Patents Examined by Gene O. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11845514
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket for a sprocket cassette comprises a sprocket main body which extends about a virtual sprocket axis about which the sprocket is rotatable during intended operation on a bicycle. In the case of a single release tooth being formed, a release-side stabilizing tooth is arranged in the circumferential region of extent of an upshift recess formation. The release-side stabilizing tooth has an inner tooth contact surface which has a greater axial spacing to an axial reference position than an inner tooth contact surface of the reference tooth. Additionally, or alternatively, in the case of a single catch tooth being formed, a receiving-side stabilizing tooth is arranged in the circumferential region of extent of a downshift recess formation. The receiving-side stabilizing tooth has an inner tooth contact surface which has a greater axial spacing to the axial reference position than the inner tooth contact surface of the reference tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Buechner, Alex Buettner, Sebastian Heyna, Pierre Kommer, Arndt Puls, Jakob Rohmer, Andreas Vonend
  • Patent number: 11846350
    Abstract: A damper apparatus for a belt element of a belt transmission includes a sliding surface, a bearing receptacle, a first rail half and a second rail half. The sliding surface is arranged to contact a strand of the belt element to dampen the belt element. The bearing receptacle is arranged to align the sliding surface with the strand such that the sliding surface defines a strand travel direction, normal to a transversal direction. The first rail half has a first plunge opening with a first hook lid, and the second rail half has a second plunge opening with a second hook lid. The first rail half and the second rail half are interlockingly connected in contact to each other crosswise to the strand travel direction, and the first hook lid is arranged to plunge into the second plunge opening behind the second hook lid in a gripping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nicolas Schehrer
  • Patent number: 11845515
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical derailleur for mounting on a rear wheel axis. The derailleur has a stationary element, a pivoting mechanism, a movable element having a chain guide arrangement, and a gearing housing. The gearing housing receives an electromechanical drive for driving the pivoting mechanism. The stationary element defines a housing void in which the gearing housing is disposed, and has a fastener for a power source. The power source is fastened to the stationary element such that said power source is electrically connected to the electromechanical drive in the gearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Boehm, Sebastian Dueweling
  • Patent number: 11845089
    Abstract: A magnetic drawer separator incorporating at least a first permanent magnet series having a longitudinal, oppositely longitudinal, and outer ends, each permanent magnet having an opening; a longitudinally extending hollow bore within the at least first permanent magnet series, the bore being formed by the permanent magnets' openings; at least a first shaft having longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends, the longitudinal end of the at least first shaft engaging the at least first permanent magnet series within the bore; at least a first wiper engaging the outer end of the at least first permanent magnet series; and a frame having longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends, wherein the at least first wiper is fixedly attached to the frame's longitudinal end, and wherein the at least first shaft is fixedly attached to the frame's oppositely longitudinal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Bunting Magnetics Co.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Jackson, Donald A. Suderman, Marc A. Suderman
  • Patent number: 11847881
    Abstract: A vending machine system adapted to open and prepare a contained food item. The system includes a cabinet, a rack frame supported relative to the cabinet, a shelf coupled to the rack frame and configured to support a contained food item, a lid removal apparatus supported relative to the rack frame, and a food item actuator supported relative to the rack frame. The cabinet includes a refrigerated compartment housing the rack frame and a partition separating and selectively allowing access between the refrigerated compartment and a preparation compartment. The lid removal apparatus is configured to selectively retain a lid of the contained food item. The food item actuator is configured to move a container of the contained food item to the preparation compartment of the cabinet while the lid of the contained food item is retained by the lid removal apparatus subsequent to translation of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: 24/7 PIZZA BOX, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Mayhew, David Chessler
  • Patent number: 11840315
    Abstract: In an adjustment mode for a derailleur of a bicycle, acceleration values from an accelerometer of the derailleur are sampled as the derailleur moves through sprockets of a rear sprocket assembly. Acceleration signal powers are identified based on the sampled acceleration values, and potential rasping positions are identified based on thresholding of the acceleration signal powers. The identified potential rasping positions are compared to expected rasping positions, and adjustment for the derailleur is set based on a minimum error between the identified potential rasping positions and the expected rasping positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Sage Hahn
  • Patent number: 11840396
    Abstract: A dog waste bag dispenser device includes: a frame with a roll opening and an elongated opening, an axle assembly, a lower frame, and a bag clip with a slit; such that the waste bag dispenser device holds a dog waste bag roll, such that the dog waste bag dispenser device enables a user to easily remove a dog waste bag from the dog waste bag roll. The dog waste bag dispenser device also includes an attachment ring, which is configured to attach the dog waste bag dispenser device to an article of clothing or an object for easy portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Roger W. Iles
  • Patent number: 11833112
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for counting discrete objects, said apparatus comprises of a hopper 1; an incline feeder 2 containing an inlet and an outlet; a single optical zone that allows detection of the discrete objects 10 entering from the feeder outlet; a controller which provides the count of the discrete objects; a screen for displaying the count of the discrete objects; wherein the incline feeder outlet is arranged orthogonally to the optical zone. The present invention discloses a method for counting discrete objects comprising the steps of inputting the discrete objects 10 into the hopper 1; passing the discrete objects through the incline feeder 2 such that they enter into the optical zone; optical zone sensing the entering discrete object 10 and transmitting a signal to the controller; displaying the count on a screen; dispensing the counted discrete objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Electronic Engineering LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Dworkin, Emily Dworkin
  • Patent number: 11837059
    Abstract: A method for dispensing a beverage container to a consumer. The method includes receiving in a beverage container dispenser a first beverage container that contains a beverage corresponding to a beverage selection of a user. The method further includes dispensing a second beverage container containing the beverage from a temperature-regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser. The second beverage container that is dispensed from the temperature-regulated compartment corresponds to the beverage selection of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Deshpande, Gurmeet Singh Bhutani, Brian D. Kelly, Wilton Brown
  • Patent number: 11834131
    Abstract: A rear derailleur is provided, including: a base, configured to be mounted to a bicycle; a linkage assembly, connected to the base; a movable member, rotatably connected to the linkage assembly; a chain guide, rotatably connected to the movable member by an axle assembly; a biasing member, located between the movable member and the chain guide, positioned to the movable member and the chain guide; a resistance mechanism, connected to the movable member; and a cap member, covering the resistance mechanism and driving the resistance mechanism, rotatably positionable in either of a first position and a second position, wherein when the cap member is positioned in the first position, the resistance mechanism provides a first resistance, and when the cap member is positioned in the second position, the resistance mechanism provides a second resistance which is different from the first resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: AD-II ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Hao Su, Yu-Hsuan Cheng, Kai-Hung Hu
  • Patent number: 11829948
    Abstract: A system includes a longitudinal rack storing a plurality of packs of cigarettes, a shoe movably attached to the rack, a magnet coupled to the shoe and a longitudinal circuit board arranged along the length of the rack. The circuit board includes an array of sensors along the length of the rack, wherein spacing between each pair of sensors equals a thickness of a pack stored in the rack. Each sensor generates a voltage value depending on a position of the magnet in relation to the sensor. The circuit board further includes a memory storing voltage values generated by the sensors, and a processor configured to monitor voltage values generated by the sensors, detect that a particular sensor has generated a maximum voltage value and determine a number of packs stored in the rack based on a particular number of packs corresponding to the particular sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: 7-ELEVEN, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew O'Daniel Redmond
  • Patent number: 11828691
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing fluids are described. In various aspects, a fluid processing system may include a magnetic assembly that includes a plurality of magnetic structures configured to generate a magnetic field gradient within a fluid container. The magnetic structures may be formed as a plurality of electromagnets configured to be individually actuated by a controller. Each of the electromagnets may generate a magnetic field within the fluid container. The electromagnets may be differentially actuated to create a magnetic field gradient within the fluid container to agitate, mix, or otherwise influence magnetic particles disposed within the fluid container. Activation of the electromagnets of an electromagnetic structure may generate a magnetic field gradient that influences magnetic particles in an x-y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DH Technologies Development Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Don W. Arnold, Thomas R. Covey, Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11827455
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly is provided for use with a mobile vehicle. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor module. The conveyor module includes a first roller assembly. The first roller assembly includes a first rotatable roller body and a second rotatable roller body. The first and second roller bodies are interconnected to each other in such a manner as to share a first rotational axis yet be at least substantially rotationally independent of each other, such that each of the first and second roller bodies can rotate without causing or interfering with rotation of the other of the first and second roller bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua M. Biro, William D. Moore
  • Patent number: 11830310
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to dispensing and jammed item release techniques. A dispensing system comprises an arrangement of passages; a first device operable to move in a lateral direction along the arrangement of passages; a second device operable to move in a vertical direction along the arrangement of passages; a third device operable to extend or retract into a passage; and a cover operable to move toward and away from the arrangement of passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Trinity Axis Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Davidar, Jeremiah Divyan David
  • Patent number: 11821504
    Abstract: A split sprocket for use in a modular conveyor belt is disclosed. The split sprocket includes first and second portions that may be selectively arranged in a first configuration in which the sprocket maintains a fixed axial position on the shaft and a second configuration in which the sprocket can axially float along the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Roozeboom
  • Patent number: 11819885
    Abstract: Provided is a method for processing electronic and electrical device component scraps, which can selectively recover a substrate scrap including a substance intended to be recovered. A method for processing electronic and electrical device component scraps, including separating a substrate with lead wires contained in the electronic and electrical device component scraps before sorting the electronic and electrical device component scraps by magnetic sorting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: JX METALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsushi Aoki, Hidetoshi Sasaoka
  • Patent number: 11823500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module (100) for dispensing tickets, comprising: a chassis (1) holding a plurality of cassettes (3) each comprising a housing for housing a book of tickets and a dispensing mechanism, and a movable robot (2) configured to be selectively coupled with one of the cassettes (3). The robot comprises: an actuator (21) for extracting a terminal portion of the book by actuating the dispensing mechanism of the cassette, and a reception device receiving this terminal portion. The reception device and the dispensing mechanism are jointly configured to align a separation line of the terminal portion of the book with a separating device, and/or to tension said terminal portion in order to allow the ticket to be separated by the separating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sadamel SA
    Inventors: Fabien Claude, Fabian Sommer
  • Patent number: 11814248
    Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamically detecting an item within a conveyor zone are disclosed herein. An example method may comprise: accessing a load condition data object, wherein the load condition data object is indicative of a force exerted on at least one conveyor zone, processing the load condition data object using a weight condition detection model to generate a weight condition indication associated with the at least one conveyor zone, and causing one or more prediction-based actions to be performed based at least in part on the weight condition indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventors: Senthil Ramesh, Kalirajan Chelliah, Murugavel Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 11814206
    Abstract: A method of adjusting accelerations within a packaging machine includes determining the dimensions and frictional coefficients of each product or group of products that are placed on a product feeder 106. Acceleration profiles of first and second drive lines 200, 202 can be adjusted to ensure that the products are moved through the packaging machine at appropriate speeds and accelerations. The method may ensure that the products maintain proper positions throughout the packaging process so that the products are not damaged, and the packaging process is not hindered. A packaging machine with means for determining the coefficient of friction associated with a product is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Packsize LLC
    Inventor: Niklas Pettersson
  • Patent number: 11813643
    Abstract: A sifter insert for use in a sifting device has an insert frame and a screening media affixed thereto. An insert frame air channel is located within the insert frame. The sifter insert is sized to be received in a sifter box frame of an associated sifter box. The sifter box frame has a box frame air channel in fluid communication with the insert box frame channel of the received sifter insert. The passage of air through the box frame air channel and the insert frame air channel may cool the sifter box and the insert frame, and may cool the screening media and the material being sifted thereon. Channel holes in the insert frame may direct air from the insert frame air channel to the screening surface of the screening media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Hristos Lefas, Malcolm Lawrence Baird