Patents Examined by Gregory Binda
  • Patent number: 9470271
    Abstract: A sealing boot assembly comprises a flexible boot having a first end in sealing engagement with an outer surface of a shaft to define an inner chamber therein. A venting orifice extends from the inner chamber through the flexible boot to ambient and a moisture-blocking, vapor-breathable membrane is disposed across the venting orifice between the inner chamber and ambient to vent gas from the inner chamber during high temperature operation of the shaft and to allow air to returns to the inner chamber upon cooling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin D. Connor, Jason J. Nolte, Richard J. Knoll, David M. Connor
  • Patent number: 9470014
    Abstract: A plasticized fence clipping system comprises fence posts, fence rails, wire panels, having top wires, plasticized rail clips having wire recesses for locking the top wires therein, and plasticized double-locking-head arms. The plasticized rail clips and plasticized double-locking-head arms are for quickly and easily locking and releasing the top wires to and from the inside of the fence rails, respectively, such that the plasticized fence clipping system absorbs vibrations exerted on the fence and prevents the metal components of the fence from contacting and grinding against one another, to keep the fence quiet and to prevent the metal components from rusting. The plasticized fence clipping system is affordable and reliable, is quick and easy to install, requires no tools, saves materials, eliminates personal injuries, can be operated by hand, and requires only one person to install the fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Dee Volin
  • Patent number: 9470041
    Abstract: A rail and post assembly that allows for onsite fence and gate panel construction. A shear block is affixed to each end of a rail. The shear block and rail are then fed through an opening in a post. Fasteners then secure the shear block to the post, which thereby provides a rail and post assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Gary W. Ash
  • Patent number: 9470290
    Abstract: A torque coupler includes an input side and an output side, which are situated rotatably around an axis of rotation, and in addition an intermediate plate for coupling with the input side, an output flange for coupling with the output side, a spring damper for coupling the intermediate plate with the output flange, and a centrifugal force pendulum having a pendulum flange and a pendulum mass. Here the pendulum flange extends between a first area, in which the pendulum flange is attached to the intermediate plate, and a second area, in which the pendulum mass is attached to the pendulum flange. The output flange has a cutout, through which a section of the pendulum flange which connects the two areas runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Shaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jan Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9464673
    Abstract: A sheet-type flange for transmitting power is formed by a substrate and a multiple of flange sheets. The substrate has a central axle hole with a square key slot and a multiple of fixed holes distributed around the axle hole. The multiple of flange sheets are annular and have connection slots arranged on a periphery of the flange sheets, as well as the multiple of flange sheets are arranged on both sides of the substrate respectively. The substrate and the multiple of flange sheets are fixed together by rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG LINIX MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaoding Ruan
  • Patent number: 9464440
    Abstract: A safety rail system in some embodiments may include integrated ergonomic hand-grip projections, and structures for affixing the system for egress and ingress through an opening, such as roof or floor access holes. A self-closing gravity gate may be provided acting as additional hand-grip, support, and barrier. The safety rail system may be constructed and assembled using a unique continuous tubular structure of converging vertical and angular upright post with horizontal upper rail, forward protruding ergonomically effecting hand-grip and opposing directionally horizontal lower attachment support means reducing lateral motion and allows installation for new construction or retro fitting of existing openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SafePro, L.P.
    Inventor: Richard J. Whiting
  • Patent number: 9464674
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first track groove portions positioned on an interior side and second track groove portions positioned on an opening side. The first track groove portions each have an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center that is prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions alternately opposite to each other in the first track groove portions that are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 9458872
    Abstract: A variety of connectors can be used to connect cylindrical or other shaped tubes to one another. The connectors incorporate features that may facilitate connecting the tubes at a wide range of angles to form a variety of multi-dimensional shapes, while obviating the need to use tape or glue. Such features can potentially improve the aesthetics and simplify the assembly of objects produced using the connectors. Further, structures produced using the connectors can be disassembled, facilitating reuse of, for example, the paper-based tubes of exhausted household products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Play from Scratch LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Freeland Nelson
  • Patent number: 9458891
    Abstract: A contoured disc coupling includes a plurality of fastening locations, wherein each fastening location has a body portion and an aperture running through the body portion, and a plurality of webs extending between adjacent fastening locations, wherein each web has a contoured shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Aaron Timothy Julian
  • Patent number: 9458645
    Abstract: A modular fence kit including at least one pre-formed fencing panel, at least one fence pole removably attached to each of a sidewall of each fencing panel via at least one fastener, such as a clamp, and a base attached to each fence pole. The base is one of a weighted hollow first base body into which a host sleeve locks, a stake into which the fence pole is directly inserted, and a disc atop which the fence pole is attached. The host sleeve supports the fence pole within the first base body. A pair of opposing vertical protrusions, disposed on the outside wall of the host sleeve, lockingly engage a slot within the first base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventors: Marc J. King, Rubie Jewel King
  • Patent number: 9457416
    Abstract: A fillet weld joint of steel formed by arc welding, wherein a martensitic transformation starting temperature (Ms point) of a weld metal is 400° C. or above and 550° C. or below, a value obtained by dividing a toe radius ? of a toe part of welding by a sheet thickness t of a base metal (?/t) is 0.25 or above, an expression Ms(° C.)?375×[?/t]+320 is satisfied, and a crack defect does not exist in the fillet weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Reiichi Suzuki, Masao Kinefuchi, Ryu Kasai
  • Patent number: 9453538
    Abstract: In an non-limiting embodiment, an isolator is provided for isolating a device driven by an engine via an endless drive member. The isolator includes a shaft adapter that is connectable with a shaft of the device, a rotary drive member that is engageable with the endless drive member, a torsion spring that is positioned to transfer torque between the shaft adapter and the rotary drive member, and a torque limiting surface. The torsion spring has a first helical end, a second helical end and a plurality of coils between the first and second helical ends. The torque limiting surface has a selected non-zero spacing from the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Hao Q. Tran, Andrew M. Boyes, Boris Replete, Vladimir I. Starodoubov, John Antchak, Pierre A. Mevissen
  • Patent number: 9453356
    Abstract: A fence includes a plurality of mesh panels suspended from a plurality of support posts, with posts at each end. The plurality of support posts are offset behind the fence boundary formed by the plurality of mesh panels. A top portion of each of the plurality of support posts is coupled to at least one of the plurality of mesh panels, while a bottom portion of each of the plurality of support posts fixed with respect to the field surface. Upper edges of the mesh panels are suspended from above by a tensioned cable extending upward from the upper edge of the mesh panel, the tensioned cable coupled to at least one of said support posts. The lower edge is tensioned from below by a bottom anchor assembly. The plurality of mesh panels are resiliently deflectable upon impact by an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GRAND SLAM SAFETY, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert K. Lyndaker, Robert M. Chamberlain, David Moore, Mickey Lehman
  • Patent number: 9447824
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, an outside joint member, an inside joint member, a roller member, and a shaft length variable mechanism. The outside joint member is coupled to one end portion of the first rotating shaft. The inside joint member is provided in the outside joint member and is coupled to one end portion of the second rotating shaft. The inside joint member transmits running torque from a first rotating shaft side to a second rotating shaft side. The roller member is provided in the inside joint member and is to move on a roller guide surface provided inside the outside joint member. The shaft length variable mechanism is provided in the second rotating shaft and is to change a shaft length of the second rotating shaft in an axial direction of the second rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasushi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 9445584
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for maintaining two rod sections parallel to each other includes a collar encircling a longitudinal axis for receiving a first rod section, and a retainer attached to the collar. The retainer has a first hook and a second hook. The second hook for receiving a second rod section is attached to the collar and the first hook is connected to the second hook. The clamp assembly has an open configuration in which the retainer hinges from the collar, and a closed configuration in which the first hook at least partially surrounds the collar. The collar includes a band for encircling the first rod section. The band has a first circumferential end and an opposing second circumferential end that meet to form a closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 9441757
    Abstract: Example apparatus include load relieving stem connectors. An example apparatus includes a connector housing including an internal cavity therein, a load relieving body disposed in the internal cavity, and a shaft coupled to the load relieving body. In the example apparatus, the shaft is to rotate the load relieving body between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wildie McCarty, Thomas Adam Brandau, Galen Dale Wilke, Michael Melvin Anderson, Doug Gethmann
  • Patent number: 9441787
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus includes a casing and a protector for closing an opening. The casing includes first and second casing faces intersecting at angle ?1. The first casing face is provided with an opening. The protector includes first and second protector faces abutting and intersecting each other at angle ?2. The protector is fixed to only the second casing face. The angle ?2 is larger than the angle ?1 when the protector is removed from the casing. The protector is attached to the casing in such a manner that the second protector face is fixed to the second casing face, and that the first protector face is elastically deformed so that an edge part of the first protector face, which is located on the side opposite to the second protector face, closely contacts the first casing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Kyo, Yoichi Nakamura, Junya Kawabata
  • Patent number: 9441662
    Abstract: A method of joining a first workpiece having a first surface and a second surface angularly disposed relative to such first surface, and a second workpiece having a surface disposable in abutting relation relative to the second surface of such first workpiece, comprising forming a recess in the first surface of such first workpiece, sloped toward and spaced from the second surface of such first workpiece, producing an end surface thereof disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal centerline of such recess; forming a notched ledge on the end surface of such recess; positioning a threaded fastener in the sloped recess with a head portion thereof resting on a bottom surface of the recess and the threaded portion thereof disposed along the centerline with the end thereof resting on such ledge; disposing the surface of the second workpiece in abutting relation with the second surface of the first workpiece; and threading the threaded fastener along the longitudinal centerline of such recess, through such abut
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Susnjara
  • Patent number: 9439508
    Abstract: A post coupler includes coupler flanges, reverse bend flanges extending therealong and rounded end projections extending longitudinally from said coupler flanges defining ends of the coupler, the length of the reverse bend flanges being less than the overall coupler length between ends of the rounded end projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Edsal Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Wojtowicz, Thomas St. Germain, Mitchell Liss, Al Dunaj
  • Patent number: 9434405
    Abstract: A shaft coupler that couples a worm shaft and an output shaft of an electric motor in an electric power steering device includes a joint on a motor side that is connected to the output shaft, a joint on a worm side that is connected to the worm shaft, and a coupling that is provided between the joints and that is for transmitting rotational torque of the electric motor to the worm shaft. The joint on the motor side and the joint on the worm side, each having a plurality of protrusion parts that extend in an axial direction, are arranged so that the protrusion parts are aligned alternately in a circumferential direction. The coupling is formed by a plurality of caps that are fitted to the protrusion parts of the joint on the motor side or the joint on the worm side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Shinraku Yoshikawa, Tetsurou Shimizu, Katsumi Shimoda