Patents Examined by Michael Mansen
  • Patent number: 9457600
    Abstract: A conveyance device including an upstream roller that supplies a sheet medium to be processed to a conveyance path; a downstream roller that conveys the supplied medium to a processing position; and a control unit that, in order to convey the sheet medium at a constant speed, controls driving the upstream roller and the downstream roller using the constant speed as a target speed. The control unit changes the target speed of the upstream roller to eliminate a conveyance difference, which is the difference between the length of media conveyed by the upstream roller and the length of media conveyed by the downstream roller from the start of the conveyance operation, based on the conveyance difference in each conveyance operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Horaguchi
  • Patent number: 9458920
    Abstract: A dust cap for sealing engagement with an opening of a member is disclosed. The dust cap is removable from the opening of the member by a tool. The dust cap includes a body and an elastomeric portion. The body defines an outer perimeter, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a recess disposed along the outer surface. The recess is shaped to receive a portion of the tool. The elastomeric portion is located around the outer perimeter of the body. The elastomeric portion is sealingly engageable with the opening of the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Eugene Lannutti
  • Patent number: 9403652
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll spindle comprises two roll supports and a differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Ramon Castells, Jose Antonio Alvarez Tapia, David Claramunt Morera
  • Patent number: 9394977
    Abstract: A tensioner is disclosed that may be part of a power system where the tensioner provides tension to an endless power transmitting element such as a belt, chain, or other continuous loop. The tensioner has an arm that is rotatable about a first axis and includes an arm arbor having a window therethrough, a bushing having a protrusion and being positioned adjacent the arm arbor with the protrusion received in the arm arbor's window, and a spring coupled to the arm urging the arm to rotate about the first axis into tensioning engagement with a power transmitting element. The spring is positioned where it can radially expand into contact with the protrusion of the bushing as the arm is rotated in a direction opposite the direction of tensioning engagement such that the bushing is urged radially outward relative to the arm arbor to provide frictional damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Gerard Dutil, Anthony Eugene Lannutti
  • Patent number: 9377090
    Abstract: A tensioner assembly that includes a base, an arm, an opening spring (i.e., a torsion spring that opens or radially expands with increasing torque applied thereto), a spring reaction member, and a pivot bushing. The tensioner assembly is configured to orient various loads in predetermined directions. For example, a spring load can be oriented to counteract a hub load to reduce a bushing load that acts on the pivot bushing. As another example, a spring reaction force exerted by the spring reaction member can be employed by a damping mechanism to generate a grounding force that is parallel to the spring reaction force and is directed to intersect an axis about which the arm pivots relative to the base. A tensioner assembly having improved assembly characteristics is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Wei Ma, Gerald J. Hamers
  • Patent number: 9370283
    Abstract: A paper product dispenser that includes a motor adapted to dispense a paper product and a controller. A network interlace card is in communication with the controller and is adapted to connect the paper product dispenser to a network. DIP switches are connected to the motor to adjust the length of the paper product and the interval between the activation of the motor. A power roller is connected to the motor and an idle roller is face-to-face with the power roller. The paper product passes between the power roller and the idle roller. A paper sensor is positioned below the power roller to detect the presence or absence of the paper product. A thermopile sensor is also provided to detect the presence of a human being adjacent to the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Fellhoelter
  • Patent number: 9371498
    Abstract: A lubricant system is disclosed that is formed by contacting a fibrous network with oil and/or lubricating fluid having an affinity for the fibrous network. The fibrous network comprises oleophilic fibers having a diameter between 50 nm and 10 microns and a length that is at least times the diameter. In addition, the oleophilic fibers have an affinity for the oil and/or lubricating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Jeroen Bongaerts, Alexander de Vries, Piet Lugt, Dick Meijer, Dries Muller, Rihard Pasaribu, Alejandro Sanz, Richard Schaake
  • Patent number: 9353827
    Abstract: Configuring the inside of a tooth portion 15 of a toothed belt 10 with a core rubber layer 14 and the outer periphery of the tooth portion 15 with a tooth rubber layer 12. Also, including short fibers in the core rubber layer 14. The tooth rubber layer 12 is formed by curing a rubber composition containing 10 parts by weight or less high-density polyethylene with 100 parts by weight of matrix rubber. The value of tan ? for the tooth rubber layer 12 at 100-120° C. is maintained at 0.100-0.120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: GATES UNITTA ASIA COMPANY, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Uchigashima, Mitsuhiro Yamada, Yohei Harada, Akira Terasaki, Kaoru Shimamura
  • Patent number: 9346656
    Abstract: A stabilizer cable has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a crane load. The stabilizer cable loops around a boom pulley that is attached to a crane boom, then runs through a traveler pulley, then loops around a floating pulley, then loops around a deflector pulley. The deflector pulley and the second end of the stabilizer cable are positioned such that an increase in tension of the stabilizer cable urges the suspended load toward the traveler pulley. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Marvin M. May
  • Patent number: 9328805
    Abstract: A chain-tensioning device comprises at least one main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel on which a chain engages, a main spring that urges a shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction of tensioning of the chain, and an auxiliary cam element that engages a cam-follower element operatively connected to the shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel so as to tend to push this shaft in the tensioning direction under the action of auxiliary elastic means. The auxiliary cam element automatically recovers any play that is generated owing to wear of the chain and prevents a movement of the chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. In a variant, two main chain-tensioning sprocket wheels are provided, each having a respective auxiliary cam element. The two auxiliary cam elements may form part of a single pivoted lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianpiero Gromme
  • Patent number: 9315938
    Abstract: An elevator may include: a hoisting machine; hoisting ropes; a traction sheave that includes grooves; and diverting pulleys. Each of the hoisting ropes may individually contact one of the grooves. Each hoisting rope may include steel wires of circular, non-circular, or circular and non-circular cross-section, twisted together to form strands. The strands of each hoisting rope may be twisted together to form the hoisting rope. A thickness of each of the hoisting ropes may be greater than or equal to 2.5 mm and less than or equal to 8 mm. A cross-sectional area of the steel wires of the hoisting ropes may be greater than 0.015 mm2 and less than 0.2 mm2. The strength of the steel wires may be greater than 2,700 N/mm2 and less than 3,000 N/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Pekka Rantanen, Simo Makimattila
  • Patent number: 9315363
    Abstract: An elevator may include: a hoisting machine; hoisting ropes; a traction sheave that includes grooves; a counterweight; an elevator car; counterweight guide rails; and elevator car guide rails. Each hoisting rope may include steel wires of circular, non-circular, or circular and non-circular cross-section, twisted together to form strands. The strands of each hoisting rope may be twisted together to form the hoisting rope. A thickness of each hoisting rope may be greater than or equal to 2.5 mm and less than or equal to 8 mm. Each hoisting rope individually may contact one of the grooves. A cross-sectional area of the steel wires may be greater than 0.015 mm2 and less than 0.2 mm2. The strength of the steel wires may be greater than 2300 N/mm2 and less than 2700 N/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Pekka Rantanen, Simo Makimattila
  • Patent number: 9303813
    Abstract: A method, device, and nozzle for dispensing cooled lubricant is provided. Lubricant is supplied to the nozzle through an inner lubricant tube. Cooled compressed gas is also supplied to the nozzle through a conduit which surrounds the inner lubricant tube. Cooled compressed gas from the conduit is introduced into a nozzle gas bore in the nozzle and lubricant is introduced into a nozzle lubricant bore in the nozzle. The cooled compressed gas and the lubricant are mixed at a junction between these bores, such that the lubricant is siphoned into the junction by the cooled compressed gas. The mixture of cooled compressed gas and lubricant are then dispensed from an aperture in the nozzle, preferably as a fine atomized mist of cooled lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Nex Flow Air Products Corp.
    Inventor: Leslie Frank Rapchak
  • Patent number: 9303814
    Abstract: A system for automatically delivering lubricant to at least one bearing (16) has a lubricant pump (1) feeding lubricant under pressure through a supply line (3) to an injector (4). The injector, driven by the lubricant, sends a measured amount of lubricant down feed line (14) to bearing (16). A pressurizing valve (15) maintains injection pressure in the feed line (14) enabling any failure of supply to be detected as a pressure drop at pressure switch (2). Preferred features include the incorporation of a second pressurizing valve (12) at the injector end of the feed line (14), a blocked-line vent valve (13) to enable detection of a blocked or crushed feed line, and check valves (10) and (11). The injector (4) is preferably configured to produce a higher pressure at the outlet than the inlet, and various versions of this intensifying injector are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: BOB IFIELD HOLDINGS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Benjamin Ifield, Robert William Ifield, Craig Alan Ifield
  • Patent number: 9297454
    Abstract: In order to implement a reliable supply of lubricant to gear unit components during emergency or spinning operation of a gear unit, level control is provided in a lubricant sump of the gear unit as a function of the operating state by means of a control unit associated with a lubricant pump. During normal operation the level is adjusted to dry sump level. In contrast, the lubricant pump is switched off in emergency or spinning operation, so that a splash lubrication level is automatically achieved in the lubricant sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Barthel, Jan-Dirk Reimers, Jörg Tebroke, Ulrich Weinsdörfer
  • Patent number: 9284165
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of moving a large mobile crane having a luffable boom system. In accordance with the invention, the boom system is luffed down into a largely horizontal position for moving and is supported on a support block of a construction machine or of a small mobile crane so that the large mobile crane can be moved together with the construction machine or the small mobile crane. The invention further relates to a system for carrying out the aforesaid method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Dipl.-Ing. Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 9278834
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 9272750
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a bicycle including a chainring having a chainring axis, a plurality of different rear sprockets, the plurality of rear sprockets sharing a sprocket axis, a drive chain that runs around the rear sprockets and the chainring and in meshing engagement with a selected active sprocket of the plurality of rear sprockets and the chainring, and a rear derailleur. The rear derailleur is configured to shift the chain over a plurality of sprockets having a difference in tooth count of over 25 teeth ranging from a smallest to a largest sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Böhm
  • Patent number: 9261232
    Abstract: A pipe lubricant applicator includes a rotatable housing to receive a lubricant, the housing having a central axis and a concave inner surface and wherein an axis extending radially from the central axis of the housing intersects the concave inner surface at an angle that is not 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Jaroslav Belik
  • Patent number: 9243555
    Abstract: A system, comprising a vehicle engine with a crankshaft, a bracket structure coupled to the vehicle engine, a thermostat positioned in the bracket structure, an accessory device coupled to the bracket structure, a water pump mounted to the bracket structure, and a drive loop coupling the accessory device and water pump with the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rick L. Williams, John Cornell, Thomas Polley