Patents Issued in January 16, 2007
  • Patent number: 7163398
    Abstract: An Implant/Abutment Impressioning cap. The impression cap is multi-vented and configured to uniquely fit over an abutment/implant assembly and grasp the implant via a novel flange and internal geometry design. The flange is located at the bottom of the impression cap forming a bottom rim and is constructed to grasp the collar of an implant in a press/friction fit manner. The internal geometry of the impression cap forms surfaces which mirror those of the abutment/implant assembly. The flange of the impression cap automatically captures the implant margin by pushing gingival tissue away when the component is seated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Robert D. Carter
  • Patent number: 7163399
    Abstract: An ultrasonic therapy device comprises two bodies and two holding members. The body, at the inner face of which an oscillator is embedded, covers an affected area into which implant fixtures are embedded. The holding member which holds the body has a shape of a crown which covers teeth next to the affected area. Two teeth were removed from the affected area into which two implant fixtures are embedded. Each of the bodies covers the affected area between the teeth which is covered by the holding members so that the bodies are exactly fixed in an oral cavity. In this state, it is possible to accelerate osteogenesis around the implant fixtures by supplying an ultrasonic signal from an external driver to the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignees: Bio Map Co., Ltd., Ito Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoko Kajimoto, Atsumi Ohta, Nobuo Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 7163400
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing tooth decay by treating the tooth surface, including the occlusal surface and unexposed surfaces such as subgingival, interproximal, and contact areas, with a laser with a coherent or noncoherent light source are described. This process makes the tooth more resistant to acid and better able to bond fluoride, thus requiring a lower concentration of fluoride. The method allows the treatment to penetrate deeper into the tooth then previously accomplished with other methods and can be used in a dental office or at home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Nocari, LLC
    Inventors: Colette Cozean, Lynn Powell, Samir Nammour
  • Patent number: 7163401
    Abstract: An endodontic post comprises a combined endodontic post and tip of filling material such as thermoplastic material in a single unit. Obuturating systems are provided by an endodontic carrier and attached filling material. The post and obturator include a protrusion or depression on the tip section of the device for better attachment of the filling material to the device. Alternatively the post and obuturator are fabricated of a tube having a tunnel extending therethrough into which filling material is injected. The filling material extends out of the apical section of the post and obturator to form a filler cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Pentron Clinical Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ajit Karmaker, Larry A. Lopez, Bruce Alpert, Bruce A. Finnigan
  • Patent number: 7163402
    Abstract: A game for stimulating interest in reading has a game board with coded spaces arranged in a circular path and a written story with consecutive portions. Players are given a fixed number of points and read a first portion of the story. They roll dice to determine the number of spaces they advance from a starting point on the circular path. Each player makes a prediction as to what occurs next in the story if the player lands on a space that instructs the player to make a prediction. One or more players making a wrong prediction lose a point (game card). The process is repeated for each portion of the story until the story is completely read, wherein the winner of the game is the player having the most points (game cards).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Elizabeth Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7163403
    Abstract: The transfer apparatus is directed toward electrical transfer components providing an electrical connection to a rotating object. The transfer apparatus includes a stator base mounted proximate to the rotating object. An axle rotatably mounts at least one conductive disk to the stator base. The conductive disk is held against the rotating object. As the rotating object rotates about a first axis, the conductive disk is made to rotate about a second axis, the second axis otherwise maintaining a static position. A rotationally immobile contact is maintained in substantial electronic contact with the conductive disk whereby a lead wire may be connected to the immobile contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Diamond Antenna and Microwave Corp.
    Inventors: Chad S. Klotzle, James A. Young
  • Patent number: 7163404
    Abstract: In a device for placing a lamp in a reflector, a socket for holding a lamp is provided with a main body part to be brought into contact with the a reflector. The lamp is held with a resilient annular spring secured to the main body part, and with two upright arms provided with clicks, while a back plate is provided with pressure points. When securing the back plate to the reflector, the reference plane is brought into contact with the reflector, and the pressure points, when in contact with the clicks of the socket, displace the clicks in the direction of the reflector over a distance ?x so as to put the annular spring under tension. The distance ?x is such that the annular spring presses the reference plane towards the reflector with a force of at least 5N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Petrus Johannes Antonius Linssen, Antonius Nicolaas Theelen
  • Patent number: 7163405
    Abstract: A connector assembly and a method of utilizing a connector assembly to enhance performance, improve reliability and provide ease of assembly of electronic equipment are presented. The connector assembly comprises a rigid bracket capable of holding multiple connectors. The bracket acts as a common ground for all of the connectors. The connector assembly has multiple legs and connector conductors that insert into corresponding apertures on a PCB. The legs of the connector assembly are configured to permit the placement of circuit traces on the PCB in the spaces between the legs. After placement of the connector assembly onto the PCB, soldering or other techniques may be used to secure the connector assembly to the board and to connect the proper circuits to the connectors. Because the connectors are installed on the rigid bracket, repeated physical stresses induced on the ports or jacks do not affect the integrity of the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: RGB Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Geil, William Keung, Dan Ciocan
  • Patent number: 7163406
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (20) receiving conductive terminals (26) therein, an integrated circuit package (30) mounted on the housing, a stiffener (40) surrounding the housing, a load plate (50) pivotally assembled with a first end (401) of the stiffener, and a load lever (60) assembled with a second end (402) of the stiffener. The housing defines at least one cut (241) in a side wall thereof, and the IC package defines at least one protrusion (302). After the IC package is mounted on the housing, the at least one protrusion is located in the at least one cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hao-Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 7163407
    Abstract: A connector has an inner side face defining a chamber formed with an opening. A module body is inserted from the opening to be accommodated in the chamber. A first conductive member is provided on an outer periphery of the module body which is opposed to the inner side face of the connector in a case where the module body is accommodated in the chamber. A second conductive member is provided on the inner side face of the connector, such that the first conductive member is brought into contact with the first conductive member in a case where the module body is plenarily accommodated in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishio, Takashi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7163408
    Abstract: A connector has a first outer casing, a second outer casing, and a cable module. The first outer casing has a first front sectional portion. The second outer casing has a second front sectional portion. The cable module includes a printed circuit board, a cable, and an insulating member. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electric pads disposed at a front thereof. The cable has a front electrically connected to a rear of the printed circuit board. The insulating member retains the front of the cable and the rear of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is received between the first front sectional portion and the second front sectional portion. The front of the printed circuit board extends out of the first front sectional portion and the second front sectional portion. As such, the number of components of the connector of the present invention is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Jess-Link Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-Jung Chen, Chun-Hsu Chen
  • Patent number: 7163409
    Abstract: A modular integrated socket apparatus comprises a shell, a pop-up structure, an adapter module, a connector base, and a coupling device. The pop-up structure, the adapter module, the connector base, and the coupling device are mounted in the shell. The adapter module is electrically connected to the connector base. When in use, the shell and the adapter module are located higher than the table by use of the pop-up structure and the coupling device. As a result, the purpose of adding the connector of new hardware or power source can be achieved easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hoolin Research Company Limited
    Inventors: Wen-Chun Chen, Ming-Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 7163410
    Abstract: Secure cable connections in a structure. Cables are routed between a fixed surface and a removable surface to connectors within a lockable enclosure. Removable surfaces include raised floors, suspended ceilings, and the like that generally comprise tiles for access to an area between the removable surface and the fixed surface. Cable connectors are coupled to distribution panels, distribution cassettes, individual jacks, and/or other connectors within the lockable enclosure, which prevent unauthorized access to the cable connections. Cables are prefabricated to desired lengths with color coding and/or keyed connectors. Distribution cassettes, panels, jacks, and/or other connectors are also prefabricated with matching colors and/or keyed connectors to minimize installation time and connection errors. Lockable enclosures include concealed enclosures behind removable surfaces, integrated enclosures within removable surfaces, wall outlets, furniture outlets, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Zephyr Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott J. Isaacks
  • Patent number: 7163411
    Abstract: There is here disclosed a terminal protective device for a compressor to which a terminal cover can be attached and held stably. The terminal protective device comprises a terminal fence fixed to the outer surface of a hermetically sealed vessel so as to surround a terminal attached to the hermetically sealed vessel, and a terminal cover attached to the terminal fence so as to cover the terminal. The terminal cover has the shape of a substantially rectangular box and is held on its upper or lower surface as well as right and left surfaces by the terminal fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Uehito Kawashima, Katsuyuki Takeda, Masahide Kobayashi, Noboru Onodera
  • Patent number: 7163412
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals retained in the housing, a locking device for locking with a complementary connector and an electrically actuated anti-disengagement device having a holding status and a releasing status and being reverseable between the two status. Only when the anti-disengagement is in the releasing status, the locking device is able to engage with or disengage from the complement connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Fan, Chin-Pao Kuo, Yu-Lung Shih
  • Patent number: 7163413
    Abstract: A cable connector which enables high-density mounting while reducing the risk of the locking arm being damaged or deformed is disclosed. The cable connector (1) comprises housings (10 and 30) that support a cable (C) and that have a locking arm (14) to be locked with a mating connector (50). A pull-tab (40) is connected to the locking arm (14). The pull-tab (40) is inserted into holes (18 and 19) that are respectively formed in the upper section (12) of the housings (10 and 30) and in the upper section (17) of the locking arm (14). When the pull-tab (40) is pulled in direction approximately opposite from the mating direction (i.e., in the direction of arrow A), the pull-tab (40) causes an approaching motion between the upper section (12) of the housings (10) and (30) and the section (17) of the locking arm (14), thus releasing the locking arm (14) from the mating connector (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K
    Inventor: Ryusuke Murayama
  • Patent number: 7163414
    Abstract: An axial latch actuator includes: a mating portion having a latch for engaging a jack; and a slidable housing that slides along the mating portion and engages the mating portion, wherein when the slidable housing slides in a first direction, the mating portion is in a latched position and when the slidable housing slides in a second direction, the mating portion is in an unlatched position. The housing also includes a locking wedge. The latch in this embodiment includes first and second fingers adjacent to one another that extend over the mating portion and have first ends connected to the mating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Siemon Company
    Inventors: Denny Lo, Maxwell Yip
  • Patent number: 7163415
    Abstract: A contact construction requiring minimum space above a connector allowing installation of a connection cable on a circuit board in a layout direction of contacts that provides increased freedom in wiring/board design. A bottom surface of the housing forms a mounting surface of the circuit board while a top surface forms a cable layout surface for laying out the connection cable in the surface direction of the circuit board. A bottom end of a terminal in the housing protrudes toward the circuit board side to form a contact part to connect with the circuit board, and the top end forms a connection part to connect with the connection cable. A plurality of terminals is provided in a row in the housing, a plurality of wires is laid out on the cable layout surface in the circuit board direction, ensuring each connection cable is electrically connected to the desired terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7163416
    Abstract: A factory installed wiring guide that guides conductors into position for quality termination and crimp and which provides strain relief (support) for the wires or fibers and the outer sheath of the cable to create a quality cable or sub-cable assembly supporting termination at both ends of the cable. The wiring guide is sized to overcome obstacles and fit into conduits during network wiring installation. The wiring guide may be inserted into a cavity on the backside of a RJ45 female connector, completing the termination of a station cable to a RJ45 female jack. The wiring guide may be installed into a plastic housing creating a RJ45 male connector. The wiring guide may be utilized for multiple connections without damaging or compromising the wiring guide and without the need for cutting the wire from the sub-connector. The wiring guide supports universal attachment to either male or female RJ45 connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: James Allen Carroll
  • Patent number: 7163417
    Abstract: A connector plug intended for a multi-conductor cable (12) with a set o power conductors (30) and set of signal conductors (31) and comprising a casing (10) with a rear cable receiving opening (11), a number of contact elements (42, 43) connected to the power and signal conductors (30, 31) and arranged to engage contact elements on a connectable matching connector plug or jack, and a transition chamber (17) located between the rear cable receiving opening (11) and the contact elements (42, 43) and arranged to be penetrated by the power and signal conductors (30, 31), wherein a coiling core element (18, 118) is mounted in the transition chamber (17) to form separate routing paths (40, 41) for the power conductors (30) and the signal conductors (31) such that added lengths and slacks are provided in the conductors (30, 31) for absorbing length changes therein due to bending of the cable (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Hans Karl Johan Brodin
  • Patent number: 7163418
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a wall plate formed to cover a wall box is described. The wall plate comprises a back side which has a signal splitting device with a first coupling member formed and exposed for connectability with an antenna or cable wire device transferring an incoming signal. The signal splitting device is configured to split the incoming signal into at least two outgoing signals. The signal splitting device has a second coupling member formed and exposed at the backside for connectability with an antenna or cable wire device to transfer one of the at least two outgoing signals. And, the wall plate has a front side which has a third coupling member formed and exposed for connectability with an antenna or cable wire device to transfer one of the at least two outgoing signals. The third coupling member connects to and is a part of the signal splitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: 7163419
    Abstract: Provided is an example of an improved coupler element that provides both a fluidic connection for transporting cooling fluid into and/or out of, the target and a high capacity electrical conductor suitable for the transmitting electrical current to the target during operation of the accelerator. The improved coupler element includes fasteners, alignment structures and sealing structures that can be arranged on opposing faces of a two-part coupler such as a water connection block assembly used on an accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Triumf
    Inventor: Guy H. Stanford
  • Patent number: 7163420
    Abstract: A compression connector body for connecting a hardline cable to an equipment port is formed in two members coupled to each other by a coupling nut. A port-side member houses a conductive pin and associated elements, while a cable-side member is attached to the cable via a compression fit. With this arrangement, when servicing the equipment, the cable-side member and attached cable are removed from the port-side member without affecting the connection between the cable and the cable-side member. The port-side member is then disconnected from the equipment port. After servicing the equipment, the port-side member is reconnected to the equipment port, after which the cable-side member is reconnected to the port-side member, thus alleviating the need to cut and prepare a new length of cable for connection to the equipment port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Assoicates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 7163421
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a wafer formed with a ground shield made from a non-conductive material made conductive with conductive particles disposed therein, thereby eliminating the necessity of the metal ground shield plate found in prior art connectors while maintaining sufficient performance characteristics and minimizing electrical noise generated in the wafer. The wafer housing is formed with a first, insulative housing at least partially surrounding a pair of signal strips and a second, conductive housing at least partially surrounding the first, insulative housing and the signal strips. The housings provide the wafer with sufficient structural integrity, obviating the need for additional support structures or components for a wafer. Ground strips may be employed in the wafer and may be formed in the same plane as the signal strips. The second, conductive housing may be connected (e.g., molded) to the ground strips and spaced appropriately from the signal strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Cohen, Brian Kirk, Marc B. Cartier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7163422
    Abstract: Damage of a connection between a connector and a circuit board on which the connector is mounted is to be prevented at the time of connecting the connector with a corresponding connector on a host side. In one embodiment, an HDD is provided with a serial ATA connector. The connector is mounted on a circuit board. The HDD is also provided with stiffeners for fixing the connector to the circuit board. When the connector moves toward a base at the time of connection thereof to a host-side connector, the stiffeners come into abutment against the base to stop the movement of the connector. As a result, damage of the connection between the connector and the circuit board can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Yoshiroh Amano, Kohji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7163423
    Abstract: A keying system to control a mating interface between a plurality of mating jacks and plugs in a coaxial telecommunications panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Louis Peters, David J. Johnsen, Kenneth Allen Skluzacek, Duane R. Sand, M'hamed Anis Khemakhem
  • Patent number: 7163424
    Abstract: A housing for a thin active probe has two identical molded housing-halves that when assembled form a cavity that encloses the chassis upon which is carried the active circuitry of the probe. The parts exhibit complementary self-symmetry about a longitudinal axis, such that when one is rotated about that axis it performs the mating functions needed to interlock with another part representing its un-rotated self. Interlocking is accomplished by circular tabs and sockets that interfere and prevent the parts from separating once the tabs are in the sockets. The circular tabs are joined to the balance of the housing-half that carries them by a narrow neck and can be sprung over the other housing-half to return to their natural position and fit into a circular socket in that other housing-half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dancel, James E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 7163425
    Abstract: A personal watercraft configured to plane on a water surface is disclosed. The personal watercraft typically includes an attitude sensor configured to detect an attitude of a body of the watercraft, a propulsion force changing system configured to change a propulsion force of the watercraft to control the attitude of the body, and a controller configured to control the propulsion force changing system according to the attitude of the body which is detected by the attitude sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihiko Kamio
  • Patent number: 7163426
    Abstract: An arrangement for a ship's propulsion unit includes a motor unit with a motor housing arranged in the water. A motor and related controls are provided in the motor housing. A propeller is arranged at an end of a motor shaft. The motor unit includes an electric motor, wherein an entire circumferential surface of the electrical motor is cooled through a casing structure of the motor directly to the water surrounding the motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Abb Oy
    Inventor: Jukka Varis
  • Patent number: 7163427
    Abstract: A trolling motor device including a variable length drive unit to assist in moving the trolling motor device in and out of the water. Preferably, the drive unit is both extended/retracted while being pivoted to increase the speed of deployment or stowage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Bruce R. Lee
  • Patent number: 7163428
    Abstract: A cowling for an outboard marine engine includes an upper motor cover and a lower motor cover that cover an engine, and a gear case that houses a drive mechanism. The upper motor cover detachably mates with the lower motor cover along corresponding edges. At least one mating edge on one side of each cover is generally V-shaped for assisting with cover alignment during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: BRP US Inc.
    Inventor: Stéphane Sanschagrin
  • Patent number: 7163429
    Abstract: A principal object of the present invention is to provide efficiently an electron-emitting element. The electron-emitting element includes: (a) a substrate, (b) a lower electrode layer provided on the substrate, (c) an electron-emitting layer provided on the lower electrode layer, and (d) a control electrode layer so disposed as not to be in contact with the electron-emitting layer, wherein the electron-emitting layer includes an electron-emitting material for emitting electrons in an electric field, (1) the electron-emitting material being a porous body having a 3D-network structure skeleton, (2) the 3D-network structure skeleton being composed on an inner portion and a surface portion, (3) the surface portion comprising an electron-emitting component, (4) the inner portion being occupied by (i) at least one of an insulating material and a semiinsulating material, (ii) an empty space, or (iii) at least one of an insulating material and a semiinsulating material and an empty space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Deguchi, Masa-aki Suzuki, Akira Taomoto, Toyokazu Ozaki, Motoshi Shibata
  • Patent number: 7163430
    Abstract: A movable toy animal having legs that are controlled by a motor operated teeter-totter assembly. The motor is bi-directional and sequentially moves the legs in opposite directions to move the animal in a forward walking, running or turning direction. Various switches and mechanisms are provided to obtain the desired movement by a battery operated program controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lund, Michael D. Slarrick, Sunil Moothedath
  • Patent number: 7163431
    Abstract: A toy percussion instrument that is characterized by a novel method of attaching a tether to a striker and/or main instrument body. The new location of attachment enables compliance with stringent safety standards without detracting from the playability of the toy instrument. In particular, two tethered strikers can be provided while still satisfying cord maximum perimeter standards and at the same time allowing an appropriate length of cord to play the instrument without difficulty. The provision of two tethered strikers enables a more realistic instrument while satisfying a parent's preference to have the tethers. In particular, The striker attachment location is spaced inwardly from the ends of the striker, thereby to allow a shorter tether to be used while still allowing the instrument to be played without difficulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Walraven
  • Patent number: 7163432
    Abstract: An adjustable circular knit bra is provided. The bra has a pair of breast cups, a central gore disposed between the breast cups, and a pair of side panels. Each side panel is adjacent to a different one of the pair of breast cups. The central gore also has a stabilizing area knitted therein. The breast cups also have a stabilizing area knitted into the bottom edge of each breast cup. The bra preferably also has a pair of adjustable shoulder straps. The bra preferably also has adjustable fasteners at the bra back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: John Mitchell, Sandra Ann Waitz
  • Patent number: 7163433
    Abstract: An adhesive strapless brassiere used for giving lift to a user's breast has two adhesive breast covers, a connector and a backing layer. Each adhesive breast cover is formed from a thin, pliable sheet and has a main, oblong first portion for covering a breast, and a vertical wing extending upwardly from the outside top edge. The adhesive breast covers are directly attached to a user's body by the adhesive. The connector is mounted between the two adhesive breast covers, and the backing layer is used to attach the adhesive breast covers before use. The adhesive strapless brassiere has a small volume and breathes, so a user will feel comfortable when wearing the brassiere. Furthermore, the adhesive strapless brassiere may be discarded after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignees: Bravo Universal Co., Ltd., Ce Soir Lingerie Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Hsien-Wei Chou
  • Patent number: 7163434
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping the radial surface of a roller or other cylindrically shaped part in a single cycle. The preferred embodiment forms a crown geometry on one roller at a time using a CNC system to control a grinding surface in three axes. The grinding surface is controlled in two linear orthogonal directions (x and y) and around a circular axis (c) through corresponding stepper motors. In addition, the axial pressure applied by the grinding surface of the radial surface of the roller is controlled by an air pressure programmable regulator acting through a pneumatic cylinder. These four individually controlled, precise degrees of motion of the grinding surface, operating with a single rotating roller, permits extremely accurate crown shaping. The shaping is, in fact, so precisely controlled and so accurate that only one “cycle” of the grinding surface against the roller is required to achieve the desired crown profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ceradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: John James
  • Patent number: 7163435
    Abstract: CMP pad conditioning processes have been monitored and controlled by detecting the vibrational spectrum of a sensor mounted on the conditioner support arm. An accelerometer is used as the detector so that vibrational velocity (which correlates with pad wear) can be measured, rather than displacement or acceleration. After the vibrational spectrum has been transformed to its frequency domain equivalent, it is monitored for the presence of abnormal peaks in order to control the conditioning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Tech Semiconductor Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Khoon Peng Lim, Kok Eng Lee
  • Patent number: 7163436
    Abstract: In a spinning room machine, especially a flat card, roller card or cleaner, an apparatus for processing, especially grinding and/or sharpening, a clothing on a roller has a processing device which is movable along a track. The spinning room machine has an electronic control and regulation device together with a drive control, which is used for controlling the speed of rotation of the processing device. In order to control and/or regulate all functions of or for the processing device using means that are simple in terms of equipment, control and/or regulation of or for the processing device is integrated into the control and regulation device of the spinning room machine, functional elements of or for the processing device and the control and regulation device of the spinning room machine being capable of exchanging signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Fritz Hösel
  • Patent number: 7163437
    Abstract: A polishing pad, polishing system, method of making a polishing pad and method of using a polishing pad. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer having a polishing surface, a backing layer with an aperture and a first portion that is permeable to liquid, and a sealant that penetrates a second portion of the backing layer adjacent to and surrounding the aperture such that the second portion is substantially impermeable to liquid. The aperture is positioned below a substantially fluid-impermeable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bogdan Swedek, David J. Lischka, Jeffrey Drue David, Dominic J. Benvegnu
  • Patent number: 7163438
    Abstract: A slurry dispensing apparatus for use with a chemical mechanical polishing tool for planarizing semiconductor substrates having irregular topology. The apparatus includes a slurry dispensing manifold with a first end suspended over a polishing pad, and a second end for mounting to the chemical mechanical polishing tool. The slurry dispensing manifold has a linear array of nozzles positioned under the suspended manifold. Each nozzle provides an adjusted slurry mixture that is supplied from bifurcated supply lines. A first branch supplying a slurry, and a second branch supplying deionized water. Each nozzle is capable of providing a particular slurry concentration to either decrease or to increase polishing rate in specific zonal areas on a substrate according to its surface topology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Alvaro Maury, Jovin Lim, Nace Layadi, Sebastian Ouek
  • Patent number: 7163439
    Abstract: Monitoring the process of planarizing a workpiece, e.g., conditioning a CMP pad, can present some difficulties. Aspects of this invention provide methods and systems for monitoring and/or controlling such a planarization cycle. For example, a control system may monitor the proximity of a workpiece holder and an abrasion member by measuring the capacitance between a first sensor associated with the workpiece holder and a second sensor associated with the abrasion member. This exemplary control system may adjust a process parameter of the planarization cycle in response to a change in the measured capacitance. This can be useful in endpointing the planarization cycle, for example. In certain applications, the control system may define a pad profile based on multiple capacitance measurements and use the pad profile to achieve better planarity of the planarized surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagasubramaniyan Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 7163440
    Abstract: A fiber optic polishing apparatus including a support system, a polishing sub-assembly coupled to the support system including a plurality of pads, and a fixture to hold a plurality of fiber optic connectors. The fixture is positioned adjacent to the plurality of pads so that an end surface of each of the plurality of fiber optic connectors is held in contact with a corresponding pad. A drive mechanism is coupled to the support system to move the fixture to polish the end surface of each of the plurality of fiber optic connectors. Each of the plurality of pads may travel independently in a vertical direction. The polishing sub-assembly may further include a web polishing film, a fluid injection module configured to direct water onto the film, and a rinsing module to rub against a face of each of the plurality of fiber optic connectors to remove debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Bianchi
  • Patent number: 7163441
    Abstract: A grinder designed to provide an automatic grinding operation for the manufacture of a semiconductor device wafer. The grinder includes a base, a rotatable index table mounted to the base, and a grinding wheel assembly including a grinding wheel for grinding a flat surface on the wafer. The index table includes a wafer holder for receiving and holding the wafer. A dressing station, including a dressing element, is positioned adjacent to the index table for dressing the grinding wheel. The dressing station is rotatable between a first position and a second position where the grinding wheel is dressed by the dressing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Gerber
  • Patent number: 7163442
    Abstract: The micro titer plates, especially for micro reaction systems used in biotechnology, each have an array of special microstructures, which typically include micro cups and micro channels with different cross-sections. These microstructures are introduced into a preferably borosilicate glass wafer (18) by ultrasonic machining. Individual rectangular micro titer plates (19?) made from borosilicate glass for biotechnology are produced by cutting the structured glass wafer into individual micro titer plates. Particularly arrays of from 10 to 100 of these microstructures are formed in a 6-inch borosilicate glass wafer, in order to facilitate subsequent cutting of the wafer to economically manufacture a corresponding number of these micro titer plates (19?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Michael Jacquorie, Markus Vos
  • Patent number: 7163443
    Abstract: A tool for use in machining equipment for machining a item from a workpiece via longitudinal and transverse movement includes stepped regions having different diameters, each provided with a lateral surface for transverse lateral machining and a front surface for longitudinal feed machining, the tool diameters in the stepped regions decreasing toward the forward face of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Basler, Joachim Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7163444
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an abrasive article comprising a fixed abrasive layer and a subpad. The fixed abrasive element is co-extensive with the subpad. The subpad comprises a resilient element. The resilient element has a Shore A hardness of no greater than 60 as measured using ASTM-2240.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Kollodge, Christopher N. Loesch
  • Patent number: 7163445
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel are disclosed. In case of the single mode that liquid crystal display panels are fabricated with the same size on a large glass substrate, defective unit liquid crystal display panels are kept and discarded not to proceed with a follow-up process. Thus, a material waste is restrained and a yield can be improved. Meanwhile, in case of the multi-mode that liquid crystal display panels are fabricated with difference sizes on a large glass substrate, sub-models are kept, and then after completing the process for the main models, a follow-up process if performed on the sub-models. Thus, use efficiency of the glass substrate can be maximized to improve a productivity and a unit cost of the product can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Heum Uh, Sang-Sun Shin
  • Patent number: 7163446
    Abstract: A method of restoring a discolored automobile headlight lens without removal of the lens from the automobile consistent with certain embodiments involves wet abrading an outer surface of the lens with successively finer grit wet sanding disks, using a low speed rotary or orbital tool having a flexible sanding holder holding the sanding disks, until a smooth surface is achieved exhibiting no discoloration, wherein the wet sanding disks comprise disks starting from approximately 220 to 400 grade down to approximately 2000 grade; polishing the outer surface of the lens with an aqueous paste abrasive polish containing aluminum oxide abrasive particles; cleaning any residue from the outer surface of the lens by wiping the lens with a lint free cloth; and spraying a film forming aqueous polymer dispersion containing an ultraviolet protectant to the outer surface of the lens, wherein the sealer comprises of acrylic urethane copolymers, Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers, benzotriazole UV light absorbers, 1-methyl-2-py
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventors: John Ray Cole, Ravonda Lynn Cole
  • Patent number: 7163447
    Abstract: Conditioning devices, systems and methods for conditioning a contact surface of a processing pad used in processing microelectronic workpieces. One embodiment of a conditioning device comprises an end-effector having a conditioning surface configured to engage the contact surface of the processing pad and a plurality of microstructures on the conditioning surface. The microstructures can be arranged in a pattern corresponding to a desired pattern of microfeatures on the contact surface of the processing pad. In several embodiments, the microstructures are raised elements projecting from the conditioning surface and/or depressions in the conditioning surface. The condition surface can also be smooth. The conditioning device can also include a heater coupled to the end-effector for heating the processing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore M. Taylor