Patents Issued in February 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7172028
    Abstract: A reciprocating hydraulic slickline pump for use in a wellbore. The pump comprises a pump member. The pump member is reciprocated axially by slickline in order to form an upstroke and downstroke. The pump is configured such that it pressurizes fluid within a workstring assembly during the pump's downstroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Barbee, Corey E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7172029
    Abstract: The present invention is a packer for sealing an annular region in a wellbore. The packer includes a packing element which is held through bidirectional forces. The packer first comprises an inner mandrel. Disposed around the inner mandrel are three tubulars: (1) a top sleeve; (2) a bottom sleeve; and (3) a booster sleeve. A packing element is disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the booster sleeve. The top sleeve and bottom sleeve each include an upper compression member which rides across the booster sleeve in order to compress the packing element. The packing element is expanded outward from the packer to engage a surrounding string of casing through compressive forces provided by the top and bottom sleeves. Thereafter, differential pressure applied above or below the packer acting on the packer element and booster sleeve may provide additional compression of the packer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Hirth, Gerald D. Pedersen, Tarald Gudmestad
  • Patent number: 7172030
    Abstract: Natural gas is produced from a reservoir above a bitumen reserve with minimal or no impact on concurrent or subsequent production of bitumen recovery techniques including SAGD. Greenhouse benefits over and above the benefits of coincidental recovery are available through the injection of waste gas containing carbon dioxide for maintaining pressure in the gas reservoir while producing natural gas. Carbon dioxide separates out of the waste gas through preferential absorption in connate or aquifer water, with the result that carbon dioxide is thereby both retarded from flowing to the natural gas production well and effectively sequestered in the reservoir water. Additional advantage is achieved wherein water influx at production wells can be managed and trapped gas can be recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Beavert Gas Services Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Norval Horner, David A. Guichon, Arthur Danielson, Dennis A. Beliveau
  • Patent number: 7172031
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher for automotive vehicles, boats, and technical environments which is either automatically controlled, in case of fire, by the action of a thermosensitive cable or, in case of front impact, by the action of a percussion pin switch or manually by a push button located in the interior compartment. It consists of a cylindrical cell box, a valve assembly, a pyrotechnic charge, a bottle of carbon dioxide. When the pyrotechnic charge is electrically energized, it explodes and the percussion pin perforates the diaphragm of the CO2 bottle. The gas pressurizes the cell box and causes the extinguishing substance to flow out through a hose at the end of which a nozzle is disposed that sprinkles the extinguishing substance through a circular crown. The fire extinguisher has two small pipes within the cell box which mix CO2 with the extinguishing substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Domenico Piatti
  • Patent number: 7172032
    Abstract: An agricultural implement has gangs of soil aerator tools. Each gang includes a set of integral multi-tine units mounted on a frame for rotation in unison. Each tine unit has a hub with tines. The hub has a first surface defining a first set of indexing receivers and a second surface defining a second set of indexing receivers. At least one indexing spacer separates each tine unit from the next tine unit. Keys of the indexing spacers assemble with selected ones of the first set of indexing receivers or the second set of indexing receivers to establish and maintain a predetermined pattern of rotational index positions among tine units in a group and groups in a gang. A method of rotationally indexing agricultural tools in an assembly. One method includes providing a shaft, tine units, and indexing spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Genesis Tillage, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. McKinley, Gary Bailey
  • Patent number: 7172033
    Abstract: A culvert opening and cleaning apparatus which is designed to be operably mounted to an implement of heavy machinery such as a grader and is further designed to utilize the auxiliary hydraulic connection provided by the implement of heavy machinery. The culvert opening and cleaning apparatus comprises a mounting means operably engaged to an implement of heavy machinery, a telescoping arm member attached to the mounting means, the telescoping arm member having an outer housing and an inner concentric arm that are telescopically slidable relative to each other, a culvert cleaning tool engaged to the inner arm of the telescoping arm member, and a telescoping ram having at least one concentric cylinder and a piston that are telescopically slidable relative to each other, wherein a distal end of the piston is attached to the culvert cleaning tool for positing the culvert cleaning tool inserted in an opening of the culvert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Woodybilt Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: James W. Woodcock, Frank W. Woodcock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7172034
    Abstract: A boring control method for a machine tool for automatically boring a deep hole using a central control means performing boring with programmed control. In the boring, the number of processing and steps of the machine tool is kept minimum, load torque of a tool is detected continuously using torque detection means, and the movement of the tip portion of the tool desired for a piece of work is confirmed from a reference point to a hole bottom using a Z-axis movement device. The boring is continued in each step until the load torque exceeds a predetermined torque limit value, performed in a condition where a main shaft rotation number, or rotation speed of the tool, and feed speed form a specific pattern, and a condition is set where a total step number (f) does not exceed a predetermined limit step number (N).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventors: Tadashi Makiyama, Hiroyuki Kurokawa, Toshihiko Amako
  • Patent number: 7172035
    Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Tod Michael, Ric Smith, Mark Facile
  • Patent number: 7172036
    Abstract: A soil sample containment device is provided which allows soil samples to be contained within individual sections of a soil sampler liner. The device includes first and second end caps for covering and sealing the respective ends of the soil sampler liner section. Each end cap has a structure for coupling with the opposite end cap for securing the end caps together. The coupling structure for each end cap includes a hook arm and an eye arm. The hook arm of the first end cap can be coupled with the eye arm of the second end cap to secure the end caps together over the ends of the liner section. A flexible sealing material is provided within each end cap for providing a compression seal between the end caps and the liner section. The liner sections can be formed of different lengths and different materials to accommodate different soil tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignees: En Novative Technologies, Inc., Kejr, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd E. Jacobs, David E. Turriff, John F. Schabron, Susan S. Sorini-Wong, Thomas M. Christy
  • Patent number: 7172037
    Abstract: A drilling control system provides, in one aspect, advisory actions for optimal drilling. Such a system or model utilizes downhole dynamics data and surface drilling parameters, to produce drilling models used to provide to a human operator with recommended drilling parameters for optimized performance. In another aspect, the output of the drilling control system is directly linked with rig instrumentation systems so as to provide a closed-loop automated drilling control system that optimizes drilling while taking into account the downhole dynamic behavior and surface parameters. The drilling models can be either static or dynamic. In one embodiment, the simulation of the drilling process uses neural networks to estimate some nonlinear function using the examples of input-output relations produced by the drilling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Dmitriy Dashevskiy, John D. Macpherson, Vladimir Dubinsky, Pat McGinley
  • Patent number: 7172038
    Abstract: The drilling system includes a work string supporting a bottom hole assembly. The work string including lengths of pipe having a non-metallic portion. The work string preferably includes a composite coiled tubing having a fluid impermeable liner, multiple load carrying layers, and a wear layer. Multiple electrical conductors and data transmission conductors may be embedded in the load carrying layers for carrying current or transmitting data between the bottom hole assembly and the surface. The bottom hole assembly includes a bit, a gamma ray and inclinometer instrument package, a steerable assembly, an electronics section, a transmission, and a power section for rotating the bit. It may or may not include a propulsion system. The drilling system may be a gravity based drilling system that does include a propulsion system. Various motive means may be provided, such as gravity, to apply weight on the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Terry, Thomas Platt Wilson, Jay M. Eppink, Albert C. Odell, William F. Trainor, James W. Estep, Haoshi Song
  • Patent number: 7172039
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for use in a wellbore. In one aspect, a downhole tool for use in a wellbore is provided. The downhole tool includes a housing having a shaped inner bore, a first end and a second end. The downhole tool further includes a rotor having a plurality of extendable members, wherein the rotor is disposable in the shaped inner bore to form at least one chamber therebetween. Furthermore, the downhole tool includes a substantially axial fluid pathway through the chamber, wherein the fluid pathway includes at least one inlet proximate the first end and at least one outlet proximate the second end. In another aspect a downhole motor for use in a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of rotating a downhole tool is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Warren Teale, Greg Marshall
  • Patent number: 7172040
    Abstract: A work vehicle comprises: a plurality of wheels; a vehicle body supported by the wheels; a transmission case provided on the vehicle body, the transmission case having a first case portion and a second case portion and a middle portion extending between respective lower portions of the first and second case portions, the transmission case being divided by an abutting surface extending in a vertical direction of the vehicle; a hydraulic device associated with the transmission case; a hydraulic pump supplying a hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic device; an oil path formed in a surface of the abutting surface, one end of the oil path being formed in the first case portion as an oil port for the hydraulic device, and the other end of the oil path opening to the second case portion; and a hydraulic fluid outlet provided to the first case and connected to the hydraulic pump to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oshima, Katsuhiko Uemura, Tomoyuki Morikawa, Hiroshi Shimada, Masashi Osuga
  • Patent number: 7172041
    Abstract: The mower has at least two independently driven wheels that are each capable of bi-directional rotation. The at least two wheels are independently driven so that operation of the at least two wheels causes the at least two wheels to independently rotate which propels and steers the mower. A microprocessor controls the operation of the at least two wheels in accordance with signals received by the microprocessor. The mower has at least one controller. The at least one controller sends signals to the microprocessor that the microprocessor uses to control the operation of the at least two wheels. The operation of the at least one controller causes the at least two wheels to propel and steer the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Wuertz, Terrance G. Benson
  • Patent number: 7172042
    Abstract: High-tension cables 7U, 7V, 7W connect an inverter 6 disposed outside an engine compartment with a motor/generator 3 disposed in the engine compartment, the high-tension cables 7U, 7V, 7W are individually passed through metallic protection pipes 30 under a floor of a vehicle, the protection pipes 30 are supported from an underside of the floor, and the high-tension cables 7U, 7V, 7W are passed through a protection tube 20 over a predetermined distance from the motor/generator 3 in the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroo Yamaguchi, Harumi Takedomi, Hiromitsu Sato, Yasuo Kitami
  • Patent number: 7172043
    Abstract: When a constant speed running control is released during a changing operation of target vehicle speed, a target vehicle speed in just before the changing operation of target vehicle speed is set to a target vehicle speed at the time when the constant speed running control is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruhiro Iwaki
  • Patent number: 7172044
    Abstract: A wheel board comprising a wheel (2) with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.6 m mounted on a free wheel (21), mounted on an axle (3) situated on a vertically pivoting arm (4) arranged on the board (1), and mounted freewheeling and driven by a driving drum (17) around which is wound a band (11) that is fixed to said driving drum (17) by a first end and that is connected to the board by its second end, said driving drum (17) being equipped with a return device (19) so that, when the board (1) is not loaded, the central wheel (2) is in a lower position relative to said board (1) and said band (11) is wound around the drum (17) driving the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Alain Bouvet
  • Patent number: 7172045
    Abstract: A motortricycle with oscillation mechanism including left and right suspension arms respectively swingably mounted onto a vehicle body frame, rear wheels mounted respectively onto the outer portions of the left and right suspension arms. An oscillation mechanism permitting leftward and rightward oscillation of the vehicle body frame relative to the side of the suspension arms is provided between the suspension arms and the vehicle body frame, and an engine for driving the left and right rear wheels is mounted onto the vehicle body frame. Since the engine of the motortricycle is mounted on the vehicle body frame rather than on the suspension arms, weight on the suspension arms can be largely reduced, and the riding comfort can be further enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Takayanagi, Yohei Makuta, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Masahiro Kuroki, Haruomi Sugita
  • Patent number: 7172046
    Abstract: An agricultural combine has a variable displacement pump connected to four drive motors that drive four wheels. An electronic controller monitors the speed of each wheel and reduces the torque of the motor that drives the wheel when the wheel slips. The controller reduces the torque by reducing the specific displacement of the slipping motor. Once the wheel has ceased slipping, the controller increases the specific displacement of the motor back to its original displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Yun Ren Ho, Bernard Johnson, Branko J. Horvat, Jr., John E. Bundy
  • Patent number: 7172047
    Abstract: A seat brake apparatus having a small number of components. A pivot member connected to a seat is pivotally supported by a front plate of the battery compartment. A contact plate is connected to the front plate. A torsion spring supported by the front plate has a first end portion contacting the pivot member and a second end portion contacting the contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kidokoro
  • Patent number: 7172048
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus for pedestrian protection 18 including an airbag body 22 disposed along a vertical direction is disposed in an upper portion 16A of each of right and left front pillars 16. The expansion of the airbag body 22 toward the outer side of the vehicle is restrained to a predetermined amount by a cloth 22C connecting an attachment portion 22A of the airbag body 22 with a sewn portion 22B when the airbag body 22 is expanded. Thus, the airbag body 22 is expanded along the outer peripheral portion. In addition, a portion of the airbag body 22 expanded toward approximately the outer side in the lateral direction contacts a curved portion 30F expanded toward the inner side in the lateral direction, which is in a deployment portion 30A of a garnish panel 30. Thus, the airbag body 22 is expanded toward approximately the inner side in the lateral direction to a large extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Hamada, Toshiaki Hosoya, Hideya Innami
  • Patent number: 7172049
    Abstract: An occupant crush protection system for a vehicle includes an occupant protection device, such as a seatbelt retraction device, powered by a vehicle battery, a device control unit for controlling the occupant protection device, a relay circuit, a sensor for sensing high possibility of collision and a relay control circuit for bringing the relay to a power supply state only when the sensor senses high possibility of collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Chiharu Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7172050
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle includes an armrest and a plurality of operating members. The armrest extends in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle. The operating members are arranged in front of the armrest. At least two of the operating members each have an operating portion. The operating portions are arranged along an operational orbit of an operator's hand in a state that the operator's arm is rested on the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Amamiya
  • Patent number: 7172051
    Abstract: A nut member which is rotated by power transmission from a motor in a rack housing is supported by a thrust bearing fitted and fixed in a first housing having an integrally formed fixing section for fastening to a vehicle body so that the nut member cannot move in both directions along an axial direction. Thrust loads applied in both directions to the nut member with the conversion of rotation into movement of a steering shaft in an axial direction are carried by the first housing through the thrust bearing. The structure of the connection section of the first housing and second housing is simplified, and the housing is fixed in a stable manner to prevent deterioration in steering feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kensaku Nakamura, Tetsuya Murakami, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kousuke Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7172052
    Abstract: A headphone has a headband and two earpieces each connected to the headband so as to be pivotable about at least two pivot axes. The two pivot axes intersect one another at a point of intersection that is positioned on or near a central axis of the earpiece, respectively. Arms connect the earpieces to the headband, wherein the arms define a first one of the two pivot axes, respectively. A second one of the two pivot axes is fixedly arranged on the headband, respectively. In this way, the earpieces are rotatable about the arms and the arms are rotatable relative to the headband about the second pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: AKG Acoustics GmbH
    Inventor: Hugo Lenhard-Backhaus
  • Patent number: 7172053
    Abstract: A portable sawhorse which comprises first and second beam sections which are pivotally connected together to form a storage housing, first and second leg assemblies at respective distal ends of said first and second beam sections, said first and second leg assemblies being pivotally connected so as to be storable within said beam sections, and reinforcing members extending between first and second leg assemblies to stabilize the same when in an opened condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Stefano Slavich
  • Patent number: 7172054
    Abstract: A device for lubricating and cooling gear mechanisms has a supply line for supplying lubricating and coolant oil from an oil sump into a first channel in a spray pipe. The first spray channel connects to at least one first nozzle for the targeted spraying of the lubricating and coolant oil into areas of the gear that require extensive lubrication and that are allocated to the first channel. The supply line is connected to a second channel and one or more second nozzles connected to the latter for spraying the oil in areas that require extensive lubrication and are allocated to the second channel. The channels are prioritized with regard to more or less critical regions of the gear mechanism. A control valve that is responsive to a back-pressure in the spray pipe actuates the channels to supply the gear mechanism in accordance with the prioritization of the regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Rüther, Martin Wilken
  • Patent number: 7172055
    Abstract: A method and a device for maintenance of an elevator or escalator installation includes an interface for connection of a controller of the installation with a display and control unit for display of operating parameters or for input of control commands and data, and connection equipment for creating a data connection with a maintenance center. Data and parameters stored in the maintenance center can be transferred to the display and control unit by the data connection after an identification check. A fault log with a specification of operating faults and/or a specification of the replacement parts coming into question for rectification of the operating faults can be produced, which is transferred by the data connection from the display and control unit to the maintenance center, can be produced for example to cause ordering of missing replacement parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Werner Engel, Markus Weiss
  • Patent number: 7172056
    Abstract: A disk brake having a first friction brake lining, which for braking can be pressed against a brake disk by pivoting of a support lever. A brake caliper is embodied as a floating caliper and an adjusting device is provided with which a second friction brake lining is adjustable transversely to the brake disk. In this way, a support angle (?) and thus a magnitude of the self-boosting of the disk brake can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann, Herbert Vollert, Willi Nagel, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Bernd Goetzelmann
  • Patent number: 7172057
    Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a piston rod, which is guided with freedom of axial movement in a damping medium-filled cylinder and which carries a piston, which divides the cylinder into two working spaces. At least one of the two working spaces has a flow connection leading to a housing, in which a separating element separates at least one chamber from one of the two working spaces, where the volume of the minimum of one chamber in the housing has a size which is variable within defined limits. The separating element executes relative motion with respect to the housing, and is located in a permanent position with respect to the piston rod, whereas the housing is movable with respect to the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank Gundermann, Joachim Kühnel, Christian Böhm, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf
  • Patent number: 7172058
    Abstract: Vibration damper with amplitude-dependent damping force includes a cylinder, in which a piston rod, carrying a piston, is guided with freedom of axial movement, where the piston divides the cylinder into a working space on the piston rod side and a working space on the side away from the piston rod. The piston rod carries at least part of a housing, which is mounted in the direction of the piston rod-side working space, and where a separating body is supported inside the housing with freedom to slide. The separating body divides the housing into first and second working chambers, where the first working chamber is connected by at least one radial connecting opening to the piston rod-side working space and the second working chamber is connected by a connecting channel to the working space on the side away from the piston rod. At least a part of the housing is connected to the piston rod by a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gunnar Burkert, Andreas Förster, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Hans Gonschorrek, Frank MacKert, Thomas Kiefer, Klaus Sauer
  • Patent number: 7172059
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic coupling designed to strengthen the magnetic force exerted from an electromagnetic coil in the direction in which a pilot clutch is operated. In the electromagnetic coupling with the pilot clutch for activating a main clutch wherein clutch plates are thrust with a retaining ring moved by magnetic force produced by an electromagnetic coil in the pilot clutch, the electromagnetic coil in the pilot clutch is surrounded with ferromagnetic material over at least two of its three facial sides other than its magnetic force exerting facial side, namely over at least its rear and outer facial sides and the ferromagnetic material is covered with nonmagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kubota Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Yamanaka, Masahiro Dohi
  • Patent number: 7172060
    Abstract: A pressure plate assembly, comprising a housing; a pressure plate, which is installed in the housing and which is connected by a connecting arrangement to the housing so that it can rotate in common with the housing around an axis of rotation (A) and also move in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation (A); a force-exerting arrangement, which is supported against the housing and the pressure plate, by means of which arrangement force can be exerted on the pressure plate to produce an engaged state; and a wear take-up device with at least one adjusting element, which is under the pretensioning force of a pretensioning arrangement so that adjusting movements can be carried out, characterized in that a blocking arrangement is provided, which can act on the adjusting element, where, as a function of centrifugal force, the blocking arrangement either releases the adjusting element completely or to a limited, predetermined extent so that an adjusting process can be carried out or completely prevents any such
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Reinhold Weidinger
  • Patent number: 7172061
    Abstract: Self-adjusting clutches for automotive vehicles include a hydraulic cylinder as part of a clutch linkage connecting a clutch foot pedal to a clutch plate biased by a clutch spring to urge a friction disk into engagement with a flywheel of an engine. The hydraulic cylinder has a housing with a stop thereon that engages a bracket fixed to the vehicle when the clutch is engaged under the bias of the clutch spring. A piston within the housing is connected through a linkage in the form of a cable or rod assembly to the clutch. As the clutch wears, the piston is pulled toward the clutch for elongating the hydraulic cylinder to compensate for clutch wear by adjusting the length of the clutch linkage. A valve within the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the clutch pedal and is closed upon pressing the clutch pedal to retain the elongated length of the hydraulic cylinder and thus the adjusted length of the clutch linkage while the clutch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Cousins, Charles M. Tomlinson, Donald Eugene Forton, Ronald G. Mattise, Richard D. Nixon
  • Patent number: 7172062
    Abstract: A friction plate for a wet type multiplate clutch has a substantially ring-shaped core plate and a friction member attached to the core plate. The friction member has a surface which includes a passage formed on a surface of the friction member, the passage extending from an inner peripheral edge of the friction member to an outer peripheral edge of the friction member, and a groove having an opened end which opens to the inner peripheral edge of the friction member and a closed end which is closed at a middle of the surface of the friction member. A width of the groove decreases towards a direction to the outer peripheral edge from the inner peripheral edge of the friction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: NSK-Warner Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shun Kitahara, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Hiroaki Matsushima, Kazuyuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 7172063
    Abstract: A gearshift unit (1) for electronic transmission control in motor vehicles including a gearshift lever housing (4) and a gearshift lever (5) moveable in relation to the gearshift lever housing (4), the gearshift lever being rotatable about a main pivot axis (6) of the gearshift lever (5) within an active position range for active gearshift positions and a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Staffan Wendeberg, Robert Broström, Henrik Boström
  • Patent number: 7172064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for feeding a planar section, e.g. a wall element, in relation to one or more working stations, e.g. nailing and/or hole making stations, the planar section having an upper portion (2) and a lower portion (1) and intermediate pieces (3) inteconnecting the upper portion (2) with the lower portion (1), a first conveyor (23) being intended for the upper portion (1) or the lower portion (2), a second conveyor (24) being intended for other portion, extending in parallel with the first conveyor (23) and being switchable for increasing or decreasing the distance between the conveyors (23, 24) and both of the conveyors (23, 24) being disposed to cooperate with carriers (21, 22) displaceable therealong for displacement of the portions (1, 2, 3) along the conveyors (23, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Randek BauTech AB
    Inventor: Arne Alversson
  • Patent number: 7172065
    Abstract: Protective flexible packaging is designed to allow a consumer to determine the presence or absence of an odor in a packaged object. The object is preferably a device used for emitting a volatile active material such as a fragrance and the flexible packaging is preferably a shrink wrap material. The objects are wrapped with a shrink wrap having openings comprising no more than 10% of the total surface area of the shrink wrap film on the object. Through the use of the instant invention consumers can sense the olfactory quality of a product while the product is substantially protected during shipment, storage, and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney L. Prater
  • Patent number: 7172066
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and mixing especially pasty materials, preferably dental materials, such as filler materials. The invention comprises at least one compartment (7) that receives the substance, said at least one compartment (7) being formed by sealing (3) a base film (1) and a cover film (2), which can be detached from each other by peeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Marc Peuker, Ralf Kuerschner, Birgit Koenig, Mathias Bertl, Markus Roepke
  • Patent number: 7172067
    Abstract: A level case includes a tubular body having a series of walls that define an internal cavity, and a cap that selectively closes the internal cavity. A series of indentations are formed in the walls, and are configured to receive and engage the corners of a level received within the internal cavity. The internal cavity defines spaces between the level surfaces and the facing surfaces of the walls, to protect the level surfaces in the event the walls of the tubular body are subjected to forces that cause inward deformation of the walls. The cap is configured similarly to the tubular body, including indentations that receive the corners of the level. The cap is engaged over the opening of the tubular body so as to enclose a portion of the level that extends outwardly of the tubular body. The indentations in the tubular body are continuous throughout a majority of the length of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gruetzmacher, Michael L. Grinnall, Duane D. Franzen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7172068
    Abstract: A circular saw blade storage apparatus includes a panel having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge. The first and second edges are positioned opposite of each other. A first housing is hingedly coupled to the first edge and a second housing is hingedly coupled to the second edge. The first and second housings each have a top side having a plurality of slots therein. The first and second housings may each be positioned on the panel so that the top sides face each other. Each of a plurality of saw blades may be removably extended into one of the slots so that the blades are stored within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Griffin, Sandra L. Perez
  • Patent number: 7172069
    Abstract: A replacement cartridge container is provided that includes a tub and a selectively removable lid. The tub includes a base panel attached to a side panel. The base panel and the side panel each have an interior surface and an exterior surface. A cavity is formed contiguous with the interior surfaces of the base panel and the side panel. The selectively removable lid attaches to the tub and forms a seal with the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David Coffin, Chris A. Barone
  • Patent number: 7172070
    Abstract: A game machine (2, 200) which includes a playing field (6, 301) traversed by objects, such as balls (320). The playing field can have plural drop zones (381–383) which can be selected by the player using deflectors (108–110) that control where the balls are launched. Detectors (22, 392) indicate scoring positions assumed by the balls. A payline display (28, 335) displays scored events. A symbol selector is included to select symbols which are variably assigned to the scoring positions and displayed on displays (20, 397). The balls score symbols which can be displayed in the payline display and affect winning or bonus play. Game machine (200) includes traditional slot machine reels which works in conjunction therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Greif Bros. Corp. of Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Coon, Randall Adams
  • Patent number: 7172071
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging, reconstituting, and delivering an allograft material formed from a first container, and a second container. The first container is operable for containing and maintaining the allograft material at a vacuum. The first container is further operable for providing a favorable negative pressure during reconstitution of the allograft. The first container is also operable for use as an allograft delivery device to a surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: H. Gene Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7172072
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement of plates for receiving food is disclosed. The arrangement of plates comprises a plurality of nestable plates, wherein the plates within the plurality of nestable plates have an animal theme. Each of the plates having an animal theme include a main compartment depicting a primary attribute of an animal corresponding to the animal theme, and at least two independent wells adjacent to the main compartment. Each of the wells are shaped to depict a secondary attribute of the animal corresponding to the animal theme. The plurality of plates include a first plate depicting a first animal and a second plate depicting a second animal that is different from the first animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Schiltz, Christina M. Tranfaglia, Jeffrey L. Roberts, Edward J. Seeberger, Brad W. Dickason
  • Patent number: 7172073
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a packaging system and method for communicating absorbent product features to consumers. The packaging system includes a container and a consumer message label attached to the container. The consumer message label includes one or more swatches of the absorbent product, a future product, a related product, or a competitor's product for direct sensory perception by consumers without opening the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kim Ann Hanson
  • Patent number: 7172074
    Abstract: A concentration process of zinc silicated minerals, particularly willemite and calamine concentration, by single operations, or conventional steps of ore treatment, some of which include the following: Preparation of stockpiles of different mineralogical and contents compositions, crushing, screening, storage, dense separation, washing, homogenization, magnetic separation, grinding, classification, rubbing, conditioning, flotation, thickening, filtering, calcination, storage and waste deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Compamhia Mineira de Metais
    Inventor: Julio Cesar Bittencourt
  • Patent number: 7172075
    Abstract: A defect free semipermeable composite membrane having outstanding integrity and high water permeability is provided. Said composite membrane comprises an inside support layer to provide sufficient mechanical strength, an outside barrier layer to provide selective separation and a middle layer to provide both chemical and physical binding between the support and the barrier layer. Two different methods for making said defect free composite membrane are discovered. These methods have been successfully used to produce high quality coatings and defect free composite membranes, which are independent of chemical composition and physical structure of said support. In the present invention, the ultrasonic sonication is utilized to speed up the phase inversion process of a membrane casting solution, and to produce a composite membrane at a speed higher than that disclosed in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Accord Partner Limited
    Inventor: jiang ji
  • Patent number: 7172076
    Abstract: An internal filter includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate. Fluid passages are formed by etching grooves into the surfaces(s) of the upper and/or lower substrates and/or in one or more intermediate layers. The filter pores extending between the fluid passages are formed by etching second grooves that fluidly connect the fluid passages. Two or more sets of the one or two intermediate layers can be implemented to provide additional filter passages and/or pores. Each set can be connected to a separate fluid source and/or a separate microfluidic device. In another internal filter, the inlet and outlet passages and the filter pores are formed on the same upper or lower substrate. The inlet and outlet passages are partially formed in a first step. In a second step, the inlet and outlet passages are completed at the same time that the filter pores are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Kneezel
  • Patent number: 7172077
    Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunications equipment racks including vertical cable guides, horizontal troughs, cross aisle panels and cross-connection modules for telecommunications equipment racks. The vertical cable guides define vertical cable channels for both network infrastructure and cross-connection cables. The structure defining the second cable channel is hingedly attached to the structure defining the first cable channel. The horizontal cable troughs include both upper and lower troughs. The upper cable trough defines two cableways for directing cross-connection and other cables, and provides access openings for cables to pass into and out of each cableway and between the two cableways. The lower cable trough defines a cableway and provides access openings for cables extending into and out of the cableway. Cable troughs attached to adjacently mounted equipment racks cooperate to form continuous horizontal cableways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose-Filonel T. Mendoza