Patents Examined by Angela Caligiuri
  • Patent number: 9656495
    Abstract: A tape cassette is provided with a cassette case, a tape, a tape discharge portion, a first indicator portion, a first indicator member and a first attachment portion. The cassette case includes a bottom case and a top case. The tape is a print medium. The tape discharge portion discharges the tape from the cassette case. The first indicator portion includes at least one indicator hole and indicates a type of the tape. The first indicator member is provided with the first indicator portion. The first attachment portion is provided on an upstream side of the tape discharge portion and to which the first indicator member is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Noda
  • Patent number: 9352941
    Abstract: Gantry crane vehicle for performing one or more tasks in a photovoltaic array and method thereof. The gantry crane vehicle includes one or more base plates, and one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Additionally, the vehicle includes one or more gantry assemblies configured to slide along the one or more tracks, and one or more first support trusses configured to support the one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Moreover, the vehicle includes one or more second support trusses connected to at least some of the one or more first support trusses, and one or more storage cabinets located on the one or more base plates. The one or more storage cabinets include one or more top surfaces and one or more side surfaces, and the one or more top surfaces are located below the one or more tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wheeler, Brian Gray
  • Patent number: 9283927
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device is provided capable of preventing or suppressing a frame from deforming such that one of leg-plates or a back-plate displaces towards the other. A face on the center of curvature side of a curved portion of a front back plate section configuring the frame and a one width direction edge namely an upper edge of a bar support face each other along the up-low direction. When the front edge sides of leg-plates are displaced to rise due to a webbing being pulled, the one width direction edge of the bar support interferes with a front end of the front back plate section to prevent or suppress the front edge sides of the leg-plates from rising further. Deformation of the frame caused by the front edge sides of the leg-plates to rise can accordingly be prevented or suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yasunori Hata, Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Patent number: 9260077
    Abstract: A pretensioner comprising a gas generating unit; a pretensioner body to whose inside the gas is supplied; a spool driving member disposed inside the pretensioner body and causing a spool to rotate to retract webbing onto the spool; a gas flow rate adjusting portion disposed in the spool driving member and whose inner peripheral shape is set in accordance with a flow rate of the gas to be passed through the gas flow rate adjusting portion; and a filter unit having a vent portion that is communicated with a space between the gas generating unit and the spool driving member and is also communicated with the gas flow rate adjusting portion. The open shape of the gas flow rate adjusting portion has a portion that does not coincide in a plan view with the open shape of the vent portion, and the overall open area of the vent portion is set larger than the open area of the gas flow rate adjusting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tomonori Nagata, Shinichi Okubo, Masaru Ukita, Katsuki Asagiri, Yasutaka Watanabe, Keiichi Kato, Yusuke Hirokawa, Hiroaki Yamazoe
  • Patent number: 9254818
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor is provided for a motor vehicle with a receiving part for a seat belt retractable on the receiving part, a deceleration sensor for detecting a deceleration in the seat belt retractor, a first extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed of the seat belt prior to activating an energy absorption device. The energy absorption device fixes the seat belt during an accident with energy absorption, so that when a first deceleration limit detected by the deceleration sensor is exceeded the seat belt is restrained with energy absorption. The seat belt retractor encompasses a locking mechanism for securing the seat belt and a second extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed after activating the energy absorption device. When a second extension speed limit of the seat belt has been exceeded, the locking mechanism restrains the seat belt without energy absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stephane Vitet
  • Patent number: 9248997
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system for a crane with at least one hydraulic circuit, which comprises at least one hydraulic consumer, and a constant pressure network, wherein the at least one hydraulic circuit is coupled with the constant pressure network via at least one pressure reducer, whereby a higher volume flow with low pressure as compared to the constant pressure network can be generated in the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH
    Inventors: Christof Gassner, Markus Schwarzhans
  • Patent number: 9242617
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor with a speed-controlled load limiting device has a belt shaft pivot-mounted in a retractor frame, a blocking device for locking the belt shaft relative to the retractor frame) in the belt extraction direction when a predetermined value of the belt webbing extraction acceleration and/or of vehicle deceleration is exceeded, and at least two toothed elements which, upon activation of the load limiting device move relative to each other. One of the toothed elements performs an oscillatory motion, wherein both parts feature teeth, with which they alternately engage and disengage during the relative motion belt shaft has a first and a second part. The second part can be locked relative to the retractor frame, and each of the toothed elements is allocated to a different part of the belt shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Singer, Ronald Jabusch
  • Patent number: 9238448
    Abstract: A belt retractor for safety belts of motor vehicles comprises a housing frame made of plastic for receiving a belt reel. The housing frame 10 is designed an open, U-shaped frame, on the open front face of which a reinforcing plate 59 made of plastic is fastened. In addition, a belt retractor for safety belts of motor vehicles comprises a housing frame of plastics material for receiving a belt reel. A pawl co-operating with the belt reel is mounted in the housing frame. The pivoting path of the pawl is limited by a bearing surface formed in the housing frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ADOLF FOEHL GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Isabel Wier, Franz Wier
  • Patent number: 9217465
    Abstract: A slewing apparatus, comprising a slewing bearing means for the operation of a reel. A first slewing bearing (10) is configured to carry torsion and axial loads in the reel, while the second slewing bearing (20) is configured not to carry substantial torsion and axial loads in the reel. Thereby the second slewing bearing (20) functions as a back-up bearing for the reel, while the first slewing bearing (10) operates the reel and thus serves as the primary slewing bearing for the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Aker Pusnes AS
    Inventor: Stig André Nygaard
  • Patent number: 9216880
    Abstract: Header assemblies generally used to handle yarns, for example, to facilitate connection of yarns feeding into a tufting machine or other device. In some embodiments, the improved header assembly includes at least a detachable header and a collector plate. The improved header assembly simplifies the process of loading yarn through a detachable header by positioning the detachable header so that it abuts the collectable plate so that individual yarns can be blown through the collector plate through the appropriate holes in the detachable header. In some embodiments, the header assemblies are configured for use with varying gauges, different alignment requirements, different devices, and/or to otherwise be more universal in nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy Michelle Willis, Johnny E. Daugherty, Brian H. Harrell, William Oscar Ingram, III
  • Patent number: 9212024
    Abstract: A webbing retractor is provided that can improve balance of load that a torsion shaft receives from a spool. Fit-together projections are formed at a spool side engaging portion of a main torsion member. Further, a load receiving portion is formed at a webbing insert-through hole side at the spool side engaging portion. Rotation radius direction components of rotational forces, that respective inclined surfaces of the fit-together projections receive from respective inclined surfaces of rotation restricting holes, are nullified by a rotation radius direction component of rotational force that the load receiving portion receives from a load imparting portion. Due thereto, balance of load that the main torsion member receives from a spool can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Maekubo, Masaru Ukita, Wataru Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 9212034
    Abstract: A chain wildcat comprising an intermediate piece with an inner central part about which the chain wildcat can rotate freely after disengagement of a grip configured for attachment to a drive shaft in an anchor handling winch, the intermediate piece comprising an additional central part configured for fixed connection to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KARM AS
    Inventor: Geir Hystad
  • Patent number: 9206018
    Abstract: A load equaliser for supporting a drag line bucket from first and second cables is disclosed. The load equalizer has a main body having a central portion and side portions providing respectively first and second clamps for clamping end portions of the first and second suspension cables. A rotatable mounting is provided in the suspension central portion of the main body. A link body is suspended below the main body and connected thereto through the rotatable mounting whereby freedom of relative rotational motion is provided at least about an axis substantially at right angles to the direction between the clamps. The rotatable mounting is in a zone extending substantially between the clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bradken Resources Pty Limited
    Inventor: Reece Attwood
  • Patent number: 9174608
    Abstract: A belt retractor including a force limiter comprises a belt reel which is rotatably supported in a frame as well as a blocking unit counteracting a rotation of the belt reel and a force limiter between the belt reel and the blocking unit which permits a limited torsion of the belt reel against the blocking unit under load. The force limiter includes a damping element consisting of a cross-linked polymer which is sheared under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Nizam Bedak, Joachim Biller, Michael Folter, Helmut Schuster, Susanne Schuster
  • Patent number: 9174827
    Abstract: A power assist device includes: holder holding a workpiece; a pair of wires each having one end connected to the holder to suspend the holder; a pair of wind-up wheels winding up respective other ends of the wires; a pair of motors rotationally driving the respective wind-up wheels; a pair of rotation detectors detecting rotation information of the respective motors; a pair of torque detectors detecting drive torque in the respective motors; and controller controlling drive of the motors. The controller calculates operating force to the workpiece based on the rotation information detected by the rotation detectors and the drive torque of the motors detected by the torque detectors, and controls the motors to assist the operating force that is calculated, to move up and down the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: NAGOYA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoyuki Takesue, Hideo Fujimoto, Rikiya Makino, Kousyun Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9162847
    Abstract: Wire used for beading is coiled on a rotably mounted reel in a dispenser having a reel brake bearing against the reel with the wire passing through a channel as extended to the exterior of the dispenser with the wire frictionally engaging both the walls of the channel and a resilient element pressing against the wire to modulate the force required to withdraw the wire from the dispenser to a value which is high enough to prevent spontaneous unwinding of the wire from around the reel but still allowing easy removal from the dispenser when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: DPG USA INC.
    Inventor: Nikhil Gupta
  • Patent number: 9156665
    Abstract: A pulling tool is provided with a rotatable drum having a cable wound thereon. A motor is drivingly connected to the rotatable drum and the rotatable drum and motor are disposed within a unique housing structure. The rotatable drum is driven by a planetary gear system that is disposed within the rotatable drum to provide a compact assembly. A belt and pulley system is provided for delivering torque from the motor to the planetary gear system. The rotatable drum is provided with a two-piece stepped construction that allows the planetary gear system to be assembled within the drum and allows for the initial wraps of a cable around the smaller diameter portion of the stepped drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Yoder, Nicholas E. Juenemann, Darren G. Fretz
  • Patent number: 9150392
    Abstract: A winch wherein a rope or cable is self-feeding onto a sheave by a spring that is biased so as to push a rope into contact with a grooved outer surface of the sheave. One end of the spring is pivotally supported on a frame that supports the sheave for rotation about its central axis, while the opposite end of the spring is freely flexible. A supporting block is provided for the free end of the spring to support and minimize or prevent damage to the spring. The block has an angled surface for urging the rope away from the sheave, thus, together with a stripper member, assisting removal of the rope from the sheave at a point at which the rope exits the sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Helmut K. Skyba
  • Patent number: 9145108
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pretensioner for an occupant restraint. The pretensioner is designed to be used in conjunction with an inertial reel that locks the occupant restraint when detecting an adverse event. The pretensioner acts to remove slack in the webbing of the restraint and thereby safely secure the occupant once the reel is locked. The pretensioner described herein includes a rack that is initially held in place by a shear pin. Upon being activated, the rack is forced to a fully extended orientation, whereby the shear pin is severed. A deceleration ramp in included beneath the rack to slowly bring the rack to a stop at the end of the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ford, Justin Robinson, Don Blackman, Andre Coumand, Hugo Granados
  • Patent number: 9132804
    Abstract: A seatbelt device for preventing a torque limiter mechanism from operating due to inertia force when a gear rotates quickly due to a winding force of an electric actuator, while maintaining satisfactory operating characteristics of the torque limiter mechanism. In the torque limiter mechanism, when a motor is driven to perform a wind-up operation, a prescribed operational torque that is set as a torque at which a limit spring moves from an engaging surface where the limit spring is positioned when a large-diameter side gear and a small-diameter side gear are in an assembled state, to an adjacent engaging surface, is greater than an operational torque at which the limit spring moves from the adjacent engaging surface to a next adjacent engaging surface by means of a shear pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Eiji Maemura, Hiroko Yoshikawa, Yukinori Midorikawa