Patents Represented by Attorney Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.

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  • Multiple-cam, posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis
    Patent number: 8273132
    Abstract: A distal femoral knee-replacement component provides additional points of cam action by either distinct bars or interconnected structural elements such as cam extensions to prevent early translation of the knee or dislocation of the femoral component over the tibial post which can occur in cruciate-substituting designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Michael A. Masini
  • Easy install guide slot with snap tab
    Patent number: 8267614
    Abstract: A rear loaded part for attaching to a mounting plate having a mating part with a pair of parallel side walls each having a proximate end attached to the mounting plate. An upper surface, which extends between the pair of parallel side wall, includes an aperture and an elongated rib extending parallel to the pair of parallel side walls. The rear loaded part having a pair of parallel guide rails with a proximate end and an opposite distal end. The pair of parallel guide rails extends outwardly from the rear loaded part to define an elongated channel which is dimensioned to receive the elongated rib of the mating part. A pair of tabs extends outwardly from the pair of guide rails, and are dimensioned to snap into the aperture of the upper surface to releasably lock the rear loaded part to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Bie Khoe
  • Cleaning apparatus
    Patent number: 8266757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular to a portable hand cleaner, having a plurality of cleaning members which are in particular of brush type and which are arranged at a common carrier and can be set into rotation by means of a fluid, in particular water, supplied to the cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Process for testing a detector mounted within a duct
    Patent number: 8266974
    Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Apparatus for the recovery of hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil shale and sands via multi-stage condensation
    Patent number: 8262866
    Abstract: A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
  • Occupant protection device
    Patent number: 8262129
    Abstract: An occupant protection device includes a plurality of gas generators that actuate respective mechanisms, and a control portion that actuates the gas generators. If a condition for actuating at least one of the gas generators is fulfilled and a condition for actuating the other gas generators are unfulfilled, the other gas generators are controlled by the control portion at a timing that is uninfluential on an actuation state of one of the mechanism actuated by the one of the gas generators and that is different from a preset timing for actuating the other mechanisms actuated by the other gas generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Shuji Yamada
  • Controller for motor drive control system
    Patent number: 8264181
    Abstract: In a control of an AC motor that uses a PWM control and a rectangular-wave control, when switching is conducted from the rectangular-wave control to the PWM control, a current command generated in a current command generation unit is corrected so as to smooth the variations in a time axis direction on the basis of a target torque command value by taking the final current state in the rectangular-wave control immediately prior to switching as an initial value, thereby generating a current command after the correction. An inverter is current feedback-controlled based on the current command after the correction. As a result, the continuity from the current state immediately prior to switching of the rectangular-wave control can be ensured for the current command in the PWM control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yamakawa, Kenji Yamada, Yutaka Kuromatsu
  • Apparatus and methods for the recovery of hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil/tar sands
    Patent number: 8261831
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods recover hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil/tar sands. The method includes the steps of forming a hole in a body of oil or tar sand, positioning an apertured sleeve within the hole to minimize fill-in of the sand, positioning a gas inlet conduit into the apertured sleeve, and introducing a heated, pressurized processing gas into the sleeve through the gas inlet conduit, such that the heated, pressurized processing gas penetrates into the sand through the apertures, thereby converting bitumen within the sand into hydrocarbonaceous products. The processing gas and hydrocarbonaceous products are withdrawn as effluent gas through the hole under relative negative pressure. A mesh screen may be supported between the apertured sleeve and the body of oil or tar sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
  • Roll mill
    Patent number: 8262006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roll mill having a grinding plate rotatable about an axis of rotation, at least one grinding roller in rolling engagement with the grinding plate, and a main drive for driving the grinding plate. An auxiliary drive for driving the grinding plate, and a regulating device are also provided, the regulating device including at least one damping regulator which regulates the auxiliary drive in dependence on torque variations of the main drive and/or variations in the speed of rotation of the grinding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Polysius AG
    Inventors: Markus Berger, Pedro Guerrero Palma
  • Multilevel facet/laminar fixation system
    Patent number: 8262696
    Abstract: In a spinal stabilization system a facet fixation device is interconnected to an anchor or fixation device driven into a portion of the spine. The facet fixation device has a proximal head and a distal fastener providing compression across a facet joint. A rigid or elastic member interconnects the proximal head of the facet fixation device to the anchor or fixation device, facilitating static or dynamic stabilization. The facet fixation device may extend directly across the facet joint, or a translaminar or laminar transverse process facet (LTPF) fixation device may be used. In the preferred embodiment the facet fixation device includes a distal tip which is self-cutting and tapping. The anchor may be a pedicle screw. The fixation device itself be a facet fixation device, and the facet fixation device may be connected to the anchor or fixation through two members joined with a coupling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Medical Design, LLC
    Inventor: Mark H. Falahee
  • Apparatus and method for recycling scrap, including automotive interior trim scrap
    Patent number: 8262959
    Abstract: Useful articles are produced from shredded post-industrial (scrap), including post-consumer automotive interior trim parts obtained from vehicles. Feedstock is shredded into a fluff and mixed with an isocyanate prepolymer adhesive composition. The mixture may be placed into a mold, onto a continuous web or between laminating rolls to cure the mixture under pressure. The curing step can take place at room or elevated temperatures and only requires moisture either from the atmosphere or present in the shredded scrap or fluff. The articles produced may natural wood sheets such as Luan or wood composite boards currently adhered with urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde resins. Other applications include structural or non-structural parts such as bulk heads, roofs, floors or vertical walls used in automotive vehicles, tractor trailers, recreational vehicles or marine vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: TrimaBond LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Katz
  • Wire harness guide and protector
    Patent number: 8262156
    Abstract: A wire harness guide for accurate placement of a wire harness onto a component and protection of the wire harness from rubbing against a surface in near proximity thereof is provided. The wire harness guide can include an elongated bracket having a channel portion extending along a length of the bracket, the channel portion located between an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange can extend along at least a portion of the elongated bracket, as can the lower flange. A side wall can extend between the upper flange and the lower flange and a bend extending transversely across the elongated bracket can be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Marta Ann Fabiilli
  • Determination of a change in a cell population
    Patent number: 8265357
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for determination of a change in a cell population, as well as a method for using said method and system for estimating a quality measure of embryos and for selecting embryos for in vitro fertilization, said method comprising the steps of sequentially acquiring at least two images of the cell population, comparing at least a part of the at least two images obtaining at least one difference image, computing a parameter from the at least one difference image, based on said computed parameter determining whether a change has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Unisense FertiliTech A/S
    Inventors: Niels B. Ramsing, Jorgen Berntsen
  • Control device for automatic transmission
    Patent number: 8265840
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission is disclosed wherein a shift point depending on a variation in vehicle acceleration is modified on a real time basis in accordance with not only a corrected result on a shift point depending on piece-to-piece variations of automatic transmissions, but also actual acceleration for shortening a time required for learning with high precision with no need to be matched. Shift point real-time modifying means is provided for modifying the altered shift point based on a value of a ratio between a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration at an upshift-determining timing during a power-on running and a value of reference engine-rotation acceleration obtained by substituting a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration to a value for a reference running state having no impact on acceleration of a vehicle, and a target maximum engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Watanabe, Masato Kaigawa, Ichiro Kitaori, Masakazu Owatari
  • End surface mounted plugs incorporated into an artificial joint and including cushioned soft plastic between outer hardened plastic layers
    Patent number: 8257444
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an implant for use with a joint defining bone having a three dimensional shape and including a first exposed and joint surface defining layer and an inner most and bone mounting layer. The body further has at least one intermediate layer exhibiting a hardness less than either of the exposed layer and the inner most layer such that, upon mounting the body to a conditioned end of a joint defining bone, it provides the dual features of dynamic cushioning support and external wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Process and structure for servicing a vehicle over a service pit
    Patent number: 8256357
    Abstract: A support for a non-automotive vehicle to be placed over a service pit and allow for servicing of the vehicle is disclosed. In addition, a process for servicing the vehicle is also disclosed. The support can include a support surface that has an engine access opening, a rolling mechanism attached to the support surface that affords for the support surface to roll over a surface at a predetermined height and at least one ramp attached to the support surface. The at least one ramp can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position and the support is dimensioned to roll over the service pit and allow for servicing of the non-automotive vehicle engine. In some instances, the support affords for the non-automotive vehicle to have its oil changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventors: James Kelly, Denise C. Kelly
  • Condom
    Patent number: 8256423
    Abstract: A condom may include pouch having a wall and a frame. The pouch may have an open end and a closed end and the frame may be positioned proximate the open end. An anchoring device may be secured to the pouch proximate the closed end. Further, a harness or accessory attachment may be provided to assist in securing the condom to a user. At least one condom accessory, for stimulating at least one of the five senses, may also be positioned on or in at least one of the pouch, frame, anchor or harness using a variety of attachment methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Osterberg
  • Lighting modifiable photo booth with external process control
    Patent number: 8260127
    Abstract: A photo booth incorporating LED lighting elements configured for causing a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic outer sheeting of the booth having translucent properties to exhibit a desired color, pattern or sequence. The body and associated polycarbonate sheet are typically constructed in an arcuate (rounded or ellipsoidal) shape to create an internal space sufficient for mounting the LED lighting elements as well as the associated interior architecture for operating the booth. An external processor control interfaces with the internal processor associated with the architecture of the booth and for operating such as a digital camera and printer. Security hardware and software components are also provided and for ensuring against non-authorized use of the booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Reno
  • Occupant detection and imaging system
    Patent number: 8260502
    Abstract: An active safety system for a machine and a process for operating the active safety system are disclosed. The active safety system an active ultrasonic array having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers can propagate a plurality of sound waves, receive a plurality of echo waves and transform the plurality of echo waves into a plurality of electrical pulses. The plurality of electrical pulses can be transmitted to and received by a three-dimensional imaging circuit. The three-dimensional imaging circuit can generate a 3D image from the plurality of electrical pulses and an electrical control unit can determine a location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Serdar H. Yonak, Paul D. Schmalenberg
  • Solar-powered hanging plant illuminator
    Patent number: D667579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: RSR Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cohen