Patents Issued in February 13, 2007
  • Patent number: 7174904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dental floss holders that are attachable to handles for receiving the dental floss holder in releasable frictional engagement, which dental floss holders receiving a dental floss holder in releasable frictional engagement, include a length of dental floss secured between the distal ends of arms extending from the base of the holder, to stacks of such floss holders, and to packaged stacks of such floss holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Ochs, Emanuel Morano
  • Patent number: 7174905
    Abstract: A sunshade includes a hollow lower rod, a hollow upper rod located above the lower rod, and a tipping device mounted between the upper rod and the lower rod. The tipping device includes a lower connector, an upper connector, a connecting lever, a drive plate, a tensile spring, and a slide. Thus, the sunshade is disposed between an upright state and an inclined state by controlling the lift cord, so that the tipping device is operated easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user operating and tipping the sunshade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Hsi-Lu Hung
  • Patent number: 7174906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a foldable umbrella frame having six ribs, wherein the first rib, the second rib, the third rib, and the fourth rib are formed to be solid rods with outer flat portion. The ribs are pivoted to form a frame. Branch ribs have inner hooks to connect with outer flat portion of respective rib that provides a small volume of the umbrella in closed state for facilitating carrying by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Ko
  • Patent number: 7174907
    Abstract: A walking cane device which supports a basket (2) and lid (7), permitting a storage area to transport objects. A support ring (4) and support columns (3) are secured to the shaft of the cane (1). The support columns (3) extend upwards and slightly outward of the shaft and along the sides of the basket (2), securing and stabilizing the basket (2) in place. A lid (7) is attached to the basket (2) by means of the attachment of the loops (6) to fasteners (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Goldsmith, Elizabeth Ann Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 7174908
    Abstract: A multipurpose net frame which is provided with a positioning device, the positioning device is slidably disposed on a control cord of the net frame; the user can set up the net frame by easily pushing the positioning device, when folding the net frame, the user can pull the positioning device and control cord to make positioning device move downward along the control rod, the respective rods and levers pivotally connected to the movable member are easily folded inward, and thus to prevent the user from being pinched when folding the net frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Benjamin Chen
  • Patent number: 7174909
    Abstract: A surge prevention valve may be used to prevent the formation of an initial surge of high pressure. The valve may be located, for example, between a high pressure gas cylinder and a medical pressure regulator. The valve is provided with first and second valves located within a housing and integrating a pressurization orifice. The initial opening of the valve in an axial direction enables gas to flow through the pressurization orifice at a first flow rate. The full opening of the valve in the axial direction enables the gas to flow through the second valve at a second flow rate, which is much higher than the first flow rate. The controlled pressurization of the gas through the orifice delays the time during which the gas reaches full recompression. The valve may be further provided with a vent for venting pressurized gas away from a nominally closed top surface of the lower valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Allied Healthcare Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Kroupa, William J. Kullmann
  • Patent number: 7174910
    Abstract: A valve core for opening and closing a core mounting throughbore includes a cylindrical core body fixed inside the throughbore and having a distal opening, a moving shaft inserted through the core body so as to be directly moved and having an end, a plug formed integrally at the end side of the moving shaft so as to open and close the distal opening of the core body, a biasing member biasing the moving shaft so that the distal opening of the core body is closed by the plug, a cylindrical sealing member, an outer sealing portion formed integrally on the cylindrical sealing member and fitted with the outer periphery of the core body so as to be held between the core body and the inner wall of the throughbore thereby to adhere closely to the outer periphery of the core body, and an inner sealing portion formed integrally on the cylindrical sealing member so as to adhere closely to an outer face of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Kayukawa
  • Patent number: 7174911
    Abstract: Fire hydrants which feature additional structure for reducing the potential that those with ill intent can foul municipal water supplies by introducing toxins or other materials into fire hydrants. Various embodiments include valves which close off portions of the hydrant otherwise available for receipt of toxic or other materials when the fire hydrant nozzle cap is unscrewed and open. Such valves preferably open, manually or automatically, when water is flowing from the water supply through the nozzle, a condition which renders it difficult at best to introduce toxins through the hydrant into a water supply, but close off portions of the barrel when the nozzle is open and water is not flowing through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Davidson Hydrant Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Dewey Davidson
  • Patent number: 7174912
    Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid through or from a fluid line. The assembly comprises: a body attachable to or within a fluid line and having a chamber therein with inlets and an outlet for fluid from the fluid line; a valve seat that provides the outlet; a baffle arrangement including a baffle housing; a valve member having a sealing member movable between a shielded position, whereby the sealing member is substantially shielded by the baffle housing from a fluid stream moving from the inlets to outlet, and an unshielded position, whereby the sealing member can be forced by the fluid stream against the valve seat to seal the outlet; and a solenoid-spring drive for moving the sealing member between the shielded and unshielded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Howard Lowe
  • Patent number: 7174913
    Abstract: The manual gas tap for a cooking appliance is of the type with a conical plug (3) for regulating the outlet gas flow (G), accommodated in a central housing (2a) in the tap body, and has a rotary actuating shaft (4) coupled to the conical regulating plug (3), and a tap cover (5) covering said central housing (2a). The rotary shaft (4) is provided with a transverse pin (6) for rotation thereof from an initial rotation locking position (7) corresponding to the gas supply “OFF”, to two other spaced positions corresponding to the maximum and minimum gas flows. The tap cover (5) is a tubular bushing shaped and comprises a sealing base (5c) with a sliding surface (11) in the form of a circular arc segment (A) provided with a series of indentations (12), which are in friction contact with the transverse pin (6) and produce a tactile and/or acoustic indication of shaft (4) rotation and tap (1) opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7174914
    Abstract: A female coupler comprises a valve support accommodated in a hole portion of the injection port and comprising a projecting portion having a axial hole, a cylindrical coupler main body placed around the projecting portion and comprising a locking projecting portion on an inner peripheral surface, a part of the main body being embedded in the injection port so as to have its position fixed, a base valve accommodated in the main body and having an fitting insertion portion inserted into the axial hole and a valve seat portion placed on the projecting portion, the fitting insertion portion and the valve seat portion being connected together, a bar-like portion projected from the valve seat portion and having valve grooves formed on a peripheral surface, and an deformable packing member placed on the valve seat portion and accommodating the bar-like portion, the packing member being fixedly retained in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasushi Ooishi, Kazuhiro Teraguchi
  • Patent number: 7174915
    Abstract: A valve is provided for use in a domestic water re-circulation system The valve has a unitary body member that includes an upstream end and an upstream portion disposed adjacent to the upstream end. The body member also includes a downstream end and a downstream portion disposed adjacent to the downstream end; and a middle portion disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. A radially outwardly facing outer wall and a radially upwardly facing inner wall exist. The radially inner facing wall defines an axially extending passageway extending between the upstream end and the downstream end, and through the upstream portion, middle portion and downstream portion of the body. The axially extending passageway includes a corresponding upstream end, a downstream end, an upstream portion, a middle portion and a downstream portion. The body further includes a radially extending controller port and a radially extending flow limiter port in fluid communication with the axially extending passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Dale Fazekas
  • Patent number: 7174916
    Abstract: A flow and temperature separation control valve includes a valve housing for connecting to a water faucet, a temperature control module received in the valve housing for controlling the temperature of the outputted water flow, and a flow control module received in the valve housing for controlling the outputted flow. The valve housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The temperature control module includes a rotation shaft having a straight post non-interferentially extending from the upper portion of the upper housing, a water division seat mounted on the lower housing. The water division seat connects the lower housing and the upper housing together. The flow control module includes a rotation cover covering the upper portion of the upper housing, a flow control plate pivotally disposed betwee the water division seat and the lower housing. Thereby separately controlling water temperature and water flow for convenient use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Weichi Chang
  • Patent number: 7174917
    Abstract: Inlet piece for a liquid-injected compressor element, characterized in that it comprises a sleeve (8) which consists of a casing (11), a bottom wall (12) provided with an opening (13) and a top wall (14) which is entirely tight, a pipe (9) opening on the inside of the sleeve (8) and a partition (10) comprising a span part (15) which spans the opening (13) in the aforesaid bottom wall (12) and which transforms into an inclosing part (16) reaching down to the bottom wall (13), whereby the partition (10) leaves a passage (18) on one side of the opening (13) and the pipe (9) opens in the sleeve (8) between the top wall (14) and the span part (15), such that, because of the partition (10), gas flowing from the opening (13) to the pipe (9) has to make among others a revolving movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower, {umlaut over (n)}aamloze vennootschap
    Inventors: Tom Paul Maria Block, Manuel Paula Albert Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 7174918
    Abstract: A novel air flow control valve for an air outlet in an HVAC housing provides for strong, even seal pressure all the way around the edge of the opening. In stead of a swinging door hinged at one edge of the opening, in which seal pressure is strong on the hinge edge but weaker on the opposite edge, a flat panel is moved straight toward and away from the opening. In the closed position, the sealing pressure is even all the way around. The sealing panel is moved back and forth by a rotary cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Stevenson, Gregory J. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 7174919
    Abstract: Fluid transmission devices combine and separate fluid flowing therein, and are particularly useful in engine exhaust systems. Given the ever-increasing complexity of exhaust systems, there is a need to reduce construction costs, labor costs, and costs associated with maintaining an inventory of parts. The present fluid transmission device and method of manufacturing comprises a tubular member having a wall, an integral flow redirection member, and an opening. The integral flow redirection member is formed from the wall by cutting a slit in the wall and depressing the wall adjacent the slit until at least a portion of the wall extends within the tubular member. The opening is also formed from depressing the wall. Finally, the flow direction member redirects at least a portion of fluid flow traveling within the tubular member through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company, LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Kenyon, Michael Blackie, Keith Shrock
  • Patent number: 7174920
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for repairing a pressurized fluid supply pipeline (1) comprising a series of buried prestressed concrete pipe segments (2, 3, 4) which consists in: providing excavations in the trench, beneath suitably set portions (6, 7) of the pipe (1), cleaning up said pipe portions, installing and tensioning the prestressed reinforcements (12) around said portions of the pipe and filling up the excavations with earth material by compacting said material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (STUP)
    Inventors: Jérôme Stubler, Fernand De Melo, Benoît Lecinq
  • Patent number: 7174921
    Abstract: An extension conduit for providing an extension from a spigot to a hose to distance the hose from the spigot includes a tube having a first end being configured to be in fluid communication with a spigot and a second end being couplable to a hose. A clamp is coupled to the first end of the tube. The clamp slidably receives a male end of the spigot to align the male end of the spigot with said first end of said tube to permit fluid communication between the tube and the spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Delane M. Wiltse
  • Patent number: 7174922
    Abstract: A composite strip 10 windable to form a helical pipe is disclosed. The composite strip 10 comprises: an elongate plastic strip 11 having a base portion 12 and at least one lengthwise extending rib portion 20 upstanding from the base portion 12; and an elongate reinforcing strip 30 extending lengthwise and supported laterally by the rib portion 20, the reinforcing strip 30 having a height to thickness ratio of at least three to one and orientated substantially perpendicular to the base portion 12. When wound into a helical pipe, the reinforcing strip 30 reinforces the pipe against radial crushing loads. A bead 40 seals the reinforcing strip 30 from the environment. Desirably the composite strip 10 further comprises: a planar lamina 50 extending lengthwise and bonded to the base portion 12, the lamina 50 having a higher Young's modulus and strength than those of the plastic strip 11. The lamina 50 greatly improves the pressure rating of a pipe wound from the strip 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Rib Loc Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Roger Bateman, Gulcay Uysal
  • Patent number: 7174923
    Abstract: A kit for refilling an implantable pump includes a first syringe, a second syringe a a three-way stopcock, which has three ports and an actuator. The actuator allows for selectively effecting fluid communication between only two of the ports. The first syringe is in fluid communication with a first one of the ports. The second syringe is in fluid communication with a second one of the ports. A filling needle is in fluid communication with a third one of the ports. The actuator is selectively moveable between a first position where the first syringe is in fluid communication with the second syringe and the filling needle is isolated from fluid communication with the first syringe and the second syringe, and a second position where the second syringe is in fluid communication with the filling needle and the first syringe is isolated from fluid communication with the second syringe and the filling needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Schorn, Sevak Stephanian
  • Patent number: 7174924
    Abstract: A method for filling a container with a plurality of particles includes the step of filling a radially flexible container through a large diameter with a plurality of particles to a fill level. The method also includes the step of reducing the large diameter of the radially flexible container to a smaller fill diameter in vertical relationship to the fill level as the fill level rises during filling of the flexible container. The method also includes the step of varying the vertical relationship between the fill level and the smaller fill diameter in response to the density of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: David C. Ours, Randall L. Cary
  • Patent number: 7174925
    Abstract: A tire purge/fill apparatus for both purging air and other contaminants from a tire to be filled and for filling a tire with nitrogen or other gases to a pre-determined pressure, the apparatus including a supply of gas, a filter member for filtering the gas before entry into the tire to be filled, a valve mechanism for controlling the purging and filling operations, a vacuum pump coupled in fluid communication with the valve mechanism, and a supply hose for attachment to the tire to be purged and/or filled, the valve mechanism including at least one user selectable member positionable in at least one position for effecting the filling operation and positionable in at least another position for effecting the purging operation. A manifold member is also disclosed for attachment to the present apparatus for use in filling a plurality of tires at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Racing Air Products, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne E. Fritz, II
  • Patent number: 7174926
    Abstract: A fueling and associated vapor recovery system maintains the same, or lower, vacuum level in the vapor hose during ORVR vehicle refueling as that seen during a non-ORVR refueling. A valve assembly is made as either a part of the end of the vapor recovery hose assembly, a separate unit that is placed between the hose assembly and the nozzle, or incorporated directly into the nozzle. The valve assembly is biased to one position by a spring to which is attached a sliding valve member. The force of the spring is sufficient to keep the valve member in the original position when refueling non-ORVR vehicles so that the vapor hose is unobstructed and an air bleed hole is closed. When refueling an ORVR vehicle, the elevated vacuum level moves the valve member to a second position which blocks off the vapor hose from the vacuum pump and opens up the vapor hose to the air bleed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Vapor Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodger P. Grantham
  • Patent number: 7174927
    Abstract: A vacuum device and method for extraction of a substance from a fluid source, the vacuum device including an upper member that may be selectively, and operably, connected to a lower member. The upper member defines a bottom opening, and has a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the bottom opening. The vacuum pump is selectively coupled to an energy source. The lower member defines an inner cavity, a first opening, and a second opening, the inner cavity in communication with the first opening and the second opening. An elastic membrane defining an interior cavity is disposed in the inner cavity and is coupied to the first opening of the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: SpectRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny F. Lincoln, Krishna Kumar, Mark A. Samuels
  • Patent number: 7174928
    Abstract: A multi-part biowaste container including a plurality of biowaste containers having a low profile design and collectively providing sufficient storage volume to accommodate the amount of blood, tissues, and other biological materials generated during a typical surgical procedure. In one embodiment, the multi-part biowaste container includes an anti-splash container, a dual purpose lid container, and a supplemental container. The use of three separate container members increases the total volume and storage capacity of the biowaste containers while minimizing the overall profile or height of the containers. The individual containers of the multi-part biowaste container can include adhesive backing allowing the containers to be secured to the surgical work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Fred P. Lampropoulos
  • Patent number: 7174929
    Abstract: Apparatus has a body with a conduit defined therein. Body is mounted between, and connected to, a charging system containing pressurized fluid and a pressurized system. One apparatus has a retractable discharge tube inserted into a first end of the body. Once the body is connected to both the charging system and the pressurized system, a force is applied on the charging system toward the pressurized system. The force causes the charging system and the pressurized system to mate with the body urging the discharge tube to retract to release fluid into the conduit, and actuates the fitting to permit the fluid in the conduit to enter the pressurized system. Another apparatus has a manually deformable charging system and an adapter with a check valve to permit manual urging of fluid in the charging system through deformation of the charging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Brasscorp Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Brass, Jim Resutek
  • Patent number: 7174930
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon transfer system includes a first structure carrying an articulated arm. The system has at a free end a first connector part, and a vessel comprising a second connector part, wherein each connector part comprises a housing with at least two fluid ducts within the housing. The ducts can be placed into sealing engagement along respective sealing faces, and a locking member for locking the housings of the connector parts together, wherein the fluid ducts in either the first or second connector are connected to a respective fluid swivel or flexible duct section to allow at least partial rotation of the ducts along their longitudinal axis, and are connected to a drive member for jointly rotating the ducts along a centreline of the connector parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Jack Pollack, Jean-Pierre Queau, Rene Perratone
  • Patent number: 7174931
    Abstract: The invention concerns a liquefied gas transfer installation, in particular for liquefied natural gas, adapted to transfer liquefied gas between two surface tanks and distally spaced apart. The installation comprises a transfer line. The transfer line is immersed in water. The invention is applicable to installations for loading ships with natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Philippe Espinasse
  • Patent number: 7174932
    Abstract: An accumulator arm for a felling head has inner and outer arms which are hydraulically driven open and closed. The inner and outer sides of the outer arm are curved away from an accumulation pocket and toward a harvesting arm, wherein the accumulator arm can be pulled around a newly cut tree to add the tree to the accumulation pocket with a lesser amount of hydraulic force and with lesser damage to the trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Timberjack, Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie Mauchlen
  • Patent number: 7174933
    Abstract: Configurations and installation methods for vehicle tire chains which provide tire chains especially easy to mount, and provide improvements in performance and vendor supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Ray R. Miller
  • Patent number: 7174934
    Abstract: A solid rubber tire for use on vehicles such as heavy construction equipment is provided with a plurality of layers of different hardness. One of the layers is relatively softer than the other layers and holes are formed at least partially into the tire to provide added flexibility and smoothness of ride to the solid rubber tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventors: Giles A. Hill, III, Duane S. Birdsong
  • Patent number: 7174935
    Abstract: An automotive device for increasing the traction on a supporting surface including a body mountable on a wheel hub and carrying a plurality of radially extending traction arms that are mounted for movement between retracted positions and extended positions in which the outer ends of the arms lie over the tread of the vehicle. Several different embodiments are shown, including L-shaped flexible plastic arms with enlarged outer ends having bumps and openings for increased traction, arcuately curved arms of substantially uniform width, elongated spring coils supported in nozzles for directing the outer ends into extended positions, either across the tread or in a V-shaped configuration over the tread, and others. Automatic actuators include rotary motors driving pinion gears meshing with racks on the traction arms, linear actuators for the spring coils, and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Soleyman Kahen
  • Patent number: 7174936
    Abstract: A work machine tire includes an annular body of elastomeric material that includes a middle radial region. A plurality of unpressurized cavities are defined by the middle radial region and are distributed in a pattern that includes a first radial band of cavities and a second radial band of cavities. Each cavity of the first radial band of cavities is oriented at a positive angle with respect to a radius therethrough, and each cavity of the second radial band of cavities is oriented at a negative angle with respect to a radius therethrough. A material volume of the middle radial region is more than one and a half times greater than the combined void volume of the plurality of cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Dan J. Becker, Sunil I. Mathew, Eugene Y. Grinberg
  • Patent number: 7174937
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire, which achieves both low heat generating properties and high strength and improves durability of a run flat tire, and a run flat tire obtained using the rubber composition. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire comprising 10 to 100 parts by weight of carbon black having nitrogen-adsorbing specific surface area of 30 to 100 m2/g and dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of at least 50 ml/100 g, and at least 2 parts by weight of a vulcanizing agent, based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component containing 10 to 50% by weight of star-shaped solution polymerization butadiene rubber, and a run flat tire using the composition as the reinforcing rubber layer of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Hochi
  • Patent number: 7174938
    Abstract: A machine for folding and applying onserts onto consumer goods such as cigarette packs comprises a continuous roll of preprinted onserts and a transverse cutter assembly for cutting onsert segments from the continuous roll. Each onsert segment includes a pair of side-by-side preprinted onserts. A buckle folder receives each cut onsert segment and folds that segment along at least one transverse fold line. A longitudinal cutter assembly longitudinally cuts each folded onsert segment into two individual onserts. A transport system serially receives the individual folded onserts and moves the onserts along dual diverging paths where a pair of spaced apart lug belt conveyors receives the onserts from the discharge end of the transport system. Each lug belt conveyor includes spaced apart transverse lugs along the length thereof against which the onserts are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Jr., Steve Campbell, James D. Evans, Steven R. Rinehart, G. Robert Scott, Barry S. Smith, Steven F. Spiers, Linwood H. Cameal, Jr., Hubert Coleman Goodman, Jr., Joshua L. Roby
  • Patent number: 7174939
    Abstract: A window design is provided with a pair of vertical jambs, a head jamb, a meeting rail and a sill. In one embodiment, an upper sash is secured in a fixed position between the vertical jambs, head jamb and meeting rail. Interior jambs are provided to extend outwardly from interior faces of the window frame and slidably receive a lower sash that is selectively moved between open and closed positions. A screen may be optionally secured to the exterior face of the window frame to allow the simultaneous use of the screen and the sliding lower sash. The window design retains a historic exterior appearance of the window while providing improved conveniences and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: John M. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7174940
    Abstract: A roller blind structure includes a roller shaft, a winding device with a linkage member attached at both ends of the roller shaft respectively to be actuated by an operating member for controlling the rolling or unrolling operation of a blind body. A pivoting rod is disposed at the outer side of the winding device and the linkage member thereof to be mounted to a support bracket fixed at both lateral sides of a window frame respectively. The support bracket thereof is provided with a series of retaining recesses concaved at preset positions thereon for holding in place a pair of clamping members astride side by side thereon, and the blind body has an extension piece of a proper length preset at the lower section thereof that, led backwards and upwards to pass between the two clamping members, is further extended to cover the upper side of the roller shaft with a sheltering cap formed thereon and securely located by the clamping members thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Leslie Nien
  • Patent number: 7174941
    Abstract: An actuation system for use with an adjustable covering for a fenestration product. The actuation system coupled to an operator for controlling adjustment of extension and contraction of the covering. The actuation system including at least one lift mechanism configured to decouple the actuation system from the operator during a potentially damaging event, such as slack in a lift cord during extension of the covering. The lift mechanism later recoupling the actuation system and operator while maintaining rotational registration between multiple lift mechanisms of the actuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Schroder, Gabriel P. Gromotka
  • Patent number: 7174942
    Abstract: Blind slats for door/window Venetian blinds include a door/window frame made up of a plurality of side brackets wherein the left and right side brackets are provided with a plurality of retaining holes disposed at the corresponding inner sides thereon respectively for blind slats to be mounted thereby, and a linkage rod is attached at the same side of the blind slats thereon. Each of the blind slats is formed of a flexible embodiment with a locating member attached at both shorter lateral sides thereon respectively to be registered with the retaining hole of the of the left/right side brackets thereof so as to attach the blind slat onto the door/window frame thereby. Via the flexibility thereof, each blind slat is capable of being pushed at both lateral sides thereof till slightly bent into an arc shape, permitting the locating members thereof to detach from the retaining holes of the left/right side brackets according to the deformation of the blind slat thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ching Feng Blinds Inc. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ben Hsu
  • Patent number: 7174943
    Abstract: An improved curtain hoisting apparatus is wedged to a left end of a track and mainly includes a gear located on the bottom of an anchor body. The gear has a spindle pin movable in an m-shaped channel formed on an inner side of a wedge plate. The spindle pin is allowed to move and anchor in a first channel of the m-shaped channel to loosen a curtain cord for hoisting the curtain panel to a selected elevation. Pulling the curtain cord one more time allows the spindle pin moving from the first channel towards a second channel until anchoring at an outer rim at the left side of the m-shaped channel to brake the curtain cord thereby to halt the curtain panel at the selected elevation. Pulling the curtain cord repeatedly, the curtain panel may be hoisted and halted alternately and easily at selected elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Wen-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 7174944
    Abstract: A triple slide assembly for a three panel door system that mounts on a two track header and allows the panels to slide easily and sequentially with an interlocking function that provides a means to align the panels. The outer rails or panels each have an inward facing track to support rollers mounted to the middle rail or panel in an alternating configuration. The track and roller assembly interlocks the three panels and has stops, positioned in the ends of the inward facing tracks, keep the panels interlocked. The inward facing tracks and middle rail or panel remain aligned with the header when the outer panels are adjusted to align with adjacent door jambs to provide a smooth sliding operation. The triple slide assembly can be used for a six-door, center opening enclosure and for a five panel sliding assembly mounted on a three track header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Shower Enclosures, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Clark, Mike Guidos
  • Patent number: 7174945
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a casting system is provided which broadly comprises a core and a wax die spaced from said core, a refractory metal core having a first end seated within a slot in the core and a second end contacting the wax die for positioning the core relative to the wax die, and the refractory metal core having at least one of a mechanism for providing spring loading when closed in the wax die and a mechanism for mechanically locking the wax die to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Beals, Samuel D. Draper, Jose Lopes, Stephen D. Murray, Brandon W. Spangler
  • Patent number: 7174946
    Abstract: A chill casting and foam casting method together with a casting mold that is closable in a pressure-tight manner for producing molded articles. To improve the chill casting method and the foam casting method so that the quality of the products produced is greatly increased and particularly homogeneous material properties are achieved, a gas is supplied to a melt which only partially fills a closed mold cavity until the inside pressure within the mold cavity exceeds the melting point pressure curve such that the melt suddenly solidifies. The solidification process takes place largely independently of location and is thus sudden, so that the instantaneous state of the melt is reflected in the resulting solidified article with virtually no change. This makes it possible to produce molded articles which have a uniform core distribution and meet high quality demands in a reliable and reproducible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: The University of Hannover
    Inventors: Jochen Weber, Friedrich-Wilhelm Bach, Mirko Schaper
  • Patent number: 7174947
    Abstract: A method for sizing an overflow chamber (46) in a mold (32) for the die casting of metals is disclosed. The method includes the steps of simulating a pressure of molten metal (30) in a main cavity (42) of the mold (32) and calculating the volume of the overflow chamber (46) from parameters yielded by the pressure simulation. A mold (32) defining overflow chambers (46) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Peter B. Olmsted Trust
    Inventor: Peter Olmsted
  • Patent number: 7174948
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust-gas thermal conductor (1), comprising a tube array with exhaust gas flowing therethrough and cooling medium flowing around the same. The tube array is welded to a tube base (5), connected to the housing (2). As a result of varying temperature effects on the tubes and on the housing (2) whilst operating the exhaust gas thermal conductor (1), thermal stresses, as a result of differing expansion of the tubes and the housing (2), occur. According to the invention, said stresses may be avoided, whereby slots (8-10) are arranged in the housing sleeve (2), which are externally sealed by means of a bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Schindler, Michael Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7174949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a calender bowl which can be heated by means of a heating medium that is in a liquid or gaseous state of matter. The calender bowl comprises a roll body (1) that is provided with peripheral bores (4) and flange journals (2, 3) comprising supply and discharge conduits for the heating medium. Thermal insulating bushes (8) are mounted on the end areas of the peripheral bores. The heating medium flows through the peripheral bores. The aim of the invention is to adapt the heat transfer from said bores to the lateral surface of the roll body to the respective heat requirements in such a way that the harmful measured differences stay within limits so that the product is not impaired. To this end, adjusting devices are allocated to the flange journals for controllably turning and/or axially displacing the insulating bushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Walzen Irle GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Hellenthal, Berthold Krämer, Wolfgang Krönert, Walter Patt, Joachim Schönemann, Klaus-Peter Schramm, Jaxa von Schweinichen
  • Patent number: 7174950
    Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a heat transfer passage in the vicinity of a source of dissipated heat on a satellite to collect heat dissipated by the source and a fluid loop including an evaporator having over part of its path a maximum surface area of its external walls in contact with external walls of the heat transfer passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Bernard Jacqué, Emmanuel Texier, Gérard Cluzet, Tisna Tjiptahardja, Marcel Amidieu
  • Patent number: 7174951
    Abstract: A radiator module structure includes at least a heat guide pipe, a frame member, a fan and at least two cooling fin sets. The guide pipe has a heat receiving section joined to a base and at least two heat dissipation sections extending upward and being away the base. The frame member is upright disposed on the base and faces the heat receiving section. The frame part of the frame member at least has a clip hook part at the bottom thereof to engage with base and the fan is received in the frame part to respectively face the two cooling fin sets, which are penetrated with the heat dissipation sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Vital Component Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 7174952
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat dissipation device comprising a heat dissipation base and an upper lid. The heat dissipation base is integrally formed by a metal material with superior heat conductivity, and has an airflow channel and an accommodating space. The upper lid covers the accommodating space. The airflow channel communicates with the accommodating space, and the airflow channel has an outlet on one side thereof and a plurality of heat dissipation fins in the interior thereof. The accommodating space has a blade set in the interior thereof, which speeds the dissipation of the heat by forcing the airflow. The advantages of the heat dissipation device of the present invention are to be assembled easily; no noise and turbulent flow; and its application type and occasion are not limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Hong, Ko Chien Wang
  • Patent number: 7174953
    Abstract: A stacking-type, multi-flow, heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes and fins stacked alternately, and a pair of tanks provided at either end of the heat transfer tubes. One of the tanks has an inlet tank portion and an outlet tank portion for the introduction and the discharge of a heat exchange medium to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a flange member connected to the one of the tanks, the flange member has a flange body, an inlet pipe communicating with the inlet tank portion and an outlet pipe communicating with the outlet tank portion, and at least one of the inlet and outlet pipes is formed separately from the flange body. A passage for introducing heat exchange medium from the inlet pipe to the inlet tank portion and a passage for discharging heat exchange medium from the outlet tank portion to the outlet pipe are arranged in a thickness direction of the heat exchanger in parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Chiba