Patents Examined by Saul J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7878753
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus for repairing and restoring vehicle body shells including a pair of vertically positioned hoops placed in a parallel relation mounted to the body shell for rotation about a horizontal axis. A plurality of connecting members attached in a spoke-like manner to support the body shell. A pair of generally stationary roller-bases supports the hoop assembly and facilitates rotation. The roller-bases include foot-operated brakes to prevent rotation of the assembly. A jacking-arm device facilitates the transfer of the assembly from the roller-bases to the removably connected upright rolling supports for traversing an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas James Kielian, Stephanie Sue Kielian
  • Patent number: 7871232
    Abstract: A line feed system of the invention comprises a framework having a first end and a second end. At least one conveyor is carried on the framework. The conveyor comprises a drive system and a cart configured to engage the drive system. In one embodiment, the cart has a base that engages the drive system and a carriage that is movable, e.g., extensible and retractable, with respect to the base. In another embodiment, the drive system is extensible and retractable. The cart can also include one or more lift devices that can be raised and lowered with respect to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: David W. Lutz
  • Patent number: 7871235
    Abstract: An improved front loading or side loading refuse collection body includes an ejector panel which is moveable from a position immediately adjacent the front end of the storage compartment of the refuse collection body to a second position at the open rear end of the storage compartment. A compaction blade in a compaction chamber adjacent the front end of the storage compartment is independently driven by a second hydraulic ram. The ejector panel has an opening which is in registry with the compaction blade such that refuse propelled by the compaction blade moves into the storage compartment when the ejector panel is positioned adjacent the front end of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Jones, Virgil Collins, Marlin L. Johnson, Randy J. Heller, Jeffrey E. Errthum, Jared L. Rowland, Kenneth D. Goedken
  • Patent number: 7866933
    Abstract: A trailer includes a coupling to attach the trailer to a tractor, and a frame attached to the coupling. The frame is positionable as a single unit about a container such that the frame can be attached to the container in four regions of the container to lift the container. The trailer has road wheels for long-haul transportation over road systems. The trailer frame can be positioned about the container by laterally expanding and retracting, pivoting about a horizontal axis, and pivoting about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventors: James W. Welch, Claude D. White, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7862285
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hoist trolley having a pair of jacking plates with apertures for attaching the plates to a compressor. Fixed to the opposing ends of the jack-plates are telescopic legs with extendable retractable wheels and a screw jack that is used to elevate the load, once the plates are attached, enabling the wheels to be extended. Once extended, the jack base plate is raised with the wheels supporting the load. Transporting the load is accomplished by providing a pair of rails cantilevered from a stand. Also provides are additional elements to enhance the range of applications for the compressor trolley including a pry bar incorporating a motive member whereby the bar can be used in the similar function of supporting some part of the load while moving to a workspace and a depending pivot arm having one element of a fastener, with the other incorporated into an opposing jacking plate. Furthermore, the spaced apart trolley rails can include integral rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Michael J Dove
  • Patent number: 7857569
    Abstract: A supporting mechanism (12A) is used for transfer-ring a target substrate (W) in cooperation with a transfer arm (32), in a semiconductor processing system. The supporting mechanism includes first and second holding portions (38A to 38C, 40A to 40C) each configured to be moved up and down and transfer a substrate to and from the transfer arm. The first and second holding portions are configured to be moved relative to each other in a vertical direction without spatially interfering with each other, and support substrates at substantially the same horizontal coordinate position. The supporting mechanism further includes first and second drives (46, 48) configured to move the first and second holding portions up and down, and a controller (68) configured to control the first and second drives. The controller is arranged to control the first and second drives to alternatively support a substrate by the first and second holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hiroki, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7857572
    Abstract: A load moving system includes a pair of lifting assemblies. The assemblies are positioned on opposite sides of a load to be carried. Each of the assemblies includes a plate. A vertical wall is attached to the plate and the plate extends forward from a bottom edge of the vertical wall. The plate is extendable under the load and the vertical wall is positionable against the load. An upper wall is attached to an upper portion of the vertical wall and extends rearward of the vertical wall. A pair of wheel assemblies is provided. Each of the wheel assemblies is positioned below and is rotatably coupled to the upper wall. A pair of support posts is attached to and extends upwardly from the upper wall. A coupling assembly releasably couples the support posts to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: David D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7857573
    Abstract: A cart stop suitable for use with a lift platform is described. The cart stop has a closed position which allows a cart or other wheeled device to move over it. The cart stop also has an open position which prevents the cart or other wheeled device from rolling off of the lift platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Maxon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Karapet Ablabutyan, Aida Sahakyan
  • Patent number: 7850166
    Abstract: In a sheet delivery/guide apparatus, a sheet released from a convey device and falling piles on a first pile device. A first blowing device is arranged above the first pile device and blows toward the first pile device. An air controller selectively performs switching between an air supply state and an air supply stop state of the first blowing device for the sheet. A guide member is supported movably and guides the sheet that passes the first pile device while being held by the convey device. A guide member switching unit switches the guide member between a guide position to enter a sheet falling path, extending from the convey device to the first pile device, to guide the sheet, and a retreat position to retreat from the sheet falling path. A controller controls the air controller and the guide member switching unit on the basis of a convey speed of the convey device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Shoichi Ichimura
  • Patent number: 7850413
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting inventory items includes a housing, a drive module, a docking module, an elevating shaft, and a rotation module. The drive module is capable of propelling the apparatus in at least a first direction. The docking head is capable of coupling to or supporting an inventory holder. The rotation module is capable of inducing rotation in the housing relative to the elevating shaft. The elevating shaft connects to the docking head and is capable of raising the docking head when the housing is rotated relative to the elevating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kiva Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Fontana
  • Patent number: 7845638
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a media source having a plurality of sheets of photothermographic imaging media contained therein, an exposure unit including an input engagement point, an output engagement point, and a laser module positioned therebetween, and a driven roller pair forming a nip. A driven roller pair is configured to receive a leading edge of a sheet from a media source and is configured to begin extracting the sheet from the media source and driving the sheet along a transport path extending from the media source to at least the output engagement point of the exposure unit. Upon the leading edge being engaged by the input engagement point, the nip is configured to open while the trailing edge of sheet is still within the media source such that a remaining portion of the sheet is extracted from the media source by the exposure unit while the laser module exposes a desired image on the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Curt A. Wiens, Chris Zwettler, Hoa Pham
  • Patent number: 7837190
    Abstract: A strike plate (266) against which sheets (150) exiting a printer contact prior to falling into a receiving tray, the strike plate comprising: a) at least one strike face (268); and b) a generally outward directed abutment surface (254) at an upper portion of the strike face, said direction being referenced to said strike face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alex Feygelman, Elias Solomovitch
  • Patent number: 7837423
    Abstract: A silo for storing viscous material such as sludge, the silo comprising a floor and a perimeter wall connected to the floor, is disclosed. The silo further comprises a moveable frame adjacent to the floor wherein the frame defines an area less than the area of the floor, and an opening in the floor. A crosspiece having opposite ends mounted to generally opposing portions of the perimeter wall is provided within the silo adjacent to the moveable frame. The crosspiece contains a surface facing the floor and is positioned adjacent to the frame. The crosspiece further comprises one or more diverter portions connected to the crosspiece which extend from the floor facing surface of the crosspiece towards the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Schwing Bioset, Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles G. Brey, Franz Tillman
  • Patent number: 7832725
    Abstract: There is described a paper sheet post processing apparatus that includes a paper sheet stacking apparatus in which the paper sheet stacking operation can be smoothly and stably conducted during a high-speed post processing of paper sheets. The paper sheet stacking apparatus includes: a paper sheet stacking tray that is inclined with respect to a horizontal line; an ejecting member to press-push a lower end portion of the paper sheets stacked on the paper sheet stacking tray, so as to eject the paper sheets outside the paper sheet stacking apparatus; and a protrusion member to push up substantially a center portion of the paper sheets stacked on the paper sheet stacking tray. The protrusion member is formed as a separate member being independent of the ejecting member. Further, the height of the protrusion member is lower than that of the ejecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hisao Hosoya, Hiroto Ito
  • Patent number: 7828285
    Abstract: The present invention provides a removable input tray to be used in an image forming device, such as a printer. The input tray includes a front wall with a sloped surface for sheet separation, an opening in the front wall, and a retractor pivotally mounted in the opening. The retractor is movable between a stopping position and a retracted position, the stopping position provides a stop to the leading edge of a stack of media sheets when the stack is being inserted into the input tray, and the retracted position is triggered when the input tray is fully inserted into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Tzy Woei Chu, Tung Wen Tu
  • Patent number: 7828288
    Abstract: A multi-functional peripheral device is provided. The multi-functional peripheral device includes a bottom frame and a top frame that is installed so as to be movable with respect to the bottom frame. The height of a paper stacker, to which paper is delivered and stacked, is controllable, since the top frame is movable with respect to the bottom frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-min Kim, Sang-cheol Park
  • Patent number: 7828286
    Abstract: Digital scanning of document sheets with a substantially vertical scanning system is provided by sequentially feeding the uppermost document from an upright input loading and image viewing area to a scanning head, and then to an output, along a sheet feeding path which is substantially linear, planar and vertical, but also somewhat rearwardly inclined, defined by a correspondingly rearwardly inclined document rear supporting surface and a substantially horizontal bottom edge supporting surface providing a lateral movement guide and at least initial gravitational registration and support of the bottom edges of the loaded documents. The scanned documents can be automatically ejected to stack in the collated order in which they were fed to be scanned by automatically deflecting them forwardly (outwardly) from their substantially vertical rearwardly inclined lateral movement path onto a forwardly inclined stacking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Petrus T. Dekoning
  • Patent number: 7828290
    Abstract: An ADU transport roller driving device, an image forming apparatus and an ADU transport roller driving method, in which a phenomenon of a warp does not occur on a succeeding sheet, are provided. There are included one drive motor that drives plural transport rollers to transport sheets in an ADU, a first one-way clutch that transmits only rotation force of the drive motor in a forward direction to an entrance side transport roller disposed at an ADU entrance side in a sheet transport direction among the plural transport rollers, a second one-way clutch that transmits only rotation force of the drive motor in a reverse direction of an opposite direction to the forward direction to an exit side transport roller disposed at an ADU exit side in the sheet transport direction among the plural transport rollers, and an electromagnetic clutch capable of transmitting only the rotation force of the drive motor in the forward direction to the exit side transport roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masataka Muratani
  • Patent number: 7823878
    Abstract: A paper conveying apparatus and method for flipping paper includes a paper feeding roller that can rotate in a positive direction or in a reverse direction, a motion transfer member that has one end coupled with the paper feeding roller, and a paper depressing element coupled with another end of the motion transfer member to be driven and rotated. The method of flipping paper includes: first, feeding a sheet of paper into a first paper conveying path; next, depressing the paper into a second paper conveying path while the paper is leaving the first paper conveying path; and reentering the paper from the second paper conveying path into the first paper conveying path upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Su, Shu-Ya Chiang
  • Patent number: 7824146
    Abstract: Automated systems and methods for adapting semiconductor fabrication tools to process wafers of different diameters are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor fabrication tool, placing an adapter ring on a plurality of ring holders via a robotic arm, the plurality of ring holders being operable to support the adapter ring at a vertical distance from a stage heater and the stage heater being movable in a vertical direction, placing a first semiconductor wafer on the stage heater via the robotic arm, the first semiconductor wafer having a first diameter, and moving the stage heater upward to receive the adapter ring from the plurality of ring holders and to cover a portion of the stage heater during processing of the first semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Development Facility
    Inventors: Khamsidi Lanee, Gerry Moore