Patents Examined by Alexander R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7350307
    Abstract: A system for detecting the position and/or the dimensions of mechanical pieces (3) includes a checking probe (1) with detection devices (2) and a remote transmitter (4), a receiver (7) being remotely placed from the probe to wirelessly receive, from the remote transmitter, pulse signals (5) indicative of the state of the probe. The receiver includes automatic control circuits that detect the presence of noises (NS) on the basis of attributes, e.g. the distribution in amplitude, of the received signal and, consequently, dynamically vary the sensitivity of the receiver, e.g. by acting on the amplification of the received signal or on a threshold (VTH) with which the received signal is compared. The pulse signals can be of optical type and the automatic control of sensitivity can be active in the presence of noise signals emitted by lamps located in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Marposs Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Carlo Carli
  • Patent number: 7350311
    Abstract: A universal reusable template for cutting ends of cylindrical objects such as pipes, in preparation for joining the cylindrical objects to other cylindrical bodies. The template is formed as a flat flexible bendable sheet with magnetic properties allowing the sheet to be temporarily secured on a metal pipe. The front face of the sheet has reference indicia corresponding to contour lines of a desired cut to be made in the end of the cylindrical body. The cut lines represent most conventional types and sizes of lateral-type cuts, eccentric cuts and saddle-type cuts, with pipe diameters ranging from about 3? to about 24?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: James Marks
  • Patent number: 7346994
    Abstract: An alignment tool for vehicular adaptive cruise control detection devices attaches with precision and repeatability to an adaptive cruise control sensor subassembly. Integral to this alignment tool is a low energy visible light laser that can be adjusted to point along the signal axis of the ACC sensor subassembly with stable and calibratable precision. The point at which a visible laser light beam strikes a reference surface can reveal the alignment of the ACC sensor subassembly with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Shevela
  • Patent number: 7343692
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical device installation tool configured to aid in spacing, aligning, leveling, and securing, singly or in series electrical device in their boxes before installation on wall plates. The tool comprises a lower overlay with width, length and having at least a first opening configured to substantially conform to engage a portion of one type of electrical device; an upper overlay with width, length and having at least a set of first openings separated by a second opening defining a central bridge, the first and second openings configured to substantially conform to engage a portion of another type of electrical device; a pair of leveling means arranged orthogonally with each other, the leveling means mounted on the tool; and a plurality of gripping means mounted on the tool configured to facilitate a firm and accurate hold on the tool and all its secured electrical devices while in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Schuyler Gould
  • Patent number: 7314020
    Abstract: An over-height vehicle barrier has a supporting beam mounted above a carriageway, with multiple blade-like members rotatably mounted to the supporting beam such that the blade-like members are suspended downwardly from the beam in parallel relationship and in close proximity one to another. A leading edge of each member faces oncoming traffic on the carriageway for possible engagement by an over-height vehicle such that each member can rotate about the axis of the beam independently of the other members when struck by an over-height vehicle. A further beam is engageable by the rotating members when struck by a vehicle to limit the extent of rotation about the axis of the beam and to thereby cause the members to rotate in a return direction. Engagement of the members by a vehicle generates a warning noise to alert the driver of the vehicle and the further beam itself can generate further additional noise when engaged by the rotating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Bill Corker, Garry Whytcross, John Howell
  • Patent number: 7302908
    Abstract: A combination airport air and ground transportation marker and airport traffic way comprises broad, substantially coextensive first and second sheets of pliant material each having a perimeter edge formed with a fluid ballast bladder formed with a fluid inlet for permitting intake and outtake of fluid relative to the bladder for filling and relieving the bladder, and a relief vent for relieving pressure in the bladder during the filling of the bladder with fluid and the relieving of the bladder of fluid. The first sheet is splayed out onto an airport traffic way, and the second sheet is splayed out onto the airport traffic way overlying the first sheet of pliant material, whereby the first and second sheets cooperate forming a marker for the airport traffic way. A charge of fluid fills each of the bladders fluid ballasting the marker relative to the airport traffic way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Roger Bieberdorf
  • Patent number: 7299765
    Abstract: A support assembly for a signal such as a signal flag or the like, which is structured for multiple uses by the provision of an end piece removably attached in different operative positions to the distal end of a staff having an elongated configuration of variable length. The multiple uses of the support assembly is due to the end piece comprising a tool, preferably in the form of a hook, such that when the end piece/tool is disposed in at least one of the operative orientations, the staff and end piece/tool can be used as a boat hook assembly. When so used, a shaft structured to support the signal flag thereon may be disposed on the interior of the staff, along with the flag furled thereabout. Another of the operative orientations comprises the flag shaft disposed exteriorly of the staff in an exposed position for display of the signal flag thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: James Phelps
  • Patent number: 7299564
    Abstract: A scanning unit including a support and a scanning plate fastened on the support by a first fastening element and a second fastening element. An eccentric element that can be rotated around a first axis of rotation and causes pivoting of the scanning plate with respect to the support around a second axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is constituted by the first element and said second axis of rotation is constituted by the second fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian Brandl
  • Patent number: 7299560
    Abstract: A multi-purpose tool includes a graduated extension pivotably and lockably connected to a leveling extension. The graduated extension includes graduations for measuring length, angles, pitch, or a combination of these measurements. Angles may also be measured with a graduated disc. The leveling extension includes at least one bubble level for checking the horizontal or vertical orientation of the leveling extension. The leveling extension may include graduations for measuring length, angles, pitch, or a combination of these measurements. The tool may be extended such that the graduated and leveling extensions are collinear, having a total length of 16 inches end to end. A multi-purpose tool may be conveniently used to take the place of several separate tools such as a speed square, a T-bevel, and an extended torpedo level. The tool may also allow quick determination of the required distance between wall studs, rafters, and floor joists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Topline Innovarions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Diaz, Geoffrey Diaz
  • Patent number: 7266903
    Abstract: A thermal displacement correction method is provided, including the steps of presetting coordinate data for a fixed position of a workpiece on a table, finding an amount of displacement of the fixed position of the workpiece at a current cutting edge position based on the detected temperature, the coordinate data of the cutting edge position, and the coordinate data of the fixed position, and computing a difference in the coordinate data between the fixed position of the workpiece and the cutting edge position, finding an amount of displacement of the workpiece between its fixed position and the cutting edge position based on the detected temperature and the difference in the coordinate data between the fixed position and the cutting edge position, and computing a sum of each amount of displacement to define an estimated value and correcting thermal displacement using an NC unit based on the estimated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Reiji Sato
  • Patent number: 7255060
    Abstract: A predator replica is provided that has a moveable head. The head rotates and also has a spring actuated multidimensional movement for deterring pests, particularly unwanted birds. The predator head is provided with a wind activated fin. The fin increases the probability of head movement. The spring provides a “bobble” movement of owl head. The head suspends over the body with a gap between the head and body providing clearance to allow for the spring actuated head movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Easy Gardener Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan L. Grandy