Patents Examined by Patricia L. Engle
  • Patent number: 7631925
    Abstract: A vehicular door includes an inner door panel provided on an inner surface-side of an outer panel; a side impact beam provided between the outer panel and the inner panel; and a support member which is provided between the inner panel and the side impact beam, and which is connected to at least one of the inner panel and the side impact beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tanaka, Takayuki Tsuruta, Naoya Kosaka
  • Patent number: 7631917
    Abstract: A vehicle includes console/shifter arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a shifter base member and a console. A shifter base member has oversized fastening apertures arranged to align with threaded apertures in the vehicle floor. Fasteners extending through the oversized fastening apertures engage the threaded apertures and are moveable between an adjusting orientation and a securing orientation. The oversized fastening apertures have a prescribed dimension with respect to the fasteners such that the shifter base member is movable in alignment directions relative to the vehicle floor with the fasteners in the adjusting orientation. The console and the shifter base member are configured to move together as a single unit in the alignment directions while the fasteners are in the adjusting orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Kwolek
  • Patent number: 7632052
    Abstract: A vehicle tire tie-down winch and chock assembly ties down at least one tire of a vehicle on a load carrying platform with a tire harness. The load carrying platform has at least one raised rib with elongated apertures at a top surface of the rib. The assembly has a chock surface and a rotating lock mechanism with an elongated lock element which in an insertion position fits within one of the apertures in the rib and in a locking position has its longitudinal extent substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the elongated aperture to engage the aperture. At least one hook is engageable in another of the elongated apertures of the rib or in an elongated aperture of another rib at the platform. A winch is provided on the assembly which secures to an end of the tire harness. The winch may have a foot pedal release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Tatina
  • Patent number: 7628572
    Abstract: A method, assembly and device for restraining cargo in a shipping vehicle or other container with an adjustable cargo bar assembly comprising an adjustable metal bar having, a pair of ends and a flange secured to each end. The method including securing one cargo restraint device to a wall of the container with an adhesive; securing another cargo restraint device to another wall of the container with an adhesive; adjusting the length of the adjustable bar of the cargo bar assembly to a desired length; engaging the one cargo restraint device and one end of the adjustable bar of the cargo bar assembly by disposing the flange secured to the one end within a pocket defined by the one cargo restraint device; and engaging the other cargo restraint device and the other end of the adjustable bar of the cargo bar assembly by disposing the flange secured to the other end within a pocket defined by the other cargo restraint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Logistick, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Kanczuzewski, John Townsend, John W. Doster, Dean Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 7625038
    Abstract: A side door grommet is formed in an L-shaped configuration to be seated in a side door between the primary and secondary door seals to release air pressure experienced when the side door is closed against the body shell. The grommet includes an L-shaped tube that allows air to pass into the interior of the side door and bends downwardly to prevent the passage of water from the interior of the side door through the grommet tube into the sealed area of the side door. A grill is mounted in the grommet to prevent the passage of small fingers and/or toys through the grommet into the interior of the side door. The release of the air bind between the primary and secondary seals allows the side door to be closed with a minimum of effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Moccio, Paul Repp, Thomas Leung
  • Patent number: 7591502
    Abstract: A tunable inner fender structure including a body having a set of apertures and a tunable member that extends through the set of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Patent number: 7591621
    Abstract: A system and method for transporting an airfoil, which has a root end, a tip end, and a midsection, over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar. The system includes a bracket fixed to the root end of the airfoil and connected to the first railcar, and, the bracket is oriented to align the tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar. A sliding support is connected to the first railcar at a position between the bracket and the second railcar. The sliding support is adapted to engage the midsection of the airfoil and support the airfoil while enabling the airfoil to move laterally. A lateral guide structure is connected to the second railcar, and aligned to engage the airfoil to limit its lateral movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Transportation Technology Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Landrum, T. Christopher King
  • Patent number: 7575270
    Abstract: An opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle, which has a door-lock mechanism, is provided. An output of a motor unit is transmitted to a drum having a planetary gear mechanism, and the slide door of the vehicle is driven by an open-side cable and a close-side cable wound around the drum. A closer cable of the door-lock mechanism is coupled to a carrier of the planetary gear mechanism, and coupled to a latch of the door-lock mechanism via a coupling link. The coupling link is constituted as a toggle mechanism so as to regulate the rotation of the latch by the traction force of the closer cable until the latch is rotated toward a full latch direction from an unlatch position. When the regulation of the latch by the toggle mechanism is released, the latch is rotationally driven toward the full latch direction due to the rotation of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Nagai, Mitsuhiro Okada
  • Patent number: 7568247
    Abstract: A bariatric bed having extensible side portions and extensible end portions which facilitate an expansion of the overall width and length of the bed to comfortably support an obese patient, the side portions capable of being retracted to reduce the overall width of the bed to fit through a standard hospital door opening, the bed including a plurality of load cells which transmit a signal to a weigh scale to provide a readout of the weight of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Gendron, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic W. Strobel, Steven W. Cotter
  • Patent number: 7567159
    Abstract: A non-contact apparatus removes translational energy (slows movement) of a first magnetic assembly when it is moved through the magnetic field of a second magnet. The first magnetic assembly contains a magnet that can rotate, such as a diametrically magnetized cylindrical magnet in a cylindrical cavity. Rotation of the first magnet does work against a predetermined drag. The apparatus also forms a non-contact magnetic coupling that holds a predetermined relative position. The apparatus can be used as a door catch that slows down and quietly stops a door at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: John A. Macken
  • Patent number: 7559554
    Abstract: In sealing arrangement 41 between first and second relatively rotatable bodies of a machine such as a steam turbine, a relatively high pressure p0 exists on one side of the sealing arrangement and a relatively low pressure pf exists on the other side. The sealing arrangement comprises a series of sealing elements or units S1, S2, S3, at least one of which comprises a brush seal. A seal bypassing device, preferably comprising a pressure relief valve 42-44 limits the pressure drop across the brush seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Simon Ian Hogg, Karl Urlichs
  • Patent number: 7559098
    Abstract: A motion control apparatus for a hospital bed includes an axial shaft passing through two wheel modules. Three pedals capable of swinging upwardly and downwardly are pivotally disposed on the chassis in parallel. Driving components are fixedly disposed in opposite directions on the axial shaft corresponding to the pedals on two sides. A coupler is disposed between each driving component and pedal. When one of the two pedals on the two sides is stepped on downwardly, the axial shaft is driven to turn and results in braking of the wheel modules. When the middle pedal is stepped on downwardly, the other pedals gathered together swing downwardly at the same time, and the pedals on the two sides come to lean on the middle pedal at the same time and stop, resulting in disabling of the braking or orientation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sigma-Care Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsai-Tien He
  • Patent number: 7559556
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a MLS gasket that includes a metal layer having an external periphery, an upper surface generally defining a first plane, and a lower surface generally defining a second plane. The first and second planes define a layer thickness therebetween. At least one cylinder aperture is formed in the metal layer. The metal layer includes a stopper portion formed adjacent at least a portion of the external periphery. The stopper portion is formed such that at least a portion of the stopper portion extends above the first plane. At least a portion of the stopper portion extends below the second plane. An average thickness of the stopper portion is less than the layer thickness. The gasket also includes a first sealing layer adjacent the metal layer. The first sealing layer includes a first bead portion. Compression of the first bead portion is selectively limited by the stopper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome G. Belter, Rohit Ramkumar
  • Patent number: 7555796
    Abstract: This invention relates to mattresses, such as a pressure relieving mattress, comprising a base portion and an upper portion overlying the base portion and having an interface between the portions which has a coefficient of friction low enough such that the portions can slide relative to each other. This configuration enables relative movement of the portions, when the mattress is lying on a profiling bed and the bed is being profiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventors: Jan Anthony Lewis, Ian Robert Mahoney, Leyton Mark Stevens
  • Patent number: 7552606
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a coupling assembly for connecting first and second sections of a brake supply line, the coupling assembly comprising complementary first and second couplings which fit together. A safety device is complementary to one coupling and which can be fitted to the coupling so that it cannot be connected to the other coupling. The safety device includes a locking device which is operable to prevent removal of the safety device from the coupling; the locking device prevents removal of a key until the locking device is operated. The key removed from the locking device can be used to enable use of a loading bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Castell Safety International Limited
    Inventor: Michael Drummond
  • Patent number: 7549685
    Abstract: A lock for a household appliance, such as a tumble drier, a washing machine, a dishwasher or the like, has a movable retaining element. The movable retaining element is configured in the style of a slider for interaction with a locking bar located on a door, a lid, a hinged opening or the like of the household appliance. The lock has a two-state locking mechanism for the retaining element, such that the locking mechanism in a first state blocks the movement of the retaining element and in a second state frees the movement of the retaining element. The locking mechanism can be electromagnetically controlled between the two states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Mueller, Manfred Lonau
  • Patent number: 7543468
    Abstract: A locking device and a method for unlocking the locking device are provided. The locking device includes a stationary plug having a first aperture extending therein configured to receive a key. The stationary plug further includes an outer surface, an inner surface defined by the first aperture, and at least a second aperture extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. The locking device further includes a housing having an outer wall disposed around at least a portion of the stationary plug. The outer wall has at least a third aperture extending therethrough. The locking device further includes a bolt member operably coupled to the outer wall of the housing. The locking device further includes a locking mechanism disposed in the third aperture of the housing and extending into the second aperture of the stationary plug. The locking mechanism is configured to allow rotation of the housing about the stationary plug when the key is inserted into the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Zephyr Lock LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin Houlihan, Patrick E. Wind, Michael Gallo
  • Patent number: 7543467
    Abstract: This invention relates to a portable locking device having a wireless transmitter that transmits the condition of the locking device to the receiver of a security system. The locking device comprises non-rigid cable so that it can be easily connected to various objects. Cutting the cable triggers prevents power from reaching the wireless transmitter, and the lack of signal triggers the security system to issue an alarm. The portable locking device comprises parallel armed and disarmed circuits to supply electricity to the wireless transmitter, but the armed circuit is broken if the lock is tampered with or compromised when locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas R. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 7543466
    Abstract: A link for connecting at least one securing member, such as chain, with a locking device having a body and a shackle, where the link comprises a base having a through hole adapted to receive the shackle of a locking device and a first securing element associated with the base, the first securing element adapted to receive a first securing member, wherein the shackle of a lock may be inserted through the through hole such that the lock blocks the first securing member from being separated from the securing element. Also disclosed is a system for securing a locking device having a handle hinged to a vertical lockrod, where the system comprises a strap and a link adapted to be installed upon the vertical lockrod and handle such that the handle is prevented from being manipulated in such a manner as to unlock the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Stanton Concepts Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Loughlin, John Loughlin
  • Patent number: 7540044
    Abstract: A patient transfer device has four casters and two counter-rotating steering wheels. The steering wheels provide a turning path whose center of curvature lies along a transverse centerline of the device. A foot pedal selectively lifts the steering wheels off the floor or brakes them. Another foot pedal at a back end of the device can lock the casters at the front end in a straight direction. The transfer table of the device may be inclined either longitudinally or transversely, and has an upper table whose edge rollers retract to introduce slack in the upper belt so that an air mattress can be inflated. The upper belt selectively disengages from the lower belt using movable, pneumatically-actuated pinch rollers. The outer surface of the upper belt is rough while the outer surface of the lower belt is smooth. The belts are constructed of a material which includes an antimicrobial agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: ConMediSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Patterson, Ralph M. Smucker