Patents Examined by Essama Omgba
  • Patent number: 9151411
    Abstract: A mountable cable tie with fine adjustment with an elongated strap having a first strap end and a second strap end, the elongated strap having one or more rows of teeth or cross-bars formed crosswise on the elongated strap, and a plurality of holes positioned linear along the median between the one or more rows of teeth, at least one locking buckle positioned proximate the second strap end, the at least one locking buckle having at least one channel and at least one locking tang or pawl positioned within the locking buckle, wherein increased insertion of the first strap end into the locking head decreases the size of the loop of the elongated strap to secure the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Dale Owen
  • Patent number: 9149863
    Abstract: A setting device for connecting at least two components includes a first lever arm having a first working end, and a second lever arm having a second working end, that are pivotably connected to each other like pliers. A first linear drive is connected to the first and the second lever arm so that, by changing of the length of the linear drive, the first and second working ends can move relative to each other. A punch is arranged at a first working end that is connected to a supply module for joining elements, and/or a hold-down module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Bollhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Draht, Berthold Huhn, Bernd Haesler, Marion Keiser
  • Patent number: 9149865
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an inexpensive micro gas turbine has an existing compressor-turbine unit divided into two separate parts being a compressor and a turbine. The compressor and turbine shafts are joined. Two existing bearing units are taken, wherein one of them may belong to the existing compressor-turbine unit. The rotor of an existing generator is mounted on the joined shaft. A generator housing is manufactured and connected to the bearing units. The stator of an existing generator is mounted into the generator housing. Energy input into the working cycle of the gas turbine can be implemented by adding either an internal burner or external burner with a heat exchanger. By using inexpensive and often mass produced off-the-shelf components, a cost effective micro gas turbine can be derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Micro Turbine Technology, BV
    Inventors: Paulus Maria Smeets, Savad Shakariyants
  • Patent number: 9138950
    Abstract: A tire mold apparatus is provided along with methods of retrofitting a tire mold, such that a tire mold of the type traditionally utilized in a dome type curing press can be modified to have external steam tracings allowing the mold to be utilized in a platen press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Bo William Byers, Robert P. Karpinski, Craig Romans, John Dempsey, Edward Steven Seroka, Larry E. Speck, Joseph A. Labbe, Jr., Phillip Coderre
  • Patent number: 9125744
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a prosthetic hip acetabulum includes the following steps. First, one provides an insertion cup (1) having an inner concave receiving surface (3) having an opening surface (5) contained in an opening plane (P), and having an outer annular receiving structure (6). Next, one provides an installation and positioning insert (7) having a peripheral annular attachment structure (10) shaped to engage with the receiving surface (9) of the structure (6), fitting around that structure. Next, one heats the insert (7) in order to increase its size. Next, one fits the attachment structure (10) around the receiving surface (9) of the receiving structure (6). Finally, one cools the insert (7) to room temperature to reduce its size and achieve radial tightening of the attachment structure (10) on the outer annular receiving structure (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Inventorio SA
    Inventor: Thomas Gradel
  • Patent number: 9120215
    Abstract: A lightweight and portable service tool and method of use is provided for facilitating bushing replacement without removal of suspension from a vehicle. A tool end removably straddles the suspension and anchors the tool to the suspension. An actuator end, connected to the tool end, imparts a bushing jacking force along a common tool axis for extracting a bushing from, or installing a bushing into an eyelet of the suspension. The actuator end can form a jack or form a bore for receiving a portable jack as the source of the jacking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventors: Darren Muenchrath, Ryan Stormoen
  • Patent number: 9120141
    Abstract: A fastener dispensing apparatus includes a body that defines a punch path and at least partially surrounds a punch that includes forward and rearward portions. The punch reciprocates between retracted and advanced positions in which the tip of the forward portion extends from an end of the punch path to drive a fastener towards the workpiece. A fastener feed path extends transverse to the punch path and is defined by a surface of the body, the fastener feed path receives an elongate carrier of fasteners. A fastener feeding device sequentially feeds fasteners along the fastener feed path and into alignment with the end of the punch path. An actuator is drivable by the reciprocal movement of the rearward portion of the punch. An engagement member engages the carrier and is moveable relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Henrob Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Clew, Wojciech Gostylla, Stuart E. Blacket
  • Patent number: 9108279
    Abstract: A method of permanent assembly between at least a first part formed of a first material on the one hand, and at least a second part formed of a second material on the other hand which is configured to confine the first part in the permanent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yves Winkler, Stewes Bourban, Alban Dubach
  • Patent number: 9101887
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus and system includes a hub, a plurality of blades, and a respective hinge for each blade to pivotally secure each blade to the hub. Each hinge including a lock having a tab and a detent to secure the respective blade in an operating conformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SPX FLOW
    Inventors: Stephen L. Markle, Michael E. McCarroll
  • Patent number: 9095887
    Abstract: A compact roller hemming device which can perform a hemming process with respect to various works. The roller hemming device for hemming a work includes rotary shafts rotating on axes thereof, and first lower dies and second lower dies on which the corresponding work is placed. The first lower dies and the second lower dies are arranged on outer circumferential parts of the rotary shafts at predetermined intervals. The rotary shafts rotate so that one each of the first lower dies and the second lower dies is selected depending on a type of the work to be hemmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Tsuda, Tomonari Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9097123
    Abstract: A method and system adapted for removing one or more shells from an assembly of multiple annular shells, for example, turbine shells of a gas turbine engine. The method includes removing an upper shell positioned in an upper position relative to a lower shell of the assembly of multiple annular shells, and then positioning and securing a counterweight in the upper position and securing the counterweight to the lower shell as a replacement for the upper shell in the upper position. The counterweight and the lower shell are then rotated in unison until the lower shell is in the upper position and the counterweight is in a lower position previously occupied by the lower shell. Thereafter, the lower shell can be removed from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, Kenneth Damon Black, Christopher Paul Cox, Matthew Stephen Casavant, Bradley Edwin Wilson, Brett Darrick Klingler
  • Patent number: 9090040
    Abstract: An embossing roll for producing fibrous products, has a structurized embossing surface suitable to run against an anvil roll. The structurized embossing surface includes male protrusions or female depressions starting from a base circumferential surface of the roll. The embossing pattern includes the following features: the base areas of selected male protrusions or female depressions in the base circumferential surface are different; the heights or depths of selected male protrusions or selected female depressions in a radial direction of the roll and starting from the base circumferential surface are different; and the angles between sidewall sections and the adjacent base circumferential surface of selected male protrusions and/or female depressions are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Jurgen Sauter, Philippe Albouze
  • Patent number: 9085068
    Abstract: A pitman arm removal tool and method of removing a pitman arm from a steering box shaft is provided. The pitman arm removal tool includes a puller arm for engaging a lower surface of the pitman arm. A lever arm is disposed a second surface of the pitman arm, in substantially spaced opposed relation with the puller arm. A linking arm connects a first end of the lever arm to a first end of the puller arm, the linking arm being pivotally connected to the lever arm and the puller arm. A bolt assembly connects a second end of the lever arm to a second end of the puller arm, the bolt assembly being adjustable to draw the puller arm closer to the lever arm, thereby urging the pitman arm to traverse the steering box shaft and out of engagement with the steering box shaft spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Schley Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Schley, Timothy Hume
  • Patent number: 9086149
    Abstract: An elongated, flexible polymer gasket includes a body formed by a length of tubular flexible polymer material, a hollow chamber within the body extending uniformly the length of the body, and a plurality of individual openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the body. The gasket further includes a plurality of individual spring clip fasteners, each formed of a metal wire, the length of wire being bent to form an elongated, generally planar base portion with opposing major sides and an elongated, engagement portion extending transversely away from one of the opposing major sides. The maximum width dimensions of the base and engagement portions being greater than a maximum nominal dimension of the opening whereby the each individual spring clip member is captured in a separate one of the openings with the base portion within the hollow chamber and the engagement portion projecting traversely away from the base portion and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: Changzhou Sanyou Dior Insulation Materials Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Davlyn International Group, Ltd., Allied Century Limited
    Inventors: Mi Qiang, Gary L. Flasher
  • Patent number: 9080287
    Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a first signal carrying member serially connecting a first set of sensors; a second signal carrying member serially connecting a second set of sensors; and a signal processing unit operatively associated with the first and second signal carrying members and configured to selectively monitor the signals provided by the first and second set of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Stowe Woodward Licensco, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Gustafson, Samuel Howard Reaves, III, Kisang Pak
  • Patent number: 9079271
    Abstract: A device for aligning structural elements to be connected is presented. In particular, the present invention relates to providing an end of a first structural element and an end of a second structural element; providing an aligning device including a head configured to be removably secured proximate the end of the first structural element, the aligning device further including an alignment element attached to the head, the alignment element having a rotatably secured plunging body extendable from the head; extending the plunging body from the head to non-rotatably engage the second structural element; and moving the non-rotatably engaged second structural element via extension of the plunging body to align the end of the second structural element with the end of the first structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: PIPESNAPPER WELDING SUPPLY LLC
    Inventor: Mark Dwileski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9079519
    Abstract: A jig assembly and corresponding method for swage assembling a workpiece having first and second side components and a central component. A first pair of bi-directional traversable platforms are supported in inward and outward reciprocating fashion relative to a central support fixture, and upon which are mounted supporting structures for mounting the workpiece. A pair of engaging jigs are mounted to inner opposing sides of the pair of traversable platforms. Each of the engaging jigs includes a plurality of fingers which are adapted to seat within aperture locations associated with the workpiece side components and to facilitate loading and positioning the workpiece prior to swaging. A pair of opposing and synchronized inward compressing dies simultaneously swage locations associated with opposite edges of the central component which project through apertures defined in the side components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Patent number: 9078379
    Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating extraction of heat from a heat-generating electronic component. The method includes providing a heat sink, the heat sink including a thermally conductive structure which has one or more coolant-carrying channels and one or more vapor-condensing channels. A membrane is disposed between the coolant-carrying channel(s) and the vapor-condensing channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, at least a portion of which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s) to the vapor-condensing channel(s). The heat sink further includes one or more coolant inlets coupled to provide a first liquid coolant flow to the coolant-carrying channel(s), and a second liquid coolant flow to condense vapor within the vapor-condensing channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9067254
    Abstract: A method of configuring a production line to mass customize shaped vessels includes receiving a plurality of consumer or event data. Further, the method includes configuring a plurality of vessel forming stations based in part on the received consumer or event data. Once the vessel forming stations are configured, a plurality of vessels are shaped by indexing the plurality of vessels through the vessel forming stations. The shaping operation can include shaping by contouring a length of each of the plurality of vessels, selecting a decoration style to be applied to the plurality of vessels based in part on the consumer or event data, and configuring a top-forming station based in part on the consumer or event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: Ruth Karina Espinel, Scott C. Biondich, Alejandro Jose Santamaria, John E. Adams, Katherine W. Allen, Gopalaswamy Rajesh, H. Brock Kolls
  • Patent number: 9046296
    Abstract: A method of assembling allows a refrigerator handle to be selectively mounted to a front face portion or a side edge of a refrigerator door. The handle includes first and second ends separated by an intermediate portion, wherein each of the handle ends includes a recessed section. Each of the recessed sections includes a mounting arrangement formed therein, which is adapted to receive either a bracket for mounting the handle to the side edge of the door or a clip for mounting the handle to the front face portion of the door. The method includes selectively attaching the handle to the front face of the door through the clip, or to the side edge with the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Forrest F. Wing