Patents Examined by Richard A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8677924
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a scoreboard for keeping score of a game of, for example, dominoes among multiple players. It comprises a generally rectangular shaped body having an upper surface and a lower surface, a left side and a right side and upper and lower ends. The upper surface has four sets of first apertures arranged in columns and numbered rows for receiving pegs for storage therein. An upper row of second apertures is provided above the first apertures for temporary placement therein of the pegs prior to the player having accumulated any points. The top surface discloses on the left side a series of scores running from 5 to 150 wherein the first player to reach 150 is the winner of the game. The top surface discloses a series of peg holes arranged in columns so that each player can have a dedicated series of peg holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventors: Willie L. Brown, Sabrina T. Singleton
  • Patent number: 8646402
    Abstract: There is provided an indicator in which a moving member 9 on which a pointer 21 is installed is caused to run on a guide rail 1 formed along a scale formed on a dial, characterized in that the moving member 9 comprises a first support member 11 for pivotally supporting a plurality of pulleys 17 which are arranged along the guide rail 1 and a second support member 13 for pivotally supporting at least a pulley 17, and in that the plurality of pulleys 17 pivotally supported on the first support member 11 and the pulley 17 pivotally supported on the second support member 13 hold the guide rail 1 therebetween and the first support member 11 and the second support member 13 are assembled to each other so as to slide in an inter-axis direction of the plurality of pulleys 17 which are pivotally supported on the first support member 11 and the pulley 17 which is pivotally supported on the second support member 13, the indicator having further a spring member 15 for biasing the first support member 11 and the second su
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Katsumata, Tomohiro Sugiyama, Masaaki Sano
  • Patent number: 8607726
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide an instrument dial and its manufacturing method wherein it is possible to shorten a print time and achieve a reduction in cost. [Means for Resolution] An instrument dial with index portions 5 provided in background portions 3 and 4 by subjecting a substrate 1 to printing includes an underlying portion 2 configured of a screen print layer provided on the substrate 1; a first background portion 3 which, being configured of a screen print layer formed on the underlying portion 2, does not include the index portions 5; and second background portions 4 which are configured of a digital print layer formed on the underlying portion 2 and, as well as including the index portions 5, are continuous with the first background portion 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuko Oguro, Masato Obata, Yasuo Shimbo
  • Patent number: 8544406
    Abstract: A meter device is disposed on an upper surface of a fuel tank that is disposed between a steering handlebar and a rider's seat. The meter device includes a dial substrate having a scale and a pointer that is rotated by a drive portion and points to the scale corresponding to a measurement output. The pointer includes a ridge that extends in a longitudinal direction and a spine portion having two surfaces that cross each other so as to form the ridge. An angle ?, at which the two surfaces forming the ridge cross each other, is formed into an acute angle, so that a side farther from the ridge as viewed from a side of a rider is not visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujihira, Tomohiro Kudo, Kunihiko Fukui, Makoto Hattori, Yutaka Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8539685
    Abstract: A method of determining a position of a point in a local coordinate system using a survey instrument comprising an integrated optical total station and digital level includes measuring an angle associated with the point. The angle may be measured about a vertical axis of the survey instrument, and the vertical axis may be substantially aligned with a local gravity vector. The method also includes determining a distance between the survey instrument and the point using an electronic distance measuring device and measuring a difference in height between a horizontal axis of the survey instrument and the point using a leveling staff positioned relative to the point. The horizontal axis may be substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis. The method also includes determining the position of the point in the local coordinate system using the angle, the distance, and the difference in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: TRIMBLE Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Miguel Amor
  • Patent number: 8539902
    Abstract: A device for displaying a flag includes a raisable and lowerable flag container (12) provided with an arrangement for extending or retracting a flag, and a raisable and lowerable flag cassette (6) provided with several flag containers (12). The device for displaying a flag is provided with a control unit (5) from which the device for displaying a flag may be controlled. The flag container (12) in the flag cassette is provided with a device for pivoting the flag container from being essentially parallel to the flag pole into an essentially orthogonal angle relative to the flag pole and a device for extending or retracting a flag in the flag container, where the control unit (5) is arranged to first pivoting a flag container and then extending a flag in the flag container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ostergotlands Fastighetsservice Samt el Och Larm I Norrkoping AB
    Inventor: Thomas Sanvik
  • Patent number: 8499712
    Abstract: A device (1) for removable attachment of a flag (5) on a flagpole (9), where the flag comprises a holder (7) adapted to receive one end of a flagpole (11). The device comprises a body (25) which one end comprises means (15) for attaching the device at one end of a flagpole and which other end is provided with a protruding element (20) arranged to in interaction with the holder hold the flag at the flagpole. The protruding element comprises an inner part (21) with a cross section that is less than the cross section of the body and an outer part (23) with a cross section that is larger than the cross section of the inner part. The outer part is arranged so that it allows an elastic compression so that its cross section decreases when its subjected to a lateral force (F) and so that its cross section resumes its original cross section when the force ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: KSAB Golf Equipment Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Magnus Jakobsson
  • Patent number: 8490290
    Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for acquiring measurements associated with a vehicle. The system includes at least one imaging sensor having a field of view and at least one optical target secured to a wheel assembly on a vehicle within the field of view of the imaging sensor. The optical target includes a plurality of visible target elements disposed on at least two surfaces in a determinable geometric and spatial configuration which are calibrated prior to use. A processing unit in the system is configured to receive at least two sets of image data from the imaging sensor, with each set of image data acquired at a different rotational position of the wheel assembly around an axis of rotation and representative of at least one visible target element on each of the two surfaces, from which the processing unit is configured to identify said axis of rotation of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Stieff, Daniel R. Dorrance, Thomas J. Golab, Mark S. Shylanski
  • Patent number: 8438987
    Abstract: An operating device for selecting shift positions of a gear-changing transmission, for example an automatic transmission. The operating device comprises a shift operating device and a console arrangement with an operating lever and a shift position indicator device with illuminatable shift position designations. The shift position indicator device includes an electronics unit and a light-emitting device. The electronics unit and the light-emitting device are integrated into the shift operating unit. An ordered fiber-optic bundle for the selective illumination of shift position designations is disposed between the light-emitting device and shift position indicator device. The operating device enables cost savings in production and assembly by eliminating, for example, the electronic module in the region of the shift gate. Flexible, selective illumination of the illuminated symbols or shift position designations in the region of the shift gate becomes possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
  • Patent number: 8387265
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the sundials disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Heliosphere Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf
  • Patent number: 8375883
    Abstract: A rotary switch comprising a body housing inside itself a rotating shaft operatively connected to a valve or actuator. The switch further comprises a cover, associated to the body by threaded coupling means, provided with an indicator swivelling integrally with the shaft, so that it enables visual signalling of the angular position and/or operating status of the shaft. The switch comprises centering means, mechanically distinct from the threaded coupling means, which ensure the centering of the cover in relation to the body and the coaxial relation between the cover and the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Soldo S.r.l. Socio Unico
    Inventor: Giovanni Soldo
  • Patent number: 8337082
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for calibrating and using resistance temperature detectors. In one embodiment, the system includes a calibration circuit comprising a resistance temperature detector in a bridge circuit with at least one potentiometer, and a programmable gain amplifier coupled to the bridge circuit. Embodiments of the invention further comprise methods for calibrating the bridge circuit and the programmable gain amplifier for use with the resistance temperature detector and methods for determining the self heating voltage of the bridge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnathan S. Coursey, Kenton C. Hasson, Gregory H. Owen
  • Patent number: 8316551
    Abstract: A bow sight automatically corrects and compensates for various dynamically changing aiming, shooting, and/or environmental conditions. The bow sight can perform situation-specific aim evaluations and corrections to correct or compensate for situation-specific shooting and environmental factors, at a given time and on a per-shot basis. The bow sight includes integrated sensor-type devices, such as a range finder, an inclinometer, and an anemometer, which detects values of situation-specific shooting and environmental factors and communicates such detected values with a processor or other control device. The processor uses the situational specific data, as well as bow and arrow performance data, and data from shot calibrations, to calculate precise vertical and horizontal aim compensations required to accurately hit the desired target point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy M. Gorsuch, James A. Buckley
  • Patent number: 8316553
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a coordinate measuring machine body and a controller. The coordinate measuring machine body has a probe having a measurement piece and a drive mechanism for driving the probe. The probe has a drive unit for driving the measurement piece. The controller includes a first measuring unit and a second measuring unit. The first measuring unit measures a displacement of the measurement piece driven by the drive unit. The second measuring unit measures a displacement of the probe. The measurement accuracy of the second measuring unit is lower than the measurement accuracy of the first measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Hidemitsu Asano
  • Patent number: 8220168
    Abstract: A spectacle lens frame shape measuring apparatus includes a holding device including upper pins and lower pins respectively holding upper rims and lower rims of frames for a spectacle lens, the upper pins holding the frames at different positions in a right-left direction from the positions at which the lower pins hold the frames and being placed at a same height as the lower pins in a vertical direction, a probe brought into contact with lens fitting grooves of the frames held by the holding device, a swinging mechanism swinging the holding device around a predetermined virtual axis, and a calculation controller calculating an axial shift amount or angle of the frames held by the holding device on the basis of a carved angle of the frames and an inclination angle of any one of the upper and lower rims, and correcting a shape of the frames obtained by the probe in accordance with the calculated axial shift amount or angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Kenji Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8210117
    Abstract: A battery holder with expiration indicator includes a main body for holding a battery therein, a month mark member, a year mark member, and a pair of clips. The month mark member extends from the main body and includes twelve month marks formed thereon. The year mark member extends from the main body and includes a number of year marks formed thereon. The pair of clips are slidably attached to the year mark member and the month mark member and respectively located at one of the year marks and one of the month marks to set a date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8191496
    Abstract: The pump horn includes a chamber that can be filled continuously and indefinitely by a push/pull slide that when pushed into the chamber forces pressurized air through an attachable member, a tube, a sound producing device, and an amplifying unit to produce a loud blast sound. The push/pull slide includes a screw in piece at the end which is secureable to the attachable member within the chamber for releasable securement of the push/pull slide. This allows compact carrying and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Fishman
  • Patent number: 8181354
    Abstract: An inclination position sensor where, on a substrate on which wires are formed, plural electrodes electrically connected to the wires are disposed, a conductive ball that can simultaneously contact at least two of the plural electrodes is disposed, an enclosure that covers the plural electrodes and the conductive ball is disposed, and a circular arc is formed in places of the electrodes that contact the conductive ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Lapis Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8127707
    Abstract: There is provided a object locator device, convertible between an undeployed state and a deployed state, comprising an inflatable portion (2) of at least two linear portions arranged such that the angle between them is less than 180° when the device is in the deployed state, each linear portion being attached to an indicator portion (15) formed by a sheet, means for attachment of the device to the object at one or more pivot points and means (62) for inflation of the inflatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey Birkin
  • Patent number: 8122843
    Abstract: A fuel efficiency signal device intended to be interposed between the accelerator pedal of a vehicle and a floor below the pedal. The signal device has wedge shaped, flexible walled, self supporting air container having walls sealingly blended to adjacent walls to form the air container. The walls are a bottom wall, a fore end wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and formed with a lateral, inwardly extending living hinge, an aft end wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a pair of opposite, outwardly bowed side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and joined to the end walls and a top wall inclined at a wedge angle to the bottom wall and joining the side walls and the end walls. A whistle extends through a wall of the air container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Gas Saver, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Bert Lindsay, Jason R. Ertel, Steve P. Martise, Jeffrey D. Accursi