Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Brooks & Kushman P.C.
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Patent number: 8291674Abstract: The present invention provides a window frame design that is adapted to receive at least two light-panels. The window frame comprises a stepped frame section that includes a lower step surface and an upper step surface. The lower step surface is adapted to receive a first light-panel so that a section of the first light-panel lies flush against the lower step surface. Similarly, the upper step surface is adapted to receive a second light-panel so that the second light-panel lies flush against the upper step surface. The window frame design of the invention can be either incorporated into a skylight frame that may be attached to a curb unit on a roof or it may be an integral part of a skylight frame-curb assembly that also contains a curb section. In another embodiment of the invention, a window frame design which directly incorporates one or more light-panels during molding is provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: V-Tech Patents, L.L.C.Inventors: Arthur J. Valentz, John E. Nemazi, James W. Proscia
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Patent number: 7585012Abstract: A vehicle includes a compartment, roof, roof system, cover, cover link, and coupling system. The roof is movable between a closed position and a storage position in which the roof is within the compartment. The roof system has a main link movably coupled to the vehicle via a joint and connected to the roof to move the roof. The cover is movable between a closed position covering the compartment and an opened position raised from the compartment. The cover link is movably coupled to the vehicle via a joint and connected to the cover to move the cover. The coupling system has a connecting link coupling the links such that the cover is coupled to the roof system to move about the cover link joint as the roof moves. The connecting link passes through a position in which it and the joints run along a straight line during roof movement.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbHInventor: Metodi Kostadinov
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Patent number: 7554924Abstract: The present invention provides methods of checking for duplicate port globally unique identifiers during a discovery of a subnet of a system using a channel adapter. These methods allow a Subnet Manager, an Infiniband entity for managing the Infiniband topology, to detect invalid ports that have matching GUIDs. An additional feature is that a recently added port with a duplicate GUID will not replace an original port with the same GUID, but instead will be left out of the network.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy N. Shapiro, Srinivas Madhur
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Patent number: 7102084Abstract: A routing conduit assembly for routing fiber optic jumpers from a raceway includes interconnected hood, curved neck, and vertical body conduits. The conduits have slits which are aligned with one another when the conduits form the assembly. A connector connects the vertical body conduit to a horizontally oriented raceway to mount the assembly to the raceway with the hood conduit positioned above the raceway. The connector includes a fulcrum component which enables the assembly to tilt relative to the raceway. A support stabilizer connects to the vertical body conduit for receiving tubular containers such that the tubular containers are aligned and secured with respect to the assembly. The conduit slits receive jumpers from the raceway for the assembly to enclose and route between the raceway and fiber optic equipment located below the raceway such that the jumpers transition between horizontal and vertical orientations while maintaining a minimum bend radius.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.Inventors: Stephen J. Weinert, Edward C. Granger, Michael L. Yeilding
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Patent number: 7059194Abstract: The invention involves a pressure fault device for indicating a threshold pressure or a threshold differential pressure. The present invention provides a cost effective way to determine where a pressure problem has occurred. The device includes a housing having at least one inlet aperture and an indicator aperture and having first and second bores in fluid communication respectively with one inlet aperture and the indicator aperture. The device further includes a magnetic piston which is biased in the first bore toward one inlet aperture and moveable a predetermined distance in another direction in the first bore in response to inlet threshold pressure. The device further includes a magnetic responder which is moveable toward the indicator aperture in the second bore in response to movement of the magnetic piston. The device further includes a latching plate in magnetic relationship to the magnetic responder when the piston moves the predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2000Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Mid-West InstrumentsInventors: Michael A. Lueck, Michael P. Johnson, Randall R. Perkins
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Patent number: 7051547Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioning system for motor vehicles, which contains a connection piece for a pressure switch/pressure sensor, said connection piece being suitable for evacuating and filling the air conditioning system after the removal of the pressure switch/pressure sensor, so that the two normally separate functions are combined in one connection piece.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dietmar Boehme, Dietmar Fischer, Uwe Heinz
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Patent number: 7023358Abstract: A method and an assembly 10 for identifying the existence and the size of a gap. Particularly, the assembly 10, in one embodiment, includes a member 50, which forcibly engages a staring gauge 16 as two members or portions abuttingly engage. The force is representative of the amount of space between the two members or portions and this information is wirelessly transmitted to a receiver and display assembly 40.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventor: Kelly Michael Kohlstrand
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Patent number: 7006792Abstract: A portable wireless andon communication system and method for use in manufacturing, assembly and other industrial settings. A transmitter station and receiver station are set up for immediate use by simply connecting each to a standard power source. A user needing assistance manually activates a switch at the transmitter station, thus turning on a light and transmitting a corresponding signal to the receiver station. The receiver station receives the signal and turns on a corresponding light and tone generator. The tone generator and light alert indicate to the proper parties the request for a response. A responding party scans transmitter stations for the corresponding light and provides assistance. The switch may be a sensor activated by a change in state indicating that assistance is required. The portable system is easily reconfigured if necessitated by layout changes in a manufacturing line.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Inventor: Robert H Wilson
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Patent number: 6997524Abstract: A method for preventing a valve orifice from switching to the small size when a high build gradient is required includes briefly bleeding off a small amount of fluid at the upstream side of the valve. This momentarily reduces the pressure difference when beginning the pressure build. After the valve is opened with the large orifice, the fluid flow through the valve prevents a high pressure difference. The resulting build with the large orifice has the maximum pressure gradient.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Edward Brewer, Todd Allen Brown
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Patent number: 6981432Abstract: A hose clamp installation tool and a method for installing a hose assembly. A first rod engages the clamp and releases the clamp from an open position to a closed position. A sensor indicates release of the clamp.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Richard Earl Williford, George Frederick MacDonald, Thomas Eric Pearson, James Robert Panyard, Christopher B. Trombetta
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Patent number: 6952941Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming an article and performing a secondary operation on the article in-situ. The apparatus includes a closure and a die having a cavity. A source of pressurized gas forces a portion of a sheet into contact with a forming surface having a predetermined shape. A tool is movably connected to the apparatus and is configured to engage the sheet to perform a secondary operation while the sheet is held in compression between the closure and the die.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Friedman, Richard Allor, George Luckey Jr., Warren Copple
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Patent number: 6931730Abstract: A method of securing body panels to a space frame for a vehicle is disclosed. The body panels are secured to rivet nuts that are assembled to frame members. The location of the rivet nuts or rivet nuts supporting surface is measured and the rivet nuts are milled or machined to correspond to reference body coordinates. The milled rivet nuts function as a integral shim pack and obviate the need for shims between the space frame and body panels.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott, Kimberly Ann Lazarz, Matthew John Zaluzec
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Patent number: 6918577Abstract: A tooling plate to fixture a workpiece for a vehicle subassembly is provided, including a planar body 10 for supporting fixture tools 32, 34 for holding a workpiece, a connector mechanism to allow the planar body 10 to be removably connected with a workpiece presenter 50, and a locater mechanism 70, 72, 74 to locate the planar body 10 with respect to the workpiece presenter 50 in a repeatable manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Abid Ghuman, John E. Robertson, Bruce Giezentanner
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Patent number: 6845340Abstract: A system and method for machining data management is provided. Vibration and operation data are gathered from a machine tool and sent to a processing unit. The processing unit defines operation-specific vibration profiles, and generates an operation-specific data line for each profile. The data lines are stored in a memory for later retrieval. An output device is used to retrieve the data lines and plot them over a time domain to create an operation-specific data matrix useful in manufacturing operations analysis.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Paul Charles Edie, Roderick Alexander Simpson, Ingrid Margrit Kaufman
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Patent number: 6815554Abstract: A process for preparing unsaturated organosilanes containing organic carbonyloxy groups and having the formula (R1O)3−nR2nSi—X—OC(O)C(R3)═CR32 (I), where R1, R2, and R3 are hydrocarbon groups optionally containing interspersed ether linkages, and optionally substituted, X is an alkylene group, optionally containing ether linkages, and n is 0 to 3, by reacting haloorganofunctional silicon compounds of the formula (R1O)3−nR2nSi—X—Y (II), where Y is a halogen atom, with a salt of an unsaturated organic carboxylic acid of the formula M+[−OC(O)C(R3)═CR32]o (III), where M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal and o is 0 or 1 depending on the valence of M, in the presence of a phosphonium salt as phase transfer catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Wacker-Chemie GmbHInventors: Juergen Pfeiffer, Peter John
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Patent number: 6803738Abstract: Magnetic forces are used as a controlled actuation mechanism to move and position objects of interest. In one embodiment, a first spherical surface has at least one magnetic positioner attached. A second spherical surface is positioned to move relative to the first spherical surface. A plurality of controlled electromagnets are spaced about the second spherical surface. Control logic energizes at least one of the controlled electromagnets to create magnetic interaction with at least one magnetic positioner to move the first spherical surface relative to the second spherical surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Clarity, LLCInventor: Gamze Erten
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Patent number: 6777234Abstract: A mammalian muscle construct and a method for producing the construct are provided. The mammalian muscle construct includes a substrate and a plurality of separate anchors secured to the substrate. Myogenic precursor cells are provided on the substrate with at least some of the cells in contact with the anchors. The myogenic precursor cells are cultured in vitro under conditions to allow the cells to become confluent between the anchors. The anchors are receptive to the cells and allow the cells to attach thereto, such that placement of the anchors controls the size and shape of the muscle construct formed. Specifically, the anchors include separate fragments of biocompatible material secured to the substrate, wherein cell adhesion molecules are associated with each fragment to facilitate attachment of the precursor cells to the fragment.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Robert G. Dennis, Paul Kosnik, William M. Kuzon, Jr., John A. Faulkner
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Patent number: 6769307Abstract: In a measurement system wherein time-varying physical signals containing frequency information related to a physical parameter of an object are measured to obtain corresponding time-varying measurement signals, a method and system are disclosed for processing the measurement signals to obtain a value for the physical parameter by first extracting the frequency information from the measurement signals. The frequency information includes at least one desired frequency. The physical signals are electromagnetic signals. The object is a film such as a layer formed on a substrate, the physical parameter may be thickness of the layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Perceptron, Inc.Inventors: John W. Dixon, Jeffrey S. White, Frederick P. LaPlant
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Patent number: 6750260Abstract: A process of chemically recycling polyurethane-containing scrap. Polyurethane-containing scrap is subjected to a chemolysis reaction to produce chemolysis polyol products. The chemolysis polyol products are used as initiators in a reaction with alkylene oxide to produce oxyalkylated polyols for preparing polyurethanes.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignees: Troy Polymers, Inc., Polyventure, Inc.Inventor: Vahid Sendijarevic
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Patent number: 6747201Abstract: A method and system for extracting melodic patterns by first recognizing musical “keywords” or themes. The invention searches for all instances of melodic (intervallic) repetition in a piece (patterns). This process generally uncovers a large number of patterns, many of which are either uninteresting or are only superficially prevalent. Filters reduce the number and/or prevalence of such patterns. Patterns are then rated according to characteristics deemed perceptually significant. The top ranked patterns correspond to important thematic or motivic musical content. The system operates robustly across a broad range of styles, and relies on no metadata on its input, allowing it to independently and efficiently catalog multimedia data.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: William P. Birmingham, Colin J. Meek