Patents Examined by Travis Reis
  • Patent number: 7086346
    Abstract: A device to secure a flag or banner to a pole. The securing device has an unshaped spring above a pivot dowel and in between a first and a second panel. Also, the securing device has snaps to secure either the flag or banner to the pole. Finally, the securing device has an indentation in between the first and second panel to allow the pole to pass through the securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventors: Steven M. Van Horn, Vicki L. Van Horn
  • Patent number: 7082691
    Abstract: A rotor shaft is supported in a housing of a rotor assembly for a laser level. Bearings support the rotor shaft for rotation relative to the housing. An adhesive fixes an outer race of at least one of the bearings in position between the rotor shaft and the housing. The adhesive is a low viscosity, quick setting anaerobic adhesive, which when cured prevents angular drift of the shaft relative to the housing by eliminating the clearance that would have existed between the outer race and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael L. Glantz
  • Patent number: 7073267
    Abstract: A multiple gauge assembly for establishing vehicle wheel rim and tire sizes to prevent interference with vehicle structure facing the wheel, as during directional turning of the wheel on a vehicle wheel mount, about a pivot axis angled relative to the wheel axis, comprising a first adjustable gauge to establish a rim edge radial dimension, from the wheel axis, a second adjustable gauge to establish a rim offset (back spacing) dimension in a direction generally parallel to the wheel axis, and a third adjustable gauge to establish a tire peripheral dimension generally parallel to the wheel axis, whereby clearance between the wheel and vehicle structure can be predictively ascertained, as during wheel turning, prior to installation of the wheel on the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Ronald T. Butler, Alan Georgeff
  • Patent number: 7076188
    Abstract: A toner cartridge included with an image forming device when initially sent to a user. The cartridge has a limited toner capacity. The user is able to print with the small capacity cartridge upon initially receiving the image forming device. Once the toner is exhausted, a second large capacity cartridge having a greater toner capacity can replace the small capacity cartridge. The small capacity cartridge and the large capacity cartridge are constructed in a similar shape to be mounted in the same manner within the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, Jason Paul Hale, Peter Alden Bayerle
  • Patent number: 7069664
    Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes joint assemblies which include at least two read heads in communication with a periodic pattern of a measurable characteristic, the pattern and read heads being positioned within the joint so as to be rotatable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Raab, Seyed Ali Sajedi, Kenneth J. Hasloecher, Marc Barber
  • Patent number: 7065887
    Abstract: A device for supporting the wheels of vehicles in general during their attitude check, comprising a horizontal plate (8) which is supported in such a manner as to enable it to undergo rotation and translation within the plane in which it lies, about a position known as the zero position, and means able to disable the mobility of said plate, said means comprising a lower central appendix (11) which is rigid with the plate, and with which there is associated an automatic centering, retention and release system, which is activated and deactivated by a remote command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Corghi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giacomo Gallese
  • Patent number: 7066106
    Abstract: A small light mechanical siren for mobile emergency equipment which utilize spiral rebound ramps in the rotor to produce a loud penetrating square form spiral sound wave, enabling effective warning without contributing to noise pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: James Frederick Giebeler
  • Patent number: 7063039
    Abstract: A trailer position indicator having a trailer attachment member, a boom arm, and a guidance member is provided. The trailer attachment member is configured to be attached to a cross member of a boat trailer. The boom arm is pivotally connected at a lower end to the trailer attachment member, and the guidance member is connected to the upper end of the boom arm. A torsion spring is operably connected to the boom arm and trailer attachment member to bias the boom arm toward an extended position, yet allow the boom arm to be pushed to a stowed position as a boat is loaded on the trailer. A bracket protector is attached to the trailer attachment member and a protective sleeve is disposed on the boom arm for protecting the boat during loading and unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: M Management-Tex, Ltd.
    Inventors: Blair Emerson, Michael L. Hyer
  • Patent number: 7059056
    Abstract: A system and method for centered mounting of a rotating body upon a spindle shaft. The system includes a set of double low-tapers cones arranged and identified according to size. A guide is provided to identify an appropriate cone from the set for a given rotating body pilot hole diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Nicholas J. Colarelli
  • Patent number: 7051450
    Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes joint assemblies which include at least two read heads in communication with a periodic pattern of a measurable characteristic, the pattern and read heads being positioned within the joint so as to be rotatable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Raab, Seyed Ali Sajedi, Kenneth J. Hasloecher, Marc Barber
  • Patent number: 7050731
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least one image carrier. An endless transfer belt directly or indirectly receives toner images and pattern toner images from the image carrier and is spanned around and surrounds a drive roller and driven rollers. A position shift detector detects positions of pattern toner images formed on the image carrier. Pattern toner images are formed on the image carrier at an interval of 1/N of a circumferential length of the image carrier, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The pattern toner images are transferred from the image carrier onto the transfer belt over one cycle length of the transfer belt. The position shift detector detects positions of the pattern toner images to obtain position shift data. Moving average values of N number of the position shift data are calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Bannai, Kozo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7036452
    Abstract: A temperature history indicator means for affixing to goods. A temperature related phase change in a material within the indicator leads to an indication that a high temperature event has occurred. A preferred format has a water-soluble, lipid-insoluble dye immobilised within a lipid selected to have a melting point at a particular temperature and has all components made from edible materials. Upon melting, the dye dissolves in water present in a secondary phase or the goods themselves giving a visual indication. Another format has a primary reagent within a solid lipid and a secondary reagent held with a secondary phase such that melting of the lipid allows the primary reagent to react with the secondary reagent, providing an indication of a high temperature event. Time-dependent formats are also considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Temp-Tell Limited
    Inventor: Richard Tester
  • Patent number: 7032534
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article formed from a generally see-thru sheet of material and having a two-sided marking thereon and a method of applying the two-sided markings to the article. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the article comprises a see-thru sheet of material having a top face and markings thereon and a bottom face such that when viewed from the top face the markings are of a first color and when viewed from the bottom face the markings are of a second color. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the article formed by the process comprising the steps of selecting a sheet of material having a top face and a bottom face, positioning a two-color foil over the sheet of material, and applying heat and pressure to the two-color foil to bond the foil to selected areas of the sheet to form markings such that when viewed from the top face the markings are of one color and when viewed from the bottom face the markings are of another color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Knittel Engraving Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Thiemann, Hubert A. Thiemann
  • Patent number: 7028413
    Abstract: A spirit level which includes an easy to operate, built in stamping mechanism that can be used by the individual user to mark a level line on a surface located adjacent the spirit level, such as a wall against which the level is engaged. The spirit level includes a plurality of conveniently located push pads that can be operated by the user to move a pre-inked stamping member from a normally retracted positioned into an extended marking position in engagement with a surface to be marked if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Louis F. Filipescu
  • Patent number: 7024780
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining the rectilinearity of guide rails wherein a guide rail is oriented substantially parallel to a reference axis. At least one light beam is emitted along the reference axis by a light source and is detected by a light detector. When the light source or the light detector is displaced along the guide rail, warping and twisting of the guide rail can be detected as changes in the spacing between the guide rail and the reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Erich Pfenniger
  • Patent number: 7017511
    Abstract: A flag holder for vehicles—such as motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles—mounts on a generally horizontal panel having a bolt hole stamped, punched or drilled therein. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flag holder includes a cylindrical main body having an axially-aligned cylindrical aperture for receiving the staff of a flag. The holder also includes a hollow threaded retaining fastener that is coaxial with the cylindrical aperture. A staff ejector pin, retained within the hollow threaded retaining fastener, may be employed to eject a broken end of the flag staff. Two alternative embodiments are provided. The first utilizes a threaded main body and a hollow retainer bolt. The second utilizes a threaded hollow stud and a nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin B. Fisher, Preston K. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7007630
    Abstract: A marker device for increased road safety due to a flexible design is provided. The marker device includes a base with an opening and a flexible means that is positioned over the base. The flexible means has a fast impulse response to direct (contact) and indirect (no-contact) perturbations with one or more parts of the flexible means capable of deflecting up to about 180 degrees from their original position. In one example the deflection ranges from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees. The marker device increases the likelihood for the marker device to remain upright once the perturbations disappear, therewith increasing the likelihood for the marker device to remain serving as a marker device safely alerting traffic; i.e. its intended purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Worldwide Safety, LLC
    Inventor: Guadalupe C. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7007631
    Abstract: A freezer failure indicator assembly is provided comprising an indicator unit in the form of a closed container party filled with an opaque liquid (1) and a support bracket (8) therefor. The container has an opaque zone (2) and a transparent zone (3) arranged to enable the liquid to be pre-frozen within the opaque zone followed by re-orientating the container relative to the bracket to render the transparent zone of the wall visible, devoid of any liquid and lower than the pre-frozen liquid. Thawing of the pre-frozen liquid causes it to move to become visible through the transparent zone. Colour imparting means (13) are carried by the bracket so as to be visible through the said transparent zone in the operative position thereof to thereby impart a first colour to the transparent zone in the absence of any liquid being present in it. The opaque liquid serves to obscure such first colour when the liquid is present in the transparent zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Von Seidel, Julian Levin
  • Patent number: 7004105
    Abstract: A fluid container includes a vessel for holding a fluid, a marker element, and a scale element. The scale element has a scale for indicating a total quantity of the fluid. The marker element and the scale element are adjustable relative to each other to enable an adding up of amounts of fluid and thereby indicate the total quantity of the fluid. The marker element and the scale element are held together by magnetic force and may be detached from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Helmut Bucksch
  • Patent number: 7002550
    Abstract: A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reaching a peak value during approach of an object, a near condition can be maintained until the change between the two groups of measurements no longer exceeds a different designated value. Multiple sensors can be used to avoid false near conditions caused by, e.g., placing a device equipped with the sensors next to a stationary object. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Casebolt, Mark R. Lee