Patents Examined by Christopher Agrawal
  • Patent number: 7146716
    Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device includes a wedge which is driven into a tube hole between the tube outer wall and the hole in the drum that the tube is in. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its internal surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the zone between the tube hole and the outer wall of the tube such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke G. M. Gray
  • Patent number: 7137183
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly for motor vehicles, includes a support beam member having a substantially flat, enlarged central plate section and two opposite arm sections, a differential assembly module secured to the central plate section and enclosed into a housing formed by a rear cover and a front cover secured to opposite surfaces of the central plate section. A method for assembling the drive axle assembly comprises the steps of securing the front cover to a front mounting surface of the support beam member, fastening the differential assembly module to the central plate section of the support beam member, and fastening the rear cover to the rear mounting surface of the support beam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Eugene Stuart, Timothy Bernard Allmandinger, Sean Karl Hoefer, Earl James Irwin, Parvinder Singh Nanua, Gregory James Maser
  • Patent number: 7124491
    Abstract: An apparatus for horizontally actuating hemming and stamping die sets includes a horizontal base support and a roller device horizontally mounted thereon. A linear guidance system is set in and a drive support is vertically attached to the base support. A drive mechanism is supported and an anvil die set is held by the drive support. A vertical platen rests on top of the base support and is loosely guided by the linear guidance system. A punch die set is held by the vertical platen and a plurality of bushings are set therein. At least three guide shafts are secured to the anvil die set and each is engaged to one of the bushings of the punch die set. A plurality of link bars are attached to the vertical platen via link bar attachments and coupled to the drive mechanism. Actuation of the drive mechanism horizontally moves the vertical platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Tesco Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: James B Toeniskoetter, James J Steed, Gerald F Erker
  • Patent number: 7117586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for at least partially disassembling a pallet, the pallet having a plurality of deck board support interfaces, includes providing at least one cutting device that is positionable at any one of the board support interfaces and selectively positioning the at least one cutting device adjacent a particular board support interface of the pallet. The particular board support interface is cut with the at least one cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Resources of Michigan Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Dykstra, Gregory R. Bleeker, Kent A. Deemter, Ryan H. Hansen, Robert C. Humphrey, Thomas J. Walkons
  • Patent number: 7117595
    Abstract: A device is described for measuring a fluid, to be used advantageously in mixing devices for ingredients of liquid drinks. The device comprises an impeller, a diffuser upstream from the impeller and detecting means for the impeller (46). The diffuser (41) has a core (42), a ring-shaped peripheral portion (43) and one or more separators (45A, 45B) extending between the core (42) and the peripheral portion (43) and developing so as to define helical channels for fluid passage (44A, 44B). The invention also describes an advantageous method for carrying out said diffuser (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Eltek S.p.A.
    Inventors: Costanzo Gadini, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 7114256
    Abstract: A cooling device (10) for heat dissipation for a heat-generating component includes a heat sink (14) and a heat pipe (13). The heat sink attached to the component includes a base (11) and a plurality of fins (12) extending from the base. A bottom portion of the heat pipe formed between the base and the fins, the remainder of the heat pipe formed through the fins. An apparatus for making the cooling device includes a mold (20) and a core (30) accommodated in the mold. The mold includes a base part (21) and a pair of symmetrical forming parts (22) slidably engaged on the base part. The forming parts defines a plurality of slots (222), a cavity (224), and a recess (225) respectively corresponding to the fins of the heat sink, the base of the heat sink, and the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industrial (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: HeBen Liu
  • Patent number: 7103952
    Abstract: Engine loader and transporter apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an engine handling assembly includes a motorized drive assembly engageable with a floor surface, and an engagement unit positioned proximate the drive assembly and partially surrounding a working space. The engagement unit includes a pair of coupling assemblies positioned on opposing lateral sides of the working space that are adapted to be selectively coupleable to the aircraft engine assembly when the aircraft engine assembly is positioned at least partially within the working space. A lifting assembly is operatively coupled to the drive assembly and to the engagement unit and is operable to selectively raise and lower the engagement unit and the aircraft engine assembly with respect to the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Appleton, Timothy J. Busch, Keith E. Black, Kevin P. Wescott
  • Patent number: 7100256
    Abstract: A method for converting a dump truck body into an improved truck body. The dump truck body is configured for hauling a payload and has a canopy, a floor, two sidewalls, and a front wall. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: if the dump truck body has a tailgate, removing the tailgate; extending the floor to the rear by adding a floor extension component at a floor angle approximately ten degrees greater than a pre-conversion floor angle; increasing the height of the sidewalls by adding two fabricated sidewall attachment components; and tying the sidewall extensions into the rear of the floor extension component by adding a fabricated component. Preferably, a material dam is incorporated into the canopy forward of the front wall to form a shelf that is configured to retain and balance the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Mine Rite Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John A. D'Amico, Dennis A. Frank
  • Patent number: 7089639
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for making a pillow comprises cutting at least one piece of fabric to form a pair of skins that each comprise a midsection and two arm sections. The two skins are sewn together near their outer edges except for a portion of the mid section to form a shell defining and interior and having a middle region with an opening into the interior and two opposing arms extending from the middle region to form a well region. A fill material is blown into the interior of the shell until the pillow has a firmness defined by an IFD of at least about 20 Newtons with 25% deflection, and the opening in the middle region is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: The Boppy Company
    Inventors: Susan H. Matthews Brown, Sheila Littlehorn
  • Patent number: 7076857
    Abstract: A method for making foamed products includes the steps of: (a) foaming a foamable blank at an elevated temperature; (b) forming a plurality of blind holes in the blank which has been foamed, by using a mold having a plurality of protrusions, the protrusions pressing the blank to form the blind holes and to create densified depths respectively in the blind holes; (c) cross-cutting the blank along a plane which extends across the blind holes so that the blank is divided into a first foam sheet having a plurality of through holes and a second foam sheet having a plurality of blind bores with the densified depths; and (d) heating the second foam sheet to expand and to form the densified depths into projections protruding from the second foam sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Chi-Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 7069657
    Abstract: A method for reducing the width of slots spaced about the surface of a pipe or tube. The method comprises subjecting the surface of the pipe or tube to bombardment by a quantity of shot of a pre-determined size and for a pre-determined length of time to cause deformation of the surface of the pipe or tube adjacent to the slots therein so that the width of the slots is reduced to within a pre-determined size range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Reservoir Management (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Darcy Culp, Don Graham
  • Patent number: 7062842
    Abstract: A spring (18) is interposed between the sliding carriage (6) carrying a hammer (13) for driving-in and the actuator rod. The spring is mounted on the head (15) of a push rod, which carries a push contact (16) surrounded by an insulating washer (17). A O pad (20) is housed in the central opening of another insulating washer (19) supported by the spring. These detection means are activated when the spring is compressed in response to the stapling effort required at the moment when a staple comes up against the frame mouldings to be assembled. Application in frame-assembling machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Cassese Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Pierre Cassese, Alain Cassese, Jean Cassese, Philippe Cassese
  • Patent number: 7059031
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for replacing a grille on a vehicle. The method comprises removing the first grille that has a pattern of openings and attaching a second grille that is different from the first grille in the same location in which the first grille was located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Putco, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Elwell, Chad L. Mesenbrink
  • Patent number: 7059037
    Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides a blocking apparatus and a blocking method for precisely aligning a button holder against a block during blocking process of lens manufacturing. According to another aspect, the invention provides an adjustable offset that enables pivotal movement of a button holder for precision alignment. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a button holder that may flexibly float on a seat stage of a blocking apparatus, where the button holder may include a mechanism to self-align on the seat stage after a block of the blocking apparatus interfaces with the button holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Radtek Corporation
    Inventors: Konrad Bergandy, Wieslaw Bergandy
  • Patent number: 7047619
    Abstract: A tool and method is provided for the installation of radial seals such as for example O-rings into radial grooves. The tool and method can be used to install an O-ring into a dovetailed groove of an items such as a valve stem. The tool includes a first part having a first face at an angle relative to a plane in which the plane lies and a second part having a second face opposed to the first face and that a second opposite angle relative to the plane in which the seal lies. Compressing the first and the second part towards the two faces together squeezes the seal and urges it into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Wambold, Kirk VanAcker, Connie Mroch, Larry Norton
  • Patent number: 7043813
    Abstract: In a bond step, one end of ground electrode is bonded to a metallic housing. In a provisional bending step performed after the bonding step, an intermediate portion of the ground electrode is bent with a pressing die so that the other end of the ground electrode is opposed to a distal end surface of a center electrode. In a regular bending step performed after the provisional bending step, the position of the other end of the ground electrode is adjusted so as to adjust the dimension of a spark gap. Receiving dies are prepared for regulating a shift range of a distal end surface of the other end of the ground electrode in a direction perpendicular to an axial line of the center electrode in the process of bending the intermediate portion of the ground electrode in the provisional bending step. In the provisional bending step, the intermediate portion of the ground electrode is bent until the distal end surface of the other end of the ground electrode is brought into contact with the receiving dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Hanai
  • Patent number: 7040000
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a golf club head with a disparate metallic material provided on a hosel side of the head, which can improve degree of freedom in the design of a head. A head body is made up of a columnar material body 13 made from a forgeable metallic material such as copper and a disparate metallic member 12 as an axial member. The disparate metallic member 12 has its proximal end 12A inserted into a bore 14 formed along a center of axis of the material body 13, while its distal end 12B protruded in the axial direction X. The material body 13 is placed on a lower die 22 which is formed with a mold 21 defining a contour of the head body 11, and then an upper die is pressed thereto. Thus, hot forging process is carried out to form a golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: K.K. Endo Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hitoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 7017253
    Abstract: A culvert band installation tool includes two end plates that are substantially parallel to one another and a bolt to draw the end plates together facilitating the culvert band installation process. The ends plates are maintained substantially parallel to one another by using slip shafts that pass through long sleeves that pass through holes in the end plates. The slip shafts are substantially parallel to the bolt. Indexing pins are installed in the end plates that engage holes in the flanges of the culvert band. A band is installed by using the culvert installation tool to clamp the flanges sufficiently close together to fasten with carriage bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Robert T. Riggle