Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm MacMillan, Sobanski & Todd, LLC
  • Patent number: 7984551
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same. The wheel includes a rim and a disc secured to the rim. The disc includes a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, an outer rim connecting flange defining a side edge surface and a window formed therein between adjacent pairs of spokes and having a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent pairs of spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange such that each of the windows extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc, at least one of the windows includes at least a first window portion and a second window portion, the first window portion being formed by a first piercing operation and the second window portion being formed by a second piercing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick McCorry, Tom Czarniecki, Monty Csapo, Todd Duffield, Matthias Grutgen, Frank Kramer, Alan Coleman
  • Patent number: 7986960
    Abstract: A method is provided for self-aligning a transmitting frequency between a portable transceiving device and a base station transceiving device. A test signal is transmitted from one of a portable or base station transceiving devices to the other of the portable or base station transceiving devices. The test signal has a frequency that varies during the transmission. The varying of the frequency of the test signal generates a plurality of discrete signals. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices measures a RSSI value of each discrete signal. The other of the portable or base station transceiving devices determines a discrete signal having a maximum RSSI value. At least a portion of a subsequent message from the other of the portable transceiving device or the base station transceiving device is transmitted at an optimum frequency used for the test signal identified by the test result signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, Yi Luo, Qingfeng Tang
  • Patent number: 7980498
    Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation and the plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Hugo E. Eccles, Jeffrey W. Servaites, John B. Youger, Gregory J. Merz, Joseph M. Sexton, Jeffrey D. Accursi, Christopher H. Kujawski, Robert E. O'Grady, Keith A. Grider
  • Patent number: 7980482
    Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve includes a valve body having an evaporator inlet port, an evaporator outlet port, a suction line port, and a liquid line port. A sensor chamber formed within the valve body is disposed between the evaporator outlet port and the suction line port. A valve is disposed within the valve body controls a flow of refrigerant from the liquid line port to the evaporator inlet port. A diaphragm separates a charge chamber and a pressure chamber where a pressure differential between a charge chamber and a pressure chamber controls the positioning of the valve. A restriction flow passage located to provide fluid communication between the sensor chamber and the pressure chamber is configured to limit a flow rate from the pressure chamber to sensor chamber, thereby slowing the opening of the valve resulting in a reduction of noise generated following an initial startup of a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Zheng Lou, Thomas Joseph, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7983801
    Abstract: A system for and a method of controlling the stability of a vehicle includes an electronic control system controlling a vehicle stability control subsystem based at least in part on static tire data received by the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Danny R. Milot
  • Patent number: 7976094
    Abstract: A locator pin aligns a glass panel during installation on a vehicle. The locator pin includes a base for affixing to the glass panel in a predetermined position prior to transporting it from a site where the glass panel is formed. A pin body has an elongated portion with a proximal end and a distal end defining a longitudinal axis. A hinge pivotally attaches the pin body to the base at the proximal end so that the pin body pivots between a shipping position wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to a surface of the glass panel and an alignment position wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the glass panel. The folding pin allows glass panels to be stacked closer together in shipping racks when they are transported from the glass fabrication facility to a place of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Zeledyne, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Lesle
  • Patent number: 7976419
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chip Hartinger, Steve A. Frait, James T. Gooden
  • Patent number: 7976105
    Abstract: A mechanism raises and lowers a tailgate provided on a dump box of a dump truck, trailer, or similar vehicle. The dump box has an open end and is supported on the frame for movement between a lowered position for storing and transporting items and a raised position for dumping the items out of the dump box. A tailgate is supported on the bump box for movement between a closed position, wherein the tailgate closes the open rear end of the dump box, and an opened position, wherein the tailgate is spaced away from the open end of the dump box. A double cylinder assembly extends between the dump box and the tailgate for selectively moving the tailgate between the closed and opened positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Air Power Systems Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg L. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7978096
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a vehicle that determines a parking angle while parking and employs the parking angle when using a cross traffic alert system while backing out of a parking space. The parking angle is used to determine areas of interest and areas not of interest within the fields of view of vehicle mounted sensors. The areas of interest are those used to determine if cross traffic alerts need to be issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Reed, Brian Bennie, Steven Y. Schondorf
  • Patent number: 7971814
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and is configured for distributing the blowing wool into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes a housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The housing has a wrap angle of approximately 240°. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Evans, Christopher M. Relyea
  • Patent number: 7971813
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool includes a chute configured to receive the bag, a shredder mounted at an outlet end of the chute and configured to shred the bag and to pick apart the blowing wool, a rotatably mounted ripper, distinct from the shredder, mounted to rip apart a portion of the bag, and a blower for distributing the blowing wool and shredded bag into an airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. O'Leary, Steven G. Schmitt, Alvin L. Miller, Willard Price
  • Patent number: 7972126
    Abstract: A power steering system hydraulic pump has a pump component which is to be sealed and a first pump cover. A flat sealing element is provided between the pump component which is to be sealed and the first pump cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Jordan
  • Patent number: 7966813
    Abstract: A sealing element seals a pressure piston which is movably arranged in a housing of a brake cylinder. The sealing element may be inserted into a ring-shaped groove which is provided in the housing. The sealing element includes an outer sealing lip for contact with a floor of the ring-shaped groove, an inner sealing lip for contact with the pressure piston, and a sealing element back. At least one non-sealing spacer element is provided on the sealing element back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Struschka
  • Patent number: 7967393
    Abstract: A pressure balanced supply valve for use in a vehicular braking system. A housing defines a first chamber, a second chamber, a first fluid conduit for connection to a master cylinder, a second fluid conduit for connection to a hydraulic pump, and a third fluid conduit connected between the first and second fluid conduits. The second fluid conduit communicates with both the first chamber and the second chamber. A valve seat is defined in the third fluid conduit. A movable valve element is movable to a first position sealing against the valve seat to prevent fluid flow between the first and second conduits through the third conduit, and to a second position permitting fluid flow between the first and second conduit through the third conduit. The movable valve element is exposed to pressures in both the first and second chambers so as to be pressure balanced in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Blaise J. Ganzel
  • Patent number: 7967227
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. The shredding chamber further includes a plurality of guide shells positioned partially around the plurality of shredders. The plurality of shredders seal against the plurality of guide shells and direct the blowing wool in a downstream direction as the plurality of shredders rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Jeffrey W. Servaites, Keith A. Grider
  • Patent number: 7964052
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layered preform molding material includes a reinforcement material and a resin material. The apparatus includes a mechanism for joining the reinforcement layers together by impregnation of the resin material into the reinforcement material to form the molding material, thereby obviating the need for any additional bonding to join the individual reinforcement layers before impregnation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Gurit (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy Dolby
  • Patent number: 7958671
    Abstract: A semi-circular flexible flower box (top section) and a semi-circular flexible mounting shelf (bottom section), are both functional companion units. The top section functions as a flower box but has a flexible accordion pleat (inside/outside diameters) configured in a semi-circle to allow for attachment to cylindrical objects. The bottom section functions as a mounting shelf for the top section and is structured not only in the same flexible semi-circular fashion, but is designed in such a way as to capture the flower box section allowing it to rest securely on the mounting shelf or bottom section. Configured to the inside or backside diameter of the mounting shelf are slots that allow for insertion of an attachment strap. The attachment strap allows for a precise and snug fit of the mounting shelf and companion flower box, top section to cylindrical objects within the range of the mounting shelf's diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Garden-Aire, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Sheaffer, William P. Camp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7957156
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly includes a substrate having first and second sides and a substrate aperture formed therein. The substrate is made of an electrically non-conductive material. A busbar is attached to the first side of the substrate. The busbar has a busbar aperture formed therein. A trace is formed on the second surface of the substrate. The busbar and trace are formed of an electrically conductive material. A pin is disposed in both the substrate aperture and the busbar aperture, wherein the pin is in electrical communication with the busbar and the trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Antonio Palomo
  • Patent number: D639463
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Bert W. Elliott
  • Patent number: D641502
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Bert W. Elliott