Patents Examined by Joseph J. Hail, III
  • Patent number: 7900897
    Abstract: A clamping device & method for down clamping against a workpiece by utilizing part features produced during a prior operation. The mechanics of this device allow it to open, close, raise and lower during its initialization and release. The device contains a built in block type jaw restraint to facilitate the customization of its clamping heads to suit the shape of the part feature it is to clamp down upon. This device is used within the part boundaries, thus facilitating higher quantity part batch sizes being presented to the limited travels of the machine tool used to process the parts. This invention is comprised of readily available hardware items along with two cost effective and simple to mass-produce components. The device can be actuated manually or with automatic actuation. The method described to prepare the project is unique to the function & usage of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Ritchie Bonkowski
  • Patent number: 7895708
    Abstract: A hose assembly for a suction cleaner, comprising a suction hose portion which is able to be extended lengthwise when subject to lengthwise tension and to return to a lengthwise-contracted configuration when relieved of the lengthwise tension, and a support means extending lengthwise of the hose portion and co-operable therewith to constrain at least part of it in its contracted configuration. There may also be a hose portion which is substantially non-extendible in normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: VAX Limited
    Inventors: Reuben Proud, Gavin Burnham
  • Patent number: 7878492
    Abstract: A T-slot clamp including a base and a bar member pivotally connected to the base. A link pivotally connected to the bar member. A handle pivotally connected to the link, wherein the handle is rotatable about an axis of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Dykstra
  • Patent number: 7861348
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle, a head with carriers and a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. A motor is disposed within the handle. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. The shaft is operatively connected to the carrier to move the carrier in a first motion. The carrier is capable of moving in a second motion when subjected to user forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: John Geoffrey Chan
  • Patent number: 7856694
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a casing, a suction port, a drum brush, a fan, and a blocking plate. The drum brush is rotatably disposed in the casing so drum bristles hit a surface being cleaned. The fan is disposed in the casing to be rotated by air drawn in through the suction port so that the fan rotates the drum brush. The blocking plate is adjacent to the front of the fan to screen most of the fan except for a lower portion of the fan. The fan includes a circular fan body, a shaft member, and a plurality of blades. The inside edge of each of the blades is at a distance from the shaft member so that the drawn-in air passes through a space defined between the inside edge of each of the blades and the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-cheol Lee, Jang-keun Oh, Hwa-gyu Song, Chae-hoon Sohn, I-sun Park
  • Patent number: 7854647
    Abstract: A polishing wheel including a lower polishing surface and defining a different color from a secondary portion of the polishing wheel, so as to indicate wear of the polishing surface. The polishing surface includes a plurality of main radial flutes extending from a central passage to an outer edge. A reduced profile for the main radial flutes is provided adjacent to the outer edge. A plurality of secondary radial flutes is provided extending from the outer edge, but not in communication with either the central passage or the main radial flutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: TCG International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Thomas, Keith A. Beveridge, Chad James Olson, David Osland
  • Patent number: 7854037
    Abstract: A paint pad with adjustable handle belong to painting tool field, includes a handle; a pad unite that includes a pad support body and a pad holder plate, the pad holder plate is connected to the bottom of the pad support body; wherein the pad support body has a handle groove on the top; a orientation part is under the groove, its up surface has a plurality of orientation teeth; the handle with plurality of adjusting teeth at the end of handle is located in the groove; a knob on the top of the pad support body can adjust the relationship between the orientation teeth and adjusting teeth. The conventional paint pad is fallible and instable for keeping stable angle between the handle and pad unite, it influences the painting route and uniformity, and reduces painting quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jianxin Lu
  • Patent number: 7849547
    Abstract: A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner (100) has a first pair of driven brushes (12, 14) and second pair of free brushes co-axially mounted for rotation on axles (16) at the opposite ends of the pool cleaner that are transverse to the direction of movement. The first pair of brushes are mounted on one side and are driven by a drive motor (110); the second pair of brushes are mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner. A rotational delay clutch (30) is co-axially positioned between each pair of the first and second brushes so that reversing the drive motor causes the first pair of driven brushes to temporarily rotate at an angular rotational velocity that is greater than that of the second pair of brushes, thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction before the synchronous rotation of the second pair of dual brushes is initiated by the engagement of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Aqua Products Inc.
    Inventors: Giora Erlich, Tibor Horvath
  • Patent number: 7836795
    Abstract: A power tong (1) device, in which the power tong (1) includes two housing halves (2), pivotable relative to each other, the housing halves (2) being arranged to be pivoted between a closed, active position and an open, inactive position, and in which a radially divided drive ring (6, 8), which is provided with hydraulically activated clamping dies (14) directed towards the centre axis (10) of the power tong (1), is placed in the housing halves, the drive ring (6, 8) being supported and connected to a driving motor (12) for the rotation of the drive ring (6, 8) about said axis (10), the drive ring (6, 8) being provided with at least one locking means (16) which is arranged to interconnect the parts of the drive ring (6, 8) in a releasable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Wellquip AS
    Inventor: Per A. Vatne
  • Patent number: 7836569
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitor (TPM) installation tool adapted for use by a operator, and for installing a push-in style TPM within a valve stem opening defined by a wheel, wherein the tool is configured to provide mechanical advantage while assembling the TPM and wheel, and includes an elongated member configured to receive an applied force from the operator, a nesting fixture configured to retain the TPM in a relatively fixed position, and a wheel engaging member for securing the tool during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Spaulding, Marcus P. Beckman, Bruce R. Koch, James Hytinen
  • Patent number: 7818857
    Abstract: A tube joining and loop formation device that aligns and pre-positions two ends of a synthetic resin tubular work piece for insertion onto a single internal joining plug by frictional interference thereon. The joining device clamps the tubes inwardly from its free ends in independent fixtures which are then simultaneously driven towards coupling temporarily held in a movable aligned fixture for internal engagement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony Viviano
  • Patent number: 7814629
    Abstract: A spring-compression apparatus for facilitating maintenance of a strut assembly comprises a guide member, a carriage assembly, and a spring-channeling assembly. The guide member comprises a first member end and a second member end. The carriage assembly comprises a jack assembly and a slide assembly. The jack assembly is operable to otherwise displace the slide assembly along the guide member. The slide assembly comprises a locator assembly, which comprises a locator extension arm and a pivotable strut end interface. A strut spring is receivable in the spring channeling assembly as laterally engaged therewith. The strut end interface is engageable with a strut end for compressing the strut spring. The locator assembly further enables a user to remove a mounting nut from the interface-engaged end when the strut spring is compressed, thus enabling strut assembly disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Ismet Uzun
  • Patent number: 7815175
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp that includes a first clamping jaw, a support element to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle pivotably mounted to a clamp body. The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. Mckean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7805795
    Abstract: A brush roll is rotatably supported by bearings in a housing of a cleaning brush tool. One of the bearings is incorporated in a removable bearing arrangement that can be rotationally fastened and removed as needed on a cylindrical end of the housing. Preferably collar elements protruding cylindrically from the removable bearing arrangement form bayonet-type catch hooks that selectively engage with bayonet-type catch elements protruding radially outwardly from the cylindrical end sleeve of the housing. A detent on the housing engages a securing element on the removable bearing arrangement to secure the engaged bayonet-type fastening arrangement against rotational release thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stein, Achim Liffers
  • Patent number: 7802367
    Abstract: This fence post tool makes an opening in a fence post to receive a fence rail. The tool includes a threaded first member received within the hollow fence post and having an elongate handle to manipulate the first member into position adjacent a predrilled pilot hole. A second member includes a cutting edge defining the profile of the cutout and having a bolt received through the second member and into the threaded passage of the first member to draw the second member cutting edge into cutting engagement with the fence post sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: Roger Hocckelmann, Steve Vogelgesang
  • Patent number: 7797793
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for moving a wiping/raising insert of a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is described. The suction nozzle comprises a base plate. The mechanism for moving the insert comprises an operating pedal and a frame for supporting the insert and for bringing this insert from a first working position into a second rest position. The pedal is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and the frame is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. According to the invention, the first and the second axis of rotation lie in a plane inclined at an angle ? ranging between 80° and 100° with respect to a plane of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: New Ermes Europe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Roschi, Ermes Roschi
  • Patent number: 7789732
    Abstract: A tool for use in an abrasive machining process has a body extending along a central longitudinal axis from a first end to a tip end. An abrasive material is located on the tip end. A central recess is formed in the tip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel F. Grady, Jon C. Hammett, Stephen G. Roseberry, Brian J. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7788777
    Abstract: A piston-ring-installing device including a base (110) having a through-hole (111); and a guide member (120) disposed in the through-hole and fixed to the base, for positioning a piston in the vertical direction while receiving a head of the piston that is suspended downwardly in the vertical direction, and guiding a piston ring while widening a diameter of the piston ring by an outer peripheral surface of the guide member. A piston pressing member (130) is disposed above the base and supported movably toward a concave part (121b) of the guide member. The piston pressing member has a tapered inner wall surface (131) that is widened downwardly so as to come into contact with an edge of an upper end of the piston. A driving mechanism (140) is disposed on the base, and the driving mechanism is operable to drive the piston pressing member at least in the vertical direction. Also provided is a ring feeding mechanism (150) that feeds the piston ring placed on the guide member upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Haratake
  • Patent number: 7779507
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner including a suction nozzle; a dust collecting assembly including a dust collecting container having an opened top surface, a top lid for opening and closing the top of the dust collecting container, an inlet, a filtering device provided in the dust collecting container, a separation plate for preventing the impurities collected in a lower part of the dust collecting container from being risen by air flow, and an outlet for discharging clean air; and a cleaner body including a dust collecting assembly receiving recess for detachably receiving the dust collecting assembly, a polluted air outlet coupled with the inlet of the dust collecting assembly, and a clean air inlet provided on an inner wall of the dust collecting assembly receiving recess, so as to face the direction of mounting the dust collecting assembly, and communicating with the outlet of the dust collecting assembly, and a clean air conduit having a fan provided therein and discharging the clean air to the outside of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Duck Jung, Ha Jong Sung
  • Patent number: 7774898
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a discharge flow path and a discharged-air filter optimally positioned to reduce noise. The vacuum cleaner includes a body, a dust collection unit positioned in the body to filter foreign matter, a blower fan unit including a blower fan and a motor to generate suction force, an air vent through which air drawn into the body is discharged, and a discharge flow path to guide the air discharged through a discharge port of the blower fan unit to the air vent. The discharge flow path comprises a space defined between the dust collection unit and the blower fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Gee Hong, Jae Man Joo, Jun Hwa Lee, Tae Seok Yoon