Patents Examined by Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 8122844
    Abstract: A freeze indicator can include an indicator dispersion having an aqueous liquid medium and organic material indicator particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium. The indicator dispersion can have an initial appearance before freezing and an irreversibly different appearance after freezing and can exhibit a freeze-onset temperature of about ?1.9° C. or higher. Some factors helpful to providing a relatively high freeze onset temperature are employment of a proteinaceous ice-nucleating agent, control of pH, use of a protein stabilizer and control of the ratio of protein stabilizer to ice-nucleating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Temptime Corporation
    Inventors: Dawn E. Smith, Carl M. Lentz, Dene H. Taylor, Yvonne Osunga, Brian Huffman
  • Patent number: 8109225
    Abstract: A banner raising apparatus is described for use with a halyard (228) for raising and lowering a banner. The apparatus is mounted to a generally vertical support surface (222) and comprises an upper halyard guide (220) mounted at an upper portion of the support surface and guiding the halyard travelling in a secure halyard passageway. A halyard fastener (218) is operable to releasably fasten the halyard exiting the secure halyard passageway adjacent a lower portion of the support surface, and a secure housing (212) is mounted externally of the support surface adjacent the lower portion, the secure housing configured to contain the halyard fastener and having sufficient internal volume to securely house the halyard of a raised banner. The secure housing is configured to enable access to the halyard. An elongate conduit defining the secure halyard passageway may be mounted externally to the support surface. The secure halyard passageway may be a secure internal cavity defined in the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Lachlan Arthur Dean McCudden, Arthur Lachlan McCudden
  • Patent number: 8109007
    Abstract: A method for sensing an object profile shape involves relatively sweeping (whisking or translating) in angular or translational increments an elongated whisker element having a deflectable cantilever region and an object so that the cantilever region bends as a result of sliding along an object periphery. The moment (torque) at a base region of the whisker element as a result of the bending is determined. The method then iteratively determines successive contact point locations on the object periphery based on small successive increments in angle or position of the whisker element and the sensed moment (torque).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Joseph H. Solomon, Mitra J. Hartmann, Christopher L. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8104954
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for measuring the temperature field on the surface of casting billet/slab, including: a thermal imager, an infrared radiation thermometer, a mechanical scanning unit, an image and data processing system; the thermal imager, the infrared radiation thermometer and the mechanical scanning unit are respectively connected to the image and data processing system; the infrared radiation thermometer is installed on the mechanical scanning unit and can measure the temperature of casting billet/slab surface by scanning; the thermal imager can measure the temperature of a certain area on the surface of casting billet/slab by thermal imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Northeastern University, Shenyang Taihe Metallurgy Measurement & Control Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Xie, Zhenwei Hu, Ying Ci, Da Zhang
  • Patent number: 8091248
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (1) comprising a base (2) provided with guides (3) parallel ? to a first axis X, a first carriage (4) mobile on the guides (3) along the axis X and provided with an upright (17), a second carriage (6) carried by the upright (17) and mobile along a second vertical axis Z, and a horizontal arm (7) carried by the second carriage (6) and mobile along a third horizontal axis Y perpendicular to the axis X; the guides (3) of the first carriage (4) are arranged underneath a top wall (12) of the base (2), which is therefore flat and treadable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology S.p.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Garau
  • Patent number: 8070356
    Abstract: A method for measuring the temperature of substrates to be coated is disclosed. The substrates have an opening or a cavity, and the substrates are successively moved past a source of coating material. At least one substrate's temperature is measured during coating by at least one temperature sensor and the measured temperature value is transmitted to a measuring device. The temperature sensor is disposed inside the substrate's opening or cavity so as to prevent coating of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Von Ardenne Anlagentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Heisig, Thomas Meyer
  • Patent number: 8069580
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining a position and/or a speed includes a scale having marks arranged at spacings from one another, and a scanning head, with the scale and the scanning head being arranged for movement relative to one another along a movement direction. The scanning head is constructed to determine a first spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a first one of the marks, and a second spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a second one of the marks, with the position and/or the speed being determined on the basis of the first spacing and the second spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Finkler
  • Patent number: 8046931
    Abstract: A positioning device for positioning an object includes a platform, a slide rail vertically extending from the platform, two standard units, and a retaining unit. The standard units are slidably mounted to the slide rail to abut against a first side of the object to cooperatively define a position reference plane for the object. The retaining unit includes a fixing block fixed to the high standard unit, a slide bar slidably mounted to the fixing block, a holding arm fixed to the slide bar to abut against a second side opposite to the first side of the object, and a spring to bias the slide bar to ensure that the holding arm abuts against the second side of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bing-Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8033238
    Abstract: Provided is an indicator display device displaying information by using an indicator, and more particularly, provided is an indicator display device having a simplified configuration and including a small module. The indicator display device includes a stepping motor; an indicator which is connected to the stepping motor and rotates by a driving force provided by the stepping motor; and an indicator position detector which detects a relative position of the indicator with regard to the stepping motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Uk Nam, Hong-ki Moon
  • Patent number: 8028644
    Abstract: A tactor system transforms cable motion to tactor motion. A housing defining a plane is adapted for placement proximate to the skin of a user. A cable is operative to deform a tactor element in the housing, causing a portion of the element to move outwardly from the plane of the housing, thereby imparting a tactile sensation to the user's skin. For example, tension on the cable may cause a strip of flexible plastic or other suitable material to bend at a living hinge that moves outwardly from the plane of the housing. The cable may be driven by an actuator including. Two or more tactor elements may be disposed next to each other or in the same housing, with different elements being activated at different times to enhance the apparent frequency of the stimulus. For example, a reciprocating mechanism may be used to operate a pair of tactor elements out of phase with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cybernet Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wagner, Amanda Christiana, Charles J. Jacobus
  • Patent number: 8020305
    Abstract: A detachable microscope pen mount for marking a microscope slide includes an attachment collar configured to secure to an objective lens, a lever secured to the attachment collar, a pen holder secured to the lever, and a pen secured to the pen holder and having a pen tip, where activating the lever moves the pen tip into a field of view and lowers the pen tip onto the microscope slide. Also disclosed is a method of marking a microscope slide includes identifying an object of interest in a field of view, positioning the object of interest in a center of the field of view, inserting a pen having a pen tip along a trough into a center of the trough, lowering the pen tip onto the microscope slide, and marking the microscope slide by tracing the inside of the center of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Guiney, Raymond Jenoski
  • Patent number: 8020310
    Abstract: A measuring element with a circular or linear track that encompasses a material measure and a number of sensors for scanning the track is disclosed. At least two scanning heads having the sensors are provided for scanning the track. The track of the measuring element has at least one first and a second partial track which are each provided with a first and a second grating period. For each grating period, one of the scanning heads is equipped with a sensor array that is adjusted to the grating period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventor: Roland Finkler
  • Patent number: 7685961
    Abstract: A survey marker having a rod with a pointed tip and a shank extending therefrom composed of a rod or rebar material. A head extending from a distal end of the rod opposite the point may include means for retaining a survey flag, means for engaging a drive tool, and means for alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Clarence E. Truax
  • Patent number: 7581333
    Abstract: The invention includes a flexible, removable and reusable adhesive backed tape constructed in the conventional form of a flat elongate strip having measurement indicia printed on the opposite non-adhesive surface. The indicia include selected measurement markings divided into prescribed segments that are replicated sequentially along the length of the tape. The tape further includes a straight level indicator line and spaces for erasable writings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: Gary S. Dressler
  • Patent number: 7490411
    Abstract: A screw measuring apparatus comprising: an internal-dimension measuring unit for obtaining internal-dimension information Dw of a female screw placed on a coordinate measuring machine when the stylus-tip sphere having the diameter selected according to the pitch of the female screw is butted against the screw groove of the female screw; and an effective-diameter calculating unit for obtaining effective-diameter information De of the female screw from the internal-dimension information Dw obtained by the internal-dimension measuring unit, diameter information 2r of the stylus-tip sphere, and thread angle information ? and pitch information P of the female screw, by using an effective-diameter calculation expression De=Dw+2r×cosec(?/2)?(P/2)×cot(?/2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Masanori Arai
  • Patent number: 7370600
    Abstract: A horn device includes a trumpet fixture which removably attaches to the valve portion of a canister containing a charge of compressed air. An actuator button on the trumpet fixture is operable to open the valve assembly of the canister causing release of the pressurized air through the trumpet fixture to produce a loud horn noise. One or more light signal lamps are provided on the trumpet fixture. In a preferred embodiment, the light signal lamps are powered by one or more batteries carried on the trumpet fixture. In a further embodiment, a light emitting lamp on the rear facing end of the trumpet fixture is covered with a split color lens, having a green half and a red half to provide auxiliary running lights of a water vessel. In still a further embodiment, the light emitting lamp is provided in a light signaling device which is hingedly attached to the trumpet fixture. Control buttons allow selective activation of the light signal lamps in one or more modes of operation (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventors: Louis Tomassetti, Peter Tomassetti
  • Patent number: 7370602
    Abstract: A highly reflective arrowhead traffic sign is provided which exhibits an arrow shape to “aim” traffic away from a lane. A horizontal longitudinal member has at least one pair of arrow-shaped “wings” that extend beyond the outer boundary of the horizontal member. The wing sets can be attached to the horizontal member by use of locating holes and mating pins, or they can be pivotally mounted on the horizontal member. The arrow wings can be shaped into a configuration that points to the left or to the right, or simultaneously point to both the left and right, thereby indicating to traffic that a lane is closed, and that traffic must go either left or right to avoid the closed lane. The signs can be mounted in different ways, using hooks with suction cups or traffic cones, or using built-in magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: RTS, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Greves
  • Patent number: 7370603
    Abstract: A pointer instrument for a motor vehicle includes a pointer drive for deflecting a carrier body. A pointer which is visible in an indication is provided on the carrier body. An optical waveguide element is arranged on that side of the carrier body which is remote from an observer. Light from at least one light source is introduced into the optical waveguide element which extends along the movement path of the pointer. Light emerging from the optical waveguide element enters into the pointer and/or the carrier body, and the pointer is formed such that it is illuminated by light emerging from the optical waveguide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Balsfulland, Gerhard Friepes, Axel Förster, Patrik Hurth
  • Patent number: 7370601
    Abstract: Devices that emit sound audible to nearby animals can include a deflection structure or other support structure and, connected to it, at least one whistle structure. The deflection structure can, for example, be a rain guard, an insect deflector, or a rock deflector. It can, for example, have an air flow surface across which air flows when the vehicle on which it is mounted moves at normal operating speeds, and whistle structures can be activated by the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Mark E. Williams
  • Patent number: 7367280
    Abstract: A household apparatus that combines the function of a bookmark and a highlighter/marker is provided. The apparatus has enclosed an inkwell that includes a volume of ink. The apparatus has thin shape that allows it to serve as a bookmark, while at the same time, has a marker portion that is covered by a cover when it is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventor: Lafayette Armstrong