Patents Represented by Law Firm Fitch, Even & Tabin
  • Patent number: 8308767
    Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes vertebral engagement members and an intermediate structure. The vertebral engagement members are configured to be disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. The vertebral engagement members generally include seating surfaces for accommodating at least a portion of a laminar region of adjacent vertebra and are adjustable between an operable and inoperable configuration. The intermediate structure extends between the vertebral engagement members. The structural cooperation of the vertebral engagement members and the intermediate structure is such that the engagement members distract the adjacent vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hochschuler, Ali Araghi, Matthew N. Songer, Thomas S. Kilpela, Joshua A. Butters, Greta Jo Hays
  • Patent number: 8308774
    Abstract: A medical instrument apparatus and method is provided for positioning and securing a spinal rod to a coupling device anchored to a vertebra. A reducer assembly shifts the spinal rod into place within the coupling device and a cap inserter assembly shifts a cap member into locking engagement with the coupling device to secure the spinal rod therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hoffman, Maria M. Norman, Scott J. Parrow, Michael D. Ensign
  • Patent number: 8303935
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compound which has affinity with amyloid, shows sufficiently rapid clearance from normal tissues and is suppressed in toxicity such as mutagencity. Provided is a compound represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein A1, A2, A3 and A4 independently represents a carbon or nitrogen; R1 is a halogen substituent; R2 is a halogen substituent; and m is an integer of 0 to 2, provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is a radioactive halogen substituent, at least one of A1, A2, A3 and A4 represents a carbon, and R1 binds to a carbon represented by A1, A2, A3 or A4 as well as a low-toxic diagnostic agent comprising a compound represented by the preceding formula or a salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Tanifuji, Daisaku Nakamura, Shinya Takasaki, Yuki Okumura
  • Patent number: 8302362
    Abstract: A tread and bearer member locating system for a modular decking system, the modular decking system including decking in the form of a plurality of treads, and the decking being carried by one or more bearer members. The treads are elongate and have a longitudinal axis, a topside, an underside and a lateral width. The tread and bearer member locating system includes treads and bearer members, wherein the underside of at least one tread includes, at or near each end thereof, a bearer member receiving area, at least one of the bearer member receiving areas being bound longitudinally between a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extending locating projections, and laterally between opposed coupling members capable of, in use, coupling with correspondingly shaped coupling members in adjacent treads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ecoform Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Guy R. Rischmueller, Franek Savarton
  • Patent number: 8302538
    Abstract: A method of shipping automobiles, a railcar for shipping automobiles, and a method of manufacturing railcars for shipping automobiles. The method comprises, among other steps, determining a distribution of vehicle heights for passenger cars sold within a predetermined area and a predetermined time period; assessing weight, bottom clearance, length, width and Cg for the passenger cars; and transporting the passenger cars on a plurality of single-unit tri-level auto rack railcars, each comprising a flat car and a fixed-deck rack built on the flat car. Each of the railcars has (a) three decks which are fixed along their entire lengths and which are capable of transporting in commercial rail service over 90% of passenger cars manufactured in the predetermined area and predetermined time period with a load factor of at least 15 with minimum vertical clearances of between 64 and 66 in. to accommodate the vehicle heights of the passenger cars, while also accommodating at least 3 in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Cencer, Robert C. Ortner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8302546
    Abstract: A tufting gripper (16) comprises a pocket (26) with an insert (25) that is associated with a spring means (34) in order to at least temporarily clamp and secure said insert in place in the pocket in a prespecified position. The spring means (34) pushes the insert (25) preferably in the direction of the tip of the gripper and creates a particularly smooth transition at this location between the base body (19) of the tufting gripper (16) and the insert (25), in particular the tip (33) of said insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Ingo Bitzer, Andreas Englmeier
  • Patent number: 8302743
    Abstract: A support for supporting a structure on a surface, comprising at least one support element, each support element comprising a piston, a cylinder in which the piston is moveable, and a brake for maintaining the piston in a position that is stable relative to the cylinder, wherein the piston and the cylinder are arranged so that a loading associated with the structure effects an adjustment of the support element, and wherein an increase in hydraulic pressure within the cylinder, effected by the loading associated with the structure, activates the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Flat Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Antony Lawrence Pike, Duncan B. Gilmore, Raymond L. Hope
  • Patent number: 8302989
    Abstract: An airbag having an inflator therein and an airbag system equipped with the airbag are provided, the inflator having a harness taken to the outside through a harness through opening, and the airbag having high inflation durability. An airbag has an inflator therein. Three stud bolts project from an inflator holder attached to the inflator. The bottom of the airbag has three bolt insertion holes through which the stud bolts are passed. A harness through opening is provided between adjacent bolt insertion holes, the harness through opening being for taking a harness for passing electric current to the initiator of the inflator out of the airbag. The harness through opening is shaped like a slit, which extends in the direction substantially orthogonal to the line connecting the bolt insertion holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Takimoto, Yoshihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8304729
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses that detect, classify and locate flash events. In some implementations, some of the methods detect a flash event, trigger an imaging system in response to detecting the flash event to capture an image of an area that includes the flash event, and determines a location of the flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Robin Terry Snider, Jeffrey Dykes McGee, Michael Dale Perry
  • Patent number: 8302520
    Abstract: A selection plate (39) is provided on a punch device (1) for activating or deactivating individual punch holding bars (13, 14). The plate has a coupling device (40) associated with a positive-locking coupling between a punch holding bar (13, 14) and the selection plate (39). Associated with the positive-locking coupling is an edge of the selection plate (39), that is provided with a recess (42), an extension (43) of the punch holding bar (13, 14) that extends around said edge, and/or a rib (41), which is located on the underside of the selection plate (39) and is associated with the punch holding bar (13, 14). As a result, it is possible to selectively establish or eliminate a positive-locking connection between the punch holding bar (13, 14) and the selection plate (39). Via the rib (41), the punch stroke of the selection plate (39) is merely transmitted to the punch holding bar (13 or 14), which is in positive-locking engagement with the lateral edge or the projections of the selection plate (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Kuno Horn, Ernst Heinemann
  • Patent number: 8302887
    Abstract: A flow path is provided for a drip emitter to reduce the supply pressure in a manner reducing the potential for the flow path to become obstructed and clogged. The path employs a central path with a predetermined size and a series of baffles with predetermined spacing. The flow path further includes a metering chamber and a diaphragm to compensate for changes in supply pressure and an outlet that facilitates self-flushing in conjunction with the operation of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Park, Thomas Antonucci, Josh St. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 8297654
    Abstract: In one form, an airbag is provided including an airbag main body formed into a pouch; an inner restricting cloth that comprises a tearable tear line and wraps and restricts the airbag main body that is in a first folded state, folded to achieve bundling toward a predetermined direction, in the bundled direction; and an outer restricting cloth that comprises a tearable tear line and wraps and restricts the airbag main body that is in a second folded state, folded to achieve further bundling from the first folded state toward a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, in the bundled direction further on the outside than the inner restricting cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8299192
    Abstract: Statistic comb polymers obtainable by the radical copolymerization of a vinylic poly(alkylenoxide) compound (A) with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer compound (B) according to the catalytic chain transfer method (CCT). The comb polymers are extremely suitable for hydraulic binder suspensions based on cement, lime, gypsum and anhydrite as they have, for the same dosage, an improved water reducing power over conventional flow agents. The corresponding building material mixtures are characterized by a substantially reduced stickiness and plastic viscosity once said comb polymers are added, which dramatically improves the plasticity of very cement-rich building material mixtures, such as concretes. The building material mixtures using the inventive flow agents have a considerably increased slump flow and an increased shear-thinning behavior as compared to conventional concretes without the tendency to segregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Construction Research & Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Kraus, Gerhard Albrecht, Christian Hübsch, Harald Grassl, Angelika Hartl
  • Patent number: 8297403
    Abstract: A panel mounting structure for a vehicle is provided having a substrate; a panel; and a separable sound reduction member disposed between the panel and the substrate and being configured to separate into at least two pieces that each remain in substantially fixed relation to a different one of the panel and the substrate, and having a material selected so that the impact of the pieces with each other causes relatively little sound. The material can be configured to separate to form the at least two pieces due to relative motion between the substrate and panel. In specific embodiments, the sound reduction member can be comprised of a sound reduction member, such as felt, or a sound reduction member layer and an adherent backing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Webasto Roof Systems
    Inventors: Michael Panozzo, Marcus Christensen, Thomas Mack
  • Patent number: 8293424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a repeating unit for a fuel cell stack comprising a membrane electrode assembly and a flow field designed to supply an active surface of the membrane electrode assembly with gas and comprising at least a gas passage orifice. According to the invention it is contemplated that a gas-tight gas flow barrier is disposed between the active surface and the gas passage orifice so that gas passing through the first gas passage orifice flows around the gas flow barrier, wherein the projection of the gas flow barrier towards the periphery of the active surface is at least half as long as the projection of the gas passage orifice towards the periphery of the active surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: STAXERA GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Reinert
  • Patent number: 8293299
    Abstract: Containers and methods are provided for dispensing a liquid concentrate utilizing one or more desirable properties including a generally consistent discharge across a range of squeeze forces, a generally consistent discharge with the same force without significant dependence on the amount of liquid concentrate in the container, a substantially dripless or leak proof outlet opening, a jet that minimizes splashing when the liquid concentrate impacts a target liquid, and a jet that maximizes mixing between the liquid concentrate and the target liquid to produce a generally homogenous mixture without the use of extraneous utensils or shaking. Also provided are liquid beverage concentrates that can be cold filled during packaging while maintaining shelf stability for at least about three months at ambient temperatures. Concentrates are provided having low pH, with or without alcohol, and with buffers to allow for increased acid content at a selected pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Karl Ragnarsson, Jane Lee MacDonald, Dana Marie Brown
  • Patent number: 8294553
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator system includes a motor that is used to move a movable barrier. The system also includes an audio amplifier device. First power is supplied to the audio amplifier device to thereby render corresponding content locally audible. Information regarding starting of the motor is received and the first power supplied to the audio amplifier device is automatically reduced in response to receiving the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James Joseph Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: D669787
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Braun, Farhad Alibhai, Derek J. Romeo, Mark J. Ramundo
  • Patent number: D669964
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Krishnaditya G. Arkalgud, Gregory S. Palumbo, Kenneth J. Skripkar
  • Patent number: RE43772
    Abstract: A seed tube for an agricultural seeding machine includes a side wall having at least a portion thereof formed from a transparent material. A sensor includes a transmitter which is positioned adjacent an outside of the side wall, and operates through the transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan A. Mariman, Mark S. Sommer, Donna R. Sommer, legal representative, James R. Peterson, Donald K. Landphair, William G. Bultinck