Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Davis and Bujold
  • Patent number: 7878598
    Abstract: A flexible base board for a chair, easily bends into a desirable shape. The base board fits more appropriately to the body of the person seated on the chair following the shape of the person's body without pressing the back, etc., thereby providing the person with good sitting comfort. The flexible base board is used for the backrest, etc. of a chair. The base board has an upper shell (4), an intermediate shell (5), and a lower shell (6). A large number of holes (14) having substantially the same size are substantially uniformly formed in the entire shell (6). Also, a large number of holes (15) are formed in the entire surface of the intermediate shell (5), and each hole (15) has a greater transverse width than a hole (14) in the upper shell (4) and the lower shell (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichiro Oda
  • Patent number: 7878361
    Abstract: In a locking device for the fixation of a lid (1) on an opening (8) of a pressure container with at least two locking segments (5) displaceable at right angles to the axis of the opening 98), which segments (5) bear protrusions (6) and groove-like recesses along their circumference, which in the locked position cooperate with recesses (7) and protrusions along the brim of the opening (8), the displacement actuator (4) of the segments (5) is linked to the segments (5) and to at least one point of application that is on the lid (1) or on a member (3) connected to the lid (1). The segments (5) are arranged in the direction of the circumference of the lid (1) and are pivotably supported on the lid (1) by a swivel arm (16), separate from the displacement actuator (4), being interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Natex Prozesstechnologie GesmbH
    Inventors: Peter Meindl, Franz Lang, Eduard Lack, Ernst Glanz, Helmut Seidlitz, Albert Trukses
  • Patent number: 7878973
    Abstract: A laryngoscope (10) to assist tracheal intubation on a patient, comprising a body having a handle (14), and a laryngoscope blade (12) extending from the handle (14); a lighting system (21) including a light source integrated in the laryngoscope body and arranged in use to be activated to adopt an operational mode to provide illumination to the patient's throat; control means operative to allow only a single occurrence of the lighting system in the operational mode; and wherein once activated in the operational mode, the lighting system provides illumination for only a limited time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Anaesthesia Airways Pty Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Finehing Yee, Mark Lloyd Graham Bennett
  • Patent number: 7881890
    Abstract: A method of prioritizing anomalies in a linear conductor buried under a ground surface includes the steps of obtaining prioritization values for a plurality of anomalies along a linear conductor, and ranking the prioritization values according to magnitude. For each anomaly, a prioritization value is obtained by: locating an anomaly; for each anomaly, determining a current, a depth of cover, and a voltage gradient using spaced voltage probes; using the depth of cover and the voltage gradient, calculating an effective probe spacing of the first and second voltage probes relative to the anomaly on the conductor; and determining the prioritization value of the anomaly based on a linear relationship between the voltage gradient and the product of the current and the effective probe spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Spectrum External Line Inspection Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Shamus McDonnell, Mike Westman, Chijioke Ukiwe
  • Patent number: 7878084
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of a shifting element (11), for example of a sliding sleeve in an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, with the element actuated by way an actuating element, for example comprising a shifting rod (8) and a shifting fork (10), via an operating element (1). From the actuating pressure and/or the shifting force of the operating element, deformation of the actuating element, for example the shifting rod (8) and/or the shifting fork (10), is determined which result in the position of the shifting element being determined with greater precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Robert Ingenbleek, Mario Steinborn
  • Patent number: 7878699
    Abstract: A drive system for a mixer barrel for absorbing weight of the mixer barrel (1). The drive system communicates with a base (5) via a weight supporting element which supports the mixer barrel (1) and enables relative movement therebetween. The weight supporting element comprises at least one distortable elastic element (28, 29, 30, 39) enabling the movement between the drive system and the base (5). The at least one elastic element (28, 29, 30, 39) supports the weight of the mixer barrel (1) above the at least one elastic element (28, 29, 30, 39). The drive system (4) has at least one component (36) which limits movement of the drive system (4) and increases a distance between the drive system (4) and the base (5) such that a torque strain on the drive system (4) is braced by the base (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schiffner, Andreas Geier, Eduard Heilig, Michael Frondorf
  • Patent number: 7871354
    Abstract: A procedure for increasing the readiness of crossover gearshifts in an automatic transmission which, with the switching command or immediately thereafter, a motor fueling is provided through which a snatch operation of the disengaging switching element and/or an increase of the rotational speed gradient (turbine revolution speed) is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp, Peter Schiele
  • Patent number: 7871228
    Abstract: The device (1) for stowing a vehicle when it is transported on a bearing plane (9) by one of its wheels or from an anchorage on the chassis is characterized in that it is constituted by the following means: a link (2) that has a coupling end (5) provided to engage with a tensioning and retaining mechanism (3), a tensioning end (6), and a sliding sheath (7) for support on a tyre, a mechanism for tensioning and retaining the link (2) that has a roll axis (10) of sufficient length to offer numerous transverse coiling positions of the strap, and a coupling and return assembly (4) passed through by the link (2). Said device therefore enables vehicles to be stowed in two ways: a) by coupling to the vehicle chassis and b) by stowing the vehicle by link (2) on its tyres. This invention relates to the transportation of vehicles on Lorries or railway trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Bertrand Blanchet
  • Patent number: 7870591
    Abstract: A first communication apparatus includes a data transmission unit that sequentially transmits each data forming a data stream to any of a plurality of transmission paths along with additional information indicating transmission sequence of the each data. A second communication apparatus includes a sequence specification unit that specifies the transmission sequence of the each data based on the additional information provided with the each data sequentially received from the first communication unit via the plurality of the transmission paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Masprodenkoh Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Ui, Hiroyuki Niwa, Masatoshi Sugita
  • Patent number: 7867137
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain with at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor. The automatic transmission includes at least five shift elements to transmit torque and/or power. In each of the forward and reverse gears, at least three shift elements are engaged and the remaining shift elements are disengaged. Two consecutive gearshifts are carried out through selection of the five shift elements. During a first gearshift, implemented as a multiple gearshift, a subsequent second gearshift, implemented as either a single or multiple gearshift, is prepared. During the first gearshift, a first shift element is disengaged, a second shift element is engaged, a third shift element is prepared for disengagement in a subsequent second gearshift and a fourth shift element is prepared for engagement. Further, during the first gearshift and the subsequent second gearshift, a fifth shift element is retained in at least a substantially engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7857724
    Abstract: A multi-group transmission for a motor vehicle having a main transmission and a range group transmission downstream from the main transmission. The reverse gear is integrated into the range-group transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann
  • Patent number: 7857807
    Abstract: An intra-urethral catheter for a male patient, has a lumen (7) interrupted within the prostatic space (S) of the patient's urethra (U), by a blockage (8), and upper and lower by-pass openings (9, 10) through the catheter-wall (6) are located one above and one below the blockage (8). The upper opening (9) discharges urine collected from the bladder (B) to flush the prostatic space (S), and the lower opening (10) passes the urine back into the lower part (7?) of the lumen for discharge. In a modification, the length of the catheter below the sphincter (M) of the bulbar urethra and the external urethral orifice (O), is of membraneous form (11), and at the external urethral orifice (O) extends into a portion (12) for folding back over the glans (G). A ring (13) retains the folded-back portion (12) on the glans (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Dajue Wang
  • Patent number: 7855661
    Abstract: Apparatus for the individual monitoring of parking positions of a parking facility comprises a sensor (9) for vehicle detection and optical indicator means (5) for indicating the occupied/free status of a parking position (4). Sensor (9) has a transmit aerial (10) to radio the occupied/free status of parking position (4) to the parking facility control center. The optical indicator means (5) comprises a bistable indicating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Skidata AG
    Inventor: Gregor Ponert
  • Patent number: 7854674
    Abstract: A drive system for individually driving two driven wheels of a vehicle. The system includes two continuously variable drive motors which are drivingly connected, via a transmission arrangement, with respective driven wheels. Each transmission arrangement includes a shift transmission and a bevel gear transmission, which has a fixed transmission ratio and includes a spur gearset and a bevel gearset. Shift transmissions vary the transmission ratio and the bevel gear transmission enables arranging drive shafts of the drive motors transversely to the rotational axis of the driven wheels. The spur gearsets enable vertical repositioning of the transmissions drive output shafts. Furthermore, with different arrangements of the bevel gears, inclination of respective drive motors and shift transmissions relative to the vehicles longitudinal axis and the angle of the output shafts can be adjusted, such that the drive system can be installed in different vehicle types using largely identical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Freudenreich
  • Patent number: 7850474
    Abstract: A seal for an automatic transmission (12) having mechatronics with an electronic module (14) and an electro-hydraulic control unit. The electronic module (14), when installed, is electrically connected, via terminal connectors (20), with at least one actuator (16) and/or sensor of the electro-hydraulic control unit. The seal is inserted between the electronic module (14) and at least one actuator and/or sensor and consists of an elastically moldable soft material element (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Nicolai Horsch
  • Patent number: 7850570
    Abstract: A method of determining an application point of an automatically actuated clutch of an automatic mechanical transmission. After pre-selecting a new gear, the clutch automatically separates, the activated gear disengages, the engine rotational speed is brought to a target value for the new gear and the clutch, with higher advancing speed, is advanced to an application point at which the transmission input shaft is precisely entrained. To determine the application point, the gradient of the time curve of the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft is monitored, an important change of the gradient, that adjusts itself when reaching the application point, is determined and the current position of the clutch is defined as the application point. The application point is determined during downshifts, the time rotational speed curve of the transmission input shaft is between slowdown and re-acceleration, which is easily and accurately determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Jäger, Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 7849759
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for a transmission with a selection actuator and a shifting actuator, which a shifting shaft (2) comprising shifting forks (3) or selector forks, which engage in sliding collars for engaging the gears in which the shifting motion can be carried out by way of an axial motion of the shifting shaft (2), while the selection motion is kinematically disengaged from the shifting motion and the shifting shaft (2) does not rotate during the selection motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Stefan Renner, Karlheinz Mayr, Reiner Keller, Kai Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7845843
    Abstract: A compensation device has one first component (5) and one second component (12) between which elastic elements (11, 15) are placed by way of which an angular discrepancy between a mixing drum and a bearing bracket is compensated in a truck mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eduard Heilig
  • Patent number: D630085
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: David Raymond Zant, Beverley Anne Dawson
  • Patent number: D630134
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Lehman Trikes U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Dean McCoy