Patents Examined by Sasha T Varghese
  • Patent number: 8480192
    Abstract: An enclosure includes a bottom plate, and a plurality of slide assemblies fixed to the bottom plate. Each of the plurality of slide assemblies includes a fixed member fixed to the bottom plate, and a rotary member rotatably received in the fixed member. The rotary member includes first and second fixed portions, and a wheel. The first fixed portion is fixed to the second fixed portion, the second fixed portion is connected to the fixed member, and the wheel is fixed to the first fixed portion. Each rotary member is operable to be in a first position to expose the respective wheel for moving the enclosure, and in a second position to be received in the respective fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Dong Yuan, Hai-Qing Zhou, Chung-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 8453392
    Abstract: An overhead panel installation system consisting of three components that hold drywall or other panels onto ceiling joists thereby allowing workers to place the panels and let go while they nail or screw the panels to the joists. Component “A” is placed over two top plates of a wall whereby a bent portion of component “A” extends away from the wall and creates a first ledge for a first panel to be held in place. Component “B” is subsequently placed over the end of the secured first panel opposite the wall and creates a second ledge for a second panel to be placed and held. Lastly, component “C” is fitted under a ceiling joist, turned, and locked in place to create a third ledge to further support the second panel. Each of the three components can be simply removed with a twist of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Ralph G. Hurst
  • Patent number: 8457845
    Abstract: A seatbelt control apparatus includes seatbelt control means that controls a motor for retracting a seatbelt; and motor current detecting means that detects a current of the motor. The seatbelt control apparatus further includes jamming determination means, indicator detecting means, and threshold value setting means. The jamming determination means determines whether or not the seatbelt is jammed during take-up operation on the basis of whether or not the motor current detected by the motor current detecting means exceeds a threshold value for jamming determination. The indicator detecting means detects an indicator of a current versus load characteristic of the motor. The threshold value setting means sets the threshold value for jamming determination on the basis of the indicator detected by the indicator detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Takao, Daisuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 8449052
    Abstract: A drawer construction having a floor element surmounted by a plurality of upstanding sidewalls forming a frame includes one or more reinforced connections between the floor element and one or more of the sidewalls. The reinforced connection may include one or more outwardly extending tabs associated with the floor element which are received within appropriately sized and oriented slots defined within a selected sidewall. The sidewall may further include a laterally extending shelf positioned proximate the lower edge of the sidewall and oriented to extend below the floor element such that the floor element rests on the upper surface of the shelf. Mounting supports, positioned on the opposing ends of the sidewall may be secured to adjacently positioned sidewalls to further strengthen the association of the sidewall with the drawer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Matt Briggs, Angelo Gianelo
  • Patent number: 8447464
    Abstract: A method and system for interfacing and communicating between an in-vehicle device such as an on board diagnostic (OBD) system and an existing distance measurement instrument (DMI) are provided. In one embodiment, the interface sends a plurality of vehicle speed requests to the OBD system to obtain a plurality of vehicle speed measurements, uses the plurality of vehicle speed measurements and time stamps associated therewith to compute a distance travelled during a time interval, converts the distance travelled to a series of pulses, and sends the series of pulses to the DMI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: North-Line Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Don Gettner, Bernard Timothy, Val Gretchev, Boris Gretchev
  • Patent number: 8447485
    Abstract: A brake hydraulic pressure controlling apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure block included in a hydraulic pressure unit and including therein a hydraulic circuit, a plurality of electromagnetic valves attached on a surface of the hydraulic pressure block and changing an opening degree of a passage of the hydraulic circuit, and an electronic control unit including an ECU board, which is electrically connected to the electromagnetic valves and on which an electronic control device executing a driving control of each of the electromagnetic valves is provided, and attached on the surface of the hydraulic pressure block so that the ECU board is covered by a case, wherein the ECU board of the electronic control unit is arranged within an area of the surface of the hydraulic pressure block and all of the plurality of the electromagnetic valves are arranged adjacently around the ECU board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 8444237
    Abstract: A refrigerator of the embodiment includes a cabinet in which a storage chamber is formed; a door that is connected to the cabinet and opens and closes the storage chamber; and a door opening apparatus that is provided in the cabinet and opens the door, wherein the door opening apparatus includes: a push member that contacts a rear surface of the door and pushes the rear surface of the door by a rotation operation and a driver that is connected to the push member and generates power for moving the push member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byeong Gyu Kang, Jeong Ho Shin, Myung Hwan Kim, Sang Bum Ha
  • Patent number: 8439459
    Abstract: A latch system for a sliding member and a stationary member has upper and lower bodies fixed to the sliding member; an anchor block fixed to the stationary member; a release body slidably connected to the anchor block such that the release body can move relative to the anchor block; a lower arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the lower arm being attached to the release body; a control arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the control arm being rotatably attached to the second end of the lower arm; and a swivel cam having a first end and a second end, the first end of the swivel cam being rotatably attached to the second end of the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8434836
    Abstract: A slide assembly includes a catch assembly secured to a first rail member, and a second rail member in sliding engagement with the first rail member. The second rail member includes a post extending laterally towards the first rail member. The catch assembly includes a catch member pivotable between a post retaining position and a post releasing position. When the catch member is in the post releasing position, movement of the second rail member from an extended position to a retracted position causes the post to engage a bearing surface of the catch member to pivot the catch member from the post releasing position to the post retaining position. The bearing surface of the catch member is contoured to provide substantially continuous and uniform engagement between the bearing surface and the post as the post pivots the catch member from the post releasing position to the post retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Waterloo Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Jon Holcomb
  • Patent number: 8434838
    Abstract: The individual locker assembly for refrigerators is intended for use in the workplace to permit employees to secure their perishable foods and beverages for lunches and snacks. The locker assembly is also suitable for installation in refrigerator units in medical offices and the like for the secure storage of controlled medications and the like that must be refrigerated. The locker assembly is assembled from top, bottom, side, and rear panels, and a series of intermediate shelves and dividers installed therein defining a plurality of individual storage compartments. Vertical panels include spring-biased pins that engage mating holes provided in the upper and lower interior panels of the refrigeration unit, to secure the assembly in place. Each compartment has its own lockable door. The locks may be combination units, key locks, external hasps and padlocks, or other lock types as desired. Integral locks may include provision for coin operation, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph Zabbatino
  • Patent number: 8424985
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator. The refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber configured to store food stuffs and a first door configured to open and close the first storage chamber. The refrigerator further includes a second storage chamber defined at a side of the first door, and configured to enable access to food stuffs while the first door remains closed and a second door located in a predetermined portion of the first door, and configured to open and close the second storage chamber, wherein a rotation direction of the second door is identical to a rotation direction of the first door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Sik Kwon, Yong Hun Chang, Jung Yeon Hwang, Seon Il Yu
  • Patent number: 8428810
    Abstract: A system for on-site collection of evaluation data at a vehicle repair installation site is disclosed. Generally the system includes a computing tool connected to a database, a workflow operations guiding module that runs on the computing tool, an evaluation module, a comparison module, a data-mining module, a certification module, a legal compliance module, and a repair procedure compliance module. As a vehicle is repaired, the workflow operations guiding module prompts a coach with questions. The evaluation module performs a quantitative analysis of the answers provided by the coach and the comparison module compares the result of the quantitative analysis against aggregated or averaged information. The certification module compares information from the comparison module against predetermined certification criteria and the data mining module identifies correlations, trends or patterns in collected data by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Verifacts Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Farzam Afshar, Cynthia L. Granse, Mark E. Olson
  • Patent number: 8412415
    Abstract: An impact detection arrangement for a motor vehicle has at least one pressure body in a side door region of the motor vehicle. The at least one pressure body is connected to a pressure sensor via a connecting line. Additionally, the at least one pressure body is provided in an impact region that is relevant to a fixed pole side crash test, and is adapted to this region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.f. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jurgen Metzler
  • Patent number: 8403435
    Abstract: A sliding apparatus in which a first extension member and a second extension member are relatively movable in a longitudinal direction includes a restriction portion for restricting a movement range that allows the relative movement. The restriction portion includes: a projection portion that is formed integrally with the first extension member; and an engaging portion that is formed integrally with the second extension member. The projection portion has: a support portion; and a protrusion portion that is provided on a tip side of the support portion and is protruded toward the second extension member. The engaging portion has: a guide portion that guides the protrusion portion of the projection portion; and an abutting portion that abuts the protrusion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Kouchi
  • Patent number: 8393481
    Abstract: A clothing display fixture includes a sleeve having an inner surface, an outer surface, a pair of opposing edges defining a top and a bottom, a joint, a first cross member and a second cross member. The first and second cross members have first lengthwise edges and opposing second lengthwise edges and first widthwise edges and opposing second widthwise edges. The first and second opposing widthwise edges are located adjacent to the inner surface of the sleeve such that the second widthwise edges span across the joint and wherein the first and second support members extend through a center of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Denby, Joseph R. Stukenberg, Judith A. Bell
  • Patent number: 8396658
    Abstract: The accuracy of a reverse geocode for a GPS fix in a mobile phone navigation device is improved significantly by considering together the user's last known location on an original route, the elapsed time between the last known location on the original route and the latest GPS fix, and the likelihood that the user could have traveled from the last known location on the original route to one of numerous candidate locations (generated from the reverse geocode) in the elapsed time. The navigation server relies only on a GPS fix, timestamps, and a back-end routing database to provide improved or superior accuracy of reverse geocoding a GPS fix (selection of a point on a road) when a relevant user has deviated from the intended route. The reverse geocoding allows for accurate and functional re-routing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Barcklay, John Hahn, Kevin Tsurutome
  • Patent number: 8388078
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs and a first door configured to open and close the first storage chamber by rotating about a rotational axis. The refrigerator further includes a second storage chamber that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a side of the first door, and that is configured to enable access to food stuffs while the first door remains closed and a second door, located in a predetermined portion of the first door, and configured to open and close the second storage chamber by rotating about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Sik Kwon, Yong Hun Chang, Jung Yeon Hwang, Seon Il Yu
  • Patent number: 8382219
    Abstract: An appliance comprises a body and a door panel and/or drawer panel movable between a home position, an open position, and an over-travel position. A cosmetic panel may be coupled to the door and/or drawer panel. The appliance may further include an installation system and/or a positioning device. The positioning device is configured to bias the door and/or drawer panels to the home position from the over-travel position. The installation system is configured to establish the front-to-back alignment of the appliance. The installation system may be a direct mount installation system. The installation system may include an adjustment system configured to facilitate positioning the cosmetic panel to be co-planar with the surrounding cabinetry. The adjustment mechanism may further help establish small and consistent reveals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sub-Zero, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip F. Hottmann, Mark J. Blahnik, Chad A. Wohlrab, John F. Andrews
  • Patent number: 8386096
    Abstract: A relative navigation system projecting a grid into space from a first object a grid that is repeatedly detected from a second object having a second relative reference frame and using range and attitude between the objects to adjust the attitude or range of at least one of the first and second objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence William Stimac, Michael Steven Feldmann, Frank Saggio, III, Douglas Robert Nichols
  • Patent number: 8374745
    Abstract: A system and method for telemetrically collecting on-road vehicle diagnostic data. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting vehicle diagnostic data from service shops, on-road vehicles and warranty records, aggregating the collected data and extracting knowledge therefrom. The extracted knowledge can be used to enhance algorithms on-board vehicles or at service centers so as to better identify vehicle faults and provide enhanced diagnostics and prognostics. The enhanced algorithms can then be used to provide predictive maintenance suggestions, provide trouble shooting assistance or provide vehicle design improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Yilu Zhang, Nathan D. Ampunan, Mark J. Rychlinski, Mark N. Howell, Xiaodong Zhang, Krishnaraj Inbarajan, John J. Correia, Mutasim A. Salman, Mark E. Gilbert, Paul W. Loewer, Shirley B. Dost