Patents Issued in October 2, 2012
  • Patent number: 8276220
    Abstract: A height adjustable seat for a bath enclosure includes a frame first portion for supporting a person in a sitting position within the bath enclosure and a frame second portion disposed exterior to the bath enclosure. A mechanism for raising and lowering said frame first portion within said bath enclosure a guide system enables adjustment of inclination of the frame first portion as the frame first portion is raised and lowered with the bath enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Wm. Seymour, Carl Evan Tenbrink
  • Patent number: 8276221
    Abstract: A method for providing a cushion and tub assembly is provided and comprises obtaining a cushion with magnets within the cushion. The method also comprises obtaining a metallic member, the metallic member magnetically attracting to the magnets in the cushion. The metallic member is permanently secured to a hidden surface of a tub at a location corresponding to a desired location of the cushion on the exposed surface of the tub. The tub and cushion are provided with a cushion being releasably connectable to the exposed surface of the tub at the desired location by attraction forces between the magnets and the metallic member through the tub wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: C.G. Air Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Ciechanowski, Miguel Castellote
  • Patent number: 8276222
    Abstract: A patient transfer kit including an inflatable mattress, alternatively with a rigid top board with a patient restraint system on which a patient can be placed, when patient immobilization is required. A portable cart is included with a chamber for storage of a plurality of mattresses. The cart also has a gas/air blower and power supply system for powering the blower. The power system includes provision for drawing power from line AC/DC, and has a rechargeable battery and charger for maintaining the battery by connecting the supply to the line AC/DC. The mattress has a perforated bottom surface for exit of air to provide an air cushion, and is constructed with a white top surface and a dark bottom surface for optimum recognition of contamination, and identification of the bottom surface which must be placed downward. The cart is coated with an antimicrobial substance to minimize the risk of contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Smart Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Patrick
  • Patent number: 8276223
    Abstract: There is a growing need for safe methods to insulate sleeping people from intrusive environmental noises so that they can get a decent night's sleep. This invention solves the problem of how to provide a sleeping enclosure with a high degree of insulation against environmental noises while also providing assured ventilation within the enclosure. It features an active ventilation means and a passive ventilation means that are physically linked so that there is always one of them providing ventilation. This linkage combines the superior sound-insulating properties of active ventilation (such as a longer air conduit for reduced intrusion of environmental noises into the enclosure) with the superior safety properties of passive ventilation (such as not being vulnerable to power failure or mechanical failure).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Medibotics
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 8276224
    Abstract: A bed sheet includes a bottom fabric layer sized to extend over the sides of and underneath a mattress. A top fabric layer is generally co-extensive with, and fastened to, the bottom fabric layer and defines a pocket therebetween. A sleeping garment integrated into the top fabric layer has a pair of garment halves removably coupleable to each other via a zipper that zips up into a fastener pocket that covers the zipper when the garment is fully closed. A flap can extend from one half of the garment, over the fastener pocket and fasten to the opposite half of the garment to inhibit the user from unzipping and removing the garment. The garment can hold a lower portion of the user within said pocket, allowing the user to remain warm without the use of a separate blanket, while being able to sit or stand on the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Joanna von Yurt, Jan Marco von Yurt
  • Patent number: 8276225
    Abstract: Methods and systems for patient positioning in an imaging system are provided. A palette for an imaging system is provided that includes a base portion movably connected to the imaging system and an extender portion removably connected to the base portion. The extender portion together with the base portion supports an object to be imaged by the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Kogan, Alexander Vaisburd, Danny Hausner, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 8276226
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing the stuffing of a pillow, includes washing seeds of collected drupes to remove alien materials from the seeds, crushing the seeds removed of the alien materials into a predetermined size, polishing surfaces of the products of the seeds crushed into a predetermined size to be smooth and round and drying the resultant crushed products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Sung-Eon Kim
  • Patent number: 8276227
    Abstract: A pillow having a first pillow and a second smaller pillow attached to a face of the main pillow by an attachment member that is of sufficient length and flexibility to allow the second pillow to be positioned in an infinite number of parallel and/or skewed orientations relative to the first pillow. A third pillow, also smaller than the first pillow, can be attached to the first pillow on a face opposite the second pillow by another attachment member that is of sufficient length and flexibility to allow the second pillow to be positioned relative to the first pillow and second pillow in an infinite number of parallel and/or skewed orientations. The invention provides a fully formed pillow and a pillow cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Vincent J. Pileggi
  • Patent number: 8276228
    Abstract: A portable changing table of the present disclosure includes at least one extendable arm assembly moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The at least one extendable arm assembly is removably securable to a support structure. The portable changing table further includes a collapsible frame hingedly secured to the at least one extendable arm assembly, wherein the collapsible frame is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The portable changing table further includes a flexible support member secured to a portion of the collapsible frame. The flexible support member extends across a portion of the collapsible frame in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Alexis Gant, Justin Gant
  • Patent number: 8276229
    Abstract: A baby supporting device is provided which includes a frame. The frame includes a first portion for mounting onto a wall and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion and rotatable between a first position and a second position. A first stop member extends from the first portion, and a second stop member extends from the second portion, such that when the second stop member engages the first stop member it stops the second portion at the second position. A first surface covers at least a portion of the first portion, and a second surface covers at least a portion of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Dikran Babikian, Branko Bem
  • Patent number: 8276230
    Abstract: Method for operating a laundry device including a sterilizing step for supplying steam to an inside of a drum having laundry introduced thereto for progressing sterilizing and/or soaking of the laundry, a washing water supply step for supplying washing water to an inside of the drum having the laundry introduced thereto according to an amount of the laundry, a washing step for rotating the drum for a preset time period to perform washing, a rinsing step for performing rinsing at least once upon finish of washing, and a spinning step for performing a final spinning cycle upon finish of the rinsing, which are to be progressed in succession, whereby consuming small amount of washing water, and power in soaking the laundry, and enabling sterilizing of the laundry having washing thereof finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8276231
    Abstract: A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., Jerry Mix, Dennis Boyle, Rickson Sun, Christopher Loew, Pascal Homero Soboll, Daniel Sung-hwe Kim
  • Patent number: 8276232
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for cleaning wheel rims. Said device is used for removing sticky excess powdered pigments from the flange and hub of the rims prior to the baking process during powder coating. The inventive device comprises a first brush which can be introduced into the hub of a rim that is to be cleaned as well as a second brush which is concentrically disposed around the first brush and rests against the flange surface of the rim when the first brush is inserted in the hub of the rim. The first brush can be axially displaced relative to the second brush and is spring-mounted on the second brush. Furthermore, a drive unit is provided which rotates the first and the second brush by a specific angle, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Eisenmann AG
    Inventor: Thomas Rau
  • Patent number: 8276233
    Abstract: Multi-directional wiping elements are disclosed. The wiping elements comprise intersecting squeegee segments that provide top wiping squeegee edges and side wiping squeegee edges. Devices utilizing the multi-directional wiping elements of the present invention can include bristles that are configured to simultaneously wipe a working surface with the wiping elements. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the multi-directional wiping elements are utilized in a toothbrush cleaning head that is configured to be operated manually or, alternatively, is motorized and is configured to rotate, oscillate, vibrate and/or move according to a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., Jerry Mix, Dennis Boyle, Rickson Sun, Christopher Loew, Pascal Homero Soboll, Daniel Sung-hwe Kim
  • Patent number: 8276234
    Abstract: A foldable textile holder for a flat mop includes a rectangular main board provided to be pivotally connected to a handle of the flat mop and two wing plates respectively and pivotally to two opposite ends of the main board relative to a major axis of the main board by two pivot elements. The main board and the two wing plates are situated on a same plane when cleaning the floor and form a U-shape after the two wing plates being folded, wherein each pivot element temporarily positions a corresponding one of the two wing plates when the two wing plates are upwardly folded or the main board and the two wing plates are situated on a same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Hsing Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 8276235
    Abstract: A wearable wipe unit having one or more absorbent members attachable to, and removable from, a retaining member, or each other. The retaining member has a mouth which attaches to a user's waist band or belt. One or more absorbent members may have a storage unit for securely holding a user's personal effects. The bottoms of the front and back sides of the retaining member are angled forward for ease of attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel P. Naughton
  • Patent number: 8276236
    Abstract: A baseboard cleaning apparatus for cleaning a baseboard of a wall extending upright along the wall with respect to a floor includes a cleaning head and a block positioned in either side of a skid plate, and which are connected by a connector that extends through a slot formed in the skid plate. The skid plate has a lower extremity formed with a skid, and the connector is movable along the slot between lowered positions of the baseboard cleaning head and the fixture toward the skid formed in the lower extremity of the skid plate, and raised positions of the baseboard cleaning head and the fixture away from the skid formed in the lower extremity of the skid plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Michele I. Goodman, Isaias Luna
  • Patent number: 8276237
    Abstract: Paint roller cover support includes a cage assembly mounted for rotation and limited axial movement in opposite directions on the shaft portion of a roller frame. The cage assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending semi-cylindrical sleeve segments that move radially outward and inward relative to the shaft portion during axial movement of the cage assembly in opposite directions. Elastomeric rings surrounding opposite ends of the sleeve segments maintain cam members on the sleeve segments in engagement with cam lifters on respective hub members on the shaft portion. Both the elastomeric rings and elastomeric material attached to radial outer surfaces of the sleeve segments may be pressed into frictional engagement with the inner diameter of a surrounding roller cover during radial outward movement of the sleeve segments for securely retaining the roller cover on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: The Wooster Brush Company
    Inventor: Richard K. Bukovitz
  • Patent number: 8276238
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roller cover cleaning apparatus. The apparatus may include a handle and a wire that is coupled to the handle. The wire may form a helix that extends around an axis of the helix for more than 360 degrees. The wire may be substantially radially equidistant from the axis of the helix along the length of the wire from the proximal end of the helix to the distal end of the helix. The wire may be at least partially resiliently flexible to increase the radial distance between the wire and the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Norman Donald Young
  • Patent number: 8276239
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (2) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade (2) includes opposing longitudinal grooves (3) on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips (4) of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends (5) of said longitudinal strips (4) are interconnected by a respective connecting piece (6), which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (7) for an oscillating arm (8), as well as a spoiler (11) detachably connected to the wiper blade (2), with the special feature that said spoiler (11) comprises a less-flexible profile (13) which is slidably mounted on a mounting portion of the wiper blade (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier Boland, Pierre Henin
  • Patent number: 8276240
    Abstract: A door check device to be mounted to a door for selectively maintaining a gap when door closing is attempted. This prevents injuries to children's fingers and the like. The door check includes a base with a journal having action arm pivoted at its proximal end. The arm has a distal end extending outwardly to engage a doorstop. Indexing sockets are formed along the arm's proximal end. Each socket collaborates with the nose of a spring-biased detent to retain the action arm in a preselected position. The arm may be set in a first position to directly engage the doorstop to form a gap. Set in a second position the arm allows door closing but, upon next opening, the arm automatically reverts to door checking position. In a third position the arm is fully lowered to disable the check device. This device may find application to a variety of closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Roman Ritachka
  • Patent number: 8276241
    Abstract: A hinge includes a base, a crank, a bottom board, a crank engagement seat, and a fixed seat. The crank is pivotably connected to the base. The bottom board includes at least one retaining portion, a first rivet hole and a vertical elongated hole. The crank engagement seat is connected to the crank and located between the fixed seat and the bottom board. The crank engagement seat includes first and second through-holes and a second rivet hole. The fixed seat includes first and second adjusting holes. A first adjusting member is extended through the first adjusting hole and the first through-hole into the first rivet hole. A second adjusting member is extended through the second adjusting hole into the second rivet hole. The bottom board and the crank engagement seat can be slightly moved in the vertical direction. The crank engagement seat can be slightly moved in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kunshan Huhua Metal Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Tai Wu, Hsin Hung Lin, Shu Hua Lin, Shu Jiuan Lin
  • Patent number: 8276242
    Abstract: The present document describes a pivotable handle assembly for mounting on a support. The assembly comprises a rotation-blocking portion comprising a pivot axis, the rotation-blocking portion for being rotatable about the pivot axis and relative to the support when in an unlocked position, and when in a locked position, the rotation blocking portion for preventing its rotation about the pivot axis; a handle depending from the rotation blocking portion; and a locking mechanism comprising a push-button and a lock release. The locking mechanism is for locking the rotation-blocking portion in the locked position, and for unlocking the rotation-blocking portion in the unlocked position upon a pushing motion being applied to the push-button to actuate the lock release, the unlocked position thereby allowing the handle to be pivoted about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Mylène Girard, Charles Vallières
  • Patent number: 8276243
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a hook and loop tie for securing a bundle of cables. The hook and loop tie comprises a loop component, a hook component, and a non-slip component. The loop component has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of loop fastening elements. The hook component is affixed to the loop component, extends from the first end of the loop component toward the second end of the loop component, and has a plurality of hook fastening elements. The non-slip component is affixed to the loop component, extends from the second end of the loop component toward the first end of the loop component, and overlaps at least a portion of the hook component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, David W. West
  • Patent number: 8276244
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an elastomeric releasable cable tie having a head and a strap extending from the head. The head includes an end wall, an inner wall and sidewalls. The end wall, inner wall and sidewalls define a channel that extends from an entrance end to an exit end of the head. The head also includes a hingeless wedge extending from the end wall into the channel for engaging the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Michael J. Vermeer, Robert J. Krisel, David W. West
  • Patent number: 8276245
    Abstract: A window curtain pull cord concentrator safety device of the present invention provides a concentrator device which enables the gathering together of the free ends of a plurality of pull cords of a window curtain set, and enables complete transmission of a pulling force in an emergency. And basically comprises a drag cup, an inner bottom of a concave cavity of which is provided with a through hole enabling a wire hoop body coupled to a pulling member to penetrate therethrough. The wire hoop body is located in the interior of the drag cup, and displacement of an inner loop side of the wire hoop body relative to the drag cup is used to determine whether the free ends of the pull cords are radially restrained, thereby enabling complete relay transmission of the pulling force. In an emergency, the pull cords are rapidly released, thereby achieving instantaneous prompt safety effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Hsien-Te Huang
  • Patent number: 8276246
    Abstract: A fastening device, in particular for hand grips for the interior of a motor vehicle, is equipped with a bearing block, which can be inserted into a recess in a plate-like structure, with a stopper which can be inserted into the bearing block, and with means which, upon insertion of the stopper, make it possible for rear engagement of the fastening device behind a plate-like structure. The invention makes provision for the rear-engagement means to be formed separately and to be produced preferably in the manner of wings from sheet steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Patrick Welter, Frederic Selvini
  • Patent number: 8276247
    Abstract: A snap hook includes a hook member having a gap formed by an attaching end and a receiving end, a pivotal gate pivotally secured to the hook member and having a notch for receiving the receiving end of the hook member, a locking member is rotatably and slidably engaged onto the pivotal gate and includes a slot for aligning with the notch of the pivotal gate for allowing the pivotal gate and the locking member to be rotated relative to the hook member from the locking position to the unlocking position, and the locking member includes a guiding channel for guiding the locking member to slide longitudinally and to rotate relative to the pivotal gate and the hook member for a limited moving distance and for a limited rotational angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Gimmal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kai Chieh Yang
  • Patent number: 8276248
    Abstract: A throw assembly for a casket container includes a corrugated paper having a corner cutout configured to be longitudinally folded along each of two parallel longitudinal lines and transversally folded about the corner cutout, and a fabric member disposed over the corrugated paper structure, and fixedly coupled to the corrugated paper structure along at least one edge of the fabric member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Vandor Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Cox, Chad Eversole
  • Patent number: 8276249
    Abstract: A device and a method for widening elongated metal elements which move in the longitudinal direction and are planar at least in certain regions are described. The device comprises at least two clamping sections which are opposite one another and of which one is arranged and designed for clamping a first longitudinal side of the metal element in place and the other is arranged and designed for clamping a second longitudinal side of the metal element in place, said second longitudinal side being opposite the first longitudinal side of the metal element. The clamping sections are each provided on a support unit by means of which the clamping sections, during the forward movement of the metal element, are automatically moved apart essentially perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the metal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Protektorwerk Florenz Maisch GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiner Willerscheid, Mario Gasperini, Bernd Spissinger, Kilian Krettenauer
  • Patent number: 8276250
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric ink jet device having a pressure chamber, a flexible membrane delimiting the pressure chamber, a piezoelectric actuator mounted on the membrane, and a rigid substrate attached to the side of the membrane carrying the actuator, which includes the steps of providing the piezoelectric actuator with an electrode on at least one side, attaching the actuator with its electrode side to a carrier plate, bonding the rigid substrate to the side of the carrier plate carrying the actuator, and removing material from the carrier plate on the side opposite to the actuator and leaving only a thin layer of the carrier plate which then forms the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: David D. L. Wijngaards, Hans Reinten, Hendrik J. Stolk, Alex N. Westland
  • Patent number: 8276251
    Abstract: A hand tool comprises: a body; a handle extending from the body; a hand-operable lever pivotally connected to the body and pivotable from a resting position towards the handle to a working position; a shaft extending through the body along a longitundal axis, and movable between forward and reverse directions along the axis relative to the body; a shaft drive mechanism mounted to the body and operatively connected to the shaft and lever such that pivoting of the lever to the working position causes the shaft drive mechanism to incrementally advance the shaft only in the forward direction; and a shaft release mechanism mounted to the body and comprising a shaft locking member operatively connected to the shaft and lever, wherein the shaft locking member is movable by the lever between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein movement of the lever from the resting position away from the working position moves the shaft locking member to the unlocking position and enables the shaft to be moved i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Private Brand Tools (Australia) Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8276252
    Abstract: An exemplary extractor includes a support member, a contact member and a sleeve. The contact member is fixed on an end of the support member. The sleeve is slidably sleeved on the support member. Extraction protrusions are formed on an end of the sleeve, and a handle bar is formed on the other end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhen-Xing Liu
  • Patent number: 8276253
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing and installing combustion liners in a combustion case of a turbine is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated handle having a pin disposed at one end, and a bracket attached to the elongated handle. A tower clamp, for attaching to a flange of a combustion case, includes a tower portion having a plurality of notches for receiving the pin of the elongated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John W. Herbold, Randall S. Corn, James B. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8276254
    Abstract: A method of forming a miniature, surface micromachined, differential microphone, comprising depositing a sacrificial layer on a surface of a silicon wafer; depositing a diaphragm material on a surface of the sacrificial layer; etching the diaphragm material layer to isolate a diaphragm; and removing a portion of the sacrificial layer beneath the defined diaphragm. A diaphragm formed in the diaphragm material layer is supported by a hinge and otherwise isolated from a remaining portion of the diaphragm material layer by a slit adjacent a perimeter of the diaphragm. An enclosed back volume beneath the diaphragm has a depth defined by a thickness of the sacrificial layer, and communicates with an external region via the slit. A transducer may be provided for producing an electrical signal responsive to a displacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Ronald N. Miles
  • Patent number: 8276255
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a balance ring for a vehicular electric machine are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a first metal layer having a first planar surface, providing a second metal layer having a second planar surface, cladding the second planar surface to the first planar surface to form a composite structure, and removing a portion of the composite structure to form an annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald M. Leachman, Margarita Thompson
  • Patent number: 8276256
    Abstract: A method of assembling a head stack assembly (HSA) includes securing a flex cable to an actuator including an actuator arm having a side slot with a slot end. A first head gimbal assembly (HGA) is attached to the actuator arm. The first HGA includes a first laminated flexure having a first flexure tail with a first raised region that includes an out-of-plane bend. The first raised region is squeezed while inserting the first flexure tail partially within the side slot with the first raised region adjacent the slot end. The first raised region is allowed to expand into contact with the side slot adjacent the slot end. The first flexure tail is electrically connected to the flex cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiduo Zhang, Tzong-Shii Pan, Yih-Jen D. Chen
  • Patent number: 8276257
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a write head having well-defined, precise write head pole tips. A coplanar write head pole tip processing method provides a thin-film magnetic write head pole tip layer and defines first and second pole tips from the pole tip layer. When the pole tips are provided on a write head, a write gap can be defined using ion milling, E-beam lithography, FAB or can be deposited. The write head pole tips can be used in conjunction with read heads by merging a read head with a write head or a read head can be bonded to a write head in a piggybacked fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Terence Tin-Lok Lam, Vladimir Nikitin, Changqing Shi, Samuel Yuan
  • Patent number: 8276258
    Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic transducer that includes an underlayer and a first nonmagnetic layer on the underlayer. The method and system include providing a first trench in the first nonmagnetic layer. The first trench has at least one edge corresponding to at least one side shield. The method and system also include providing a second nonmagnetic layer in the first trench and providing a second trench in the second nonmagnetic layer. The method and system include providing the main pole. At least part of the main pole resides in the second trench. The method and system further include removing at least a portion of the second nonmagnetic layer between the edge(s) and the main pole. The method and system also provide the side shield(s) in the first trench. The side shield(s) extend from at least an air-bearing surface location to not further than a coil front location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Ut Tran, Zhigang Bai
  • Patent number: 8276259
    Abstract: A method of constructing a differential inductor having a high self-resonance frequency is provided. In general, a ground point is identified. A first coil having a first and second loop is created such that the first loop is electrically further away from the ground point than the second loop. A second coil having a third and fourth loop are created such that the third loop is electrically further away from the ground point than the second loop. The first coil and the second coil are positioned such that the first loop is positioned as a near neighbor to said fourth loop and said second loop is positioned as a near neighbor to said third loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Findley, Jon Tao, Gholam-Ali Rezvani
  • Patent number: 8276260
    Abstract: A positioning device is provided for positioning of a spring leg and a shock damper motor axis when a connection to a body-shaped pieces of a suspension promoter suspended coach industry unit with a mounting stored chassis unit of the vehicle, with the positioning device includes an attachment element Fixture for fixing the direction positioning to mount one of the fixture resistance element jointed affiliated gripping central carrier with a gripper attached to appropriation reach of the spring leg and shock damper, with the gripping means by moving the grief-structural funds his joints in a rest medium defined rest positions to warden can be brought, namely a working position in which the grief by the central taken one spring leg or shock absorbers positioned, and the suspension strut or shock absorbers are not positioned normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gerhard Köhler, Olaf Recha
  • Patent number: 8276261
    Abstract: In a state where the expanded protruding portion of the heat-exchanging tube, which has been expanded inside a grip portion of a chucking sleeve whose diameter has been reduced by a clamp bushing, is gripped by the grip portion, a tube expanding billet is inserted into a yet-unexpanded part of the heat-exchanging tube to cause tube expansion. When doing so, a guide portion, which is formed on a flare punch and has the same diameter as the maximum outer diameter of the tube expanding billet, is inserted inside the expanded protruding portion of the heat-exchanging tube gripped by the grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hidaka Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Baba
  • Patent number: 8276262
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure may include an apparatus for enclosing a thin wafer to prevent damage during an on-going manufacture of integrated circuit chip(s) on or in the thin wafer, and methods of utilizing the apparatus. The apparatus may include a lower support assembly and an upper retainer assembly which retains a thin wafer therebetween, wherein the lower support assembly and the upper retainer assembly may be coupled together by a magnetic attractive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Wienrich, Charles Singleton
  • Patent number: 8276263
    Abstract: A surface mounting apparatus includes a conveyer supporting a printed wiring board being moved in a transportation direction, and a board transfer device that lowers a pair of tab members to positions spaced apart upstream and downstream of the printed wiring board and moves the tab members in the transportation direction. The board transfer device includes an interval changing device to change an interval between a pair of the tab members and a sensor to detect the position of the printed wiring board, an interference determination means to determine the absence or presence of the printed wiring board at the positions to which both the tab members are to be lowered according to the position of the printed wiring board detected by the sensor and interval setting means to move the tab members by driving the interval changing device according to a detection result of the interference determination means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Wada, Hirotoshi Yamagata, Hiroyuki Takagi, Akira Kishida, Hiroaki Fujita
  • Patent number: 8276264
    Abstract: A component mounting apparatus includes two board transfer devices, a component supply unit, a component placing device, a setting unit, and a controller. Until production of the urgent boards is instructed, the two board transfer devices and the component placing device mount components on the regular boards in accordance with a first mounting program stored by the controller. When production of the urgent boards is instructed, a regular board is unloaded from the other board transfer device, which has been set by the setting unit to transfer urgent boards, the transfer way width of the other board transfer device is adjusted to the width of the urgent boards, and the other board transfer device and the component placing device are controlled so that component mountings on the urgent boards are performed on the other board transfer device in accordance with a second mounting program stored by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Shimizu, Seiichi Terui
  • Patent number: 8276265
    Abstract: A challenge to be met by the present invention is to provide an electronic component mounting machine and an electronic component loading head in which the loading head has two rows of nozzle shafts and that can promote miniaturization of the machine by minimizing the loading head. In a loading head having two rows of nozzles (L1 and L2) including a plurality of nozzle shafts arranged in rows and at a predetermined nozzle arrangement pitch, a ? rotary drive mechanism that rotates the nozzle shafts around their axes is configured so as to include driven pulleys (28) coupled to the respective nozzle shafts; a plurality of idlers (30) interposed between the two rows of nozzles (L1 and L2); and endless drive belts (29A and 29B) that transmit rotation of the ?-axis motors (27A and 27B) to the driven pulleys (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Tanaka, Tomohiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 8276266
    Abstract: A system for the manufacture of electrical coils. The system includes a control unit configured to receive measurements for the electrical coil. The system further includes a pressure head operably connected to the control unit and mounted on a support, the pressure head including a vertical axle and a horizontal axle. At least one vertical wheel is mounted on the vertical axle and positioned to accept a conductor material and regulate height and flatness in the coil being formed. At least one horizontal wheel is mounted on the horizontal axle and positioned to accept the conductor material and position the conductor material on top of a previously formed coil. At least one hydraulic cylinder is attached to the vertical and horizontal axles and configured to adjust coiling pressure exerted on the conductor material by adjusting hydraulic pressure on the axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan Manuel Pedraza Sanz
  • Patent number: 8276267
    Abstract: Provided are a tape feeder for use in chip mounters that can reduce a chip feeding duration and prevent chips from being turned over or assuming wrong postures to feed the chips stably, and a chip mounting method. The tape feeder includes a second link having one end linked to a link shaft through which a first link and a pivot lever are combined and the other end in which a slot curved at a predetermined inclination is formed. The velocity at which a carrier tape is fed changes according to the inclination of the curve of the slot with respect to the moving direction of the first link, the curve contacting the contact unit upon the movement of the first link in a direction helping to rotate a ratchet gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-soo Choi, Tae-young Lee
  • Patent number: 8276268
    Abstract: A system and method of forming a patterned conformal structure for an electrical system is disclosed. The conformal structure includes a dielectric coating shaped to conform to a surface of an electrical system, with the dielectric coating having a plurality of openings therein positioned over contact pads on the surface of the electrical system. The conformal structure also includes a patterned conductive coating layered on the dielectric coating and on the contact pads such that an electrical connection is formed between the patterned conductive coating and the contact pads. The patterned conductive coating comprises at least one of an interconnect system, a shielding structure, and a thermal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher James Kapusta, Donald Paul Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8276269
    Abstract: A microelectronic device mounting substrate includes a bond pad with a side wall and an upper surface. A dielectric first layer is disposed on the mounting substrate and a solder mask second layer is disposed on the dielectric first layer. A uniform recess is disposed through the solder mask second layer and the dielectric first layer that exposes the portion of the bond pad upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Houssam Jomaa, Omar J. Bchir