Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
  • Patent number: 8336221
    Abstract: A level for indicating the orientation of each of a surface, a first electrical device, or a second electrical device, the level including a first planar surface, a second planar surface, a web, and a vial. The web is coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such that the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second planar surface. The vial has a long axis and contains a liquid and a gas bubble and is coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the first planar surface. A first perimeter is formed as part of the web, shaped substantially the same as a portion of the first electrical device, and sized to engage the portion of the first electrical device such that the vial is operable to indicate the orientation of the first electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Wade Burch, Timothy Albrecht, Michael Phillips, Brandon Miller
  • Patent number: 8337178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pump, particularly a high-pressure fuel pump, having a housing, a drive shaft that is rotationally driven and has at least one drive section, and at least one pump piston, which is guided in a cylinder bore of a housing part of the pump in a sealed manner and which is driven by the drive section of the drive shaft at least indirectly in a lifting motion. The at least one pump piston is acted on by a spring element at least indirectly toward the drive section of the drive shaft. The spring element is disposed on the side of the drive shaft opposite the pump piston, and via a coupling device extending past the drive shaft it engages at least indirectly on the pump piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 8339759
    Abstract: A relocatable power tap that includes a surge protector. The surge protector provides three modes of transient voltage surge protection while limiting leakage current caused by the relocatable power tap to less than a current limit value (e.g., 100 micro-amperes [“?A”]). The surge protector includes a first transient voltage clamp connected between a line conductor and a neutral conductor, a second transient voltage clamp connected between the line conductor and a ground conductor, and a third transient voltage clamp connected between the neutral conductor and the ground conductor. The transient voltage clamps are, for example, varistors having non-linear current-voltage characteristics. In the presence of voltages that exceed the clamping threshold voltages of the transient voltage clamps, the transient voltage clamps are configured to conduct the current associated with the transient voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Trippe Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Eugene A. Weil
  • Patent number: 8333366
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a body, a throttle valve positioned in an air/fuel passageway in the body, a fuel bowl coupled to the body, a fuel bowl chamber at least partially defined by the fuel bowl, and a one-piece fuel-metering insert coupled to the body. The insert includes an idle circuit passageway having a first end in fluid communication with a fuel passageway in the body and a second end in fluid communication with the fuel bowl chamber. The insert also includes a main circuit passageway having a first end in fluid communication with the air/fuel passageway and a second end in fluid communication with the fuel bowl chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Brett W. Jury, David D. Roth
  • Patent number: 8334289
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel pyridin-2-one compounds of general formula (I), in which A represents a 4- to 6-membered hydrocarbon chain that can have 1 or 2 methyl groups as substituents, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms can be replaced by oxygen, a carbonyl group or sulfur, and the hydrocarbon chain can have a double bond or a triple bond; R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meanings as cited in the claims and in the description. The invention also relates to the tautomers of compounds I, the physiologically acceptable salts of compounds I, and to the physiologically acceptable salts of the tautomers of compounds I. The invention also relates to the use of compounds of general formula (I) and of the tautomers, and to the use of the physiologically acceptable salts of compounds I and of the tautomers for producing a pharmaceutical agent for treating diseases that respond to the influence of dopamine D3 receptor antagonists or agonists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hervé Geneste, Wilfried Braje, Andreas Haupt
  • Patent number: 8333025
    Abstract: A wearable badge for displaying removable indicia includes a backing having an attachment fastener and defining an indicia portion. The wearable badge also includes a frame defining an opening and having a first frame edge and a second frame edge. The first frame edge is joined to the backing such that the first and second frame edges at least partially surround the indicia portion. The indicia portion is viewable through the opening and the second frame edge is moveable away from the backing to facilitate insertion and withdrawal of indicia between the backing and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Contemporary, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Peterson, Arnold M. Kapitz
  • Patent number: 8334265
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of photodermatoses that are caused or exacerbated by or associated with UVR exposure in a subject, particularly a human subject, which comprises the step of administering to said subject an amount of an alpha-MSH analogue effective to reduce the photosensitivity of the skin of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited
    Inventor: Philippe Wolgen
  • Patent number: 8333093
    Abstract: The invention is based on a method of producing bent spring elements from a spring steel strip (14), wherein a feed unit (16) delivers the spring steel strip (14) from a supply roll (12) to a bending unit (32) having at least three bending rollers (34) and a reverse bending roller (36), of which at least one bending roller (34) and the reverse bending roller (36) can be adjusted transversely to the spring steel strip (14) by bending motors (60, 62), and wherein a cutting-off unit (44) adjoins the bending unit (32), said cutting-off unit (44) cutting off the spring steel strip (14) into individual spring elements by means of cutting-off tools (46, 48; 76, 78). It is proposed that the cutting-off tools (46, 48; 76, 78) be movable in the longitudinal direction of the spring steel strip (14) in a numerically controlled manner and that they be synchronized with the feed movement of the spring steel strip (14) during the cutting-off operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Kleckner, Julius Mazurkiewicz, Paul Criel
  • Patent number: 8333574
    Abstract: A rotating system includes a drive member and a driven member. The rotating system includes a coupling positioned to rotatably couple the drive member to the driven member and a housing surrounding a portion of the coupling to define an inside and an outside, the housing having a plurality of apertures. A fan is coupled to the coupling and operable to produce a flow of air from the inside to the outside via at least one of the plurality of apertures, and a guide tube is positioned within one of the plurality of apertures to guide a flow of air from the outside to the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: David F. Rowe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8328295
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle braking device which can perform a control which does not give discomforts to a rider in a front and rear wheel interlocking brake control by taking a manipulation of the rider into consideration. In the motorcycle braking device according to the present invention, in a front and rear wheel interlocking brake control, an additional target pressure associated with a brake input pressure of one of a front wheel hydraulic circuit and a rear wheel hydraulic circuit is applied to another wheel driven by the front wheel hydraulic circuit or the rear wheel hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Helge Westerfeld
  • Patent number: 8328501
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing having an intake aperture, a fan disposed within the housing and operable to draw air through the intake aperture, and a fan intake shield positioned adjacent the intake aperture. The fan intake shield includes a first rib, a second rib adjacent the first rib and spaced from the first rib to define an air flow path into the intake aperture between the first rib and the second rib, and a third rib adjacent the first rib and spaced from the first rib to define an air flow path into the intake aperture between the first rib and the third rib. Each of the first, the second, and the third ribs has a respective height, and the height of the first rib is greater than the height of the second rib and the height of the third rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Brazell, Jesse J. Jerabek
  • Patent number: 8328003
    Abstract: A conveyor for moving a shopping cart between a first location and a second location. The conveyor including a movable conveyor that is adapted to engage and move the shopping cart along a path, and a gate assembly including a door that is movable between an open position allowing passage of the shopping cart along the path, and a closed position inhibiting passage of the shopping art along the path. The door is adapted to move from the closed position to the open position as the shopping cart approaches, and is adapted to move back to the closed position before the shopping cart has passed the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pflow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Webster, Patrick J. Kelnhofer, Gene M. Barth
  • Patent number: 8329992
    Abstract: Polynucleotides encode polypeptides for increasing the rate of growth of plants. Introduction of the polynucleotides into plants produces plants having altered characteristics, such as increased growth, increased leaf area and reduced fertility. Expression of polypeptides in plants or plant cells promotes cell division. Expression of the polynucleotides in plants in the antisense orientation produces plants that are sterile or have smaller leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: The State of Oregon Acting by and Through The State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University, Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Victor B. Busov, Steven H. Strauss
  • Patent number: 8328292
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a cutting mechanism with an arm, and a substantial weight of more than a thousand pounds attached to the arm. The mining machine also includes a first disc cutter adapted to engage the material to be mined and mounted on a first disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the first disc cutter, the first disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight. The mining machine also includes at least a second disc cutter spaced apart from the first disc cutter assembly and adapted to engage the material to be mined, and mounted on a second disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the second disc cutter, the second disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Freire de Andrade, Charl Christo Veldman, Arthur Kenneth Moeller, Theuns Fichardt Skea, Joaquim Antonio Soares de Sousa
  • Patent number: 8331628
    Abstract: Methods and system for providing vision assistance using a portable telephone with a built-in camera. In some embodiments, the system identifies the value of a bank note by determining the average number of transitions between black and white in each vertical line of pixels corresponding to a numeric digit. In other embodiments, the system captures an image and identifies an object in the image by comparing the value of each pixel in the image to a threshold intensity and marking the pixels that exceed the threshold. The system then generates a plurality of candidate groups by grouping marked pixels that are within a predetermined distance from other marked pixels. The object is identified based on the relative position of each candidate group to other candidate groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Georgios Stylianou, Stavros Papastavrou
  • Patent number: 8328475
    Abstract: An arbor assembly for connecting a cutting tool to a power tool includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an end portion configured to couple to the cutting tool, and a plate surrounding a portion of the shaft adjacent to the end portion. The plate has a first surface configured to engage the cutting tool when the cutting tool is coupled to the shaft and a second surface substantially opposite the first surface. The plate is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the shaft. The arbor assembly also includes a wedge member positioned adjacent to the second surface of the plate and defining an opening to receive a portion of the shaft. The wedge member is movable relative to the plate from a first position, in which the plate is inhibited from moving along the longitudinal axis away from the end portion, to a second position, in which the plate is movable along the longitudinal axis away from the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Naughton, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
  • Patent number: 8328477
    Abstract: A cutting tool including a body, a blade, a feed shaft, and a locking member. The body defines an axis and is adapted to be received by a spindle of a power tool. The blade is removably supportable on the body and rotatable about the axis for cutting a workpiece. A feed shaft is removably supportable in the body and rotatable about the axis for engaging a workpiece, the feed shaft being mountable in the cutting tool to engage and at least partially restrain the blade. The feed shaft further includes an opening transverse to the axis. The locking member is engageable with the body and with the opening in the feed shaft. Advancement of the locking member into the opening tightens both the blade and the feed shaft to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Allen, Richard Hohnl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8330412
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an electrical storage system. The method includes providing an electrical storage element defining a total storage capacity and having a state of charge cooperatively defining a total stored charge of the electrical storage element, determining a total stored charge value representative of the total stored charge of the electrical storage element, varying the total stored charge by charging the electrical storage element from the power source via an electrical charge or discharging the electrical storage element to the load via an electrical discharge, and updating the total stored charge value after varying the total stored charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Lattin
  • Patent number: D672442
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joseph Hand
  • Patent number: D673025
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Genord, Curtis J. Bailey, James M. Stenz, Joshua Rigg, David J. Wilson