Patents Examined by Michael C McCullough
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Patent number: 10538403Abstract: A belt-form body conveyor that conveys a belt-form body includes a plurality of non-contact guide portions over which portions of the belt-form body are wound, and that support the belt-form body in a non-contact manner, and a drive unit that, when viewed in a direction that is perpendicular to a surface of the belt-form body before the belt-form body is supplied to the plurality of non-contact guide portions, causes at least two non-contact guide portions out of the plurality of non-contact guide portions to rotate in the same direction and by the same angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: IHI CORPORATIONInventors: Rui Oohashi, Kensuke Hirata, Tomoo Kusumi, Mareto Ishibashi, Noriaki Hasegawa
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Patent number: 10526157Abstract: A web material advancement arrangement is provided with an entry drive system. The web material advancement arrangement can receive a web material from a storage roll and advance the web material through a machine, such as a packaging machine. The entry drive system may be arranged at the entry end of the web material advancement arrangement to push the web material in a downstream direction from the entry end toward the exit end of the web material advancement arrangement The entry drive system may include a motor that simultaneously rotates a pair of drive sprockets which may push clip assemblies that carry outer edges of a web material so that rotation of the drive sprockets pushes the web material in a downstream direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Jr., Rodney W. Golla
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Patent number: 10518579Abstract: A split offset axle joins a front cycle wheel to a first and a second fork of a cycle. The axle has two rigid structures joined together with a fastener to form a singular axle. The axle has a cylindrical first end, a cylindrical second end and a cylindrical offset center section. The center section locates and supports a cycle wheel hub. The first and the second ends are housed in a pinchable split axle housing of the first and the second fork, respectively. Rotation of the axle adjusts the center section axis to a plurality of positions relative to the forks. The center section is adjusted to a desired position, thereby adjusting the cycle's steering and handling characteristics, the desired position is secured with pinched split axle housings. The pinched split axle housings rotationally and rigidly secure the respective axle ends.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Inventor: Brent Lorscheider
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Patent number: 10494208Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a stacker that stacks sheets of paper; a suction conveyor disposed vertically above the sheets stacked in the stacker for sucking and conveying the sheets; a blower that blows air onto the sheets; and a regulating member disposed on a downstream side of the suction conveyor in a conveyance direction, facing an outlet of the sheets of the suction conveyor and projecting vertically upward, wherein the suction conveyor includes: horizontal portions provided on both ends in a width direction; and a recess provided in an intermediate portion and recessed vertically above the horizontal portions, and a lower limit of a projection height of the regulating member is set so that, when there is a vertical gap between a vertical upper end portion of the regulating member and the horizontal portions, a length of the gap is less than twice a thickness of the sheets.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventor: Hajime Nakamura
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Patent number: 10486931Abstract: Cladding strip feeders having independent pressure rollers and strip cladding systems with cladding strip feeders having independent pressure rollers are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Fabrizio Bernardo Brambilla, Catalin Toma, Domenico Redaelli, Petrus Hermanus Keultjes
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Patent number: 10457516Abstract: A sheet storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving unit which receives a sheet that is discharged from a discharge port at a position below the discharge port, and a sheet butting unit which is provided in the vicinity of the receiving unit and receives a front end portion of the sheet. The sheet butting unit has a projection which is provided on at least one of an inner side surface and an inner upper surface of the sheet butting unit. The projection is configured to be capable of retaining a state of regulating vertically upward movement of the front end portion of the sheet being discharged from the discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takakazu Ohashi, Daiki Anayama, Hiromasa Yoneyama, Yasuyuki Asai, Takuya Suto, Tetsuo Kikuchi, Itaru Wada
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Patent number: 10457514Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a self-contained tension control system. An example self-contained tension control system can include a brake system configured to provide tension friction to a web, a tension transducer to provide tension information indicative of tension of the web, a controller configured to receive the tension information, to compare the tension information to set point information, and to provide a command signal to the brake system, and an enclosure configured to enclose the brake system, the tension transducer, and the controller, the enclosure including a first web opening and a second web opening configured to allow the web to enter the enclosure and to pass through the enclosure to equipment downstream of the self-contained tension control system.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: The Montalvo CorporationInventors: Christopher Osgood, Jonathan Hanson
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Patent number: 10457510Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a return member switchable between a first orientation in which a portion of the return member overlaps a feed roller in a side view of a medium feeding path and a second orientation in which the return member is turned toward a downstream side in a medium feeding direction and does not overlap the feed roller. The return member changes an orientation thereof from the second orientation to the first orientation, thereby returning a medium to an upstream side in the medium feeding direction. When a transport roller disposed downstream of the feed roller is driven in reverse to return the medium to the upstream side and position the medium at a recording start position, the return member takes a third orientation in which the return member is raised toward the upstream side further than in the first orientation.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shinji Kanemaru, Kazuhisa Nakamura, Tatsuya Shirane
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Patent number: 10442070Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held electric tool, in which a main shaft (1) swings back and forth around an axis (11) to drive accessories (9) of the tool to carry out various types of operations. A swing device is provided with an eccentric element (41) capable of reducing the shock caused to a shell (7) by a connecting rod component (3). Another shell (6) is provided with a valve device (5) used for adjusting the flow of air current in different air ducts. The accessories (9) of the tool can be cooled or cleaned through the air current in one of the air ducts. The main shaft (1) is provided with an elastic support (2) used for balancing the load when an electrical motor (8) is operating. The elastic support (2) can replace a bearing in supporting the main shaft (1) swinging back and forth around the axis (11).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Inventor: Guicai Qin
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Patent number: 10441772Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical equipment, more particularly, the use of fluid hoses coupling tanks to cannulas, as part of medical gas therapy, such as oxygen therapy. The invention describes a collection system for managing excess flexible hose that a patient might need to wear for medical reasons such as home oxygen medical therapy. It comprises a collection container, a non-spooling roller system for collecting excess hose into the collection container and extraction from the collection container, and power system to power and control the roller system.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Inventor: Timothy Craig Lucas
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Patent number: 10435102Abstract: The invention allows a rider to operate a bicycle in a recumbent position, and steer the bicycle using a direct underseat steering system. The recumbent position, compared to the typical upright riding position, greatly reduces air resistance and required effort. The direct underseat steering system is mechanically simple, which makes is less costly to manufacture, and the direct steering system is also less likely than linkage-based systems to be damaged in a crash. The frame geometry allows the manufacturer to use inexpensive materials and techniques, while still providing the rider adequate stiffness and durability.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Inventor: Chapin Del Sol White
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Patent number: 10435944Abstract: A mechanical device comprises a master wheel assembly, one or multiple slave wheel assemblies, a control rod, a shaft assembly, as well as multiple pairs of cord holders and cords. The master and slave wheel assemblies are connected by a shaft assembly and are mounted at front edge of a top slat of a Venetian blind. One end of the paired cords is tightened to master and slave wheel assemblies, and the other end is tightened to a user-selected slat that divides the blind into an upper and a lower region. Manipulating the control rod causes master and slave wheel assemblies to tilt slats in the lower region of the blind without interfering slats in the upper region. Combining with operation of slat-adjusting system of Venetian blinds, this device can selectively tilt slats in lower and upper regions of Venetian blinds for privacy and natural lighting adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Inventor: Huishan Duan
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Patent number: 10427754Abstract: A continuous derailleur of a bicycle contains: a drive shaft, a rotary shaft, a brake shaft, and a braking device. The rotary shaft is mounted on the drive shaft. The drive shaft includes a bevel gear member having a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear. The drive shaft includes a first pedal shaft, and the brake shaft includes a first interactive bevel gear and includes the braking device. The rotary shaft includes a second interactive bevel gear and a third interactive bevel gear, and the second interactive bevel gear and the third interactive bevel gear mesh with the second bevel gear of the bevel gear member. The continuous derailleur further contains an output bevel gear, and the output bevel gear is rotatably fitted on the drive shaft, hence the second interactive bevel gear and the third interactive bevel gear mesh with the output bevel gear.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Inventor: Kuen-Chang Lo
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Patent number: 10427905Abstract: An accumulation device is provided with a loading unit, a tensioning unit, an accumulation unit, and unloading unit and a controller. The tensioning unit comprises multiple fixed rollers capable of rolling, and movable rollers capable of rolling and arranged so as to be capable of moving with respect to the fixed rollers. Substrates are conveyed so as to move back and forth alternately between the fixed rollers and the movable rollers in a wrapped state, and a prescribed tensile force is applied to the substrates by a force acting on the moveable rollers in the direction away from the fixed rollers. The controller performs control so as to maintain the positions of the movable rollers in the tensioning unit constant.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Fuji Seal International, Inc.Inventors: Tsukasa Shigehara, Tsutomu Iwakawa, Takanori Tanaka, Masanobu Tatsumi
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Patent number: 10421144Abstract: A wire feeder device for feeding a welding wire in a feeding direction is disclosed. The wire feeder device includes one or more roller chains and a plurality of first and second gripper members. The gripper members are movable from an open position to a closed position to contact and grip the welding wire. In use, the first and second gripper members are longitudinally movable with the roller chain(s) so that the welding wire is pulled along a substantially linear path. The first and second gripper members may be orientated in a vertical (i.e., coplanar) orientation or a horizontal, lateral orientation. The gripper members may include a built-in centering function to center a position of the welding wire.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: ESAB ABInventor: Jorma Kalevi Vesanen
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Patent number: 10412931Abstract: A power lift platform includes a scissors frame arrangement having a first pair of parallel frame members and a second pair of parallel frame members pivotally connected to the first pair of parallel frame members defining an upper part and lower part for each of the frame members about the pivotal connection. A platform is attached to upper parts of the first and second pairs of parallel frame members. An axle is operably connected to a lower part of each of the first pair of parallel frame members. A pair of wheels operably connect to the axle. A first cross bar connects to a lower part of each of the second pair of parallel frame members. A rechargeable battery is operably disposed on a second cross bar. A electric linear actuator pivotally interconnects the second cross member and a third cross members by way of bracket and pivot pin connection.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Inventor: George Bowser
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Patent number: 10407124Abstract: An elliptical drive system for stepper type bikes that needs no chains or sliders for its operation. Its quadrilateral linkage minimizes the vertical motion of the user's feet while guiding the feet in a natural motion that resembles walking. The elliptical drive system is designed to give the stepper bike high ground clearance for traveling on rough terrain. Adjustment apertures on the linkage arms allow the user to adjust the length of linkage arms according to the user's leg length and overall size.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Inventor: Mark Zeb Lewis
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Patent number: 10392218Abstract: A flexible lance drive device has at least one drive motor in a first portion of a housing and a drive axle projecting across a second portion of the housing carrying a cylindrical spline drive roller. A plurality of cylindrical guide rollers on fixed axles span across the second portion of the housing aligned parallel to the spline drive roller. An endless belt wrapped around the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers has a generally smooth outer surface and a transverse splined inner surface having splines shaped complementary to splines on the spline drive roller. A bias member supports a plurality of follower rollers each aligned vertically above one of the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers operable to press each follower roller toward one of rollers to frictionally grip a flexible lance hose when sandwiched between the follower rollers and the endless belt.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.Inventor: Jeffery R. Barnes
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Patent number: 10394168Abstract: A rotator control device includes drivers to drive rotators for sheet conveyance, respectively; and a processor including a selector to select, from the rotators, a pair of a first rotator subjected to rotation speed adjustment and a second rotator adjacent to the first rotator, and an acquisition unit to acquire a torque-related value representing a driving torque value of a driver to drive the second rotator or a value proportional thereto. The processor further includes a speed adjuster to adjust a rotation speed of the first rotator to approximate a variation in the torque-related value to zero. The selector selects a subsequent pair after adjustment of the rotation speed, designates the first rotator of the preceding pair as the second rotator of the subsequent pair, and selects, as the first rotator, a rotator adjacent to the first rotator of the preceding pair, opposite the second rotator of the preceding pair.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Takafumi Seki, Hiromichi Matsuda
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Patent number: 10386774Abstract: A sheet stacker includes a sheet stack table on which a sheet is stacked and a sheet reversing section disposed above the sheet stack table. The sheet reversing section defines a sheet reverse passage to reverse a direction of conveyance of a sheet fed to the sheet reversing section. The sheet reversing section includes a first sheet guide to guide a bottom face of the sheet and a second sheet guide disposed downstream from the first sheet guide in a sheet conveyance direction in which the sheet is fed to the sheet reversing section. The second sheet guide to guide the bottom face of the sheet is attachable to and removable from an apparatus body.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Tadayasu Enomoto, Ryo Takenaka, Daikai Zaitsu