Patents Examined by Eileen D. Lillis
  • Patent number: 7134556
    Abstract: A circular tray having an upper surface shaped to incline downwardly from a center to an outer circumference. The tray including annular grooves for collecting gold. A crank is connected to the tray for rotating the tray. The tray is supported with a stand having at least one elongate arm extending radially across the tray above the tray in spaced apart relation thereto. Multiple loops of a line material are attached in spaced apart depending relation along the elongate arm in such a way that the bottom portion of the loop extends in a direction which is oblique with the elongate arm. Each loop is sized to have the bottom portion resting in close proximity with the upper surface of the tray so that when the tray is rotated, the loops mechanically move ore across the surface of the tray from the center to the outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Larry W. McCauley
  • Patent number: 7134659
    Abstract: A delivery processing apparatus includes an alignment stage, an aligning mechanism, including an alignment member operable to align a sheet on the alignment stage and to escape to a home position during a non-alignment period, a sheet conveyor for conveying the sheet on the alignment stage, a sheet processor for performing a prescribed processing to the sheet on the alignment stage, a delivery portion for stacking the sheets and a stacking amount detecting mechanism, including a detection member selectively moving to a detection position and a non-detection position at a region overlapping an operation region of the alignment member to detect the stacking amount of the sheet delivered to the delivery portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sato, Mitsuhide Takamura
  • Patent number: 7134829
    Abstract: A trailer for carrying cargo includes a frame, at least two axles mounted to the frame, and a deck. The axles have wheels at opposite ends of the axles for movably supporting the frame above the ground. The deck is pivotally mounted to the frame and is pivotable about a first axis relative to the frame and a second axis relative to the frame via at least two supports. The first axis extends generally longitudinally along the deck and the second axis extends generally laterally across the deck and generally normal to the first axis. The deck is also slidable generally along the first axis relative to the frame and/or one of the supports. The deck thus may be adjusted about multiple axes and may be moved forwardly or rearwardly relative to the frame to position the deck in a desired location and orientation relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Absolute Electronic Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J Quenzi, Richard W Jenney
  • Patent number: 7131810
    Abstract: A carriage for transport of a load, for example a load pallet, along a rail pair in a so-called deep racking store, has a carrier arrangement which, in a deactivated transport position, passes under a load resting on the rail pair. The carrier arrangement is disposed, in an activated lifting position, to carry the load from beneath so that it is free of the rail pair. The carriage has a supporting frame or chassis provided with at least four wheels. The carrier arrangement is rigidly connected to the frame or chassis and each wheel is journalled in an associated arm. The arm is pivotally journalled in the frame so as to be able to raise and lower the wheel in relation to the frame. The arm is operated by an operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: EAB AB
    Inventors: Bo Melin, Christer Larsson, Mikael Hoof, Daniel Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7131677
    Abstract: A weeder includes a longitudinal shaft having a predetermined length and a longitudinal bore, a chuck mechanism provided at a lower end portion of the longitudinal shaft for pinching and pulling out weeds in the ground, the chuck mechanism including first and second pinching members for pinching the weeds therebetween, a first remover member combined with the chuck mechanism for forcedly removing the weeds and/or mud from the first pinching member, a second remover member combined with the chuck mechanism for forcedly removing the weeds and/or mud from the second pinching member, an operating lever mechanism provided on an axis of the longitudinal shaft for actuating the first and second pinching members and the first and second remover members, and a towing wire inserted and extending within the longitudinal bore of the longitudinal shaft, and coupling the chuck mechanism and the operating lever mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ota Kosan Corporation
    Inventor: Kinjiro Ota
  • Patent number: 7131676
    Abstract: A multi-function logging machine is disclosed. The machine uses several simple components in various configurations to perform the functions of lifting, rolling, winching and holding a log, which can vary in size, in the field. The Logging Device replaces several devices that now must all be transported to the logging field with one easily transported unit. A body is provided in two feet. A handle fits through openings in the feet and is prevented from withdrawal and turning until released. A support member is mounted at one end of the body. An arm is mounted to rotate in the body. A claw with teeth is mounted on the arm. A cleat is mounted on the body opposite from the support member frame for preventing backward movement on a rope when the Logging Device is used as a winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Hoff
  • Patent number: 7131645
    Abstract: A device for separation of folders within a layer of folders includes elements for blocking the advance of a folder in the layer, elements for unlayering the folders preceding the retained folder, and elements for retaining the blocked folder and the folders following it relative to the advance of the layer acting successively on the folders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Recmi Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Bodereau
  • Patent number: 7128354
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a video camera includes a camera mounting bracket, a front handle assembly and a rear handle assembly. The camera mounting bracket has an L-shaped profile and includes a handle mounting shelf and a camera mounting shelf. The camera mounting shelf and the front handle assembly are attached to the front of the handle mounting shelf. The rear handle assembly is attached to the rear of the handle mounting shelf at a position between the front handle assembly and the camera mounting shelf. Consequently, the apparatus will help a person to firmly hold a video camera when using the video camera to record scenes, regardless of different heights of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Chin-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 7128521
    Abstract: A method of transferring storage units into and out of a racking system and picking them up from delivery areas and discharging them to despatch areas, in which the storage units are placed on a loading platform of a conveyor vehicle, e.g. rack serving unit, and conveyed thereby to various regions of the racking system or into the delivery and despatch regions, characterized in that the loading platform is designed for receiving two storage units one immediately after the other in the feed direction of the storage units and at least one storage unit is pushed from the region of the racking system or the delivery or despatch areas onto the loading platform, being laterally guided, after which the at least one storage unit is placed and aligned on the loading platform in a pre-determined placement position according to the manipulation step about to be performed, whereupon the at least one storage unit is pushed onto the racking system or the despatch area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: TGW Transportgeräte GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Hansl
  • Patent number: 7128317
    Abstract: A moveable media dam comprises a media dam rotatably connected to a dam shaft, the dam shaft extending from a lever. An arm has at least one camming member and the lever is engaged by the at least one camming member. The arm operably engages a gear train and further comprises an arm ring disposed over a gear of the gear train. The media dam is moveable between a first and second position. The device functions to clear a media feed zone and align leading edges of media sheets in order to inhibit multi-sheet feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Johnson, Michael W. Lawrence, Bryan C. Scharf
  • Patent number: 7128316
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feeding roller and a holder body. A separation pad is arranged on an upstream side, in a feeding direction of a recording medium, within a concave portion of a top surface side of the holder body facing a surface of the sheet feeding roller. On a downstream side of the concave portion adjacent to the separation pad, a low friction member is arranged in which at least a surface layer is formed of a material with a small coefficient of friction. Furthermore, a gap formation portion is formed in a surface of the concave portion where the low friction member is arranged and made higher than a surface where the separation pad is arranged. Additionally, by making the separation pad and the low friction member with the same thickness, when arranged in the concave portion, the surface of the low friction member is formed higher than the surface of the separation pad by the height of the gap formation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Takuya Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7125059
    Abstract: A hand device for working robot which can be downsized is provided. The device consists of a robot hand 10, a link means 40 and a workpiece drop prevention means. The robot hand 10 includes a hand base 20, a pair of fingers 21, 21 protruding from the hand base 20 and a movable core 25 provided with a cylinder 24. The link means 40 includes a lever and a connecting pad 43 for connecting the lever and the movable core 25. A workpiece drop prevention means 60 includes a protrusion stick 50 which is supported by a supporting rail 51, a coil spring and an air cylinder for recess 53.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Yutaka Electronics Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7121546
    Abstract: A speed mode for a printer (1) which has a pivotally mounted autocompensating system (19) mounted at an intermediate position in paper guide (17). That system (19) is driven by a motor (40) through a slip drive (70, 72, 74). The motor also drives paper feed system (15). When the motor turns in a direction to feed by system (15), the intermediate system is moved away from the paper guide. In basic operation, when a sheet (5) reaches a position to be fed by the intermediate system, the motor is reversed, and the intermediate system pivots against the paper for moving it further through the paper guide. In the speed mode the intermediate system is not employed and all of the feed is by the system at the tray. Since this will not feed shorter sheets, preferably the speed mode must be positively invoked, as by operator input or definitive information in the header of a print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Matthew Johnson, Michael William Lawrence, Barry Baxter Stout
  • Patent number: 7121600
    Abstract: A personnel transfer device is provided including a base, a top and a concentric lacings extending between the base and top. An expander post is coupled between the base and top for placing tension in the lacings extending between the base and the top. A hoist connection is provided for attachment of the personnel transfer device to a hoist so that the personnel transfer device may be lifted to transfer personnel therein from one place to another. The lacings are flexible when relaxed, and become taught when placed in tension. There are spaces between the taught lacings for easy ingress and egress and the taught lacings act to shield the occupants in the transfer device from inadvertent side impacted. The expander post is removable so the base and top can be collapsed together for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Pugh Acquisition Company
    Inventors: Frank Liberato, Paul Liberato
  • Patent number: 7121543
    Abstract: In a receiver for receiving a recording medium discharged from a recording apparatus, a pivotable receiving member receives the recording medium. A pivotable supporting member supports the receiving member so as to place one of a plurality of pivoting angles of the receiving member respectively associated with a plurality of using modes of the receiver. The receiver is provided in the leg section of the recording apparatus which is arranged below a discharging section from which the recording medium is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Fujioka
  • Patent number: 7118148
    Abstract: A clamping plate assembly for movement laterally into and out of engagement with a load includes a main plate member which has front, rear, upper and lower edges. Along the lower edge of the main plate member, an auxiliary plate overlies a portion extending from the lower edge a predetermined distance toward the upper edge thereof, and is removably attached to the main plate member. A yieldable friction material then is over substantially the major portion of the auxiliary plate and the portion of the main plate member not covered by the auxiliary plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Steve Davis
  • Patent number: 7114906
    Abstract: A pallet jack includes a hydraulic system that allows for adjustment of the pallet-engaging portion of the jack using a mechanical adjusting system whereby a large variety of pallet sizes can be accommodated. Once the desired width is achieved, the hydraulic system is used to raise the pallet engaging portion of the pallet jack once the pallet is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventors: Chuck Baumgarner, Tracey Baumgarner
  • Patent number: 7114904
    Abstract: The push-back storage system includes an elongated storing lane defining opposite front and rear ends and at least one pair of spaced-apart parallel elongated rails extending between the front and rear ends of the storing lane and being inclined downwardly from the rear end towards the front end. Each rail includes a pair of elongated inclined side walls integrally linked at a common elongated top edge. At least one cart is rollably carried by the pair of rails and is rollable along the pair of rails between the storing lane front and rear ends, the cart having a load-bearing frame rollably carrying a number of wheels each engaging a corresponding one of the rails. Each wheel has a web rotatable about a rotational axis and a pair of side flanges radially extending from and axially spaced-apart along the wheel web so as to define a rail-engaging surface on the wheel web between the spaced-apart side flanges. The rail-engaging surface is wider than the top edge of the corresponding rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: C.O.S.M.E. Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Charbonneau, Jonathan Vallée
  • Patent number: 7114909
    Abstract: A trailer unloading system anchors one or more trailers to a deck, with, or without tractor attached. The sides of the trailers are free to pivot from a top, longitudinal, pivot axis once unlatched from the edge of the trailer floor. The deck tilts the trailers sideways, the doors swing free, and the load discharges. The deck returns to level, the sides latch to support the floor and the trailers are ready to be reloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ty-Crop Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin Richard McCrory, Gary Wayne Teichrob, Fred P. Smith
  • Patent number: 7114908
    Abstract: An apparatus for stacking semiconductor wafers comprises a housing configured to releasably maintain a plurality of semiconductor wafers in fixed positions relative to the housing. The apparatus also includes a transfer guide proximate to the housing, the transfer guide configured to facilitate the transfer of the plurality of semiconductor wafers into the housing. Also included is a member configured to detach the semiconductor wafers from the housing so as to collect the semiconductor wafers into a stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Sarver, Dennis Moffat MacDonald