Patents Represented by Attorney Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP
  • Patent number: 8178213
    Abstract: In a method for applying a multilayer wear-resistant coating on metallic, optionally already coated, surfaces, the coating is composed of at least two anti-wear layers (5) and an intermediate layer (10) each arranged between two anti-wear layers (5). The intermediate layer (10) is comprised of a material composition containing the material of the anti-wear layer (5) and a further material, wherein the application of the intermediate layer (10) is effected with a content of the material of the anti-wear layer (5) decreasing over a first transition region (a) and a content of the material of the anti-wear layer (5) increasing over a second transition region (b), the content of the material of the anti-wear layer (5) in the intermediate layer (10) being selected to be at least 5% by weight in every point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Werger
  • Patent number: 8175664
    Abstract: Wireless handheld mobile communication device including a housing with a display above a keyboard exposed for user actuation. A length of the device is greater than the width. Each key of a right-hand keyfield has a longitudinal axis oriented at a left-to-right inclined angle while each key of a left-hand keyfield has a longitudinal axis oriented at a right-to-left inclined angle from the vertical centerline. A left boundary of the keyboard is located adjacent the left lateral side edge of the device and the right boundary of the keyboard is located adjacent the right lateral side edge of the device so that the keyboard spans a substantial entirety of the width of the device. When the device is cradled in a right hand of the user, the longitudinal axis of each key of said plurality of keys located on the right is oriented to be parallel with a widthwise axis of the user's right thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Hofer, Roman P. Rak, Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8172885
    Abstract: Bone plate and bone screw lock systems are provided for use in surgical implants. In a preferred form, the bone plate or other implantable member defines a bore for receiving a bone screw and a recess in communication with the bore. A screw lock operates in the bore at the recess to engage and lock the bone screw against unintentional movement. The preferred screw lock is shifted about the screw between an unlocked position to allow manipulation of the screw and a locked position in which the screw lock grips the head of the screw to prevent movement of the screw. The screw lock preferably has a c-shaped collar configuration with opposing ends and a camming engagement with the plate or other member in the recess. Upon rotation of the screw lock, the camming engagement causes the ends of the collar to either shift toward one another in which the collar compresses about the screw to lock the screw or away from another to unlock the screw head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Songer, Hansen Yuan, Thomas S. Kilpela, Brian P. Janowski, Gregory A. Berrevoets
  • Patent number: 8175591
    Abstract: A system includes a wireless speech transmission device that communicates a wireless transmission of speech representing data in a first protocol via a wireless network. The speech representing data conveys substantially noise-free human speech. A wireless speech communication device receives the speech representing data in the first protocol via the network and couples representations of the data to a speech communication apparatus in a second protocol. A moveable barrier operator is within receiving range of the wireless transmission of the data from the wireless speech transmission device, intercepts the wireless transmission from the wireless speech transmission device, and recognizes a speech pattern from the data in the wireless transmission. A barrier movement apparatus actuates the barrier based upon the speech pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The Chamerlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 8172545
    Abstract: A method for continuously controlling the flow rate of a meat input stream for making a meat product is disclosed. A flow rate algorithm is provided that depends upon pump speed (RPM) for control of the flow rate. A correction factor provides further control of the system and is dependant upon loss in weight data when meat is not being added. When meat is being added and a new target flow rate is desired, a modified correction factor is calculated based upon a previous error factor and a new initial pump speed based on the new target flow rate. The modified correction factor is used to obtain an adjusted pump speed. The RPM of the pump motor is used as the main control of the flow rate, and the loss in weight data fine tunes this RPM parameter for finer control to better achieve a target flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventor: Daniel B. Wilke
  • Patent number: 8175167
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, systems for use in encoding and/or formatting content, such as multimedia content. Some embodiments provide methods for use in encoding content. These methods receive source content, encode the source content producing encoded content, evaluate a first encoded segment of the encoded content relative to a plurality of buffer models, determine whether the first segment of encoded content is to be re-encoded relative to one or more of the plurality of buffer models based on the evaluation; and re-encode the first segment when it is determined that the first segment is to be re encoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sonic Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Peter M. Bouton, Bruce W. Randall, Matthew Palmer
  • Patent number: 8172876
    Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided that includes a coupling member and a locking device that is operable to fix an elongate member relative to the coupling member. In one form, locking device includes opposing lock arms operable to retain the locking device relative to the coupling member in an initial position prior to the locking device fixing the elongate member relative to the coupling member. In another form, the coupling member and locking device include cooperating structure therebetween in the form of a protrusion and a guide track, the cooperating structure arranged and configured to retain the locking device within an internal space of the coupling member. There is also provided a retainer operable to minimize pivoting of the coupling member relative to an anchor member and to substantially retain an anchor member depressed within an internal space of the coupling member to minimize play therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Janowski, Francis J. Korhonen, Thomas S. Kilpela, Gregory Berrevoets
  • Patent number: 8174316
    Abstract: A switching amplifier is disclosed and comprises: a power supply (Vcc); input circuits (Va, Vb); switch transistors (M1, M2) connected with each other in series; driving circuits (I1, I2) coupled with the switch transistors (M1, M2) respectively; a bootstrap circuit for supplying operation voltage to the driving circuit (I1). The switching amplifier also comprises: leakage circuits (M1a, M2a) or auxiliary switching circuits (M1?, M2?). With the switching amplifier of the invention, the fluctuation of the bootstrap potential can be suppressed and the signal distortion of the switching amplifier can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Apexone Microelectronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Hao Zhu
  • Patent number: 8167221
    Abstract: A sprinkler housing having a side inlet with improved strength and durability is disclosed. The housing includes an inlet opening having a shape configured to position regions of peak stress concentration on the housing side walls, upon the sprinkler housing being filled with a pressurized fluid, circumferentially spaced from the upper and lower central points of the inlet opening to provide a more robust sprinkler housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. McAfee, Noel Perez
  • Patent number: 8170721
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to automatically determine plant water requirements and adjust irrigation in order to make efficient use of water. In one implementation, an irrigation control unit comprises a memory storing historical values of a plurality of variables used at least in part in calculating plant water requirements, and at least one input adapted to receive signals corresponding to current values of one or more of the plurality of variables. The unit also comprises a processor coupled to the at least one input and the memory, the processor adapted to determine the plant water requirements at least in part using, for each of the plurality of variables, a current value in the event the current value is available and at least in part using, for each of the plurality of variables, a stored historical value in the event the current value is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Harvey J. Nickerson
  • Patent number: 8168963
    Abstract: A system for self-decontaminating a surface of an object is disclosed herein. The system includes a light emitting member and photocatalytic material which can be mounted on or within the object to be decontaminated. Activation of the system releases an oxidizing agent effective in deactivating chemically or biologically active agents at or near the surface. The system is robust, non-destructive, can be activated on demand, and does not require regeneration or expose a user to harmful materials such as UV irradiation. Also disclosed are objects containing the system, methods for self-decontaminating objects using the system, and methods for fabricating self-decontaminating surfaces on an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: William R. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 8168247
    Abstract: A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Halliday, Colin Ballard, Satwinder Panesar, Geoff Rendle, Maria Gomez
  • Patent number: 8170244
    Abstract: A microphone is provided. The microphone has a housing; an acoustic port located in the housing; a substrate coupled with the housing; an integrated circuit positioned onto the substrate; and two or more MEMS transducers mounted on the substrate wherein the transducers are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Ryan, Michael Abry, Peter V. Loeppert
  • Patent number: 8163019
    Abstract: An implant retention device is provided to assist in restraining movement of a nuclear implant and to assist in preventing expulsion of the nuclear implant through an incision portal or defect in the annular wall. In general, the implant retention device blocks or obstructs at least a portion of an opening in the annular wall, thereby keeping the implant from exiting the nuclear space through the annular opening. In one form, the implant retention device comprises an expulsion prevention member positioned adjacent the nuclear implant and configured to transition between a compressed position and an expanded position. In another form, the implant retention device may comprise a mounting portion to be positioned adjacent one of the vertebral bodies, a blocking portion for at least partially obstructing the annular opening, and an end projection at a terminal end of the blocking portion to resist expulsion of the implant through the annular opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi-Bin Bao, Brian P. Janowski, Thomas S. Kilpela, John Sullivan, Jeffrey L. Trudeau
  • Patent number: 8161774
    Abstract: A crochet galloon machine needle (26) in accordance with the invention is provided on its hook outside (39) with a guide projection (40) having a tip (43) that is preferably located above the center axis (A) of the needle (26). This needle (26) has an enlarged weft thread capture range and is thus particularly suitable for the manufacture of dense knitted goods. In addition, said needle enables the operation with reduced take-off tension and, optionally, also with reduced weft thread tension. This helps increase the service life of all system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Uwe Stingel, Andreas Kuntsmann
  • Patent number: 8162552
    Abstract: Wireless handheld mobile communication device and keyboard therefore having a keyfield including a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows that are distributed about a vertical centerline (Vc) of the keyboard. Each of the depressible keys has a top engagement surface of which an upper inboard portion is raised relative a lower outboard portion thereof. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys is ramped from the lower outboard portion toward the upper inboard portion. Each top engagement surface is generally crest shaped, with the apex of the crest running generally diagonally across the respective key with the rest of the top engagement surface falling away from the crest toward the upper outboard portion and the lower inboard portion of the key. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys terminates at an upper edge thereof in an elevated ridge down from which the balance of the respective top engagement surface slopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Roman P. Rak, Jason T. Griffin, Norman M. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 8163310
    Abstract: A plant invigorator which may contain the following ingredients per litre: 10%-33% anion surfactants; 5%-18% non-ionic surfactants; 2%-20% ethanol or methylated spirits or cider vinegar; 25%-60% de-mineralised aqueous solution; 0.01 ml-4 ml natural extract such as vanilla, almond or strawberry; 0.01-5 grams food grade coloring; 0.01-5 grams lanolin or 0.5 ml-15 ml glycerine or 0.5 ml to 5 ml paraffin oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Vincent Priaulx Carey
  • Patent number: 8162235
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler is provided having a housing and a riser assembly for the distribution of irrigation water that includes a wiper seal to prevent bypass flow. The sprinkler includes a first flow path that delivers water to a nozzle for irrigation and a second flow path that delivers water to a cavity between the riser assembly and the housing. The water in the cavity is substantially prevented from exiting the cavity because of an annular wiper blade and a secondary sealing blade that substantially contact the riser assembly through the riser assembly's reciprocal movement between retracted and elevated positions. The water in the cavity is additionally prevented from exiting the cavity due to a primary sealing blade that substantially contacts the riser assembly for a limited period of time when the riser assembly is in the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Albert McAfee
  • Patent number: D659000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Grace Jiyoung Kim, J. Steven Little, James J. Miller
  • Patent number: D659023
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Panko NYC, LLC
    Inventor: Sin Fang Fanny Hsu