit for releasing oxygen flow from said oxygen source to an oxygen mask, a control unit for controlling oxygen flow rate from said oxygen source to said oxygen mask and an electrical energy storage device like a rechargeable battery pack or a condensator, for providing electrical energy to said control unit and/or said starter unit. According to the invention, the PSU comprises an energy harvesting unit adjacent to or integrated into said reflector of said reading light wherein said energy harvesting unit is electrically connected to said electrical energy storage device.
US08978643B2	Modification of sympathetic activation and/or respiratory function Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for modifying sympathetic activation of a patient through alteration of respiratory function. In one form, a sub-apneic ventilation target for a ventilator is determined such that chronic sympathetic activation of the patient is mitigated.
US08978642B2	Cavity receivers for parabolic solar troughs A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.
US08978641B2	Solar energy module A low cost mass-produced solar module that extracts both electricity and heat from the sun. One or more reflectors held by a frame reflect the sun's heat into an absorber. Each reflector rotates about its axle to keep its reflected solar energy focused on the absorber. In one embodiment, solar heat is focused to heat fluid that flows to thermodynamic engines that convert the heat to electricity. Engine waste heat is also captured for use as building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. In another embodiment, solar heat is focused onto photovoltaic devices that directly convert light into electricity. The fluid that cools the photovoltaic devices can be used for building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. The frame shields the reflectors from ambient wind loads, supports reflector axles accurately and simplifies installation on roofs or walls of buildings. The frame, reflectors, absorber and ancillary components comprise a module that can be shipped, installed and operated by low skill. Most components are fabricated using “double wall” construction formed by two face sheets held apart by a core that reduces their weight and their cost. Reflector surfaces are curved to focus the sun and to provide additional strength. Module design includes methods to install, maintain and verify proper functioning of the modules. In addition, methods show how electrical energy can be derived from the module, both circulating fluids that power thermodynamic engines and by photovoltaic cells that are cooled by the circulating fluid. Sensors contained in the modules detect aberrant behavior and optimize reflector trajectories to extract the most solar heat available. Communication between modules allows optimization of an array of modules.
US08978639B2	Secondary room air heat exchanger and method of heating secondary room air Heating a room in a structure with a fireplace includes feeding combustible gas to a burner of a combustion assembly of the fireplace to create heat and flames with hot exhaust air passing out of a combustion chamber of the fireplace through an exhaust duct and into an exhaust air conduit of a secondary heat exchanger and out of the structure.
US08978635B2	Method of transferring data in a projectile launching device A method of transferring data in a projectile launching device includes providing a projectile launching device that has a transmitter and a receiver. An external device also includes its own transmitter and receiver. The receivers are in range with the transmitters. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to the either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. As a result, the projectile launching device communicates with the external device.
US08978633B2	Toy projectile launching apparatus An apparatus may include a projectile and a housing or launcher. The projectile may include wing portion, with the wing portion having an end, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The housing may include a grip, a trigger, and a projectile support platform. The projectile support platform may have a projectile launch key dimensioned to removably receive the end of the wing of the projectile and engage the trailing edge of the wing. The projectile launch key may also be being mechanically connected to the trigger and operate to rotate upon retraction of the trigger and thereby launch the projectile.
US08978627B2	Method and apparatus for capturing and controlling fugitive gases A method of providing fugitive gases to an engine air supply. An air filter is positioned on the engine intake of said engine. The air filter creates a negative pressure in the engine intake downstream of the air filter. A source of fugitive gases pass to the engine intake and are collected by the negative pressure downstream of the air filter.
US08978625B2	Internal combustion engine controller At the time of drop of an injector current of an internal combustion engine controller, the drop is performed quickly while heat generation of a drive circuit is suppressed, and valve closing response speed of the injector is enhanced. The internal combustion engine controller includes a drive circuit which drives an injector current, and a boost circuit which boosts a battery voltage, and includes a peak current path for guiding a boost voltage of the boost circuit to an upstream side of the injector via a boost side switching element and a boost side protection diode, a holding current path for guiding the battery voltage to the upstream side of the injector via a battery side switching element and a battery side protection diode, a ground current path which is connected to a power supply ground from a downstream side of the injector via a downstream side switching element, and a regenerating circuit which allows the boost circuit to regenerate electric energy of the injector from the downstream side of the injector via a current regenerating diode, wherein the regenerating path is provided with a voltage regulating section in series with the current regenerating diode, and the drive circuit controls drive of the switching element.
US08978622B2	Automatic choke apparatus for engine There is provided an automatic choke apparatus for an engine. A bimetal that is coupled to a choke valve of an intake system is provided in the vicinity of an outer wall face of a muffler. The muffler is divided into a first expansion chamber and a second expansion chamber across a partition plate. An exhaust hole that allows the expansion chambers to be communicated with each other is formed at the lower part of the partition plate. An exhaust gas is guided from the upstream first expansion chamber toward the downstream second expansion chamber through the exhaust hole. A bypass hole is formed at an upper part of the partition plate in such a manner that that the expansion chambers are communicated with each other as bypassing the exhaust hole. The bypass hole is open to the vicinity of the outer wall face opposite to the bimetal.
US08978618B2	Heat engine The present invention relates to a heat engine having a housing. A generally triangular shaped rotor can drive an offset crank as it eccentrically rotates within the housing. Two inlets with valves and two exhausts are provided. The volume between each face of the rotor and the housing defines three expansion chambers. Six power cycles are provided (one by each expansion chamber times two inlets) per revolution of the rotor. Each valve controls the length of time that high pressure gas is allowed to enter each expansion chamber. The valves are controlled by a processor and close when enough pressure is supplied so that the pressures inside and outside the expansion chamber are equal when the chamber is fully expanded just prior to exhaust. Gates can provide a mechanical advantage to the rotor by reducing the amount of pressure applied to the back side of the fulcrum.
US08978614B2	Lubrication apparatus for four-stroke engine A lubrication apparatus for a four-stroke engine includes an oil tank, a supply passageway having an opening to supply oil mist from the oil tank to driving parts, the opening being provided in the oil tank. A partition is provided between the opening and a side wall of the oil tank, the partition being formed by partition plate members so as to divide an inside of the oil tank into an inner area and an outer area. The inner area includes the opening, and the outer area is defined between the inner area and the side wall. Oil can freely move between the inner area and the outer area, and the opening is placed in a position above a surface of the oil accumulated in the oil tank even when the four-stroke engine is tilted in every direction.
US08978611B2	Piston for internal combustion Disclosed is a piston (16) that is capable of not only suppressing the occurrence of knocking but also reducing cooling loss in an internal combustion engine in which a tumble flow is formed in a cylinder. The piston for the internal combustion engine in which the tumble flow is formed in the cylinder includes a non-adiabatic region (50) that is a region on a piston upper surface (35) brought into contact with the tumble flow during an intake stroke and has no insulating layer. The piston also includes an adiabatic region (52) that is a region on at least a part of the piston upper surface excluding the non-adiabatic region and has an insulating layer.
US08978610B2	Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, including a drive rotation member, a follower rotation member, an electric motor serving to change a relative rotational phase of the drive rotation member and the follower rotation member, a torsion spring accommodated in an annular accommodation space having an axial closed end which is formed between an inner periphery of the drive rotation member and an outer periphery of the follower rotation member, and a stop plate fixed to the drive rotation member so as to cover a part of an axial open end of the annular accommodation space, the stop plate cooperating with the follower rotation member or a camshaft to restrict relative rotation of the drive rotation member and the follower rotation member within a predetermined angular range.
US08978604B2	Variable valve actuator The present invention discloses an actuator, which is a combination of a hydraulic control unit and a spring-mass mechanical unit, comprising: a housing, with upper and lower ports; an actuation cylinder in the housing; an actuation piston in the actuation cylinder moveable along the longitudinal axis; a first fluid space; a second fluid space; a first piston rod connected to a first surface of the actuation piston; the second piston rod connected to a second surface of the actuation piston; a fluid bypass; a first spring system connected to the first piston rod, biasing the actuation piston in the second direction; a second spring system biasing the actuation piston in the first direction; a first flow mechanism; a second flow mechanism. The present invention also discloses two other preferred embodiments. The actuator features variable valve lift, low energy consumption, fast dynamic response, soft seating and easy controllability.
US08978599B2	Cooling apparatus of internal combustion engine for vehicle A control device includes target temperature setting means, feedback control means, and shortcut control means. The target temperature setting means sets a target temperature (γ) of a coolant according to a temperature state of an internal combustion engine. The feedback control means controls a control valve in such a manner that a coolant temperature is the target temperature (γ). The shortcut control means controls the control valve in such a manner that, when the internal combustion engine is in a cold state, the target temperature setting means sets as the target temperature (γ) a warming-up temperature (α) higher than a feedback control temperature (A or B) which is set during feedback control.
US08978595B2	Piston engine having magnetic piston bearing A piston engine has a housing and a piston. The piston is magnetically and movably disposed in the housing. A device for magnetically supporting the piston is fixedly mounted relative to the housing. A linear machine in conjunction with the magnetic bearing of the piston can prevent friction and thus result in a machine for converting mechanical into electric energy without having to lubricate and with reduced mechanical effort.
US08978587B2	Auto-freshening water dispenser An automatic freshening water dispenser includes a bottom and is defined by a sidewall engaging the bottom and rising to a top edge. The sidewall having a first height between the bottom and the top edge and includes a recessed portion having a lower height. Three water inputs are positioned in the bowl Two water inputs positioned adjacent to the bottom of the bowl to eject water in a direction away from the recessed portion. A third water input is positioned in the sidewall at a location in the bowl opposing the recessed portion to eject water in a direction toward the recessed portion. A conduit couples the first, second and third water inputs to a water source connection.
US08978585B2	System and method for cognitive enrichment of an animal A system and method for cognitive enrichment of an animal. At least one display device is configured to display stimuli to an animal. At least one input device is configured to accept input from the animal. At least one reward dispenser is configured to dispense a reward to the animal. At least one processor is communicatively coupled with the at least one display device, the at least one input device, and the at least one reward dispenser. Execution of computer-readable instructions causes the at least one processor to carry out steps including displaying one or more stimuli to the animal using the at least one display device, accepting an input from the animal corresponding to at least one of the one or more stimuli, making a dispensing decision based on the input, and dispensing a reward using the at least one reward dispenser based on the dispensing decision.
US08978584B2	Milking system for mammals, preferably cattle, that differentiates when the milk is over, comprising a collector, teat cups and hoses A system that attached to mechanized milking equipment allows its automation that solves the subclinical mastitis by “differentiating” among each individual mammary quarter the time when teat cups must be removed after the milk is over, in an asynchronous and independent manner from other teat cups. Minimize the negative consequences of over-milking as a results of not removing teat cups on time after the milk flow has stopped; reduces economic, financial and productivity problems arisen as a result of subclinical mastitis mainly caused by over-milking; thus improving the product quality and amount. Mastitis produces somatic cells in milk, the greater the amount of these cells the lower the price received by the producer. Damage to the mammary gland may be permanent resulting in the loss of the gland and may be contagious.The system includes teat cups, tubes, collector, discrete flow sensor, vacuum sensor, command control, software comprising as a part thereof the mammary quarters with physiological and anatomical characteristics thereof.
US08978582B2	Device for stimulating an udder during milking The invention relates to a device for stimulating an udder during milking, made up of a housing with a first connection (350, 351) and a second connection (352, 353), which housing can be grasped by a hand. The first connection connects the housing to a pulsator and the second connection connects the housing to a teat cup. A throttle valve (305, 306) is interposed between the first connection and the second connection. A control device (309) is housed in the housing and is adapted to bring the throttle valve, after a defined duration, from a partially open to an open position.
US08978581B2	Adhesive applying device An adhesive applying device includes a robot including a robot arm; a rotor set jig for setting thereat a rotor; a gun including a holder to which a cartridge containing the adhesive is mountable, the gun discharging the adhesive in the cartridge mounted to the holder and being mountable to an end of the robot arm; an electromagnetic valve that performs on/off switching control of supply of compressed air at a predetermined pressure into the cartridge mounted to the holder of the gun; a robot controller that controls an operation of the robot; and an upper-order controller that coordinates and controls the on/off switching control performed by the electromagnetic valve and the control of the operation of the robot performed by the robot controller.
US08978578B2	Powder delivery apparatus A powder delivery apparatus for transporting powder from one or more hoppers to one or more powder applicators. A cross feed network of multi-directional valves and fluid connections is interposed between transfer pumps coupled to the outlets of the hoppers to provide alternately selectable flow paths for the powder from each hopper to selected one of the powder applicators.
US08978577B2	Waxing device A waxing device is used for applying a waxing treatment to a polishing wheel, and includes a supporting assembly, an adjusting assembly, a driving mechanism, a mounting assembly, a motor, a wax block and a resisting mechanism. The supporting assembly includes a sliding rail, and the adjusting assembly is slidably positioned on the sliding rail; the driving mechanism is mounted on the adjusting assembly; the mounting assembly includes a mounting member positioned on the driving mechanism; the motor is mounted on mounting member; the wax block is positioned on the motor and rotated by the motor; the resisting mechanism is positioned on the supporting assembly and resists the adjusting assembly for adjusting a pressure applied to the polishing wheel during the waxing process.
US08978572B2	Submarine A submarine is provided with an upwardly directed drilling device (12, 12′). The drilling device (12, 12′) is arranged in a pressure hull (4) of the submarine and has a drill (14, 14′) which can be extended out of the pressure hull (4) through an opening (10) arranged on the upper deck of the submarine. The drill has a drilling head (42, 42′) which forms a closure body which closes the opening (10) of the pressure hull. The drill functions to drill a hole from under an ice sheet to allow occupants of the submarine to exit through the hole.
US08978571B2	Body board having a heat engine and capable of moving in waves A body board (1) has a heat engine (10) and an automatic starter (11), which is capable of moving in waves and remaining on the water when the engine is stopped, and onto which the user holds in order to be pulled along in the water in a body-drag position.

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