Patents Examined by David P. Bryant
  • Patent number: 7979967
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hinge between two workpieces or components; first a hinge socket is inserted in an opening of the first component and then a hinge pin is inserted in the hinge socket; the second component can be fastened to the hinge pin end protruding from the hinge socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Heiko Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7979968
    Abstract: A membrane puller for pulling a sheet of membrane material over an underlying surface has a frame with a lever arm pivotally attached to the frame for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position. A foot actuatable clamp assembly is carried by the frame for relative movement with the frame in response to pivotal movement of the lever arm. A cable has one end adapted for operable attachment to the lever assembly and another end adapted for operable attachment to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly moves conjointly with the body via the cable and in response to pivotal movement of the lever arm toward its second position to pull the membrane material toward the front of the membrane puller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Duro-Last, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Traska
  • Patent number: 7979988
    Abstract: By finding a range of an allowable error of maximum meshing position of a worm shaft in an axial direction relative to a worm wheel, that is higher than that of a worm shaft of a conventional worm gear unit, a worm gear unit of the present invention is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohtaro Shiino, Yusuke Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7979971
    Abstract: A hand tool having an elongated plunger assembly that is rotatably and movably disposed in a socket. The plunger assembly can be rotated between a first orientation and a second orientation as well as being moved between a first, withdrawn position and a second, extended position. The plunger assembly also has an upper notch and a lower notch on a front side and at least one generally flat lateral side. A fixed latch member extends across a portion of the socket and defines a narrow passage within the socket. The hand tool, preferably, includes a compression spring biasing the plunger assembly toward the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Penn United Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Noah, Glenn R. Snyder, Joseph Brandon Delaney, Robert A. Gagliardi, David Carl Jones
  • Patent number: 7975354
    Abstract: A bladed disk assembly device includes a horizontal arm and a fixed vertical pivot bar that is perpendicularly attached to a first end of the horizontal rotating arm via a sliding coupling mechanism. A vibratory impact device is attached to a second end of the horizontal rotating arm and generates a vibrating motion via a power source. An impact shoe is attached to the vibratory impact device and drives a blade into a disk slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Greenberg, Keith E. Charette
  • Patent number: 7975382
    Abstract: A method for filling a muffler with a fibrous material is disclosed. The muffler includes partitions which form a first chamber and second chamber, and a first muffler pipe having an outlet end. A filling aperture at one end of the second muffler pipe is positioned in the first muffler chamber. The second muffler pipe has a filling sleeve therein, the filling sleeve having a filling discharge opening that coordinates with the filling aperture of the second muffler pipe. The first muffler chamber is filled with fibrous material by applying a vacuum source to the first muffler pipe, which draws the fibrous material through the filling aperture. The filling aperture of the second muffler pipe is then positioned into the second muffler chamber, and the second muffler chamber is filled in the same manner as the first muffler chamber. The filling sleeve is then removed from the second muffler pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: OCV Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Luc J. L. Brandt, Leon Charlier
  • Patent number: 7975998
    Abstract: A pallet changer and a system and a method for using the same attach, secure and/or connect a part and/or pallet assembly to a receiver assembly for machining the part. A groove and/or a pull post of the pallet assembly is insertable between a first wedge arm and a second wedge arm in an interior of the receiver assembly. Springs within the interior of the receiver assembly exert forces against the first wedge arm and the second wedge arm to maintain the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm in a first position within the interior of the receiver assembly. A key and/or a cam moves and/or rotates to move the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm from the first position to a second position. A first tapering on the pallet assembly engages and/or corresponds to a second tapering on the first wedge arm and/or the second wedge arm to secure and/or to attach the pallet assembly to the receiver assembly in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Midaco Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm E. Keith, Michael P. Cayley
  • Patent number: 7975384
    Abstract: Apparatus/systems and methods are disclosed for facilitating installation of conduit systems through construction openings. Exemplary embodiments enable one to form, maintain, and controllably block the openings and incorporate the apparatus/systems into the finished construction. Exemplary apparatus/systems disclosed include (i) a structural member that includes one or more side walls defining an opening, one or more base flaps, and one or more top flaps, and (ii) at least one cover to controllably block said opening. Exemplary methods disclosed include (i) installing said apparatus/system that includes (1) securing the structural member relative to a deck, and (2) introducing cement/concrete relative to structural member covering the base flaps and fixing the structural member with respect to the deck, and (ii) installing a conduit system through an apparatus/system-defined opening that includes encasing the cover(s) together with the installed conduit system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Nathan Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7975383
    Abstract: A hydroforming process forms a hydroformed automotive component as a multiple cell member having an integral internal rib separating the cells and reinforcing the hydroformed component to increase the strength of a hydroformed component with a given size and shape. The tubular blank can be manufactured through a roll-forming process or by welding two structural tubular members, to form a tubular blank that has multiple cells with an internal rib separating the cells. The hydroforming process injects fluid under pressure into each of the cells to expand the tubular blank into the shape defined by the die holding the blank. The internal web separating the cells of the blank becomes an integral internal reinforcement spanning the component to enhance the strength, rigidity and stiffness of the component. Providing differential pressure on the multiple cells can stretch and twist the internal rib for positioning internally as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lou Ratsos, James Lowe, John Reed, Lawrence Queener, Sergio Angotti, Ramakrishna Koganti, Bryan Mikula, Dean Gericke
  • Patent number: 7971356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for contour grinding wide blades at high speed, according to which a wheel (1) is used the grinding contour of which has a width dimension that is less than the width of the tip of the blades to be ground, said contour being defined by a straight area followed by an arched area at one end, with the straight area of which a straight grinding is carried out to deburr the tip of the blades, whereas with the arched area the contour grinding is carried out by the interpolation of axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Danobat, S.Coop.
    Inventors: Xabier Orobengoa Ortubay, Harvinder Sigh Chana
  • Patent number: 7971333
    Abstract: Methods and systems of fabricating a polymeric stent are disclosed herein. Methods are disclosed that include forming a polymeric tube using extrusion, radially deforming the formed tube so that the deformed tube comprises a target diameter, forming a stent from the deformed tube, and forming a stent from the deformed tube. The stent is formed by laser machining a stent pattern in the deformed tube with an ultra-short pulse laser. Disclosed methods further include crimping the stent on a support element, wherein a temperature of the stent during crimping is above an ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Gale, Bin Huang, Anthony J. Abbate, Timothy A. Limon, Klaus Kleine
  • Patent number: 7971355
    Abstract: A method for attaching a ring element to a piston for an internal combustion engine, in which the ring element is screwed onto the piston body by a thread applied to the radially outer surface of a part of the piston crown, a circumferential groove that is open towards the top is formed into the piston crown in the region of the thread, the groove is filled with solder material, the piston is heated until the solder material liquefies and flows between the thread channels of the thread and subsequently, the piston is cooled. As a result, a secure screw connection between the basic piston body and the ring element is obtained. Furthermore, the cooling channel is sealed with regard to the combustion gases, which stand under high pressure and act on the piston crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Scharp
  • Patent number: 7972253
    Abstract: A pressure compensating device or arrangement for a roller arrangement which includes a central, non-rotating shaft provided with spaced apart bearings positioned adjacent opposite axial ends of the shaft and rotatably supporting at least one tubular roller segment, and where sealing arrangements are provided outside the bearings for sealing off the space inside the bearings and between the shaft and the roller segment towards the environment. The pressure compensating device includes a longitudinal bore extending from one end of the shaft and through at least a part thereof, with the bore communicating with the space between the sealing arrangements via channels. The bore is provided with a flexible member preventing direct communication between the exterior and the space between the sealing arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Björn Pettersson
  • Patent number: 7966711
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching parts. A composite male fastening component is placed through at least a first part and a second part. The composite male fastener component preferably has a threaded portion. A composite female fastener component is positioned adjacent to and surrounding the threaded portion of the male fastener component. A portion of the composite female fastener component is caused to flow around and form into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component. The portion of the composite female fastener component that flowed around and formed into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component is re-solidified and re-consolidated such that the composite female fastener component is securely attached to the composite male fastener component thereby joining the mating parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven G. Keener
  • Patent number: 7966725
    Abstract: In order to provide a flat gasket, in particular cylinder head gasket, comprising at least one metal gasket sheet made of a spring steel or a metallic material with a percentage elongation after fracture corresponding to the percentage elongation after fracture of a spring steel, which has a novel structure, it is proposed that the gasket sheet is provided with at least one edging fold, which comprises a bending region and a flange region connected in one piece to the gasket sheet via the bending region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: ElringKlinger AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Fritz
  • Patent number: 7966705
    Abstract: A self-piercing blind fastener comprising a mandrel having an elongate cylindrical shell mounted on a stem of such mandrel and which extends co-axially about a central elongate axis of the blind fastener, the shell having a radially extending flange at one end and a tail-end portion at the opposite end for insertion through a workpiece, the mandrel further having a mandrel head in operative engagement with the tail-end of the fastener for transmitting a setting force thereto during setting of such fastener, the blind fastener further comprising a longitudinally extending indenting member extending co-axial with and away from the tail-end of the blind fastener, which indenting member having a cross sectional area less than the cross sectional area of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Morris, Dan Smith
  • Patent number: 7966707
    Abstract: A method for forming or remanufacturing a component to have an internal space. A refractory metal blocking element is formed, in situ, with at least a portion to be within the internal space. A material is added by at least one of welding, laser cladding, and diffusion brazing, the blocking element at least partially blocking entry of the material to the internal space. The blocking element is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Szela, Norman Pietruska
  • Patent number: 7963033
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for a combustion engine and method of installing a turbocharger system includes a turbocharger having an oil inlet and an oil outlet configured for being coupled to an oiling system. An oil pump is connected to the oil outlet of the turbocharger and is further connected to the oiling system. The turbocharger system also includes mounting hardware for mounting the turbocharger to an exhaust pipe away from the engine at or below the oil level of the oiling system. In one embodiment, the method of installing the turbocharger system includes removing an existing muffler from the vehicle and mounting the turbocharger at or near the location of the existing muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Squires Turbo Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Squires
  • Patent number: 7963038
    Abstract: To fabricate a joint in a panel, a groove is generated and the panel is bent along the groove. The panel includes a first skin, second skin, and core. The core is sandwiched between the first skin and the second skin. The groove passes through the first skin and at least a portion of the core. The groove includes a set of tabs and a corresponding set of slots. The set of tabs intermesh with the set of slots in response to bending the panel along the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Chad D. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7963035
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a radiator and a structure thereof are disclosed. The manufacturing method for a radiator includes the following steps. A substrate and a plurality of cooling sheets are provided. The side wall of the substrate has a plurality of concave troughs. The cooling sheets are respectively plugged into the concave troughs. The two side walls of each of the concave troughs tightly contact the two opposing surfaces of the cooling sheet. Thereby, each of the cooling sheets is located at the side wall of the substrate, and the top portion and the bottom portion of the cooling sheet extend to outside of the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate. By using the riveting technology to directly fasten the cooling sheets via the two side walls of the concave troughs, the present invention prevents the heat-conduction loss from being occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Neg Tyi Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Chen Wei