Patents Examined by Juan Campos, Jr.
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Patent number: 8646717Abstract: Provided is a seat belt retractor capable of having its assembly readily performed to increase assembly efficiency, simplifying shapes of components to readily manufacture the retractor and reduce manufacturing cost, and preventing a webbing from being hooked when the webbing is rewound. The seat belt retractor includes a housing constituting a main body of the seat belt retractor, a guide drum rotatably installed in the housing, a connector inserted into one side of the guide drum, a base member surrounding the connector, a gear member inserted into the base member, a cylinder for operating the gear member, a torsion bar inserted into the guide drum, a locking member fixedly inserted between the torsion bar and the guide drum, a locking clutch installed at one surface of the locking member, a mechanism cover installed at one surface of the locking clutch, and a friction spring installed in the mechanism cover to stop operation of a lock arm fixed to the locking clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: In-Su Choi, Jung-Min Lee, Byung-Jin Lee, Dong-Sub Lee, Sang-Hong Bai, Gi-Young Bae, Jong-Kag Kim, Do-Shik Kim
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Patent number: 8636611Abstract: A power transmission chain including a plurality of links each having front and rear insertion through holes through which pins are inserted, and a plurality of first pins and a plurality of second pins which are arranged in a line for connecting together the links which are arranged in a chain width direction. The links are made up of links of small pitch length and links of large pitch length. The links of large pitch length corresponding to the first pin or the second pin that is clamped by the pulley are arranged such that the links of large pitch length are always included in one to one-half in total when a winding contact diameter of the pulley is a minimum operation radius.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Seiji Tada
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Patent number: 8622228Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a boom pivotally mounted on a rotating bed and a boom hoist drum mounted in a frame connected to the rotating bed. A boom hoist line is wound on the boom hoist drum and connected to an upper equalizer and a lower equalizer, with the upper equalizer connected to the top of the boom, such that rotation of the boom hoist drum changes the amount of boom hoist line between the lower equalizer and the upper equalizer, thereby changing the angle between the rotating bed and the boom. The boom hoist drum frame, the lower equalizer and the upper equalizer each include cooperating attachment structures whereby the equalizers can be detachably connected to the frame so that the boom hoist drum, the lower equalizer, the upper equalizer and the boom hoist line can be transported between job sites as a combined assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: Trevor D. Mentink, Robert J. Walker
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Patent number: 8622333Abstract: A toilet tissue roll holder extender which extends the roll diameter capacity of the holder by adhesively attaching flat plastic extender bodies to the inside surfaces of the conventional toilet tissue roll holder arms. In the preferred embodiment, the extenders have compound diameter spindle-receiving holes formed therein and the combination can be used with a toilet tissue core restoring insert of rigid plastic.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Inventor: Mario Dermo
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Patent number: 8616486Abstract: A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: SCA Tissue North America LLCInventors: Craig Billman, Jeffrey J. Brickl, Wayne Hansen, Edward A. Raleigh, Rodney Wilson, John W. Grosz
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Patent number: 8617017Abstract: The invention provides a power transmission chain in which abnormal noise can be reduced. In a link, a front through hole 7 and a rear through hole 8 aligned in a chain traveling direction X are provided. A pillar portion 9 is provided between the front through hole 7 and the rear through hole 8. Projecting portions 26, 29 are provided at a central portion in a height direction V of the pillar portion 9, and concave curve portions 27, 28, 30, 31 are provided at both end portions. A pair of flat portions (33,34 and 38,39) are provided on each projection portion 26,29 for restricting an overshoot of the chain. A not-shown pin that is loosely fitted to each of the front through hole 7 and the rear through hole 8 is brought into abutment with corresponding flat portions 27,28,30,31 to restrict an overshoot of the chain 1.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto
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Patent number: 8608101Abstract: Provided is a locking member mounting structure of a seat belt retractor including: a locking base coupled to one side of a guide drum; a locking clutch rotatably coupled to one side surface of the locking base; a lock arm coupled to one side surface of the locking clutch so as to rotate at a predetermined angle; and a mechanism cover covering the locking clutch and the lock arm, wherein a leaf spring is fixed to extend to one side from a boss formed in the center of the locking clutch, and a fixing piece projects from one surface of the lock arm so as to be fixed to the leaf spring. The leaf spring which returns the lock arm installed in the locking clutch is easily assembled, and assembly time of the leaf spring is reduced, thereby increasing productivity. Further, since the leaf spring has a curved portion or is formed in a stair shape, elasticity of the leaf spring is maintained, and deformation of the leaf spring is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: In-Su Choi, Jung-Min Lee, Byung-Jin Lee, Dong-Sub Lee, Sang-Hong Bai, Gi-Young Bae, Jong-Kag Kim, Do-Shik Kim
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Patent number: 8584982Abstract: An apparatus for covering a rolled paper product, such as toilet paper or paper towels, to reduce the visibility of the paper roll. The apparatus comprises a base member that attaches to a surface, a guide post slidably engaged with the base member to move up and down relative thereto, a top member attached to or integral with the guide post and extending over the paper roll, a roller holder attached to or integral with the top member or guide post and a roller rotatably supported by the roller holder in rotatable engagement with the paper roll to rotate therewith. As paper is removed from the roll, the roller rotates and moves the guide post down to maintain the desired spacing between the top member and the paper roll. Preferably, fragrance material in the roller dispenses fragrance when the roller rotates in response to rotation of the paper roll.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Inventor: Doyle W. Eakin
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Patent number: 8574106Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for a traction element drive of an internal combustion engine, is provided having a tensioner housing with a hollow piston located in the housing bore. A check valve is located in the bore along a pressurized fluid path to the hollow piston, and a spring guide located in the housing in proximity to a base of the bore. A tensioning spring extends from the spring guide inside the hollow piston toward the piston head. A pressure relief valve is located within the hollow piston adjacent to the piston head, with the pressure relief valve including a valve body having a flange with a support surface that rests against an inside of the piston head and a hollow spring guide that extends from the flange toward the base of the bore. A valve seat is formed in the hollow spring guide, and a spring is located in the hollow spring guide and biases a valve ball against the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Lucian Botez
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Patent number: 8550396Abstract: A toilet paper dispenser has a housing to cover a wall-mounted pre-existing toilet paper roller. The housing defines a rear periphery defining a wall opening configured for accepting the toilet paper roller therethrough. A pair of operating rollers are rotatably mounted in the housing and are closely spaced from each other to closely receive toilet paper from toilet paper roller therebetween. A motor is mounted in the housing and is coupled to the operating rollers to rotate at least one of the rollers. A presence sensor and a processor are included with the housing, where the processor is capable of receiving signals from the presence sensor. Responsive to a signal from the presence sensor indicating the presence of a hand, the processor energizes the motor to turn the operating rollers. The housing has a bottom opening through which toilet paper is dispensed when the operating rollers are turned.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Inventor: William Anthony Marrs
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Patent number: 8550943Abstract: A traction engine drive (2), the components of which are integrated into an assembly unit (6) that can be pre-completed. A guide rail (7) having a clamp rail (10) is fixed in location by a clamping device (16) and a traction element (12) is disposed in conjunction with at least one traction mechanism wheel, so that a free length of the traction element is not present.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Petrus Hubertus Kroon, Michael Kastner, Reinhard Koch
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Patent number: 8540092Abstract: This invention relates to a hoisting crane comprising a column, a jib and a jib connection member which is disposed on the column and to which the jib is connected pivotably. The crane further comprises an annular bearing structure extending around the column guiding and carrying the jib connection member rotatable about the column. The annular bearing structure comprises one or more column bearing parts connected to the column, comprising column bearing surfaces associated with the vertical column and one or more jib bearing parts connected to the jib connection member, comprising jib bearing surfaces associated with the jib connection member. A first column bearing surface is oriented substantially vertically and is arranged in a radial direction more inwards than a first jib bearing surface arranged opposite the first column bearing surfaces, to support radially inwards directed horizontal loads from the jib connection member to the column.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Itrec B.V.Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Gerrit Van Wijk, Adriaan Jan Rodenburg
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Patent number: 8534589Abstract: The present invention is to suppress a generation of a noise due to repeatedly hitting a clutch plate against a clutch cover and a clutch guide. A webbing take-up device is provided with a clutch cover fixed to a sub-torsion shaft so as to be rotatable integrally therewith; a clutch guide arranged so as to face the clutch cover, and supported capable of relatively rotating to the sub-torsion shaft; a lock ring formed around the clutch cover and the clutch guide; and a clutch plates turned to a lock ring side while being guided by the clutch guide in accordance with relative rotation of the clutch guide to the clutch cover into one rotational direction, and engaged with the lock ring. L-shaped springs which urge the clutch plates to a clutch cover side are formed integrally with the clutch guide.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denski-SeisakushoInventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Masaru Ukita, Yoshiaki Maekubo
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Patent number: 8535187Abstract: A cam drive tensioner for use with an engine includes a main body mounted to a component of the engine; a shoe movably mounted to the main body, for movement in a first direction; and two or more hydraulic chambers defined between the main body and the shoe, with the two or more hydraulic chambers being laterally spaced apart from each other in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Zipper's Cycle, Inc.Inventor: Adam Herbert
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Patent number: 8534474Abstract: A crane column segment connection system includes first and second column segments with a connector on the second end of the first segment mating with a connector on the first end of the second segment. The connectors each include at least one extension having a through-hole. The through-holes have an axis and are positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. In one aspect, the connectors include alignment surfaces cooperating such that when the first and second connectors are being brought together during column assembly, the alignment surfaces guide the column segments in two dimensions within a plane transverse to the axis of the through-holes into a relative position such that the through-holes through the extensions in the connectors are aligned.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: Nathan P. Holly, Robert J. Walker
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Patent number: 8499945Abstract: A mobile crane includes an undercarriage with a middle section and two parallel crawler carriages; a superstructure on which a boom is mounted, the superstructure being connected to the undercarriage by a rotary joint; two longitudinal outriggers connected to the undercarriage and extending in the longitudinal direction between the crawler carriages; and two transverse outriggers connected to the undercarriage and extending outside the crawler carriages. One of the longitudinal outriggers has an end with a transverse beam supported by spaced apart outrigger cylinders which provide an extended tipping edge to further stabilize the crane.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Terex Cranes Germany GmbHInventors: Günter Karp, Fritz-Botho Köster, Rüdiger Zollondz, Alfons Weckbecker
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Patent number: 8491429Abstract: A combined chain guide and chain ring protector for a bicycle for off-road use having a lower bracket sleeve, a chain ring around which a drive chain extends and a chain ring outer radius. The protector includes a mounting bracket secured at the lower bracket sleeve and a guard mounted thereto. An outer edge of the guard extends beyond the outer radius of the chain ring, thereby protecting a portion of the chain ring from inadvertent impacts. The chain guide extends from the mounting bracket along a path of the drive chain, and preferably includes an upper guide having an inner barrier positioned inboard of the bicycle chain an outer barrier positioned outboard of the inner barrier and an upper barrier positioned above the bicycle chain for preventing the chain from derailing from the chain ring in an upward direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.Inventors: Ryan K. Cranston, James K. Rogers
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Patent number: 8490911Abstract: Provided is a method of rolling two single-ply membrane sheets having seam tape applied along one edge, for easy transport. The method comprises placing a first sheet on top of a second sheet, with the seam tape edge of each of said sheets being at the same end. The sheets are placed so that the seam tape of the first sheet does not overlay the seam tape of the other sheet. The two sheets can then be easily and quickly rolled for transport to a job site.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Johns ManvilleInventors: Norman Douglass Fast, Walter Alexander Johnson
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Patent number: 8459584Abstract: Described is a belt tensioner for a seat belt having a belt retractor, a tensioner pinion (4) non-rotatably connected to the belt retractor, a tube (2) having a pyrotechnical gas generator arranged therein, and a plurality of mass bodies (6) driven by the pressure generated by the gas generator. The mass bodies (6) engage with the tensioner pinion (4) in a force transmitting manner and drive the belt retractor in the winding direction. A first and a second section (2a, 2b) of the tube (2) run parallel to each other. A third section (2c) with a curved course that projects out of the plane (E) connects the first and second sections, thereby creating a space (7) between the first, second and third sections (2a, 2b, 2c), for accommodating at least one of the mass bodies (6a, 6b).Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Günter Clute, Juri Kraus, Kazuhiro Moro
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Patent number: 8454461Abstract: A sprocket assembly mounted to a hub has at least eleven sprockets. The hub is able to rotate about a rotation axis and has a plurality of spoke attachment seats and a fastening portion to a frame of the bicycle. On the hub a predetermined axial distance is defined between a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, comprising the points of the spoke attachment seats closest to the freewheel body and a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and defined in the fastening portion to the frame, comprising the attachment points to the frame closest to the freewheel body. All of the sprockets of the sprocket assembly, when associated with the freewheel body, have an overall axial width that is lower than or equal to the predetermined axial distance. The chain has a maximum thickness between 4.6 mm and 5.8 mm.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventor: Maurizio Valle