Patents Examined by Rinaldi I. Rada
  • Patent number: 8002160
    Abstract: A dual combustion fastener device implements a first combustion event, contained in a first combustion chamber portion to compress a combustible fuel/air mixture contained in a second combustion chamber portion, which is separated from the first combustion chamber portion by a piston including a driver for driving a fastener disposed in the driver's path of travel into a workpiece, in order to generally provide rapid driving power for securing a fastener disposed in a nose guide of the combustion fastener. Ignition of the second combustion event may be timed so that the second combustion event substantially occurs when the piston has achieved top dead center or the maximum compression of the combustible material in the second combustion chamber portion. Utilization of compressed combustible material may allow for the utilization of a piston having a small cross-sectional area in comparison to a typical combustion device while providing equal or greater driving force in a rapid manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John Frederick Larkin, Brian Whitney Lamb, Edward John Cooper
  • Patent number: 8002684
    Abstract: A vibrating plate apparatus including a vibrating plate on which a user rests, a vibration motor member connected to the vibrating plate, several air cushions provided under the vibrating plate for dampening vibration, and an air tank in communication with each of the air cushions. The tank establishes the air pressure in at least one of the air cushions at a predetermined value independently from the user's weight. The motor member includes two motors rotating in opposite directions, each of the two motors including a set of flyweights driven by the two motors and having a center of gravity offset relative to the axis, the two sets having the same mass, being symmetrical to each other and including at least one moveable flyweight that can assume at least one position to vary the vibrating plate's vibration amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: FITHEALTH sarl
    Inventor: Philippe Laurent
  • Patent number: 7997048
    Abstract: Container filling plant, such as a beverage bottling plant, for filling containers with a liquid beverage and for closing filled containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): “A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.” Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Herbert Bernhard
  • Patent number: 7992652
    Abstract: A fluid distributor cylinder is for a percussive drill assembly that includes a casing having an inner circumferential surface defining a central bore, a central axis extending through the bore, a bit movably coupled with the casing and a piston movably disposed within the casing bore. The distributor cylinder includes a generally tubular body disposeable within the casing bore and having first and second ends, a central axis extending generally between the first and second ends, an outer circumferential surface. At least a section of the outer surface is configured to engage with the inner surface of the casing so to form an interference fit between the body and the casing. The cylinder includes an exterior thread and/or a radially-extending shoulder configured to releasably engage with the casing inner surface so as to substantially prevent axial displacement of the distributor body with respect to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Secoroc LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Plunkett
  • Patent number: 7988027
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for crimping and releasing a suture securing a strip of buttress material to an end effector. The mechanism includes a retention member movably mounted within the end effector. The retention member is movable from a first position crimping the suture to the end effector to a second position releasing the suture from the end effector. The mechanism additionally includes a follower member, engageable with the retention member, and movable in response to actuation of a surgical instrument to move the retention member between the first and second positions. A lock mechanism is also provided to secure the retention member in the first position. The follower member operates to disengage the lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Lee Olson, Ernie Aranyi, Patrick Mozdzierz
  • Patent number: 7988609
    Abstract: A folding table, in particular for a folding device which is provided with a chopper folding device, includes a folding face which is suitable for receiving a flat product to be folded, and a folding aperture which extends in a conveying direction, the table extending along a table plane. The folding face includes guides which are capable of guiding at least one conveyor for conveying a flat product to be folded in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Goss International Montataire SA
    Inventors: Jéróme Peres, Philippe Herda, Thierry Vauchelle, Franck Chagnon, Eric Pierda, Thierry Melon, Mathieu Rossi
  • Patent number: 7988025
    Abstract: A nose casting assembly for a pneumatic fastener includes a body having a driver channel formed therein for receiving a driver blade. The body includes a first end having an aperture for allowing passage of a driver blade into the channel. The body further includes a second end configured for allowing a fastener to be expelled from the nose casting assembly. The body further includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface having a loading aperture formed therein for allowing passage of a fastener into the driver channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Terrell
  • Patent number: 7984838
    Abstract: A system for use in a surgical procedure comprising a pneumatic instrument having an inlet and an outlet, a tank fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the tank provides pressurized helium gas to power the pneumatic instrument, and a compressor fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument. The compressor receives the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument and compresses the exhausted helium gas to supply the tank with pressurized helium gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, Gabriel A. Johnston, Robert L. Woods
  • Patent number: 7984602
    Abstract: This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: David G. Kraenzle
  • Patent number: 7980321
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anvil, an anvil and socket combination and an anvil attached to a power tool. The anvil structure includes a drive head with an end and a body portion having a channel spaced there between. A friction ring is retained in the channel. Flats are provided on the end and on the sides of the end and the square portion in a coordinating alignment such that the flats generally lie in the same plane. The ring retained in the channel between the end and the portion at least partially extends relative to the flap. A transition cone is provided on the anvil for distributing impact load. Additional, relief grooves are provided on corners of the polygon portion to help further relieve stress in the anvil structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Happ
  • Patent number: 7981011
    Abstract: A combination exercise machine comprises a movable platform assembly to perform leg presses and extended leg calf raises, a movable user support assembly which includes an adjustable brace pad assembly to perform seated isolated calf raises, a multi-function handle bar assembly, and a wrist rolling assembly to exercise the forearms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Roger Batca
  • Patent number: 7980438
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a staple gun has a front cover, a locking element, a pushing element and a staple driver. The front cover has a connecting bolt. The locking element is mounted on the front cover and has two cams, a torsion spring and a locking block. The cams and the torsion spring are mounted around the connecting bolt. The pushing element is mounted in the front cover and has a pushing lever and a pressing pin. The pushing lever abuts the cams. The pressing pin extends out of the front cover. The staple driver is mounted in the front cover and has a locking hole, a through hole and an elastic panel. The locking hole is formed through the staple driver and engages the locking block. The latch assembly can hold a handle of the staple gun conveniently and safely when the staple gun is not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Jui-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 7975893
    Abstract: A tool with a driver, a motor, a structure to which the motor is coupled and a return cord assembly. The driver that is translatable along an axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The motor is configured to translate the driver from the returned position to the extended position. The return cord assembly is coupled to the driver and the structure and includes a spring and an elastomeric return cord that are employed to return the driver from the extended position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Berry, Paul Gross, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, IV, James J. Kenney
  • Patent number: 7975891
    Abstract: To provide a staple using insertion-cutting blades that are manufacturable inexpensively, by which the strength of the insertion-cutting blades that are necessary when penetrating binding sheets is secured and the penetration of a staple through the binding sheets is executed reliably. The stapler is constituted by including a handle, a frame and a base. The frame is provided, in the vicinity of the front edge portion of a feeding path through which the interlinked staples are fed, with a driver executing the penetration of the staple with respect to the binding sheets. Punching blades are mounted respectively on the right and the left of a staple push down unit at the lower edge portion of the driver main body portion. Each punching blade has a predetermined length and is provided with a blade edge at one edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: MAX Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Aoki
  • Patent number: 7971768
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool for driving fasteners toward a work surface comprises a body having a forward end, a rear end, and a cylinder with an axis, a piston mounted within the cylinder, a power source for driving the piston axially forwardly, a driver blade extending axially forwardly from the piston, a nosepiece extending axially forwardly from the front end of the tool body, wherein the nosepiece encloses a drive bore for guiding the fasteners and the driver blade toward the work surface, there being an opening into the drive bore for the fasteners, a magazine for guiding the fasteners to the opening. In one aspect, the magazine and the nosepiece are fixed with respect to each other, and the tool includes a fastener guide that extends axially forwardly from the nosepiece and moves with respect to the nosepiece between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce F. Wywialowski, Richard Urban
  • Patent number: 7971656
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool, has a housing, at least one partially hollow U-shaped C-shaped handle with a yoke part and two parallel leg parts and supported in a resilient manner such that the handle is movable relative to the housing in order to dampen vibrations, at least one coupling element accommodated at least partially inside the C-shaped handle to synchronize motion between the two leg parts and having a recess, and a switch arranged in a vicinity of the coupling element and having a switch housing extending in an interior of the handle and accommodated in the recess of the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Engelfried, Gerhard Meixner
  • Patent number: 7967179
    Abstract: A buttressed anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The buttressed anvil assembly generally includes an anvil member having a strip of buttress material attached thereto by a pair of sutures. A tensioning mechanism is provided to secure or tension the buttress material to the anvil member prior to use and allow for release of the buttress material after stapling of tissue. The tensioning mechanism includes a cinch track engageable with one of the pair of sutures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Lee Olson, Ernie Aranyi, Patrick Mozdzierz
  • Patent number: 7967178
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a disposable loading unit. The handle assembly includes a mode selection mechanism configured to alternate the surgical device between a first grasping mode of operation and a second clamping mode of operation. The handle assembly includes a rotation control member and an articulation lever. The rotation control member is configured to facilitate rotation of the elongated member with respect to the handle assembly. The articulation lever is configured to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of elongated member. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly configured to clamp and staple tissue in the second clamping mode of operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, John W. Beardsley
  • Patent number: 7966788
    Abstract: A method and a device for packaging product portions in a wrapper are proposed, wherein at least two webs of a packaging material are aligned parallel, with the longitudinal edges facing each other overlapping, and each transported towards one upwardly open folding shaft, the webs are severed transverse to the overlapping longitudinal edges, creating flat blanks of the wrappers, and the blanks are folded into the folding shaft , creating an upwardly open wrapper, whereupon the product portion is placed in the open wrappers and the upwardly protruding sections of the wrappers are then turned inward while overlapping. The blanks, whose inner edges overlap, are guided in frictional engagement to their folding position above the folding shafts, whereupon the longitudinal edges of the overlapping blanks facing each other are, lifted together , whereupon the blanks are released by releasing the frictional engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Benz & Hilgers GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Josef Rütter
  • Patent number: 7967736
    Abstract: Apparatus suitable for pilates and other exercise comprises rails, supported on a box-like frame and an exercise carriage, mounted on the rails, wherein the carriage comprises a first carriage section and a second carriage section which sections can be (i) connected together to form a single exercise carriage which slides forwards and backwards on the rails, or (ii) disconnected to form two exercise carriages which independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails. The apparatus also has a seat with a spring-biased foot pedal and a spring-biased trapeze bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Garuda Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: James Bernard D'Silva, Glynn Ray Barber