Patents Represented by Attorney Bliss McGlynn, P.C.

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  • Dual clutch transmission with radially nested clutches having a common disk carrier
    Patent number: 7445108
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission having radially nested clutches including an outer clutch having first inner and outer clutch disks that are interleaved between each other where the first outer clutch disks are operatively mounted to a first outer support carrier. The transmission also includes an inner clutch having second inner and outer clutch disks operatively interleaved between each other and operatively mounted to a second inner support carrier. A common disk carrier has a common clutch disk carrier that operatively supports the first inner clutch disks of the outer clutch and the second outer clutch disks of the inner clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Rainer Gerathewohl, Frank Guenter, Hans-Juergen Hauck, Klaus Heber, Johannes Heinrich, Carsten Weinhold
  • Inflatable airbag system for vehicle seat assembly
    Patent number: 7441837
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag system for a vehicle seat assembly of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system includes a cover member adapted for mounting to the vehicle seat assembly. The inflatable airbag system also includes an inflatable airbag adapted to inflate outward from the cover member and outward from the vehicle seat assembly to thereby act as a protective barrier between an occupant of the vehicle seat assembly and an interior surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Harald Fischer, Dirk Benthaus, Andreas Kellner
  • Articulating fastener assembly
    Patent number: 7435031
    Abstract: A fastener assembly securely fastens a decorative panel in spaced relation to a support backing. The fastener assembly includes a base member adapted to be operatively mounted to the decorative panel, a carrier member, and a fastening medium supported by the carrier member and adapted to operatively interconnect the carrier member to the support backing. The carrier member is operatively attached to the base member such that the carrier member is articulately moveable relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Granata
  • Automatic transmission having a pressure regulator with flow force compensation
    Patent number: 7431043
    Abstract: An automatic transmission having a pressure regulator with flow force compensation. The pressure regulator includes a valve body having a valve bore and at least one inlet and at least one outlet adapted to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a return to the source of pressure. A valve member is slidingly disposed within the valve body that includes at least one valve element having an outer diameter and a metering face. The metering face is adapted to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body. The metering face includes a flow force compensating annular void disposed adjacent to the outer diameter that is defined by a lead angle ? measured between the outer surface and a line intersecting the outer surface and tangential to the annular void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Borgwarner Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoning Xiang, Melissa Koenig, William Vukovich
  • Start-up clutch assembly
    Patent number: 7431138
    Abstract: A start-up clutch including a disk clutch having an outer disk carrier and an inner disk carrier with a multi-disk clutch pack disposed therebetween. The multi-disk clutch pack is adapted to engage and provide torque translation between the inner and the outer carriers. A piston is adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure to cause the multi-disk clutch pack to engage. A first cavity is adapted to be selectively supplied with pressurized fluid to actuate the piston. A second cavity is adapted to be selectively supplied with pressurized fluid to provide cooling to the multi-disk clutch pack. A first fluid passage adapted to provide pressurized fluid to the first cavity, and a second fluid passage is adapted to provide pressurized fluid to the second fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Heinrich, Hans Juergen Hauck, Michael Schaefer
  • Evaporative emission canister purge actuation monitoring system
    Patent number: 7431022
    Abstract: An evaporative emission canister purge actuation monitoring system includes an integrated valve body having a main flow passage, a first one-way umbrella valve mounted to the valve body that is responsive to predetermined positive pressure in the main flow passage to control flow of fluid from a vapor canister to ambient air as well as a second one-way umbrella valve that is responsive to a predetermined negative pressure in the main flow passage to control the flow of ambient air through a fresh air port. A vacuum actuated switch is supported by the integrated valve body and in electrical communication with a control unit. The switch is responsive to negative pressure in the main flow passage to send a signal indicative of the predetermined negative pressure to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Mahle Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhouxuan Xia, Kevin Mulkeran, Wing Chan, Hans Jensen
  • Vehicle occupant sensing system having guiding ribs
    Patent number: 7428942
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant sensing system for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat assembly. The vehicle occupant sensing system includes a base, an upper slide member supported for movement toward and away from the base, and at least one guiding rib. The guiding rib extends from one of the upper slide member and the base toward the other of the upper slide member and the base so as to guide movement of the upper slide member toward and away from the base. The vehicle occupant sensing system may be employed in a vehicle seat assembly to detect a condition of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Faisal K. Sallam, Oliver J. Young
  • Oven protection system for a thermo-forming machine
    Patent number: 7429168
    Abstract: An oven protection system for a thermo-forming machine having a source of heat for heating a workpiece. The oven protection system includes a barrier that is movable from a stored position to a deployed position between the source of heat and the workpiece in response to a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Albert O. Petersen
  • Machined manifold and method of making same
    Patent number: 7418775
    Abstract: A manifold for conveying injection molding material into a mold from a molding material supply and method for making same includes a main flow member having a central flow passage extending through the main flow member along a longitudinal axis of the main flow member. The main flow member also includes a plurality of branching passages each transverse to and in fluid communication with the central flow passage. The main flow member has an outer surface that is generally round in cross sectional shape. The outer surface is machined so as to be generally round in cross sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Plastic Engineering & Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Tooman
  • Traffic detection and signal system and method therefor
    Patent number: 7408479
    Abstract: A traffic detection and signal system for pathways within an industrial work environment and method therefor includes at least one sensor positioned to detect objects approaching a pathway intersection and at least one visual indicator electronically linked to the at least one sensor to visually indicate that an object is approaching. The system further includes a controller electronically coupled to the at least one sensor and visual indicator to receive a signal that an object is approaching a pathway intersection and transmit a signal to energize the at least one visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Door-Man Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Andrew P. Johnson
  • Adhesive system and method of making same
    Patent number: 7404483
    Abstract: An adhesive system and method of making same includes a package that defines a chamber, a resin component disposed within the chamber, and a hardener component disposed within the chamber. At least one of the resin component and the hardener component includes a photo-curable ingredient and is through cured to thereby prevent chemical reaction between the resin component and the hardener component within the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard B. Wallace
  • Furniture glide assembly
    Patent number: 7404232
    Abstract: A glide assembly is adapted to be removably mounted to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture. The glide assembly includes a body defining a bore extending partially through the body to define an interior surface and an opened end of the body. An insert is removably mountable about the free end of the leg and disposed within the bore of the body so as to fixedly secure the body about the free end of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: John Chase
  • Vehicle occupant sensing system having enclosed sensor assembly
    Patent number: 7405370
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant sensing system adapted for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat assembly that includes at least one emitter and at least one sensor disposed in spaced relationship to the emitter. The sensor is operable to detect relative distance to the emitter to thereby detect the condition of the vehicle seat assembly. The vehicle occupant sensing system also includes at least one sensor assembly with a base and an upper slide member slidingly supported for movement toward and away from the base. The upper slide member includes an exterior surface that is continuous to thereby block contaminants from entering the sensor assembly. Also, at least one of the emitter and the sensor is supported by the upper slide member. The vehicle occupant sensing system may be employed in a vehicle seat to detect a condition of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Faisal K. Sallam, Novy A. Medallo, Oliver J. Young
  • Vehicle occupant sensing system having a retention member for a biasing member
    Patent number: 7402769
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant sensing system for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat assembly that includes at least one base and at least one upper slide member supported for movement toward and away from the base. The upper slide member is movable in response to the condition of the vehicle seat assembly. The vehicle occupant sensing system further includes at least one biasing member for biasing the upper slide member away from the base. At least one of the base and the upper slide member includes at least one retention member that is adapted for retaining the biasing member. The vehicle occupant sensing system may be employed in a vehicle seat to detect a condition of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Faisal K. Sallam, Novy A. Medallo, Oliver J. Young
  • Tandem windshield wiper system with bellcrank linkage
    Patent number: 7392565
    Abstract: A tandem windshield wiper system including a first windshield wiper assembly having a first lever arm that is adapted to operatively move in a repeated wiping motion across the surface of a windshield. A second windshield wiper assembly having a second lever arm is spaced apart from the first windshield wiper assembly and is rotatable about a second wiper longitudinal axis and adapted to operative move in a repeated wiping motion across the surface of the windshield. A brushless DC motor that includes a planetary gear set having an output shaft is disposed between the first and the second wiper assemblies. The gear set is operable to reduce the speed of the rotational output of the motor through the output shaft of said gear set. A bellcrank having a central attachment point and a first and a second end is also included. The central attachment point is fixedly mounted to the output shaft of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Trico Products Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Holbrook, Michael W. Wilson, Arman Moein, David Emery Peck
  • Vehicle seat having active head restraint system
    Patent number: 7393052
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an active head restraint system. The active head restraint system includes a head restraint adapted to move between an upright position and an operative position relative to the seatback frame in response to an input force applied to the active head restraint system. The head restraint is biased to resist movement away from the upright position and toward the operative position. Also, the resistance to movement of the head restraint decreases as the head restraint moves away from the upright position and toward the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Gerald Locke
  • Vehicle seat release assembly
    Patent number: 7393056
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat backrest, bottom, and frame. The seat frame operatively supports the seat bottom and further has a seat backrest rotating assembly that is adapted to allow the seat backrest to move between an upright position and a folded position in which the seat backrest is folded down upon the seat bottom. A hinge mechanism allows the rear of the seat frame to be rotatively lifted upward and forward to move the seat frame to a tumbled position. A first latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat backrest in the upright position. A second latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat bottom to the vehicle floor. A release assembly is adapted to cause the first and the second latching mechanisms to be selectively released and has a release member and a pulley assembly to provide a mechanical advantage for operating the release assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: James G. O'Connor
  • Replaceable stool assembly
    Patent number: 7393049
    Abstract: A replaceable stool assembly is adapted to be removably mounted to the free end of a tubing of a piece of furniture. The assembly includes a base portion adapted to be removably mounted to the free end of the tubing and defining a plurality of reinforcing ribs disposed on the base portion for adding structural integrity to the base portion. The stool assembly further includes a seat portion adapted to operatively support a user of the assembly and be nestingly received by and removably supported on the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: John Chase
  • Tandem windshield wiper system with direct drive motor
    Patent number: 7389561
    Abstract: A tandem windshield wiper system that includes at least one brushless DC motor to provide drive torque through an output that is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the motor. A first windshield wiper assembly having a first lever arm is driven by the motor about the longitudinal axis in a repeated wiping motion across the surface of a windshield. A second windshield wiper assembly spaced apart from the first windshield wiper assembly has a second lever arm and is rotatable about a second longitudinal axis to operative move in a repeated wiping motion across the surface of the windshield. A connecting arm is also included that is operatively disposed between the first and the second lever arms that is adapted to translate the drive torque provided to the first windshield wiper assembly to the second windshield wiper assembly. The motor includes a planetary gear set having an output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Trico Products Corporation
    Inventors: John Bledsoe, Arman Moein, David Emery Peck
  • Multi-functional tool assembly for processing tool of waste processing machine
    Patent number: 7384011
    Abstract: A multi-functional tool assembly for a waste processing machine includes waste reducer to reduce waste material. The multi-functional tool assembly also includes a single tool to support the waste reducer. The tool includes a head, a fan, and a shaft integrally formed therein. The fan is disposed radially below the waste reducer to aggressively output reduced waste material from the waste processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Leward Nile Smith