Patents Issued in February 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7172178
    Abstract: A combustion engine carburetor with a fuel-and-air mixing passage extending through a body and a float bowl engaged sealably to the body. A vacuum actuated acceleration fuel pump is preferably carried by the float bowl and has a hose-less vacuum channel communicating between the fuel-and-air mixing passage downstream of a throttle valve and a vacuum chamber of the acceleration pump. A hose-less fuel discharge channel communicates between a supplemental fuel chamber of the acceleration pump and the fuel-and-air mixing passage between a venturi and a choke valve in the mixing passage. Preferably, the fuel discharge channel has an injecting bore portion defined by the body and being angled to direct fuel in a downstream direction toward the venturi to promote mixing with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David D. Hacker
  • Patent number: 7172179
    Abstract: A bubble cap (400) has a cap (430) with at least one slot (495) and a riser (420), configured with a skirt height (460) of at least 4 cm, such that 1.5*Skirt Height (cm)+[Slot Length (cm)?Exposed Slot Height (cm)] is greater than or equal to 7.5, and posed such that a liquid fluid and a gas flow co-currently upwardly in a space between the riser (420) and the cap (430).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Garry E. Jacobs, Steven W Stupin, Adam S. Milliken
  • Patent number: 7172180
    Abstract: The device for absorbing shocks and vibrations particularly for a bicycle comprises at least one shock-absorber element (2) with first means (3) for connection to the frame (4) of said bicycle and second means (5) for connection to the saddle (6) thereof. The shock-absorber element (2) comprises at least one first and one second rod-shaped element (7, 8) with the first ends facing towards the frame (4) rigidly fixed to the first connection means (3) for locking them inside the saddle post (9) of the frame and the second ends facing the saddle rotatably hinged with the second connection means. The procedure for absorbing shocks or vibrations particularly for a bicycle consists of rotate-translating the saddle of the bicycle during the shock and/or vibration acting on its frame keeping the saddle parallel but set bank with respect to its rest position so as to keep its distance from the pedals of the bicycle substantially unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventors: Alfonso Branca, Herbert Engelen
  • Patent number: 7172181
    Abstract: A compression spring created from a preform made from an elastomer which is free of spring-like characteristics and has a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain greater than 1.5 to 1. The spring has elongate body with first and second longitudinally spaced free ends along with first and second generally planar arcuate surfaces extending between the ends. As a result of working the preform, portions of the elastomer from which the preform is created are oriented and the preform is transmuted into a curved elastomeric spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Miner Elastomer Products Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Kerr, Michael P. Molitor
  • Patent number: 7172182
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a support structure mounted to the vehicle body. A piston rod, along with a plate, is displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel. An insulator is disposed between the support structure and the plate for coupling the piston rod to the support structure. The insulator has a first portion defining a first resistance for isolating the displacement of the piston rod and the plate during an application of a first force which compresses the first portion only. The insulator also has a second portion defining a second resistance, with the second resistance being greater than the first resistance, for limiting the displacement of the piston rod and the plate during an application of a second force wherein the second force is greater than the first force such that both the first and second portions are compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Anand Huprikar, Nathaniel Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7172183
    Abstract: A hand clamp includes a housing having a handle for being held by a hand of a user, a piston rod slidably received in the housing, a driving lever engaged in the housing and having an opening for slidably receiving the piston rod and biased to grip the piston rod when the driving lever is tilted relative to the piston rod. A trigger is pivotally attached to the housing and has a driving shaft for tilting the driving lever to move the piston rod step by step. A braking lever is slidably engaged on the piston rod for gripping the piston rod when the braking lever is tilted relative to the piston rod. A hand grip is pivotally coupled to the handle and has an actuating end for actuating the braking lever to release the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Chung Cheng Yang
  • Patent number: 7172184
    Abstract: A carrier for use in processing of a plurality of wafers or other substrates includes a support frame on which the wafers are mounted and in one embodiment at least one auxiliary frame for holding the substrates on the support frame. A plurality of clips extend from the auxiliary frame and engage the substrates in pressure engagement, and fasteners retain the auxiliary frame in position with respect to the support frame. In one embodiment two auxiliary frames can be employed for holding wafers on opposing surfaces of the support frame. The support frame has electrically non-conducting surfaces whereby the processing does not affect the support frame, and the auxiliary frame is made of electrically non-conductive material. The clips are electrically conductive and bridge current from the support frame to the wafers during plating operations. In another embodiment, auxiliary frame are not used and the wafer retention clips are mounted on the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventors: Luca Pavani, Neil Kaminar, Pongsthorn Uralwong, Thomas Phu, Douglas H. Rose, Thomas Pass
  • Patent number: 7172185
    Abstract: A sheet punch device for punching a sheet with a punch edge comprises a motor performing a punching operation and a position detection unit detecting a position of the punch edge. A control unit controls the motor and the position detection unit, wherein the control unit causes the position detection unit to detect a position of the punch edge at a time of or prior to a motor stop in a first driving operation of the motor to perform the punching operation, and, when the detected position deviates from a desired position, the control unit performs restarting of the motor so that the punch edge is brought close to the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Hattori, Shinji Asami, Takeshi Sasaki, Shohichi Satoh
  • Patent number: 7172186
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet transport path for transporting a sheet; a discharge device disposed adjacent to the sheet transport path for sequentially transporting the sheet; a support tray disposed adjacent to the discharge device for temporarily supporting at least a part of the sheet transported by the discharge device; a stacker disposed at a downstream side of the support tray for stacking and storing the sheet transported from the support tray; a sheet pushing member disposed on the support tray for abutting against an edge of the sheet stacked on the support tray; and a drive device capable of rotating in forward and reverse directions. The drive device reciprocally moves the sheet pushing member between a retracted position at an upstream side of a stacking position where the sheet is stacked on the support tray and a transport position at a downstream side of the stacking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Saito, Yuji Hanawa, Hiroki Imazu
  • Patent number: 7172187
    Abstract: A waiting tray is provided in a sheet-conveying path and holds sheets if the sheets need to be post-processed. A processing tray receives sheets conveyed from the waiting tray. It may receive sheets conveyed through the sheet-conveying path and coming not via the waiting tray, before the sheets are post-processed. A conveying mechanism is provided, which causes the sheets to fall, due to gravity, from the waiting tray onto a processing tray. A sheet-aligning mechanism aligns the sheets on the processing tray, at their transverse edges and longitudinal edges. On the processing tray, the sheets are post-processed, forming a bundle. The conveying mechanism conveys the bundle of sheets to a storage tray. A control mechanism controls the speed of sheet-feeding rollers provided at upstream of the waiting tray, thereby to the place sheets at a preset position on the waiting tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Hiroyuki Taki, Mikio Yamamoto, Hajime Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 7172188
    Abstract: A waiting tray is provided in a sheet-conveying path and holds sheets if the sheets need to be post-processed. A processing tray receives sheets conveyed from the waiting tray. It may receive sheets conveyed through the sheet-conveying path and coming not via the waiting tray, before the sheets are post-processed. A conveying mechanism is provided, which causes the sheets to fall, due to gravity, from the waiting tray onto a processing tray. A sheet-aligning mechanism aligns the sheets on the processing tray, at their transverse edges and longitudinal edges. On the processing tray, the sheets are post-processed, forming a bundle. The conveying mechanism conveys the bundle of sheets to a storage tray. The waiting tray has an angle of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Hajime Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Reiji Murakami, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 7172190
    Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism for an inkjet printer having a rapid printing speed and which continuously supplies and discharges sheets of paper during alignment operations of the feed roller. The paper feeding mechanism includes a drive gear coaxially coupled to a shaft of drive roller for transferring a sheet to a printing zone, a feed gear coaxially coupled to a shaft of the feed roller and operating to align the sheet transferred from the drive roller, and a discharge gear coaxially coupled to a shaft of discharge roller for discharging the sheet that has passed through the printing zone. The paper feeding mechanism further includes a motor for supplying a rotation power to the shaft of the feed roller, and a power transfer unit for transferring the rotation power of the shaft of the feed roller to the drive gear and the discharge gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-ho Park
  • Patent number: 7172191
    Abstract: A method of feeding porous sheets from a stack is provided in which one or more air outlet nozzles and one or more air inlet nozzles are positioned in a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack, a flow of air from the outlet nozzle(s) sufficient to penetrate the first sheet is generated so that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet of the stack so as to lift the first sheet from the second sheet, a flow of air into the inlet nozzle(s) is generated so that the lifted first sheet is drawn against a pick-up surface defined by the inlet nozzle, and the inlet and outlet nozzles are reciprocally displaced between the pick-up position and a feed position in which a feed mechanism engages the first sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David William Jensen
  • Patent number: 7172192
    Abstract: A base part of a paper feeding device for supporting paper edges of a plurality of sheets of paper is provided with paper feeding load applying means which extends in a paper feeding direction and includes a plurality of convex portions having a same height and arranged on a surface of the paper feeding load applying means in parallel in a paper feeding direction, and a paper feeding roller which comes in contact with an uppermost sheet of paper to apply a feeding force to the sheet of paper. A surface of the paper feeding load applying means is divided into a front side region and a back side region, and all the convex portions positioned in the back side region are eliminated thereby to form a flat face in the back side region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 7172193
    Abstract: A banknote stacker comprising at least one first scissors linkage acting to extend a pusher into a cashbox, and at least one second scissors linkage acting transversely to said first to extend a lateral portion of said pusher to flatten a note in the cashbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan John Cost, Jerome Daout
  • Patent number: 7172194
    Abstract: A processing tray comprises a transport belt which transports a sheet, and a push feed arm mounted to be projected onto a surface on a sheet transport side of the belt, the arm retaining a sheet distal end so that the sheet distal end can be pushed and fed, wherein the transport belt forms a through hole through which the push feed arm penetrates, and the push feed arm comprises a push feed face which pushes and feeds the sheet distal end, a penetrating projection portion which reaches a transport belt lower face from the push feed face through the through hole, and a hook shaped engagingly lock portion engagingly locked on the belt lower face after being bent from the penetrating projection portion to the transport belt traveling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Tomomi Iijima, Tokihiko Ise, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 7172195
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacker for stacking a sheet; a sheet separating device for sequentially separating and feeding the sheet stacked on the stacker; a sheet transport guide for guiding the sheet from the separating device to a processing position; and an ultrasonic wave sensor arranged between the separating device and the processing position for detecting the sheet. The ultrasonic wave sensor has a wave sending element for emitting an ultrasonic wave with a predetermined frequency and a wave receiving element for receiving the ultrasonic waves from the wave sending element. The wave sending element is arranged at a lower position in a direction of gravity relative to the sheet transport guide. The wave receiving element is arranged at an upper position opposite to the lower position, and has a wave sending surface inclined with an angle relative to a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhide Sano, Syunichi Hirose
  • Patent number: 7172196
    Abstract: Various contact systems and methods for manufacturing and using such are disclosed herein. Examples of the contact systems include a surface with one set of pads biased at a first voltage level, and another set of pads biased at a second voltage level. Such a contact system can be used, for example, to transfer power to an electromechanical device disposed thereon. In one particular example, the electromechanical device can include a power storage element and two or more couplings. When one of the couplings contacts a pad biased at the first voltage level, and another of the couplings contacts a pad biased at the second voltage level, a circuit is completed where some derivative of the differential between the first voltage level and the second voltage level is placed across the power storage element. Completion of the circuit causes the power storage element to charge. Power can be drawn from the power storage element to operate the electromechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Mitch Randall
  • Patent number: 7172197
    Abstract: An entertainment machine (100), for example a pusher-type entertainment machine is provided with one or more special features. These special features may be taken from the following examples: using in the machine (100) a playing piece (40, 40i) for which higher awards are made when compared to other playing pieces (40, 40i); using in the machine(100) playing pieces (40, 40i) of variable appearance; using in the machine(100) playing pieces (40, 40i) which may be locatable within the machine(100); providing the machine (100) with a mechanism to detect when it may be unattractive to the prospective players thereof and a mechanism to allow it to introduce further playing pieces into the field of play at that time; providing the machine (100) with a payout controlling mechanism, which may be arranged to keep the percentage payout of the machine within predetermined limits; providing a prize dispenser arranged to dispense non-monetary prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Bell-Fruit Games Limited
    Inventors: Richard Wilson, Ian Griffiths, John Laurence Wain
  • Patent number: 7172198
    Abstract: A player makes a wager and initiates game play, dealing a first hand of at least five cards all face up to the player. The player may hold none, one or more of the face up cards and draw replacement cards for the unheld cards. The player also has the options to wager on and duplicate none, one or more of the dealt cards into one or more five-card hands. If the player holds none of the cards and duplicates the dealt cards only, the player can hold the cards in the dealt hand and the duplicated hands in any traditional manner the player selects. The player is also given the option to select none, one or more winning outcomes for one or more of the five card hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Tyler Thomas Parham
  • Patent number: 7172199
    Abstract: An anti-rotation device for preventing rotation of a damper spring and an inner air seal in a stator assembly is provided. The anti-rotation device is formed by a lug positioned within a slot at a center of an inner air seal arc segment. The lug engages a slot in the damper spring and a cutout in a stator segment so as to prevent rotation of the damper spring and the inner air seal in either direction relative to the stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark John Rogers
  • Patent number: 7172200
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement on piston rods with a rod guided in a cylindrical compressed-gas space, particularly on piston rods of high-pressure pneumatic springs or gas-filled shock absorbers, with at least one seal disposed on the piston rod for sealing the compressed-gas space toward the outside, with a guide for the piston rod and with a lubricant space. The lubricant space is provided with an insert that is capable of absorbing the lubricant in sponge-like fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Simon Watling, Jon D. Leyland, Yann Faschinetti
  • Patent number: 7172201
    Abstract: A sealing ring has a sealing disk having a fastening part and a seal part. The fastening part is connected to a first stationary machine part and the seal part seals a movable machine part and is oriented in an axial direction toward an atmosphere side or a medium side of the sealing ring. The seal part has a first sealing element and a second sealing element adjoining the first sealing element and oriented in a direction opposite to the first sealing element in a mounted position of the sealing ring. The second sealing part rests against the rotary machine part under a radial force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kaco GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus-Jurgen Uhrner
  • Patent number: 7172202
    Abstract: A spherical annular seal member (1) has a seal body (4) in which a heat-resistant material (2) and a reinforcing member (3) made of a metal wire have been compressed to fill meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member (3) with the heat-resistant material (2) such that the heat-resistant material (2) and the reinforcing member (3) are integrally formed in mixed form. The seal body (4) has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface (6) defining a through hole (5); an outer peripheral surface (10) constituted by a partially convex spherical surface (7); and annular end faces (8, 9) respectively provided on a large-diameter side and a small-diameter side of the partially convex spherical surface (7). In the seal body (4), the reinforcing member (3) and the heat-resistant material (2) are respectively contained at a rate of 15 to 80 wt. % and at a rate of 20 to 85 wt. %. The heat-resistant material (2) in the seal body (4) has a density of 1.20 g/cm3 to 2.00 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Kubota, Takeshi Furukido, Yoshikazu Sakairi
  • Patent number: 7172203
    Abstract: A limited movement roller device and related method for moving a load includes a frame with a load bearing surface. A plurality of rollers are moveable through the frame and connected with respect to each other. A stop block is positioned within a void between two rollers of the plurality of rollers so as to obstruct movement of the plurality of rollers through the frame. Accordingly, a load may be maneuvered by reaching a braking point of the roller device and then rotating the load and the roller device 180° relative to each other prior to moving the load again to the braking point. This process may then be repeated to move the load without risk of losing control of the load, such as down an incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Triodyne Safety Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ralph Lipsey Barnett
  • Patent number: 7172204
    Abstract: A storage device is provided for storing a vehicle hardtop in a generally upright position. Rearward and forward support members extend upwardly from a base to position the vehicle hardtop with its rearward portion safely facing in an upward direction. The cavity of the hardtop is oriented to permit the storage of a plurality of miscellaneous objects on the base and within the cavity area of the hardtop. Non-abrasive material is provided along the device to prevent damage to the hardtop. Optional wheels are provided to mobilize the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Norman L. Tierney
  • Patent number: 7172205
    Abstract: This novel all-terrain, two-wheeled, riding-board provides a safe operating sport-ride to the user. Two large diameter wheels, one fore and one aft, are provided to improve the safety of this novel riding-board. Each wheel has a resilient elastomeric pneumatic tire mounted on each rim. A dual set of smaller stabilizer wheels are mounted outwardly at the rear of the deck to limit the travel and prevent tipping over. The outboard repositionable stabilizer wheels also serve to function as maneuvering devices, where the rider, by shifting his body weight over one of the stabilizing wheels, can decisively change the direction of his descent, either to the left or to the right. A dual foot operated braking system is provided where the brake on each wheel is individually operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: James A. Vujtech
  • Patent number: 7172206
    Abstract: A folding carrier assembly converts to a bicycle trailer, a three-wheeled jogging stroller and a four wheeled casting stroller. The carrier assembly has a lower main frame. An arched rear or back frame member is pivotally connected to an aft portion of the lower main frame. The carrier assembly further has a single longitudinal arched member with a first end and a second end. A center support pivotally connects the arched member first end to a central fore area of the lower main frame. A user interface in the form of a release mechanism removably couples the arched member second end to a central area of the arched rear frame member. The carrier has two wheel assemblies on opposite lateral sides of the lower main frame. Wheel guards are disposed external and lateral to the wheel assembly. Supports on the fore portion of the lower main frame enable removable coupling to a jogging wheel assembly or a pair of caster wheels. Alternatively, a trailer tongue may be connected to one of the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Jeff Staszak
  • Patent number: 7172207
    Abstract: A collapsible cart comprising two elongate handle bars, four vertical telescoping bars, two main vertical supports, two horizontal cross-bars, two anchor blocks, four diagonal pivoting support bars, and two wheel assemblies, wherein each telescoping bar is fixedly attached at one end to a horizontal cross-bar and rotatably attached at the other end to a handle bar, wherein each vertical support is attached at one end to an anchor block, wherein each handle bar slides up and down on a vertical support, wherein each horizontal cross-bar is attached at one end to a telescoping bar and at the other end to another telescoping bar, wherein each diagonal pivoting support bar is rotatably attached at one end to the horizontal cross-bar on one side of the cart and at the other end to the handle bar on the other side of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Terry Henry
  • Patent number: 7172208
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, an insert for an airbag housing on a motor vehicle steering wheel is provided that is configured to couple a gas generator thereto for use as a vibration-absorbing mass for damping steering wheel vibrations. The insert includes an annular rubber membrane having an edge that faces the airbag housing and is provided with a surrounding metallic holding sheet for connection to the airbag housing. The insert further includes another edge that is oriented toward the gas generator. The rubber membrane is provided with a receiving element for frictional engagement with the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Roland Lodholz, Friedrich Back
  • Patent number: 7172209
    Abstract: An airbag of the head-protecting airbag device according to the present invention pushes and opens a door portion in a lower edge of an airbag cover, when fed with inflation gas, and protrudes for covering side windows. An assist grip is located in an arrangement area of the airbag cover. The assist grip is secured to vehicle body together with the airbag cover at its fixing portions located in both ends of its grip portion. The airbag cover is provided around each of portions fixed to the vehicle body together with the fixing portions with a breakable portion. When pushed by the inflating airbag, the breakable portion is broken to shift a portion of the airbag cover located toward the door portion inward of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiharu Totani, Masayasu Okada, Toshinori Tanase
  • Patent number: 7172210
    Abstract: A cover for an air bag device that enables an emblem to be secured to the cover in an extremely simple manner. The cover (module cover) has a recess for receiving the emblem. An extension of the emblem is extended through a hole in the cover. A distal end of the extension is bent along a rear side of the cover. A rib is pressed and welded by a thermal or ultrasonic welding element to form a welding body. The welding body covers the distal end of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Keishi Yokota, Tadahiro Igawa, Ichizo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7172211
    Abstract: An end edge of a roof lining is engaged in a roof lining engaging groove extending along a side surface of an upper end portion of a pillar garnish at a side of a pillar, thereby eliminating a gap in a connecting portion between the pillar garnish and the roof lining to improve the appearance. Airbag deployment guide walls extend to an outside of a vehicle compartment from an upper end of a roof lining engaging groove at the side of the pillar, and an airbag module is disposed at a position sandwiched by the pillar and the roof lining, above the airbag deployment guide walls. Therefore, an inflating airbag is guided to the side of the vehicle compartment so as not to be caught by the upper end of the pillar garnish and can be deployed into the vehicle compartment by reliably pressing to open the roof lining, without providing a special guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshikazu Hirose
  • Patent number: 7172212
    Abstract: An occupant protection device is provided which includes a roof side airbag mounted to a roof side rail of a vehicle to be inflated and deployed along the insides of side glasses by gas generated by an inflator. A slit is formed in a seatbelt interfering area of the roof side airbag which is interfered with by a seatbelt when the roof side airbag inflates and deploys. When the roof side airbag is inflated and deployed, the seatbelt enters the slit, dividing the interfering area into two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Aoki, Hirofumi Totsuka, Yuichi Saito
  • Patent number: 7172213
    Abstract: A gas bag protection device comprises a gas bag which has an outer wall made of a first material. The outer wall has at least one outflow opening. A membrane made of an extensible, second material is provided which is fastened to the outer wall and covers the outflow opening in the not fully inflated state of the gas bag. The gas bag protection device further comprises a device provided outside the gas bag and serving for destroying the membrane. The gas bag and the device are arranged spaced so far apart from each other that the membrane meets the device only when a predetermined internal pressure of the gas bag has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: TRW AutomotiveSafety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 7172214
    Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag includes a filter having excellent cooling effect. A gas flow as illustrated in the drawings is formed by effect of the inner cylindrical shielding plate 66, the outer cylindrical shielding plate 67, the first gap 71 and the second gap 72, which sandwich a cylindrical filter 65 for cooling a combustion gas from the both side. Thus, the cooling effect of the combustion gas is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Matsuda, Masayuki Yamazaki, Yasunori Iwai
  • Patent number: 7172215
    Abstract: This set of equipment for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable structure, an element acting as a support for the inflatable structure, an element forming a load-spreading plate and at least one frangible member for fixing the load-spreading plate to the support. The set includes a sheath, an open first end which is fixed to the support and an open second end which is fixed to the load-spreading plate to form the inflatable structure. The frangible member includes a thin web, a peripheral region which is fixed to a first element, either the load-spreading plate or the support, and a central region which is fixed to the other of these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignees: Faurecia Industries, SNPE Materiaux Energetiques
    Inventors: Etienne Galmiche, David Negre, Jean-Paul Nadeau, Eric Laspesa
  • Patent number: 7172216
    Abstract: A stabilizer pad apparatus including a metal frame for attachment to a stabilizer arm and a resilient pad supported in the pocket of the frame and including a clamping plate to hold the resilient pad in the pocket. The metal frame has sidewalls forming a pocket for receiving the resilient pad. At least one elongated securing member extends through the resilient pad having one end secured at one sidewall of the frame and having another head end disposed at the other sidewall of the frame. The head end has a non-circular shape that is accommodated in a like shaped aperture in the other sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Andry Lagsdin
  • Patent number: 7172217
    Abstract: An energy absorption device for use in a steering column assembly in a motor vehicle includes a steering column bracket having a groove formed therein. A sheet strap is mounted on the groove in a hooked configuration and has a first end and a second end. An insert is mounted on the first end of the sheet strap. A pop rivet is mounted to the steering column bracket and extends across the groove to prevent the insert from moving. A pin is mounted on the second end of the sheet strap opposite the first end. The pin is adapted to be coupled to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle. The sheet strap unwinds during an impact event thereby absorbing energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mirjana Jurik, Jeffrey D Ottenhoff
  • Patent number: 7172218
    Abstract: A pretensioner including a cylinder in which a piston slides. A side of the pipe attached to a bracket is curved at a predetermined angle. One linear portion of the pipe serves as the cylinder, and the other linear portion of the pipe serves as a gas-generator accommodating portion that accommodates a gas generator. A wire passing hole through which a wire passes is bored coaxially with the center axis of the piston sliding portion of the pipe. The piston sliding portion and the gas-generator accommodating portion can be formed of the single pipe, and the gas generator and the wire can be prevented from interfering with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakano, Masahiko Iwai, Tadahiro Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7172219
    Abstract: Embodiments include a collapsible utility pole that snowboarders can carry easily in their pants pocket and can be quickly pulled out and extended to a completely rigid pole to push themselves over flat sections of downhill runs. The utility pole can also being useful when getting off the chair lift to move toward the slopes. Embodiments of the device have the capability of being converted into a small shovel or ice pick by detaching the snow basket and attaching a desired device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sparker International, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin M. Spragg, Joseph M. Parker
  • Patent number: 7172220
    Abstract: An extended text label is provided for a tube container, wherein the tube container includes a product dispensing end and a filling end opposite the dispensing end. The filling end is adapted to be sealed by a crimp method, subsequent to filling the tube container with a selected product. The extended text label includes a crimp edge. The crimp edge is capable of being securely joined to the filling end of the tube container by way of the crimp method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Quality Assured Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Franko, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7172221
    Abstract: A pipe stabilizing system includes a pipe having an inlet and an outlet. An angled inner plate has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first aperture defining a saddle for receiving pipe. An angled outer plate has a first section and a second section. The first section has a second aperture therein defining a saddle for receiving pipe. The first aperture in the inner plate is aligned with the second aperture in the outer plate when the second section is abutted against the second portion. The pipe is positionable in each of the first and second apertures and secured between the first portion and the first section. Fasteners are extended through the second portion and the second section and then into a hood housing. A fire retardant supply line is fluidly coupled to the inlet and a nozzle is fluidly coupled to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph F. Ferrara
  • Patent number: 7172222
    Abstract: A latch useable to secure a gate such as typically found on a pontoon boat includes a latch bolt slidably received within a barrel. A spring interposed between the bolt and the back end of the barrel maintains the bolt in an extended position protruding out the mouth of the barrel until the bolt is retracted back within the barrel. A cover carried by the latch bolt prevents debris from entering the spring area in the barrel, which could interfere with the latch's action. The latch secures the gate in its closed position with the bolt extending into a complementary receiver carried by the adjacent wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Hotovy
  • Patent number: 7172223
    Abstract: A latching system for removably securing a first structure to a second structure. The system includes at least one magnetically permeable latch bar pivotally coupled to the first structure, and a biasing spring that pivots the latch bar to a latched position within a recess in the second structure, thereby securing the first structure to the second structure. Additionally, the system includes an unlatching tool that includes an embedded magnetized bar that generates a magnetic field around the unlatching tool. The unlatching tool can be used to pivot the latch bar to an unlatched position by placing the unlatching tool in close proximity to the latch bar such that the magnetic field exerts a rotational force on the latch bar, thereby pivoting the latch bar to the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Darrell M. Storvick, David A. Pimentel, Karl E. Nelson, Darryl F. Garrigus
  • Patent number: 7172224
    Abstract: A latch extender with a quick-release mechanism for a vehicle of the type with a window having a U-shaped hasp that engages with a hasp-locking mechanism on the vehicle when the window is closed. The inventive device is configured to mount between the hasp and the locking mechanism to keep the window in a partially opened condition for ventilation purposes. The device preferably includes a body having first and second ends, the first end of the body including a substitute hasp for engaging with the hasp-locking mechanism on the vehicle, and the second end of the body including an opening for receiving the U-shaped hasp of the window. In contrast to existing devices, the body further includes a quick-release mechanism for engaging the U-shaped hasp of the window, the quick-release mechanism including a manually operated control on the body for releasing the U-shaped hasp of the window. In the preferred embodiment the manually operated control is a spring-biased pushbutton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Alan Carter
  • Patent number: 7172225
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the cable lock provide a body defining a housing in which a cable can be received to lock the cable lock. In some embodiments, the cable is rotatable with respect to the housing when the cable lock is in a locked state, thereby increasing the difficulty of circumventing the lock. The cable lock can have a wall with an aperture shaped to compliment the cross-sectional shape of the cable passed therethrough, an end wall that can be attached to the housing by rolling or crimping an edge of the housing over the end wall, and/or one or more visual indicators providing a manner by which tampering of the cable lock can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Alpha Cargo Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Veniamin A. Foigel, Igor B. Matviev, Sergei F. Shapovalov, Uriy A. Vvedenskiy, Sergei A. Rogkov, Anatoliy A. Romov, Gregory Kleynerman
  • Patent number: 7172226
    Abstract: A spindle for a door assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first and second members each have a base, a first leg and a second leg extending from the base. The second leg is recessed relative to the first leg. The first member confronts the second member such that the first leg of the first member confronts the second leg of the second member and the second leg of the first member confronts the first leg of the second member forming the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Christopher G. Walls, Stanley R. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7172227
    Abstract: A bumper system includes a bumper beam having a face and ends, and an energy absorber mounted on the face. The energy absorber has a one-piece injection-molded non-foam piece with box sections and interconnecting straps, and a one-piece or multi-piece foam component securely insert-molded onto the injection-molded non-foam piece. Different foam molds can be used to form differently shaped front surfaces on the foam component. By this arrangement, different energy absorbing systems are provided for vehicles, such as to satisfy the need for different styling and shapes, while still using the same non-foam piece. By this arrangement, the energy absorber is a single unit that can be handled and attached to the bumper beam. At the same time, capital investment in molding dies and tooling is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Netshape International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Weissenborn, Darin Evans, Robert Weykamp, David Powell
  • Patent number: 7172228
    Abstract: A bottle manipulation device facilitates one-handed manipulation and pouring from a bottle. The device has a bottle engaging member with a U-shaped fork having first and second branches on opposite sides of a bisecting plane for engaging on first and second opposite sides of a neck of a bottle respectively. A hook is pivotally connected to the bottle engaging portion for movement between a disengaged position with a blocking portion of the hook spaced from the bisecting plane and an engaged position with the blocking portion of the hook passing through the bisecting plane and blocking a front of the neck of the bottle for secure engagement of the bottle with the device. A method of using the device provides for secure manipulation and pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventors: George Sahagun, Douglas Diggles