Patents Examined by David A. Bucci
  • Patent number: 11965279
    Abstract: A shell structure of a clothing treating device comprises a rear U-shaped plate, the rear U-shaped plate being bent at two vertical lines to form a left side wall, a right side wall and a rear side wall of a shell, with a cross section being U-shaped. The left side wall and the right side wall are respectively provided with at least one handle part, and the rear U-shaped plate is provided with an air vent communicating with an inside of the shell. As a result, the shell structure of a machine body of the clothing treating device is simplified, the strength is improved, and the assembly efficiency is improved. Also, an air duct arranged in the clothing treating device communicates with the air vent, so that the purpose of exchanging air with the outside through the air vent is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER LAUNDRY ELECTRIC APPLIANCES CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenwei Li, Benfu Xing, Xinhua Zhang, Shaolei Yi, Tong Yu
  • Patent number: 11952700
    Abstract: A drum washing machine, and a control method and a control apparatus for same are provided. The control method for the drum washing machine comprises the following steps: acquiring an average starting power of a drum in a starting process of the drum; acquiring a load range to which a current load of the drum belongs according to the average starting power; and setting a weighing protection velocity fluctuation threshold according to the load range to which the current load of the drum belongs. A value of the current load is obtained by using a correspondence between load with different weights and average starting powers. A weighing protection velocity fluctuation threshold is set according to the value of the current load to avoid the collision with the drum and non-dehydration in case of only one piece of clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GUANGDONG WELLING MOTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Xu, Liming Gong, Xiangnan Qin
  • Patent number: 11946195
    Abstract: A programmable automated clothes washer, transfer, and dryer system is disclosed. The programmable automated clothes washer, transfer, and dryer system allows a person doing laundry to program in a load of laundry to be washed. The programmable automated clothes washer, transfer, and dryer system goes through the wash cycle, spins the clothes, and then transfers the clothes from the washer internally to the dryer, then the dryer starts after the transfer and dries them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Russell Glenn Petrie
  • Patent number: 11945011
    Abstract: A pipe cleaning assembly has a connection fixture having a body defining a cavity. A first aperture, opposing first auxiliary aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, second aperture, and opposing second auxiliary aperture coaxially aligned with the second aperture are in fluid communication with the cavity. A first connection flange extends from and surrounds the first aperture, a second connection flange extends from and surrounds the second aperture, a third connection flange extends from and surrounds the first auxiliary aperture, and a fourth connection flange extends from and surrounds the second auxiliary aperture. A first valve is connected to the third connection flange to control fluid flow through the first auxiliary aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Michel K. Lovell
  • Patent number: 11939715
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head including a nozzle face in which a nozzle is formed and configured to discharge a liquid, a carriage on which the liquid discharge head is mounted, and a guide shaft configured to hold the carriage movably. The liquid discharge apparatus further includes a driver configured to move the carriage, and a coupling between the carriage and the driver. The coupling is disposed on an axis of the guide shaft in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the guide shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Sunaoshi
  • Patent number: 11939716
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus including a drum configured to receive laundry, a tub in which the drum is built, a main body in which the drum and the tub are disposed, detergent drawer compartments provided in the main body to be withdrawn from or inserted in the main body, a spray nozzle configured to spray washing water to the detergent drawer compartments, a water-collecting container disposed below the tub to receive the washing water, a washing line configured to supply the washing water of the water-collecting container to the spray nozzle, a circulation line configured to supply the washing water of the water-collecting container into the drum, and a flow-path conversion pump configured to receive the washing water from the water-collecting container and supply the washing water selectively to the washing line or the circulation line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seokhyun Ban, Taehee Lee, Joonho Pyo, Dohyun Jung
  • Patent number: 11920276
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a first treating apparatus having a first front panel, and a first drum disposed therein for accommodating laundry therein; a second treating apparatus disposed below the first treating apparatus to support the first treating apparatus, wherein the second treating apparatus has a second front panel, and a second drum disposed therein for accommodating laundry therein; and a control panel disposed between the first front panel and the second front panel. The control panel communicates a signal with the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youngho Jung, Minsu Kim, Yunhong Park
  • Patent number: 11910982
    Abstract: A recyclable container containing a substrate treatment liquid, configured for fluid connection to a fluid communication system of a substrate treatment machine e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Conopco Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Jane Cooke, David Moorfield
  • Patent number: 7070529
    Abstract: A power transmission belt having a load carrying band with a length, and a plurality of blocks attached to the load carrying band at preselected, spaced intervals along the length of the load carrying band. The plurality of blocks have a thickness (t), measured in a direction along the length of the load carrying band, and a width (W), measured in a direction transversely to the length of the load carrying band. Each of the plurality of blocks is made from synthetic resin material and has no shape-determining insert therein. The synthetic resin material is made from a synthetic resin having a bending modulus of 15 to 20 GPa. The ratio of t/W is from 0.11 to 0.20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuji Tsuji, Takehiko Ito
  • Patent number: 7059214
    Abstract: In an electronic control unit, a transmission control module for controlling an automatic transmission and a position sensor for detecting the range position of the automatic transmission are built in a common unit case. A first member and a second member to be fitted at the time of mounting the electronic control unit on an automatic transmission case are directed in the mounting direction when mounted on the automatic transmission case, and a third member is mounted on those two members. A predetermined clearance is formed at a predetermined portion on the mounting path between the automatic transmission case and the third member. When the electronic control unit is mounted on the automatic transmission case, therefore, the clearance on the mounting path inbetween absorbs the positional deviation between the first member and the second member thereby to facilitate the mounting work. Thus, the mounting workability of a position sensor built-in electronic control unit on an automatic transmission is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotaka Murakami, Naoto Ogasawara, Kenji Suzuki, Kohichi Ichigo
  • Patent number: 7037227
    Abstract: An improved pneumatic tensioner apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus including: a main drive belt; a chuck assembly, suspended from said main drive belt, having a spinning member and a drive contact portion; a first frictional drive belt in a first track in contact with said drive contact portion operative to spin said chuck assembly; a first tension adjusting device operative to apply pressure to said first frictional drive belt tangentially to said drive contact portion; a second frictional drive belt disposed in at least one idler roller on an opposite side of said chuck assembly to said first frictional drive belt, said second frictional drive belt in contact with said drive contact portion; and a second tension adjusting device operative to apply pressure to said second frictional drive belt tangentially to said drive contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packing Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Russell Varone, Michael Deitz
  • Patent number: 7017444
    Abstract: A transmission for a bicycle pedal has a fixed axle with an end operatively connected to a wheel of the bicycle and a guide axle connected to the fixed axle to form a crank. A bicycle pedal is rotatably mounted on a slider which is movably mounted on a guide portion of the guide rod for translation therealong. The ration of gyration of the pedal can be varied by sliding the pedal along the guide axle and/or telescoping the guide axle relative to the fixed axle. The slider and mounted pedal can be rotated toward the bicycle frame for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Jun-Suck Kim
  • Patent number: 7008107
    Abstract: A linear motion guide unit has a guide rail made of a thin plate, and a stopper construction installed detachably to the guide rail to prevent a slider from becoming untethered while on a sliding movement relative to the guide rail. A linear motion guide unit is disclosed in which a slider fits for linearly sliding movement in a guide rail made of a thin steel material formed in an U-shape in cross section, and there is provided a stopper construction to keep the slider against getting out of the guide rail. The stopper construction is comprised of a stopper pin installed detachably to the guide rail at any lengthwise end thereof to cause the stopper pin to bear against any fore-and-aft end of widthwise opposing side walls of the slider, whereby the slider comes to rest to prevent it from becoming untethered from the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 7004860
    Abstract: A belt type infinite variable-speed drive using a ball-screw mechanism is compact and noise-free. A nut of the ball-screw mechanism is fixed to a casing and a threaded shaft is rotatably coupled to a movable pulley member through a ball bearing so that ball circulating portions on the nut will not rotate while the movable pulley member is movable axially. Also, the ball circulating portions, which are low in load bearing capacity, are oriented in such a direction that a load hardly acts on the ball-screw mechanism. This makes it possible to compactly and rationally design a belt type infinite variable-speed drive and to suppress noise due to vibration of balls in the ball circulating portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Yoshida, Kiyotake Shibata, Masahiro Nobutomo, Morihisa Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6997836
    Abstract: Protrusions formed on an inner peripheral surface of at least an innermost metal ring of a belt for a continuously variable transmission are initially worn. An average contact width w of the protrusions, measured in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the metal ring, is equal to or less than 16 ?m. The development of pitching at a top of the protrusion in a depthwise direction is inhibited. Shallow pitching is eliminated due to the contact between the protrusion and a metal element, which prevents the generation of cracks. When the metal ring and the metal element are conformed to each other, the average Hertz's surface pressure is lowered, whereby the pitching is difficult to occur. Also, the top of the protrusion is worn, leading to an improved surface roughness, whereby the lubrication is enhanced, resulting in an enhancement of metal ring durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Kanehara, Mamoru Arikawa, Toru Yagasaki
  • Patent number: 6991065
    Abstract: To lubricate a length of track, a plurality of lubricating nozzles are provided. Each nozzle is fed by the output of a single positive displacement pump, and all the pumps are controlled by a computer. Vibration sensors, sound sensors, or L/V ratio sensors detect physical qualities which occur as a train passes a given point, and another detector measures the time between successive wheels on the truck of a car as it passes a given point to measure train speed. The computer compares the output readings measured by the detector to a table of outputs in its memory that are indicative of a lubricated track to determine if lubrication is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventors: Carlton L. Leslie, Kevin Kostelny-Vogts
  • Patent number: 6981430
    Abstract: A vehicular steering apparatus includes a column bracket secured to a steering column; and a fixing bracket secured to a vehicle body. The column bracket includes a top plate and a pair of side plates. The fixing bracket supports the column bracket via a support shaft. A support-shaft through hole formed in each of the side plates of the column bracket includes a slot extended along a longitudinal direction of the steering column. A resilient member is interposed between the top plate of the column bracket and a confronting portion of the support shaft. The resilient member biases the support shaft along a predetermined biasing direction to restrict play of the support shaft in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Murakami, Hiroaki Shinto, Shuzo Hirakushi
  • Patent number: 6973850
    Abstract: The transmission gear shift lever device has a variable select lever ratio adapted to accommodate most of the operating mechanisms of the conventional transmission gear shift (TGS) lever device without major design changes. The select lever ratio is a ratio of rotating angle of a select lever relative to the rotating angle of the TGS lever and can be varied during the select manipulation of the TGS lever, such that all shift stages in a 6-speed transmission can be controlled while the rotating angle of the TGS lever during the select manipulation is maintained at the same size as that of a conventional TGS lever device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yong-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 6969331
    Abstract: A synthetic resin guide for a chain, or other flexible transmission medium comprises a synthetic resin guide body having a shoe on which the transmission medium slides, and a slotted, plate-receiving portion integrally molded on the back side of the shoe for receiving a reinforcing plate. The plate-receiving portion is composed of a pair of opposed, longitudinally extending, slot-defining walls. A convex pressing member, integrally molded with one of the walls protrudes into the slot through a partially cut-away portion of the wall and exerts a resilient pressing force on the reinforcing plate. The guide suppresses shock noises due to wobbling of the guide during operation. Increased molding tolerances are made possible, and higher productivity in the assembly of the guide is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Masahiko Konno
  • Patent number: 6966237
    Abstract: The first gear/reverse gate switch of the present invention includes a detent switch including a contact pin and a contact switch. When a manual transmission is shifted to a gear not in the first gear/reverse gate, the contact pin of the detent switch engages a recessed portion on a detent mechanism such that the contact pin does not engage the contact switch. This indicates that the transmission is not in a gear in the first gear/reverse gate. When the manual transmission is shifted to a gear in the first gear/reverse gate, the interlock moves the detent, pushing the contact pin into engagement with the contact switch. This indicates that the transmission is in a gear in the first gear/reverse gate. The spring forces the detent into a “relaxed position” when not in the first gear or the reverse gate, breaking switch contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Scheib, Peggy M. Garrett