Patents Represented by Attorney Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
  • Patent number: 7855755
    Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle comprising an interior rearview mirror assembly having a transflective electro-optic reflective element that transmits at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon and reflects at least about sixty percent of visible light incident thereon. A display module is disposed at a rear of the transflective electro-optic reflective element and comprises a plurality of individual light sources. A thermally conductive element may be in substantial thermal contact with the display module and is exposed at a rear casing portion of the mirror assembly so as to draw heat generated by the display module away from the display module and to the exterior of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The exposure of the thermally conductive element at the rear casing portion may be substantially not discernible to a viewer viewing the rear casing portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 7854314
    Abstract: An article singulating conveyor assembly and method of singulating articles includes providing a conveying surface defining a plurality of tandem zones. The conveying surface travels in a longitudinal direction. Each of the zones includes a pair of laterally spaced side frame members and a plurality of generally parallel elongated driven rollers that are supported at the side frame members. The driven rollers are adapted to provide lateral variation in the longitudinal speed of the conveying surface. Each of the zones includes at least one drive motor that is adapted to drive the driven rollers in that zone. At least one article sensor is provided that is adapted to sensing articles in the zones. The driven rollers may be divided into a plurality of segmented rollers that are separately rotatable with a separate drive motor to drive corresponding segments for a zone. The drive motors for adjacent zones may be activated in a manner that creates a longitudinal gap between longitudinally adjacent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Wynn M. Pelak, Matthew T. Brayman, Daniel O. Amarandei, Clinton R. Lupton
  • Patent number: 7854565
    Abstract: A method of establishing a desired grade of an uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface includes providing a wheeled apparatus having a wheeled support and a plow assembly, which may include a plow member for establishing the desired grade and/or a vibrating member for vibrating and smoothing the concrete. The down pressure of the plow assembly may be adjusted when the wheeled support is moved in a rearward direction. The elevation of the plow member may be controlled when a direction signal is indicative of the wheeled support stopping and/or moving in the forward direction. The rearward speed of the wheeled support may be reduced in response to a detection of a surface irregularity of the subgrade, and the frame portion and/or the plow assembly may be controlled to substantially maintain the plow assembly at a desired orientation when the wheel engages the detected surface irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
  • Patent number: 7853026
    Abstract: A digital sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing having a reflective element disposed thereat. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes at least one microphone, with the microphone located at one of a rear portion of the mirror casing, a bezel portion of the mirror casing, a side portion of the mirror casing, an upper portion of the mirror casing, and a lower portion of the mirror casing. The microphone generates at least one signal indicative of a vocal input with vehicle cabin noise included therewith. A digital signal processor processes the signal and provides an output signal with reduced vehicle cabin noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. DeLine, Niall R. Lynam, Ralph A. Spooner, Philip A. March
  • Patent number: 7850396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for screeding post tensioned concrete slabs includes providing a screeding device having a wheeled support having a frame portion and spaced apart wheels rotatably mounted to the frame portion. The screeding device has a screed head mounted to the wheeled support. The screed head includes a vibrating member and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to the vibrating member. The vibrating member is at least partially supportable on the uncured concrete surface, and the grade setting device is adjustable relative to the vibrating member to strike off excess uncured concrete in front of the vibrating member to establish the desired grade or level of the uncured concrete. The screed head may be pivotable relative to the wheeled support about a longitudinal pivot axis extending along the screeding device and in the direction of travel of the screeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pietila, Philip D. Halonen, Jason M. Wiitanen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen
  • Patent number: 7850351
    Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly having a mountain portion, an exterior mirror housing and a reflective element. A signal light assembly is disposed at the exterior mirror housing and includes at least one light emitting source and a light conduiting element, which has a body portion having a plurality of light conduiting portions established therein. Each of the light conduiting portions has a light receiving end and a light emitting end. The light conduiting members are arranged in a generally radial fashion so that the light emitting ends are arranged to follow an exterior contour of the exterior mirror housing. The light emitted by the light emitting source is received at the light receiving ends and is emitted from the light emitting ends along the exterior contour of the exterior mirror housing at which the light conduiting element is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Michiel P. van de Ven, Peter J. Whitehead, Rick Mousseau, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7848956
    Abstract: A creative marketplace system and a computer-based method for marketing creative media include providing a computer system, the computer system defining a database. Inputs are received with said computer system from a plurality of potential sellers of media content and a plurality of potential purchasers of media content. Wherein, the inputs received from a potential seller include at least a portion of media content and media content data. The media content data includes a characteristic of media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Wherein, the receiving inputs from a potential purchaser include receiving a selection of media content desired. The media content desired is selected from a characteristic of media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Media content data is submitted that corresponds with media content desired by at least one potential buyer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Creative Byline, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley W. MacLean
  • Patent number: 7846174
    Abstract: A bariatric device includes a body having a wall defining a lumen, the wall configured to generally conform to the shape and size of at least one chosen from i) the abdominal portion of the esophagus, ii) the esophageal-gastric junction, and iii) the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach, with the wall adapted to exert pressure on the at least one chosen from i) the abdominal portion of the esophagus, ii) the esophageal-gastric junction, and iii) the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach, thereby influencing a neurohormonal feedback mechanism of the patient to cause at least partial satiety by augmenting fullness caused by food and simulating fullness in the absence of food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: BFKW, LLC
    Inventors: Randal S. Baker, Paul R. Kemmeter, James A. Foote
  • Patent number: 7841461
    Abstract: A roller transport conveyor and method provides a device for conveying items along a plurality of rollers, in which the device may be set up and operated and serviced by manually raising and lowering one or more contact members that transmit force from a spring to urge a drive belt into contact with an underside of the rollers. The contact member is adjustable by raising and lowering the contact member to expand and contract the spring, or by raising and lowering a base on which the spring is supported, so that the drive belt may be engaged with and disengaged from the rollers. A gravity take-up includes a mass suspended from a cable that is routed to a pulley having the drive belt reeved thereon. The cable is wound upon a winch that compensates for belt stretch, or for belts of various lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Thanh V. Nguyen, Dennis J. Schuitema, Mark S. Harkema, Wayne A. Moshauer
  • Patent number: 7842154
    Abstract: A method for forming a reflective element substrate for a mirror assembly of a vehicle includes generally continuously forming an elongated sheet of substrate material and applying a substantially transparent functional film to a surface of the elongated sheet. The substantially transparent functional film is unrolled from a reel or roll of the film and the unrolled film is applied to the surface of the elongated sheet generally continuously as the sheet is formed or extruded or cast. Two or more mirror substrates are formed from the elongated sheet after the film is applied to the surface of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7836531
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, or the like, includes a support deck having a plurality of pivotable sections adapted to support a patient thereon. A head section of the support deck generally supports a patient's torso and is movable between a generally horizontal orientation and a raised orientation. A CPR drop assembly allows the head section to be pivoted relatively quickly to the horizontal orientation in order to allow CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to be administered to the patient. The drop assembly may include a foot pedal having both a mechanical and electrical link to an actuator. The drop assembly may also be configured to operate in different manners depending upon the angular orientation of the head section at the time the drop assembly is initially activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Girard, Jean Bizouard, Marco Morin
  • Patent number: 7838115
    Abstract: Bonded vehicular glass assemblies utilizing two-component urethane adhesives to attach dynamic load-bearing attachment members to glass substrates to form a joint suitable for use on a vehicle, and related methods of forming are described herein. In addition, methods of attaching components to glass by use of these adhesives are disclosed. The method of forming the assemblies may include priming the glass panel prior to applying the adhesive to the primed glass panel and/or attachment member. The method may include allowing the urethane adhesive to cure to form a layer of cured urethane adhesive bonding the attachment member to the first surface of the glass panel without exposure of the bonded attachment member on the second surface of the panel. The cured adhesive layer disposed between the attachment member and the glass panel may have a thickness in the range from about 0.25 mm to about 2.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Lewno
  • Patent number: 7832882
    Abstract: An information mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic transflective reflective element and a reconfigurable liquid crystal video display operable to display information. The video display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the transflective mirror reflector of the transflective reflective element, wherein information displayed by the video display is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle viewing through the transflective mirror reflector when the video display is displaying information. The rearview mirror assembly includes a microprocessor that controls dimming of the electro-optic transflective reflective element and that controls the video display. The information mirror system includes a forward facing camera that captures images through the windshield of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Rodney K. Blank, Kenneth L. Schierbeek, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 7828329
    Abstract: A transport frame includes a plurality of polymer beams interconnected to form the frame with a first group of the polymer beams intersecting and extending through a second group of the polymer beams. The first group of the polymer beams is secured to the second group of polymer beams by an adhesive at their respective intersections. At least one of the polymer beams provides a non-conductive raceway for routing electrical wires or cables through the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Philip Biscan
  • Patent number: 7823801
    Abstract: A firefighting device comprising includes a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows when the firefighting device is in operation and at least one molded body. At least a portion of the molded body is at least translucent and encloses therein or covers a light emitting source. When light is emitted from the light emitting source, light is emitted from the molded body to thereby illuminate the firefighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiernan McGarry, Todd Lozier
  • Patent number: 7826123
    Abstract: A vehicular interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic mirror reflective element assembly and a video display disposed behind a transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element assembly. The transflective mirror reflector includes at least one electrically conducting metal layer and is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate such that a perimeter border region of the third surface is substantially devoid of the electrically conducting metal layer. A third surface electrical conductor disposed at the third surface is in electrical connection with the transflective mirror reflector and may extend from the transflective mirror reflector and from the perimeter seal toward a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The rear substrate may extend beyond a perimeter edge of the front substrate where the third surface electrical conductor is disposed, and the third surface electrical conductor may be electrically accessible outboard of the perimeter seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Donald L. Bareman
  • Patent number: 7823853
    Abstract: A hanging device attachable to overlapping siding members for supporting objects comprises an insert edge extending outwardly from an upper section, an offset section, and a lower section. The insert edge is insertable into the joint between adjacent siding members and the lower section includes a support element adapted to retain objects. The offset section extends between and joins the upper section with the lower section, with the offset section spacing the lower section from a siding member when the insert edge is inserted between adjacent siding members. The hanging device may be biased about a pivot area when an object is held by the support element such that the insert edge is urged into the joint between adjacent siding members. The insert edge defines an obtuse angle relative to the upper section and the support element may comprise hook members or mounting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Larco Products LLC
    Inventors: William A. Larson, Todd T. Andres
  • Patent number: 7824045
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate having an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. A curved recess is established at a second surface of the front glass substrate or a fourth surface of the rear glass substrate. A first metallic reflector is coated at the curved recess, with the reflector-coated curved recess establishing an auxiliary wide angle reflector region of the electrochromic mirror reflective element. A second metallic reflector is coated at a surface of the rear glass substrate, with the reflector-coated surface establishing a principal reflector region of the electrochromic mirror reflective element. The reflective element may include a hiding layer that hides at least a portion of a component of the electrochromic mirror reflective element that is behind the hiding layer from view by the driver of a vehicle equipped with the electrochromic mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 7823976
    Abstract: A chair includes a backrest and a seat surface. The backrest is adjustable relative to the seat surface, and the backrest is adjustable in its inclination independently of the position of the seat surface. The adjustment of the inclination of the backrest occurs in a stepless manner and without an operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kintec-Solution GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mackert
  • Patent number: 7822543
    Abstract: A video display system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an electrochromic transflective element. A video display is disposed to the rear of the transflective element. When the video screen is backlit, the video display emits light that passes through a transflective mirror reflector of the transflective element. Information displayed by the video display is visible to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said transflective element only when the video screen is backlit. A rearward facing camera is mounted at or near the rear of the equipped vehicle and, during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, video images captured by the camera of the scene rearward of the equipped vehicle are displayed so as to assist the driver of the equipped vehicle in reversing the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Kevin C. McCarthy, Niall R. Lynam, Kenneth Schofield