Patents Examined by Victor MacArthur
  • Sliding lock device
    Patent number: 8550743
    Abstract: A system that is used to lock an accessory, for example a cystoscope that is locked to a hand held device that provides prostate ablation therapy, within a housing includes a sliding lock device (SLD) which receives and surrounds at least a portion of the cystoscope in an opening. Once the cystoscope is positioned within the SLD, the user may slide a cover to engage a tab of the cystoscope and secure the cystoscope within the SLD and the housing. The SLD also includes a mechanism for prohibiting cystoscope rotation. After the cystoscope is locked, the SLD allows for a defined amount of axial movement to facilitate prostate viewing and the deployment of prostate ablation therapy. Alternatively, the cover may slide in a rotational manner to secure the cystoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric H. Bonde, Ahmed Elmouelhi, Ross C. Gerber
  • Pivot arrangement
    Patent number: 8550740
    Abstract: A joint and/or bearing arrangement (1) with a pivot pin (2), in particular with a pivot pin (2) having a head region (3) which is movable with respect to a receiving joint socket (4), wherein the pivot pin (2) is at least partially surrounded by a circumferential sealing collar (7), is configured so that the outside of the sealing collar (7) is covered by a separate protective cover (11) which conforms to the shape of the sealing collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brunneke, Christian Lösche, Werner Schmudde
  • Interface apparatus for stacking coin holders
    Patent number: 8550239
    Abstract: An interface apparatus for identical and non-compatible coin holders that enables them to be vertically stacked one atop another, with the interface therebetween, and oriented such that their certificates of authenticity face the same direction. The subject interface apparatus is comprised of a substantially rectangular planar plate having irregular contoured front and back surfaces designed for mating engagement with NGC and PCGS coin cases to facilitate stacking thereof. The apparatus optionally includes voids or “windows” sized, shaped and located to enable viewing of coins and certificates disposed within the cases when mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen Nakonechny
  • Apparatus for joining members and assembly thereof
    Patent number: 8540453
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first member and a second member includes means for joining the first member and the second member, means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member, and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member. An assembly includes a first member, a second member, and means for joining the first member and the second member. The assembly further includes means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones, Carl A. May
  • Roller bearing
    Patent number: 8523451
    Abstract: A roller bearing has spacers interposed between its rollers. The roller bearing also has a high permissible rotational speed which is achieved by allowing a lubricant to flow smoothly around rolling surfaces so that the stirring resistance of the lubricant due to the spacers is reduced. The roller bearing includes a plurality of rotatable rollers interposed between an inner ring raceway surface and an outer ring raceway surface and spacers provided between adjacent rollers. Each of the spacers includes extended portions facing roller end faces of the rollers at both axial ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Ozu, Naoki Matsumori
  • Fence with tiltable picket
    Patent number: 8523150
    Abstract: A barrier, such as fence panel, is formed from a plurality of channel-shaped rails and plurality of upright members. Each upright member traverses the rail channels of the rails forming the barrier and is mechanically connected to the rail, such that the upright member is selectively tiltable with respect to the rail within an angular adjustment range. The mechanical connection between rail and upright member may be formed by a weld, such as a resistance weld, by a permanent adhesive, or with a fastener such as bolt or screw. A tab that extends from the rail web may be used to connect a rail to an upright member. The tab may depend from a bracket installed within the rail channel, or may be cut out and bent into the channel from the web. The tab is rotatable about an axis situated at or adjacent the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Edward L. Gibbs, Fred L. Givens, Gary W. Vonnahme
  • Swiveling locking mechanism of a telescopic rod of a mop
    Patent number: 8522387
    Abstract: A swiveling locking mechanism of a telescopic rod of a mop, including: an internal clamping sleeve, an external clamping cylinder, and a U-shaped locking arm. The external clamping cylinder is mounted on the internal clamping sleeve and the lower portion of the external clamping cylinder is constructed as a trumpet-shaped opening mounted from top to bottom on the conic body. The U-shaped locking arm includes an eccentric cam is provided with a mounting hole corresponding to the axle hole of the internal clamping sleeve. Thus, when moving downward the U-shaped locking arm, the external clamping cylinder rises, and the trumpet-shaped opening of the external clamping cylinder is brought in a loosened position. As a result, the indentation is loosened and the internal rod and the external rod are brought into the unlocked and telescopic state and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tuo Shen International Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Playpen hub assembly and playpen using the same
    Patent number: 8505136
    Abstract: A linking device is configured at the bottom of a playpen. Two of the bottom pipes at opposite side pivot to a base seat and further pivot to the linking device, which is engaged by a locking device so that the bottom pipes and the linking device are secured at an unfolding position. To fold the hub assembly, using a strap or by pushing the locking device directly pivots the locking device to disengage from the linking device and the bottom pipes may rotate to a folding position. To restore the hub assembly to the unfolding position, the linking device can be pressed to push an inclined surface of the locking device to impart a force to the locking device to pivot the locking device until the linking device snaps to engage the locking device, so the hub assembly is secured at the unfolding position again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Excellerate Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Sian Yu, Xiao-Long Mo, Chih-Wei Wang
  • Electric fence power control for temporary interruptions
    Patent number: 8485502
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting exposed filamentary electrical conductors on fences intended for conversion to electrified fences. The arrangement provides fence engaging panels for mounting, which panels include electrical contacts. The panels may include posts having grooves for tying a filamentary conductor to the panel independently of connection to an electrical contact. The panels may be fastened by fasteners which resemble ratchet action cable ties, and which are formed integrally with the collars. Holes are formed in the panels to accept fasteners such as screws. Collars may be arcuate members, planar panel members, or may comprise a plurality of planar panels hinged to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Jack E. Walker, Jr.
  • Shelf clip
    Patent number: 8454262
    Abstract: A two-piece connector for connecting two pieces of corrugated material. A first connector piece configured to connect to a first piece of corrugated material includes a flange connected to a first connecting mechanism. A second connector piece configured to connect to a second piece of corrugated material includes a second connecting mechanism configured to cooperate with the first connecting mechanism of the first connector piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Norman
  • Weight selecting pop-pin
    Patent number: 8454260
    Abstract: A pop-pin and a method for using the pop-pin with a weight-training machine to perform mixed-weight sets of exercise are disclosed. A pop-pin having a spring loaded into an unstable equilibrium position can be inserted into a weight stack to select a weight and vertical guide bar while another conventional pin is inserted into the same weight stack and the vertical guide bar at a position above the pop-pin. A user can then operate the weight-training machine, at which point the spring on the pop-pin is dislodged from the unstable equilibrium position and presses on the weight plate into which it is inserted. When the weight stack is lowered, thus reducing the load of weight on the pop-pin, the force of the spring pressing against the weight plate ejects the pop-pin from the weight plate. At this point, the user can continue the exercise with the smaller stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Ken Wilcoxson
  • Plug mounting
    Patent number: 8453973
    Abstract: A plug mounting (50) is provided as a combination of a plug (10) and a mount (30), for the detachable mounting of an equipment part, such as an inner panel, to a supporting frame, such as an aircraft fuselage. The plug (10) has a mounting pin (12), which has an annular groove (25) on one end, which can be engaged with a slide (34) of the mount (30), which is under spring pretension. The mounting pin (12) can be connected to the foundation by a damping element. The mount (30) is fastened to the housing (32) on the equipment part. The mount (30) has an eccentric lever (42) for unlocking the plug (10) by displacing the slide (34) against the spring pretension. The arrangement is made so that only the mounting pin (12) of the plug (10) needs to be inserted into the opening of the housing of the mount (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: SFS intec Holding AG
    Inventor: Sascha Costabel
  • Snap-and-click hatrack fastener
    Patent number: 8454261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening device for installing a hatrack on a substructure of a means of locomotion, wherein the fastening device comprises a pre-locking device and a main locking device. In this arrangement the pre-locking device is designed for automatic provisional affixation of the hatrack to the fastening device when the hatrack during an installation movement of the hatrack is moved in the direction to the fastening device. The main locking device is designed for final affixation of the hatrack to the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Horst, Robert Hogh
  • Device for the forced locking of two elements oriented orthogonally to one another
    Patent number: 8444341
    Abstract: A device for the forced locking of two elements oriented orthogonally to one another, especially suitable for steadily connecting and constraining two tubular elements (10), (12) with quadrangular or polygonal section which are partly delimited by a U-shaped band (22) and which have, on at least one face, a plurality of pairs of shaped recesses (14), whereas the band (22) is correspondingly provided with pairs of complementary projections (16) developed projecting on the inner front of the opposite vertical and parallel branches (18) and (20) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Metalisistem S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonello Briosi
  • Guardrail
    Patent number: 8424849
    Abstract: An impact slider assembly for a guardrail which includes: a slider mechanism attached to a first rail and second rail which substantially conforms with a rail profile; and an integral means for attachment to the first rail, wherein the slider mechanism gathers telescoping rails whilst substantially maintaining the strength of the rails in a fully re-directing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Axip Limited
    Inventor: Dallas James
  • Pivoting ball mount having four equally spaced contact points
    Patent number: 8419309
    Abstract: A pivoting ball mount provides four essentially equal and (generally) evenly spaced constraints on the ball, creating a ball and socket joint in which the “socket” is composed of four small constraining pads of equal size and equally spaced around the surface of the ball or sphere. If a sphere is constrained by four equidistant points, each point will exert the same amount of force on the sphere. If additional pressure is applied to one point, the pressure exerted by the other points will rise to match this increased pressure. The effect of constraining a smooth ball by four equidistant points is to create the equivalent of a ball and socket joint in which the force required to rotate the ball at a particular rate is about the same in any direction. The ball is constrained by four equidistant points such that the relative movement between the ball and housing is smooth and predictable in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Wimberley, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Wimberley
  • Mechanical double joint system
    Patent number: 8419310
    Abstract: An exemplary mechanical joint system includes a joint, an arm, a plurality of teeth, an engaging member, and at least one latching member. The joint defines a pivot hole and a joint receiving hole communicating with the pivot hole. The arm is rotatable relative to the joint and includes a pivot portion and a pivot hole defined in the pivot portion. The pivot portion is received in the joint receiving hole. The engaging member includes a pivot shaft and a fixing member fixed relative to the pivot shaft. The plurality of teeth extends from an outer surface of the shaft portion of the pivot shaft. The latching member is mounted in the pivot hole of the pivot portion of the arm for engaging with the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Cheng, Jian-Jun Li, Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen
  • Hull joint connection
    Patent number: 8408836
    Abstract: A clamp for joining two hull sections is disclosed. In some embodiments, the clamp is realized by a bulkhead and a wedge, wherein the wedge forces the two hull sections into a seated position on the bulkhead. In some embodiments, the clamp further comprises o-rings for providing a pressure seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin J. Mackie
  • Miter joint bracket and method of using
    Patent number: 8403585
    Abstract: A miter joint bracket and method of using comprised of a base-plate having an oblate-hexagonal shape, a flat-roofed dome rising vertically from the base-plate, apertures drilled into the dome's flat roof to accommodate fasteners drilled or nailed through the apertures and into both sides of the miter joint of the frame to which the bracket is attached. The upper edges of the miter joint are drawn up into the space underneath the dome which pulls the upper edges slightly apart but forces the lower edges of the miter joint closer together thereby creating a tighter and more aesthetically appealing joint on the view-side of the shutter or frame to which the bracket is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventors: Ralph Anthony Falconer, Scott Allen Falconer
  • Shaft-hub connection with toothing
    Patent number: 8398327
    Abstract: A method for producing a shaft-hub connection, in particular between a helically toothed pinion (2) and a hub (6), a partial section (3) of the helically toothed running toothing (4) of the pinion is used, during the connection to the hub, as a type of chip-removing cutting tool, by virtue of the partial section cutting with the profiles of its teeth into the hub in an axially aligned fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Wittenstein AG
    Inventors: Walter Lang, Karl-Georg Melber, Christof Old