Patents Issued in January 9, 2007
  • Patent number: 7159852
    Abstract: A manual swivel winch of the present invention includes internal drum gearing. The winch has a pair of spaced side plates, a rotating drum supported between the side plates, an internal drum gear coaxially mounted with the rotating drum, and a pinion drive gear engaging and rotating the drum gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: W W Patterson Company
    Inventors: Justin E. Dow, Erik R. Arlet, David B. Grapes, Richard A. Topping, Jr., Eric M. Konvolinka
  • Patent number: 7159853
    Abstract: A barrier such as a fence is formed by welding conductive upright members to conductive U-shaped rails by a projection resistance welding process. The rail includes at least one weld-forming region which projects within the rail channel, and may be formed wither as a ridge, or as a longitudinally spaced series of nipple-shaped projections. The upright member is transversely positioned within the rail channel in contact with the weld-forming region. A welding current transmitted between the upright member and the rail causes the weld-forming region to at least partially melt and form a weld within the rail channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Edward L. Gibbs, Fred L. Givens, Gary W. Vonnahme
  • Patent number: 7159854
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating microbubbles of gas in a liquid, and for using such created microbubbles to purify said liquid of undesirable materials therein. A vertical pipe member is adapted to receive a liquid-gas mixture having gas bubbles of relatively large diameter therein. A series of horizontally-extending apertures are provided to permit the pipe member to expel such liquid-gas mixture radially outwardly from such pipe member. A plug means is provided in a lowermost distal end of the pipe member, so that such liquid-gas mixture is only expelled horizontally outwardly. The expelled liquid-gas mixture may contact the sides of a containment vessel. A baffle may further be provided in such containment vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: GLR Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas Lee, Dennis Nicholas Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 7159855
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount provides passive rate dip performance through use of a secondary orifice track-mass resiliently constrained within a first orifice track for reciprocating movement within the first orifice track under conditions such as engine idle, and constrained against reciprocating motion within the first orifice track for conditions imposing large amplitude, low frequency loads on the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv G. Tewani, Mark W. Long, Mark O. Bodie, Ronald A. Beer, James P. Hamberg
  • Patent number: 7159856
    Abstract: A partition member for dividing a fluid chamber into a main fluid chamber and a sub-fluid chamber is provided with an idle orifice passage of which the opening is opened and closed by a seating section provided on part of a diaphragm. A pushing member is provided to control the opening and closing operation. The seating member is formed thick of which the upper and lower surfaces are provided with depressions respectively. The seating member is also provided with a thin section of which the periphery is provided with a hemispheric protrusion and a seal of a substantially right triangle cross section. An elastic body section is also provided at the side surface with a lateral membrane section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Satori, Jun Saitoh, Yukimitsu Minamibata
  • Patent number: 7159857
    Abstract: A mechanical spring energized sealing device comprising in combination an elastomeric jacket and variety of resilient metallic springs inserted inside one uniform jacket casing, there are variety of energizer springs which are used for different needs in marketplace, depending on whatever application calls for, this patent allows us to use most spring energizers in addition to some new angular canted type spring which fits inside one uniform jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Janian
  • Patent number: 7159858
    Abstract: A bar clamp (10) comprising a bar (16), a first clamping jaw (12) mounted on the bar, a second clamping jaw (14) sliding mounted on the bar, at least one of the clamping jaws (12,14) comprising a double-faced clamping jaw (12A, 12B, 14A, 14B) comprising one face facing one end of the bar and another face facing an opposite end of the bar, wherein centers of both faces of the double-faced clamping jaw are positioned at substantially equal heights from the bar, and a jaw advancing mechanism (20) coupled to the second clamping jaw (14) and adapted to move the second clamping jaw (14) selectively towards or away from the first clamping jaw (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Tefentools Ltd.
    Inventor: Zion Ben-Gigi
  • Patent number: 7159859
    Abstract: A clamp body is provided with a channel formed in the clamp body and a retainer is movably mounted in the clamp body. A jaw is mounted on the clamp body and an end cap blocking one end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventor: Anthony B. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7159860
    Abstract: A waiting tray is provided at some midpoint of a conveying path, and a sheet is caused to be in a waiting state when a post-process is required. Before performing the post-process, a processing tray receives the sheet conveyed from the waiting tray and the sheet conveyed from a conveying path without passing through the waiting tray. The waiting tray is formed by waiting tray parts which are arranged at a predetermined interval, and a strike-down mechanism is operated. Therefore, a bundle of paper loaded on the waiting tray is caused to fall down on the process tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuya Sasahara
  • Patent number: 7159861
    Abstract: A device for the delivery or receipt of individual sheets (16), comprises a parallelepiped container (12), in which the individual sheets (16) are stored in the form of a sheet stack (14) and are pressed against the container wall parallel to a stack end face (56), by means of a platen device (58), which comprises a rectangular through opening (50) with first edges with a mutual separation at least the same as a first edge length of the individual sheets (16) and with second edges (52, 54), the mutual separation of which is smaller than the other edge length of the individual sheets, a sheet transport (36), operating in the through opening (50) and contacting with the stack end face (56) for transport of an individual sheet (16), parallel to the stack end face (56) and perpendicular to the second edges (52, 54), two transport rollers (22, 24) arranged with axes (26) parallel to the stack end face (56) and to the second edges (52, 54), forming a roller gap for gripping an individual sheet (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Duesterhus
  • Patent number: 7159862
    Abstract: A roller turning force generator is connected to a driving gear which is mounted on a shaft. The shaft is connected to offset roller assemblies disposed in an offset mechanism via connecting gears. The offset roller assemblies rotatably supported inside the offset mechanism are turned by a driving force transmitted from the roller turning force generator to discharge individual sheets of a printing medium in a sheet transport direction. The offset mechanism is linked to an offsetting force generator so that the offset mechanism can be shifted along a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Matsutomo, Yoshiaki Hiramoto, Susumu Murakami, Hideshi Izumi, Yoshie Iwakura, Motokazu Nakao, Yoshiyuki Nagai, Shigeru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7159863
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the height of media inserted into a media tray of an image forming apparatus 10 while also allowing for the inserted media to expand due to changing environmental conditions is described herein. An exemplary stack height limiting system comprises an elongated arm with a striking end spaced from a control end, where the arm is movable between first and second positions. A limiter positioned relative to the arm defines the first position, where the striking end is spaced from the bottom surface of the tray by a first gap. As media disposed in the tray expands beyond the first gap, the expanding media moves the arm to form a second, greater distance between the striking end and the bottom surface of the tray. As a result, pinch points between the first end and the media are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Niko J. Murrell, Daniel L. Carter, Kimberly A. Thuringer, David Wayne Hunter
  • Patent number: 7159864
    Abstract: A golf game apparatus which provides a unique form of swing measurement, scaled course maps for play, and interchangeable club heads to play with. The apparatus is particularly suited to indoor play with the scaled maps. The apparatus features recordable ball distance measurement which is reset after each swing, thereby enabling a player to progress along the course map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Christian Fleury
  • Patent number: 7159865
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus including a variable display unit configured to variably display a plurality of symbols, a front side display unit located in front of the variable display unit and configured to enable viewing of the symbols displayed by the variable display unit, a backlight, which is set in the front side display unit to light up the symbols displayed by the variable display unit, an internally winning prize determiner configured to determine an internally winning prize and a stopping controller configured to stop the varying of display of the variable display unit based on a result of determination by the internally winning prize determiner. A prize is awarded if a stopped state displayed on the variable display unit, which is caused by the stopping controller, matches a prescribed stopped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Aruze Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7159866
    Abstract: A substantially hidden element puzzle capable of being incorporated in a variety of structures such as gift or product containers and greeting cards includes at least one substantially flat surface having an image thereon. The image includes at least one elongated element that is only legible when the substantially flat surface is positioned at a selected distance and angle relative to the user. The hidden element puzzle may also include superimposed elongated elements on one or more flat surfaces of the structure for which it is incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Tyler Selph
  • Patent number: 7159867
    Abstract: A board game comprising a game board representative of a sport playing field having a plurality of spaces. The board game includes a first set of tokens to be deployed on the game board representing a first team of sport players; a second set of tokens to be deployed on the game board representing a second team of sport players; a random number generator; and a predetermined amount of game currency. The board game further includes a set of player cards, each one of the set of player cards representing characteristics of a sport player including a dollar amount to be received by an owner of the sport player in response to the player scoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Lawrence Huley
  • Patent number: 7159868
    Abstract: A method of playing a side game is provided in combination with a game of chance such as Pai Gow Poker where a dealer hand of playing cards is dealt to a dealer and a player hand of playing cards is dealt to a player. The method includes receiving a side game wager from the player, wherein after dealing the dealer hand and the player hand, all playing cards from the dealer hand and player hand are combined into a combined hand. The side game wager is resolved according to the playing cards in the combined hand. Typically, the side game wager is resolved according to non-poker combinations, such as characteristics of the playing cards including card color, picture cards or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Prime Table Games LLC
    Inventor: Derek J. Webb
  • Patent number: 7159869
    Abstract: A method of playing a five card high-low wagering game comprises distributing one first pair of playing cards and a single playing card of at least one three playing card hand of at least one deck of playing cards to an evens portion having a first bet and an odds portion having a second bet of the game. A fourth playing card distributed from the deck provides a second pair of playing cards pairing with the single playing card. The first bet and the second bet are separately settled depending upon the face value of a fifth playing card of the deck when compared to the face value of each playing card of both of the first and second pair of playing cards. Both a gaming table layout and gaming machine of the five card high-low wagering game is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Dennis J. Pastirik
  • Patent number: 7159870
    Abstract: A three-prong integrally formed resilient seal for sealing the juncture of three gasketed members. The seal has a common region having an embedded strain distributor of stiffer material than the remainder of the seal which is integrally formed, preferably by insert molding as a one-piece member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Tae-Kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 7159871
    Abstract: A unitary sleeve lip seal can be used to provide permanently lubricated sealed bearings in severe service conditions such as the track pins of track-driven vehicles and agricultural equipment. The seal has a labyrinthine exclusion path and multiple dust lips contacting the sleeve in addition to the main sealing lip. A garter spring encircling the main sealing lip may enable the seal to operate at moderately elevated pressures. The sleeve has a radial flange at the outermost end. Elastomeric lips extend between the sleeve flange and a faceplate that terminates the outside end of the seal housing. The seal is packed with water-resistant grease and can, when installed in association with grease-packed bearings can create a permanently lubricated bearing/shaft assembly that requires no re-greasing. Resilient coatings both protect the sleeve and case and also improve leak resistance, especially when the seal is retrofitted onto shafts that have been damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Michael R. Oldenburg
  • Patent number: 7159872
    Abstract: A seal arrangement (73) is provided in which seal elements (77) incorporate passages (90) allowing an air flow to be presented to tip edges (78) of the seal elements, in order to create air suspension and diminish excessive wear. These passages (90) are created by recesses in the respective adjacent juxtaposed seal elements (77). In a seal assembly (71) a seal arrangement (73) is secured within a float chamber (70) whereby radial movement is allowed to accommodate for movements in the shaft (72). The radial movement is resisted by a bias created by air flow (86) into the float chamber (70). The air flow (86) may also be presented through the passages (90) in order to create the desired air suspension of the seal elements (77).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Richard Nicholson, James E. Forfar
  • Patent number: 7159873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal assembly for use in a rotary machine. The seal assembly comprises a first member and a seal carrier mounted to the first member by a mounting member, a second member spaced from the first member and a seal running member positioned on a second member, and a hydraulic seal for preventing gas leakage from a high pressure source to a low pressure compartment through the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Sean McCutchan
  • Patent number: 7159874
    Abstract: A sealing construction provided with a plate member of metal and a rubber member forming a sealing portion and unitedly fixed to the plate member on which a ring concave groove is formed on an obverse face. And, plural through holes, having enlarged opening end portions on a reverse face, are formed through a bottom face of the ring concave groove and the reverse face. Further, a ring plate is disposed as to contact the bottom face of the ring concave groove and partially close the opening portions of the through holes toward the bottom face, and the rubber member, fit to the through hole and surrounding the ring plate, is unitedly connected to the sealing portion in the ring concave groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 7159875
    Abstract: An articulated snowboard includes first and second members that are joined at a first end by an articulation mechanism that permits vertical offset between the members while preserving parallel orientation of at least one of a longitudinal axis through each member and a leading edge of each member. Articulation enhances stability, user control, and braking action. Further, the articulation mechanism permits folding the articulated snowboard in half for storage and transport, and also permits separating the two members. When separated the two members can be worn by a user as emergency snowshoes or short skis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Keahi Seymour
  • Patent number: 7159876
    Abstract: A vehicular snow ski steering keel bar is disclosed having a recessed surface portion extending at least partially along the length in the side surfaces of the bar. A lower side surface portion below the recessed surface portion includes lateral extensions extending beyond the recessed surface potion to collect and/or compact snow and/or material coming in contact with the steering keel bar. An upper side surface portion has lateral extensions that further direct snow into the recessed surface portion during turning and cornering of the bar. The cross-sectional shape of the bar includes a basic hourglass shape with curved and/or flat surfaces. Various cross-sectional shapes can be used along the length of the bar to fine-tune the turning characteristics of the steering keel bar. Different configurations or shapes can be utilized for the sides of the bar to vary the turning characteristics between left and right turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin Winfred Metheny
  • Patent number: 7159877
    Abstract: A golf bag having its own wheels for transportation and support is disclosed. The wheels are attached to the back end of the bag by a wheel carrying structure that readily folds for easy carrying and storing, and extends outwardly together with the wheels for transporting the bag and its contents. The structure also serves as a bag stand, thus avoiding the need for separate bag supports. The structure may also be easily separated from the bag and used for other purposes. The bag and the wheel structure are simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Chin Ho So, Cindy Hi So
  • Patent number: 7159878
    Abstract: A mobile back-pack for sports or military use is disclosed. A back-pack is devised in the form of a cabinet having the shape of a trapezoid, the cabinet being rotatably secured to a disc. The disc is dimensioned so as to permit an operator to grasp a handgrip railing at the top of the cabinet and then propel the disc at the operator's side. The cabinet glides smoothly within the circumference of the disc, riding on a peripherally positioned track within the disc. A battery powered motor and drive wheel propelled version of the mobile back-pack is also disclosed. Built-in support legs provide stability for the mobile back-pack in an upright, stationary position. Door latch secured trays within the cabinet provide for storing items to be transported, and for easy access to the items when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew M. Mc Kenna
  • Patent number: 7159879
    Abstract: A steering enhancement and braking system for a skateboard or wheeled platform having an actuating element configured to change the position of the skateboard deck relative to the skateboard truck. The actuating element comprises a deck plate configured to be attachable to a skateboard deck, and a truck plate configured to be attachable to a skateboard truck and the deck plate. Upon an application of a force to the skateboard deck the position of the truck plate relative to the deck plate changes. In addition, the system can achieve braking action by transferring the differential motion to the skateboard deck and the truck by the use of the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Jeffrey Cole
  • Patent number: 7159880
    Abstract: A connection strut of a chassis of a passenger car or utility vehicle for the connection between the chassis and the wheel carrier, preferably an axle strut or a chassis control arm, with an elongated basic body and at least two mount supports arranged at the end for introducing and leading out forces. The basic body has a composite between a flat metal insert and a plastic structure forming the rest of the contour. The plastic structure is formed by encasement of the metal insert. The rest of the contour is defined here as the difference between the final contour of the force connection strut and the portion that is formed by the metal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Frank Budde, Jochen Kruse, Stefan Schönhoff
  • Patent number: 7159881
    Abstract: A method for electronically servo-assisting a bicycle gearshift to allow compensation for misalignments between the chain of a bicycle gearshift and one or more sprockets of the gearshift, the method including the steps of: driving an actuator of a bicycle gearshift to displace a chain of the gearshift in a chosen direction with respect to a gearshift group comprising at least two sprockets; receiving information on the desired alignment between the chain and a predetermined sprocket of the gearshift group; and setting an adjustment variable, of a logic value associated with the gear ratio relative to the predetermined sprocket, to a value corresponding to the displacement carried out in the step of driving the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Guderzo, Giuseppe Dal Pra′
  • Patent number: 7159882
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a steering mechanism for a children's toy vehicle comprises a non-circular wheel piece connectable to a wheel turning mechanism of a toy vehicle. An arcuate front portion extends along the front periphery of the wheel piece. Preferably, the steering mechanism further comprises a curved rear portion along the rear periphery of the wheel piece. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism includes a rear portion which is nested between two end portions of the front portion and the front portion and the rear portion form a tulip shape. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism and wheel piece is combined with a front wheel frame which is connected to the wheel piece, a front tricycle wheel mounted to the front wheel frame, and a rear wheel frame which is pivotably coupled the front wheel frame. Two rear tricycle wheels are mounted to the rear wheel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Angeles Group, LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Buhrman
  • Patent number: 7159883
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the front suspension containing elastic (14) and damping (11) elements, for vehicles with front steerable wheel, such as bicycles, motor-bicycles, motorcycles or tricycles. To minimise the total mass of the unsprung suspension elements, by relocating the elastic and the damping elements to the springing side, the suspension contains at least one cable (10) connected at one end to the upper part of the front wheel fork (1), able to shift in relation to the fork column (6) of the handle bar (7), and at the other end to the elastic element (14) and/or the damping element (11), supported on at least one end by the vehicle frame (8), wherein the cable (10) goes through the handle bar (7) steering axis. The cable (10) is preferably led on at least one leading element (16) supported by the vehicle frame. Optionally, the cable (10) may be connected on the other end to the fork (18) of the vehicle rear suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerzy Mydlarz
  • Patent number: 7159884
    Abstract: A foldable bicycle includes a foldable bicycle frame which comprises a main frame and an enclosing frame foldably to define a receiving cavity; a front and a rear wheel assembly rotatably supported by the bicycle frame; a bicycle driving unit operatively mounted on the bicycle frame and connected to the two wheel assemblies for driving at least one of the wheel assemblies rotating; a steering unit longitudinally extended from the front wheel assembly for steering a moving direction of the front wheel assembly; and a folding arrangement. The folding arrangement includes a folding link connecting the front and the rear wheel assembly, the bicycle driving unit, the steering unit, the enclosing frame, and the main frame in a foldable manner; and a folding actuator operatively connected with the folding link in such a manner that the foldable bicycle is adapted to move between a folded position and an unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Hong Jiun Gu
  • Patent number: 7159885
    Abstract: A rear cushion unit has an upper end mounted on a swing arm and a lower end coupled to pivot brackets in a position below a pivot shaft. The pivot brackets are independent of each other and are not coupled to each other. With the above construction, a fuel tank, electric parts, or other parts, for example, can be clustered between the left and right brackets. Accordingly, the parts can be disposed near the center of gravity of the vehicle body. Therefore, the maneuvering capability of racing and off-road vehicles incorporating such an arrangement can be increased. The vehicle frame can be simplified in structure and can be manufactured at a reduced cost. When the vehicle is assembled, the distance that the worker needs to move can be reduced, and hence the productivity of the vehicle is increased. The size of the vehicle is reduced because of the clustered arrangement of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Toyoda, Shogo Kanaumi, Yuzuru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7159886
    Abstract: Freestyle pegs for a motorcycle. The pegs permit the motorcycle rider to perform stunts in the same way stunts are performed on a bicycle. Each peg includes two axially aligned, interconnected cylindrical members. The members are coaxial with the axle of the motorcycle and extend outwardly therefrom. As contemplated, the pegs will be disposed on both front and rear axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Douglas Schloegel
  • Patent number: 7159887
    Abstract: A protective cage for a motorcycle has a member with a bottom and two side portions. The two side portions are spaced apart from each other so as to receive the motorcycle. The side portions are coupled to the sides of the motorcycle frame at coupling points. The cage provides a low profile protective barrier between the engine and the ground when the motorcycle is on its side and does not interfere with the rider who wants to perform stunts on the motorcycle. At least one of the coupling points on each side is provided with a projection, which projection has a replaceable cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Timothy E. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7159888
    Abstract: A modular transport vehicle includes a plurality of dollies which are removably connected to a central spine. Because the components of the present invention may be disconnected, the transport vehicle may be readily disassembled and moved from location to location using conventional transportation means. The modularity also allows the width of the transport vehicle to be adjusted using different widths of connectors to accommodate road conditions and/or governmental regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: American Heavy Moving & Rigging, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Sutton, James R. McGhie
  • Patent number: 7159889
    Abstract: A liquid manure spreader is described which comprises a frame having a plurality of frame portions and having articulation means between each frame portion for permitting relative movement of each frame portion in response to directional changes of the liquid manure spreader. Such an arrangement facilitates turning of the liquid manure spreader. The liquid manure spreader also comprises two or more liquid manure tanks which are in fluid communication with each other. A pump may be used to re-circulate the liquid manure between the tanks, transfer the liquid manure to a spreader means, or both. Liquid manure can also be transferred between the tanks to thereby achieve a pre-determined weight distribution between the tanks. Such a fluid arrangement permits better weight distribution leading to better handling of the manure spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nuhn Industries Limited
    Inventors: Dennis Nuhn, Ian Nuhn
  • Patent number: 7159890
    Abstract: A trailer hitch for a motor vehicle includes a towbar (2) having an arm (1) and a ball cup (3) provided with an opening and with a ball pivot (6). The ball pivot (6) has a ball head (4) and a pivot (5) and is mounted with the ball head (4) rotatably and pivotably in the ball cup (3) and passes through an opening (7) and juts out of the ball cup (3). An angle-measuring device having a signal transmitter (17) and two sensors (40, 41) is arranged in the joint unit formed from the ball cup (3) and the ball head (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Scott C. Craig, Joachim Spratte
  • Patent number: 7159891
    Abstract: An all-terrain ski upon which various cross-country skiing techniques can be used by having a sliding member (2) slide over a base member (1) to simulate gliding on snow. The sliding member is held down by medium washers (6) and uses wheel and bearing assemblies (5) to glide. There is a return mechanism (3) that is connected to sliding member (2) and base member (1) which provides resistance and returns the sliding member (2) and base member (1) to their original position before the sliding member was slid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Dale Niggemann
  • Patent number: 7159892
    Abstract: A binding includes a suspension heel loop formed by an upper member pivotally connected to the base of the binding frame. The heel loop flexes or moves in a controlled manner with respect to the binding base at the heel end of the binding. A binding having the suspension heel loop provides greater maneuvering and board control, and thus improves rider performance, while providing shock and vibration absorption capabilities for increasing the overall comfort of the binding during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander D. Draper, Nigel Steere, Kenneth Wayne Heinle
  • Patent number: 7159893
    Abstract: The present invention features a combination utility/camper trailer capable of being converted between a first utility functioning configuration or position, a second utility functioning configuration or position, and a sleep functioning configuration or position via means for repositioning, which allows first and second configurable panel members to be relocated or repositioned between these positions. In the first utility functioning position, the combination utility/camper trailer is capable of supporting and carrying a load atop the panel members, while simultaneously providing storage in the trailer bed below. In the second utility functioning configuration, the trailer is configured to increase the volume of the interior storage portion of the trailer bed by positioning first and second configurable panel members in an upward extending manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Jumping Jack, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Badger, Robert J. T. Badger, John T. Badger
  • Patent number: 7159894
    Abstract: A roof rail air bag assembly includes an air bag module having an air bag inflator and an air bag with a plurality of cushion retention tabs. Also included in the assembly are an inflator bracket and a plurality of snap-in clips. The bracket is attached to the air bag inflator; the snap-in clips are attached to the cushion retention tabs and to the bracket with threaded fasteners. The air bag assembly is positioned within the vehicle by an operator standing outside the vehicle, and each of the snap-in clips are inserted into openings in the vehicle roof rail. Removing the air bag module for service is accomplished by removing each of the threaded fasteners while the snap-in clips remain permanently attached to the vehicle roof rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey W Ronne, Jeffrey J Schultz
  • Patent number: 7159895
    Abstract: In an occupant restraint system C, an airbag 21 is inflated by using gas, which is generated by an inflator 35 upon a vehicle collision, to be deployed into a shape of curtain along the inner surface of a side of a vehicle compartment. The occupant restraint system C includes pluralities of cells 21c and 21d, which are inflated along the inner surfaces of a B-pillar 15 and a C-pillar 16. By inclining axes S1 to S4 of the cells 21c and 21d with respect to an axis P1 of the B-pillar 15 or an axis P2 of the C-pillar 16, the lower ends of these cells 21c and 21d are hardly trapped by the B-pillar 15 or the C-pillar 16. Thus, the cells of the airbag are prevented from being trapped by the pillars to thereby enable the smooth deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Aoki, Hidetoshi Utsumi, Naoki Takemura, Yuichi Saito
  • Patent number: 7159896
    Abstract: A belt-like protruding portion 34d extending longitudinally is provided on an air bag cover 34 which covers a folded air bag 21. In the event that the air bag 21 is twisted when the air bag 21 is mounted on a vehicle body, a longitudinal dimension of the air bag 21 is contracted largely, whereby an interval between adjacent mounting portions 21a is decreased, thereby the fixing of the air bag 21 being disabled. As a result, the fixing of the air bag 21 in the twisted state is prevented assuredly, and the smooth deployment of the air bag 21 is enabled. A rod-like twist preventing member may be fixed longitudinally along the folded air bag 21 instead of the belt-like protruding portion 34d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiharu Ochiai, Naoki Kawajiri, Takeru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7159897
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an isolated ground of a horn activation circuit of a steering wheel assembly comprising an airbag module, the apparatus comprising: an insulator for receiving and engaging a wire, wherein the wire and the insulator are configured to engage at least one securement member of the steering wheel assembly, wherein the airbag module is movably secured to the insulator for movement between a first position and a second position wherein the horn circuit is completed as the airbag module moves from the first position to the second position; and a wire harness electrically communicating with the wire and at least one contact portion of the airbag module, the at least one contact portion making contact with the wire as the airbag module moves from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry C. Worrell, Gopal P. Marath, James J. Simpson, Scott R. Albers
  • Patent number: 7159898
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module retention system that employs at least one spring. The at least one spring performs two functions. First, the at least one spring provides snap-fit engagement to retain the air bag module to the armature of the steering wheel. Second, the at least one spring biases the airbag module in a first position in which the air bag module “floats” a distance from the armature. The at least one spring is deformable when a driver depresses the air bag module so that the air bag module is movable to a second position to activate a horn circuit and cause horn actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Scott David Thomas
  • Patent number: 7159899
    Abstract: A possibility for controlling and supplying energy to a larger number of restraint means components in a vehicle seat that can be installed in variable fashion, this possibility being able to be realized using a constructively simple and robust electrical connection, so that this connection in particular also withstands the mechanical stresses that occur during the installation and removal of the vehicle seat. For this purpose, the vehicle seat is equipped with at least one system bus for controlling and supplying energy to the individual restraint means components of the vehicle seat. In addition, means are provided for the electrical contacting of the system bus during the installation of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Nitschke, Heiko Buehring, Heiko Fricke, Jorge Sanchez Arriazu
  • Patent number: 7159900
    Abstract: An airbag module in a motor vehicle having a modular casing installed behind at least one opening flap built into the instrument panel is characterized in that the disk-shaped gas generator, including the modular casing surrounding it, is arranged on-edge at an angle to the plane of the instrument panel, its narrow side being defined by the gas-discharge openings arranged on its perimeter, and the folded airbag is arranged at least partially between the narrow side of the gas generator and the opening flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Thomas Reiter, Karl Heinz Sommer, Jörg Albert
  • Patent number: 7159901
    Abstract: An energy absorbing knee bolster for use in an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. An energy absorbing support structure is configured to support an instrument panel within a vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a deployable tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant impact energy and an impact plate coupled to the tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant energy. An energy absorbing locking mechanism is disposed between the impact plate and the support structure. The locking mechanism is configured to encourage the collapse of the tubular means for absorbing energy in a telescopic fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Gary L Jones, Joseph D McCleary, Ching-Shan Cheng