Patents Represented by Attorney Gifford Krass
  • Patent number: 8181283
    Abstract: A low flow urinal includes a bowl which incorporates a plurality of spray nozzles communicated by an inlet flow line. A structurally supporting stem extends from a location of the bowl and terminates in a remote pivot support secured to a floor location. The bowl secures against an upright wall surface in a first non-use position. An underside extending support is integrally formed with an underside of the bowl and provides floor support of the bowl when rotated to a second floor supporting location. A second drain line extends from a drain location associated with the bowl, with either or both the inlet and outlet lines optionally communicating with an associated toilet or separately engaged with fluid supply and waste discharge lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Michael L. Burch
  • Patent number: 8182041
    Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a rear actuated release mechanism is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat frame, and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat frame about a pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. The seat assembly further includes a release mechanism capable of locking, releasing, and moving the seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release mechanism is actuated by a release handle having an elongated slot formed therein. An egress mechanism operable to actuate the release mechanism from the rear of the seat assembly, includes a bracket pivotally attached to the seat frame and having a pin engaged within the slot of the release handle. The rotation of the bracket from a first position to a second position rotates the release handle to actuate the release mechanism to pivot the seat back from the seated position to the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Moegling, Robert Joseph Hazlewood, Todd Rupert Muck
  • Patent number: 8185295
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine is configured to be able to perform a selected cylinder operation in which combustion is stopped in some cylinders. The multi-cylinder engine includes an ignition-timing adjustment section. This ignition-timing adjustment section retards ignition timing of each operating cylinder when the number of operating cylinders is small or when the engine operates in a selected cylinder operation mode in which explosion occurs at irregular intervals. In such a case, the peak of cylinder internal pressure is lowered by ignition timing retard. Thus, vibration and noise can be suppressed effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nakasaka
  • Patent number: 8182015
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a removable rear seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment and a vehicle floor. A seat frame is mounted to the vehicle floor. A release mechanism is provided operatively connecting the seat frame to the vehicle floor as to prevent movement of the seat frame. A release handle is mounted to a rear of the seat frame and is connected to the release mechanism for purposes of activating the release mechanism. The release handle may also be used as a carrying handle allowing for increased maneuverability of the seat frame after removal. The seat frame is removable from the passenger compartment upon a downward pulling and upward rotation of the release handle. This specific movement requirement prevents the inadvertent release of the seat frame from the vehicle floor. The release handle is prevented from an immediate rotation upwards preventing a vehicle occupant from activating the release mechanism by kicking or lifting the release handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Rupert Muck, John Fredrik Runske
  • Patent number: 8183745
    Abstract: An example ultrasound device, such as a transducer array, includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers, each ultrasound transducer having a first electrode, a second electrode, a thin piezoelectric film located between the electrodes, and a substrate supporting the plurality of ultrasound transducers. In some examples, the electrode separation is less than 10 microns, facilitating lower voltage operation than conventional ultrasound transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Thomas N. Jackson, Kyusun Choi, Richard L. Tutwiler, In Soo Kim, Hyun Soo Kim, Sung Kyu Park, Ioanna G. Mina
  • Patent number: 8181762
    Abstract: An annular frictional engaging piston includes an annular pressure apply portion which pushes a frictional engagement element in an axial direction against urging force of a return spring that urges in a direction opposite the frictional engagement element, and which has a cutout portion where a portion in the circumferential direction has been removed to avoid interference between the piston and another member. A partially removed region is provided, and a mounting hole for mounting the return spring on the piston is provided in a region other than the partially removed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabuskiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terasu Harashima, Shundou Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8181892
    Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge device for a cleaning fluid or treatment fluid, in particular to a lance for a high-pressure cleaner, comprising a pivotable head piece and an elongate holder which carries the head piece at its one end and is made at its other end for holding and for remotely controlled pivoting of the head piece, wherein the holder includes a carrier for the holding of the head piece and an actuation member adjustable relative to the carrier for the pivoting of the head piece relative to the carrier, and wherein the carrier and the actuation member extend up to the head piece in an at least approximately axially parallel arrangement, and in particular coaxial arrangement, with the carrier extending inside the actuation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Anton Jäger
  • Patent number: 8185283
    Abstract: First target torque of an engine is set based on a driver's operation, a vehicle behavior, and a request for shifting gears of an automatic transmission. The engine is controlled such that the difference between the first target torque and the actual output torque of the engine is reduced. Detection torque is calculated from an operation state of the engine. In consideration of dead time in control of the engine, calculation torque is calculated from the first target torque. In addition, first lookahead torque with the dead time in the engine being removed is calculated by feedback-correcting the first target torque according to an error e between the detection torque and the calculation torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Toshiya Oishi, Shogo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8181991
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly having a locking feature. The instrument panel assembly includes an elongated member attached to a portion of the vehicle and extending towards the instrument panel assembly, a lower panel spaced apart from the elongated member, at least one clip disposed on one of either the lower panel or the elongated member; and a corresponding number of tabs disposed on the other of said lower panel or said elongated member. The clip and tabs are spaced apart from and registered to each other so as to lockingly engage each other and keep the lower panel in contact with the elongated member when the lower panel and elongated member are driven into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Haruyuki Dei, Robert Joseph Panek, Phouvadol Peter Khouphongsy
  • Patent number: 8182586
    Abstract: A bubble reduction system for a fluid flowing system is provided. The bubble reduction system can include a vat containing a fluid, a pump operable to pump the fluid into the vat, a moat containing a portion of the fluid and a bubble trap also containing a portion of the fluid. The bubble trap can have an upstream section and a downstream section with a panel located between the two sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Mahaffy
  • Patent number: 8176963
    Abstract: An accordion-style storm shutter panel and system for use in covering an opening in a building structure including an outer frame assembly and a plurality of vertically mounted elongated panels foldably connected together in accordion style fashion. The panels are joined by slip fitted lateral knuckle joints and a track engaging a guide which extends from ends of the knuckle joints. A plurality of spaced apertures are formed through and extend over the substantial length of each of the panels, each of said apertures preferably having a notch-and-tab arrangement extending around a periphery thereof. A plurality of transparent, translucent or opaque locking plugs are sized and have a spaced locking tab arrangement around a periphery thereof, which matably and releasably lockingly engages within each aperture. Alternately, the plugs may be fixed in place and be light-transmitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen J. Motosko
  • Patent number: 8177690
    Abstract: A handheld exercise device in the form a single nonresilient ball, or a pair of balls, which have a copper surface and have internal permanent magnets embedded within the balls which generate magnetic fields around the outer surface of the ball. The balls may be grasped in the palm of a hand and manipulated so as to combine the therapeutic effects of exercise, copper absorption into the skin, and magnetic field therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Norbert T. Wierszewski
  • Patent number: 8176965
    Abstract: Hurricane protection screening and system including a length of flexible screening material having a substantially uniform continuous cross-section and being sized in length to substantially exceed a height of a building opening and sized in width to exceed or equal a width of the building opening. A plurality of separate spaced, parallel thickened areas are connected to and extend along the entire length of the screening material and are spaced apart over the width thereof, one of the thickened areas extending along each longitudinal side margin of the screening material. The system includes x-shaped buckles each configured for attachment to an upper or lower end of one of the thickened areas of each screen panel, the buckles themselves connectable to a frame of the building opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen J. Motosko, Stephen Motosko, III
  • Patent number: 8176765
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel die assembly for extruding and drawing ferrous and non-ferrous metal, and also to a method of making the same. The die assembly according to the present invention comprises a die core (3); at least one pre-stressed ring (2) placed around the die core (3); and a die casing (1) surrounding the ring (2), wherein the ring (2) is plastically deformed and hardened by press fitting it to the casing (1) so that the ring has compression stress exceeding its material yield limit by 10-40%, and the mating geometric feature (5) of the core and the ring is tapered towards the exit, to thereby obtain a rigid container system in which a die core can be press fitted with a great force without die cracking. As a result, a long lasting die assembly with surprisingly high performance, small dimension and low production cost is obtained by assembling the die core by a great force without die cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sung Gi Choe
    Inventor: Sung Gi Choe
  • Patent number: 8176869
    Abstract: A production assembly and associated process for mass producing such as a thermoplastic pallet and which utilizes a multiple insert supporting and continuously moving carousels inter-faceable with an input line upon which is transported a plurality of rigid and planar shaped inserts, as well as an output line a spaced relationship from the input line for removing, from the carousel, the resin coated articles. The invention further teaches a series of subset variants for spray applying a two part resin and hardener upon the insert according to a selected thickness, following which the inserts are cured and dried prior to transferring to the output line and in order to create a finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oria Collapsibles, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 8177840
    Abstract: A ligament incorporated into a prosthetic joint exhibiting a plasticized, elongated and deformable material. A fibrous material is internally disposed within the deformable material, the fibrous material terminating in first and second enlarged bead portions arranged in proximity to enlarged pocket defined ends associated with the deformable materials. First and second bones define a joint region therebetween, the deformable end pockets and bead portions being inserted through associated holes defined in joint proximate locations associated with the bones, so that actuation of a projection location of the fibrous material causes the bead portions to outwardly deflect the end pockets, resulting in the ligaments being anchored in place between the bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 8173131
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment or prevention of RSV disease by modulating RSV infection and immunity. In particular, amino acid sequences in the RSV G glycoprotein, containing the chemokine motif defined as C-X-X-X-C (or CX3C), are identified that are essential in causing RSV infection and disease. The chemokine motif is biologically active and participates in virus binding to and infection of susceptible cells. The prevention or treatment of RSV infection is achieved by interfering with the motif, such as by administering a vaccine in which the motif is altered or by administration or induction of blocking molecules that inhibit the biological activity of the motif.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Tripp, Les Jones, Larry J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8175712
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for regulating blood pressure in a subject which include administering a first induction stimulus effective to sensitize brainstem baroreflex neurons of a subject for a period of time in the range of about 10-15 hours thereby producing an enhanced baroreflex in the subject, wherein the enhanced baroreflex is characterized in that a threshold blood pressure for generating a depressor response is lower than prior to induction stimulus administration, the depressor response in the subject is larger than prior to induction stimulus administration or both the threshold blood pressure for generating a depressor response is lower than prior to induction stimulus administration and the depressor response in the subject is larger than prior to induction stimulus administration. An induction stimulus has diminished effectiveness to sensitize neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the subject in the presence of an NMDA receptor antagonist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiaorui Tang, Barry R. Dworkin
  • Patent number: D658928
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Victory Land Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Mohr
  • Patent number: D660085
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Ulysses Boone