Patents Examined by Ernesto Garcia
  • Patent number: 7766574
    Abstract: A fastener system is configured to fasten together at least two parts, one of which includes at least one flange that is caused to bear against a surface of the other part by a plurality of pins each presenting a collar having a non-circular outline. The collar is received in a groove formed in a bearing surface of one of the parts, and is designed to prevent the pins from turning by abutment against a wall, wherein the outline of each collar includes two substantially opposite plane surfaces that serve as mutual abutments against two adjacent collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Maffre
  • Patent number: 7740233
    Abstract: Fence apparatus and related methods for making a fence panel and for connecting the panel to other panels and post elements to form a modular type fence are disclosed. These include a generally planar section of fencing material formed from spaced-apart wires, and the related brackets and posts of the system providing simplified installation, removal, handling, and storage of the fence components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Larsen
  • Patent number: 7726900
    Abstract: A system for providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the ends of two essentially-coaxial shafts (1 and 2), whereby each shaft end includes a groove (11, 12) close to an axial end extension (17 and 8; 18 and 9). Moreover, the aforementioned ends are connected inside a sleeve (10) including the following: a first annular shoulder (13) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove of the first shaft, such that there is no clearance therebetween; a second annular shoulder (14) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove (12) of the second shaft, but with a clearance therebetween; and a cavity (16) which is intended to receive the shaft ends, said cavity having an axial height which is greater than the sum of the axial heights of the axial end extensions (17 and 8; 18 and 9). Further, the axial end extensions (17 and 8; 18 and 9) of the two shafts are in permanent mechanical and electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: E.C.L.
    Inventor: Bernard Bourges
  • Patent number: 7726898
    Abstract: An adjustable-length tube (10) for sticks, having an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (11) that can be inserted telescope-like into the outer tube (12) for adjusting the length of the tube, and having a spreading device (15) that is supported at the insertion end of the inner tube (11), the spreading device being able to clamp the inner tube (11) axially in the outer tube (12) and having a spreading element (16) that can be radially pressed apart and that is furnished with an inner cone (27), an interior element (17) that is provided with a reverse-oriented outer cone (22) and that is accommodated in the spreading element (16) so as to be axially movable, and an adjusting screw (18) that is axially oriented and is supported in a rotationally fixed manner on the inner tube (11), the adjusting screw having an operational connection to an internally threaded bore (21) in the interior element (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Leki Lenhart GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Lenhart
  • Patent number: 7704008
    Abstract: A shaft fixing clip that is fitted into a groove of a shaft, the shaft fixing clip includes: a shaft clamping portion that is formed by a metal wire member; and a pinch portion that is monolithically formed with the shaft clamping portion, wherein: the metal wire member is bent into an 8-like shape; both end portions of the metal wire member are crossed in an end portion of one of loops to respectively protrude toward both sides; tip ends of the both end portions are bent; the loop that is positioned on a side of the both end portions is configured as the shaft clamping portion; and bent portions of the tip ends of the both end portions are configured as the pinch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: Piolax, Inc., TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuya Shinozaki, Kenji Morita, Masanari Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7704009
    Abstract: An axial spacer for a rotational assembly comprising a body, a rotational assembly attaching member and a centering member. The body comprises an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of reinforcing members extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The reinforcing members each comprise an annular reinforcing rim extending from the outer ring and a connecting beam extending from the annular reinforcing rim to the inner ring. A plurality of web members extend between adjacent reinforcing members and the inner and outer ring, to, in turn, substantially couple adjacent reinforcing members with the inner and outer ring therebetween. The attaching means comprises an opening extending through at least a plurality of the plurality of reinforcing members. The centering member centers the spacer relative to the rotational assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Carey J. Boote
  • Patent number: 7699554
    Abstract: A bonnet assembly for a blowout preventer uses a seal carrier that is removable so as to allow for efficient and easy seal replacement. The seal carrier has: a recess adapted to at least partially embed a seal for sealing the bonnet assembly to a body of the blowout preventer; and a first connecting rod coupled to and extending from an inner surface of the seal carrier, where the first connecting rod has a fastening structure proximal to a distal end of the first connecting rod, where the fastening structure is adapted to engage with a first fastening device, and where the seal carrier is removable from the bonnet assembly when the first fastening device is disengaged from the fastening structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Edward R. Hemphill, William R. Holland, Michael W. Berckenhoff
  • Patent number: 7695212
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, with a housing (4) having a wall (7), a bottom (8) and an opening (9), with a ball pivot (3), which has a joint ball (1) and a pivot (2). The ball pivot is mounted with the joint ball (1) rotatably and pivotably in the housing (4) and the pivot extends out of the housing (4) through the opening (9). An electronic component (14) is arranged in the housing (4). An electrically conductive connection (17) is arranged in the housing (4) and is electrically connected to the component (14). The electrically conductive connection (17) extends out of the housing (4) from the component (14) in the area of the opening (9) or through the opening (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Metin Ersoy
  • Patent number: 7681297
    Abstract: A seam for ductwork has a male end portion integrally formed at a distal end of a duct wall and a female end portion integrally formed at another distal end of the duct wall. The female end portion includes a first fold and a second fold which define a female groove for accommodating the male portion. A distal end of the second fold is bent transverse to the female groove prior to the male portion being inserted into the female groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Met-Coil Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Toben, Ashok M. Shah, Richard F. Blum, Michael C. Borwig
  • Patent number: 7677830
    Abstract: A furniture joinery comprises a slide rail having a plurality of grooves, at least one slide block slidably disposed in the slide rail, the slide block having a plurality of slides for engaging the slide rail, at least one of the plurality of slides having a neck and a head, the grooves receiving the neck therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Michael T. Brown
  • Patent number: 7677533
    Abstract: A guardrail defined by a number of vertical supporting posts fixed successively to the ground along the edge of a road, and by one or more longitudinal members fixed successively and substantially horizontally to the vertical posts to form a longitudinal transverse retaining member extending along the edge of the road, at a predetermined height off the ground; each of the longitudinal members being defined by a rigid, controlled-deformation strip of composite material, which is bent back on itself to form a substantially S-shaped first longitudinal portion and a substantially C-shaped second longitudinal portion adjoining and covering the first longitudinal portion, so as to form a tubular, complex-section body extending from one vertical post to another and substantially parallel to and a predetermined height off the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Metalmeccanica Fracasso S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alvise Fracasso, Moreno Quaggio
  • Patent number: 7674065
    Abstract: A device for locking end positions of switch parts, having two parts, relatively axially displaceable and positively coupled in at least one direction, including a tube and a rod guided within the tube, at least partially arranged in an outer tube. Locking members cooperate with the parts and outer tube and are displaceable into a locking position in the outer tube's recess. Locking members include ring segments chamfered on insides forming first abutment surfaces converging obliquely toward rod axis. First abutment surfaces cooperate with oblique counter abutment surfaces in a rod recess for holding the rod and the tube coupled during the rod's first displacement path and for urging segments outwardly to emerge from rod recess, and to slide onto the rod's outer surface adjacent rod recess and to immerse into locking position in the outer tube's recess upon rod movement relative to the tube over a second displacement path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignees: VAE Eisenbahnsysteme GmbH, VAE GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Schnedl, Herbert Achleitner, Josef Hörtler
  • Patent number: 7665928
    Abstract: A quick release camming mechanism is used in a bicycle skewer that secures a hub to a fork. Whereas prior art quick release mechanisms have only a single lever, this mechanism has two independent levers. About half the force is required to independently push either lever closed as to push both levers closed simultaneously. Similarly, about half the force is required to open either lever individually as to open them simultaneously. A similar quick release camming mechanism also works well for a quick release seat post clamp with similar advantages. The present invention is not limited to use on bicycle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Crank Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Winefordner, Frank Hermansen
  • Patent number: 7654767
    Abstract: A transport securing arrangement for a side extension arm of a vehicle includes a locking device and a securing hook, wherein the locking device is arranged in relation to the securing hook in such a way that release of the locking device leads to the release of the securing hook from its anchorage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Palfinger AG
    Inventor: Franz Sieberer
  • Patent number: 7648304
    Abstract: A shield for a vehicle suspension ball joint having a receptacle configured to receive a flexible dust cover. The shield comprises a rigid shroud connected to the receptacle. The shroud generally surrounds the dust cover and is positioned proximate an arm of the vehicle suspension. The shield protects the dust cover from road-borne materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: David Wolf
  • Patent number: 7635114
    Abstract: A decorative post includes an elongated outer polymer shell having at least one longitudinal groove extending a majority of a length of the elongated shell sized and shaped to hold a decorative fence panel. The decorative fence post also includes an elongated reinforcing member disposed in the outer polymer shell, and substantially extending a length of the fence post. A foam filler is disposed inside the outer polymer shell between the shell and the reinforcement member. An aperture is disposed in the outer polymer shell near an end of the reinforcing member, and a void extends from the aperture into the foam filler adjacent to and exposing an end of the reinforcing member. The void defines a slip zone at the end of the reinforcing member into which the reinforcing member extends as the outer shell shrinks longitudinally during post mold cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: MFS, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Laws, R. Dru Laws, Livingston Elwood Atkins, III, Phillip Swindler, Kip M. Colton, Nikki Colton, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7628560
    Abstract: A support (30) for the joint hinge of a wiper blade (10) at a hook-shaped end (20) of a bar (18) in a windshield wiper. Owing to an open hub on part of its periphery (28), the support can be slipped on a bearing shank of the wiper blade (10) and, so mounted, be maintained by the hook-shaped end (20) above hub surfaces (46, 62, 66) and ratchet elements (70, 76, 78). The two side walls (32, 34) which are connected by the hub (36) and a plurality of crossbars (60, 64, 70) extend in the longitudinal direction (38), on both sides, towards the hub (34) and the inside widths (40, 42) between the side walls (32, 34) are different at their opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Juergen Westermann, Eric Pollaris, Andreas Strauss
  • Patent number: 7621510
    Abstract: A barrier, such as fence panel, is formed from a plurality of channel-shaped rails and plurality of upright members. Each upright member traverses the rail channels of the rails forming the barrier and is mechanically connected to the rail, such that the upright member is selectively tiltable with respect to the rail within an angular adjustment range. The mechanical connection between rail and upright member may be formed by a weld, such as a resistance weld, by a permanent adhesive, or with a fastener such as bolt or screw. A tab that extends from the rail web may be used to connect a rail to an upright member. The tab may depend from a bracket installed within the rail channel, or may be cut out and bent into the channel from the web. The tab is rotatable about an axis situated at or adjacent the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventors: Edward L. Gibbs, Fred L. Givens, Gary W. Vonnahme
  • Patent number: 7614816
    Abstract: An anti-rolling device of a ball and socket joint prevents the rolling movement of a moving body coupled to the ball effectively without hindering omni-directional tilt rotational movement of the moving body, i.e. a moving part relative to the socket, a fixing part. The anti-rolling device comprises: a bracket on the moving part that is fixed to the circumference of the moving body; a guide channel whose upper part is pivoted to the bracket on the moving part; a sliding bar coupled to the guide channel in a way being possible to be slid thereinto; and a bracket on the fixing part which is mounted on the fixing part and coupled with the lower part of the sliding bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventors: Hwan-Gyu Lee, Sang-Youn Lee
  • Patent number: 7604429
    Abstract: A connecting node for fixing a mounting rail in abutting relationship to another mounting rail includes a connecting device having at least one holder into which the mounting rail is inserted and fixed to the other mounting rail in transverse relationship; an opening provided above the at least one holder; and an angle member having two limbs including a first limb inserted into the opening above the at least one holder and a second limb fixed to the one mounting rail inserted in the at least one holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Prange