Patents Issued in February 27, 2007
  • Patent number: 7182318
    Abstract: A hoisting assembly that is adapted to be mounted to the frame of a vehicle where a hoisting device extends an attachment member such as a hook to connect to an engagement location of the differential where the hoisting assembly is positioned substantially vertically above the differential and when the hoisting assembly supports a differential the load is transferred to the frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Brandon Crabtree
  • Patent number: 7182319
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a roller assembly for a lifting device for a personal-transportation vehicle includes a shaft member for mounting on a lifting arm assembly of the lifting device and having an outer surface, and a roller member for supporting a lifting strap of the lifting device. The roller member has an inner surface defining a central passage for receiving the shaft and contacting the outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces have complementary profiles that permit a relative orientation of the roller member and the shaft member to change so that a weight vector acting through the lifting strap can remain substantially perpendicular to an axial centerline of the roller member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas A. Panzarella, James B. Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 7182320
    Abstract: A cable integrated guardrail system for highway guardrail. The rail of the system contains at least one cut section placed longitudinally along the panel, and of sufficient dimension as to allow interaction with a cable. Said cut sections also act to reduce longitudinal resistance and safely stop axially impacting vehicles. A cable, which is of sufficient length to extend longitudinally along the entire system, prevents tearing of the rail during lateral impacts and aids in safely redirecting the vehicle away from a hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Bryson Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Garrett Heimbecker, William Bryson, William Atwood
  • Patent number: 7182321
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to control method for supplying water in a humidifier. In a conventional humidifier, when the water level in the base of the humidifier is lowered to the ON/OFF critical region, with the vibration of the water level, the floating ball in the base will make ten's or hundred's times of ON/OFF vibrations, which tends to damage the high frequency vibration circuit. In addition, when the humidifier is inclined, the magnet on the floating ball remains in the attractive state with the magnetic spring switch that may cause fire of the electrical wires and leakage of the electricity. In the present invention, the floating ball is directly placed within a water tank, so that the magnetic spring switch can be effectively driven to conduct the ON/OFF movement, and the power can be cut off immediately when the water level of the water tank is lowered to the minimum level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Chuan-Pan Huang, Chen-Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 7182322
    Abstract: An insert disposed between two cooperating leaf springs. The insert includes a body including a stem having a plurality of radially extending ribs inserted into an aperture in a first leaf spring. The body includes a face which slidably engages a second leaf spring. The face includes a plurality of circular protrusions extending therefrom. A pin is inserted into a central bore formed by cooperating fingers that form the body, causing an outwardly extending radial retention force to be exerted onto the surface of the aperture in the first leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: TransNav, Inc.
    Inventors: Percy P. Vreeken, Philip W. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7182323
    Abstract: An arrangement with a height-adjustable component includes an approximately vertically extending upright which bears the component, the upright including a pneumatic spring. The pneumatic spring has a cylinder having a bottom end connected to a fixed part of the arrangement. A piston displaceably arranged in the cylinder subdivides the cylinder into a bottom cylinder chamber and a top cylinder chamber and has a piston rod at one end. The piston rod projects through the top cylinder chamber and is guided out of the top end of the cylinder and bears the component at its free end. The top and bottom cylinder chambers are filled with a gas filling, under positive pressure, which subjects the piston to an upwardly directed push-out force corresponding approximately to the opposing weight-induced force of the component. A valve allows a gas flow from the top into the bottom cylinder chamber and blocks the same in the opposite flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Müller
  • Patent number: 7182324
    Abstract: A microphone isolation system. The system includes an isolation member, a support member, and at least two compliant members. The at least two compliant members mechanically support the isolation member and isolate the isolation member from vibrations. The at least two compliant members can also isolate the support member from any vibratory excitation source coupled to and/or supported by the isolation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Baumhauer, Jr., Robert Spaller, Thao D. Hovanky, Larry Allen Marcus, Peter Chu, Denton L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7182325
    Abstract: A compliant spacer which, in use, is located between planar surfaces of two machine elements which are, in use, clamped together in an assembly, the spacer having a first generally planar face and a second oppositely facing generally planar face which is generally parallel to the first generally planar face, each of the first and second generally planar faces having a plurality of raised regions, the raised regions of the first face being offset with respect to the raised regions of the second face, so that as the two machine elements are clamped together with the spacer therebetween, the spacer deforms out of plane to maintain the clamping load in use, and each raised region including a bearing surface and edge regions where the raised region joins the respective planar face of the spacer, the bearing surface being generally planar and parallel to the first and second planar faces, and the edge regions of the raised regions melding smoothly into the respective planar face of the spacer without any sharp disc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Westland Helicopters Limited
    Inventors: Keith Bryden Fitzsimons, David Edward Painter, Michael John Locke, Andrew Martin Cave
  • Patent number: 7182326
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes longitudinally extending and opposed slots, each disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the body and into the cavity. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending cavity disposed therein, and longitudinally extending and opposed cam slots disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the twist pin and into the cavity therein. The cam pin is coupled to the housing within the bore and extending there across.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Matthew R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7182327
    Abstract: An elongate vise jaw plate assembly for mounting on a movable member of a vise is constructed to clamp many individual work pieces for machining. It enables clamping many pieces together in the vise even if their dimensions are not precise. It includes a base portion that is secured to a movable member of the vise. A work piece engaging portion is connected to the base portion by an elastic connector portion. The elastic connector and work piece engaging portions are slit into multiple segments, one for each work piece. Another work piece engaging portion is attached to a stationary member of the vise. Both work piece engaging members are machined to cooperate with work pieces. The work pieces are clamped between the two work piece engaging portions. Differences in the dimensions of the individual pieces are compensated for by the flexing of the connecting portions so that all the pieces are clamped securely for machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Vise Jaws Inc.
    Inventor: William Ferrara
  • Patent number: 7182328
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a work support apparatus (20) including a spring pin assembly (32) for biasing a work piece (22) against a work stop (24), which includes a table (26) having a recess (30) with the spring pin assembly (32) disposed therein. The spring pin assembly (32) includes a housing having a side wall (48) and a top wall (50) having a circular opening (52) therethrough and a domed inner surface (54) extending upwardly from the side wall (48). A retaining pin (40) having a flat bottom surface (56) and a semi-spherical bottom portion (58) is urged against the domed inner surface (54) by a compression spring (42). A spring cup (44) transmits forces between the compression spring (42) and the flat bottom surface (56) of the retaining pin (40). A tool receiving device receives a tool for operating a holding mechanism (34) for securing the spring pin assembly (32) in the recess (30) such that the spring pin assembly (32) is removable from the top surface (28) of the table (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cogsdill Tool Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Teague, John Woods, Rodney Hall, Mike Powell, Mike Rice, Keith Cline
  • Patent number: 7182329
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes at least one of sheet dispensing mechanisms (34, 36, 38, 40, 210). Each sheet dispensing mechanism includes a picking member (72, 212). The picking member rotates, and with each rotation generally causes an end note to be picked from a stack (42, 264) of sheets. The picking member (212) includes an arcuate projecting portion (258) that reduces the risk of damage to the leading edge areas of sheets due to opposed picking and stripping forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diedbold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Kenneth C. Kontor, Michael J. Harty, Brian M. Jones
  • Patent number: 7182330
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sheet feeder for a printer. The sheet feeding device feeds a single sheet into an infeeder of a printer without communicating with the printer. The sheet feeder is equipped with a sensor for detecting when the printer is able to accept a sheet. The sheet feeder is equipped with a programmable timing device that causes the sheet feeder to wait a predetermined amount of time before inserting another sheet into the printer. The predetermined amount of time corresponds to the amount of time needed for the printer to complete printing on a sheet after the sensor has detected that the printer is able to accept a sheet into the infeeder of the printer. The sheet feeder is configured with a gate having an adjustable gap in close proximity to a tray containing a stack of sheets. The gate permits only a single sheet to be fed into the infeeder of the printer at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold Peter Lindelof, Leon David Wirth
  • Patent number: 7182331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an input unit of a letter sorting system which comprises separable first and second conveyor lines. The first line is positioned proximate to an isolating device which processes letters. The first line comprises a conveyor surface and supporting wall along with a linear guide which extends beyond the surface. On the linear guide runs a separating blade. The second line also comprises a conveyor surface and supporting wall along with a linear guide, however this linear guide does not run beyond the length of the second conveyor line supporting surface. At least one second separating blades run on the second conveyor line linear guide. In operation, letters are placed on the second conveyor supporting surface from bins. The placement may be in a select order. The second conveyor line is then brought proximate to the first conveyor line where the two are then coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Peter Berdelle-Hilge, Christoph Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7182332
    Abstract: A feed device for stacks of paper or plastic material has at least one transport unit with a supporting member for the stack and at least one transport element. A separating unit with at least one rotatably driven feed drum is provided for removing individual sheets from the stack. The transport unit transports the stack to the separating unit and is pretensioned in the transport direction toward the feed drum such that the stack rests with pretension against the feed drum. The pretension can be provided by a spring acting on the transport unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mathias Bäuerle GmbH
    Inventor: Ralph Pittelkow
  • Patent number: 7182333
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7182334
    Abstract: An air diffusing vacuum transport belt including a first perforated layer and a second non-perforated layer is provided for transporting image carrying substrates without vacuum belt induced image defects. The first perforated layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface, solid areas, and perforated hole areas interspersing the solid areas for directing pressurized airflow from the top surface through to the bottom surface. The air diffusing vacuum transport belt also includes a second non-perforated layer formed over the top surface of the first perforated layer and covering the solid areas and the perforated hole areas. The second non-perforated layer has an inner surface positioned over the top surface of the first perforated layer, and an outer surface for uniformly supporting substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Spence, Steven M. Russel, Donald M. Bott
  • Patent number: 7182335
    Abstract: The method of detecting overlapping postal items in a postal sorting installation (1) consists in detecting variation in the length of each item by causing each item to go past a plurality of proximity detectors (4, 5, 6, 7). The proximity detectors are situated at different points of the sorting installation (1) and they are configured to evaluate the length of each item. As they pass through the sorting installation, overlapping items shift progressively relative to one another due, in particular, to friction. Thus, the total length of a set of overlapping items tends to vary, such that evaluating variation in the length of each potential item serves to provide information that is reliable for detecting overlaps. Since it is relatively easy to evaluate the length of an item, the performance of the installation is improved at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventors: Reboul Jean-Michel, Fesquet Etienne, Roch Olivier
  • Patent number: 7182336
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Fukushima, Kazuhisa Kawakami, Masafumi Furuyama, Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7182337
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet, is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7182338
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for discriminating the kind of a sheet material, comprising: a substrate having a recessed portion; a press member situated so that a sheet material can be deflected using the recessed portion; a support member that is deformed as the sheet material situated to cover the recessed portion is pressed by the press member and thereby deflected; and a sensor for detecting the deformation amount of the support member, wherein the kind of the sheet material is discriminated on the basis of detecting the deformation amount of the support member by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatake Akaike
  • Patent number: 7182339
    Abstract: A thickness measuring device for measuring the thickness dimension of an article being conveyed along a conveyor system comprises a rotary encoder, and a lever arm pivotally mounted upon the shaft of the rotary encoder. The lever arm has an end portion thereof disposed in contact with the article conveyor so as to be deflected by an article conveyed along the conveying path. Deflection of the lever arm causes the rotary shaft of the rotary encoder to undergo a predetermined amount of rotation which is indicative of the thickness dimension of the article being conveyed. The system is also operatively associated with a storage bin such that when a plurality of articles, having a predetermined cumulative thickness dimension, are detected, further conveyance of articles to the storage bin is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Edward S. Engarto, William A. Arno
  • Patent number: 7182340
    Abstract: A hockey player toy with internal motion rail for puck hitting. The major component is a hockey toy player with special internal mechanism. When the head of the toy player is pulled up, the body, which consists of front piece and back piece, will spin to pull the hockey stick back, ready for a shoot. When the head is pushed down, the body, which consists of front piece and back piece, will spin back, thus move the stick forward to hit the puck. The toy is a big break through from the previous hockey toys in its actuality. It adds a lot of fun and entertainment to the hockey toy games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sinolink Holdings (China) Ltd.
    Inventor: Dylan Lam Kang Tim
  • Patent number: 7182341
    Abstract: “Tora” is a classical strategy board game, constructed as a two-tiered, three-pronged, battlefield simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin Joel Conner
  • Patent number: 7182342
    Abstract: A game for teaching arithmetic skills involves having a player spin a wheel twice, the first time determines the arithmetic operation to be performed and the first number and the second spin determines the second number. The player then moves his or her game piece according to the results of the arithmetic operation, if the player correctly performs the operation and obtains the correct result. The player will forfeit his turn if he incorrectly performs the operation. Rules of the game control the direction of movement of the game pieces and the number of spaces the game piece can be moved on any one turn. A winner is determined by the first player to reach a finish position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Verdell Fulton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7182343
    Abstract: A football board game may be played with a football board, a pair of dice, and a coin or other device suitable as a marker. The coin is placed on a starting position, each player rolls a die, and the resulting die values are compared to determine the amount by which the coin should be advanced. If the coin advances to the defense's goal line before the offense has to turn over the ball four attempts, the offense has scored a touchdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Samuel L. Doskocil, Douglas C. Doskocil
  • Patent number: 7182344
    Abstract: A word game based on “hold'em poker is played using one or more decks of cards, with each card containing a consonant or a vowel. In the preferred embodiment, separate decks are provided for the vowels and consonants, respectively. Two cards from the vowel deck are dealt face down to each player. Three consonant cards are then dealt face up in the center of the table. These face up consonant cards are available for use by all players. The object of the game is to provide the longest word possible using the face down cards and the face up cards in the center of the table. After the three up cards have been dealt, the players bet using play money distributed to the players at the beginning of the game. After the first round of betting is complete, a fourth consonant card is dealt face up in the center of the table and a further round of betting takes place. A fifth card (also a consonant card) is dealt face up in the center of the table and the final round of betting takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen Bloom
  • Patent number: 7182345
    Abstract: A hybrid brush seal is provided having two bundles of axially spaced seal bristles each of which are mounted in a ring shape on a first machine component with bristle ends directed at a sealing surface of the second, rotating machine component. The bristle ends are kept from direct contact with the rotating machine component via one or more shoes which are designed such that as the shaft rotates a hydrodynamic film separates the shoe(s) from the shaft. The shoe(s) is attached to the bristle ends at discreet locations. Alternatively, one or more bundles of seal bristles are mounted at one end either to the fixed or rotating machine component, with the opposite bristle ends directed toward one or more shoes, and wherein one or more spring elements are connected between the machine component and shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: John F. Justak
  • Patent number: 7182346
    Abstract: A multistage oil seal (4) includes a plurality of lips (7a, 7b, 7c) in a plurality of stages disposed around a motor shaft (1) of a machine tool along the axis of the motor shaft to protect internal members of the motor from the cutting fluid. All or at least two of the lips (7a, 7b, 7c) in the plurality of stages are formed from different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc LTD
    Inventors: Tomonaga Yamamoto, Isao Kariya
  • Patent number: 7182347
    Abstract: An improved hinge system for pivotally coupling a skate lower portion to a skate upper cuff. The multi-hinge design incorporates a four link chain mechanism that greatly increases the number of design options for a hinged boot. The pivot axis defined by the four link chain can be designed to shift through a path of travel that generally coincides with the path of travel of the anatomical pivot axis defined by the user's foot and leg. The upper cuff and boot lower portion account for two of the four links of the four link mechanism. The other two links are either rigid bars with pin connections on both the upper cuff and the lower portion, or roller links with a pin connection to the upper and a slot like sliding surface on the lower portion. A slider link can be substituted for the roller and a slide surface can be substituted for the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Arthur G. Erdman
  • Patent number: 7182349
    Abstract: A shopping cart having a lowered center of gravity and including a wheeled base having forward and rear portions, a pedestal formed on the base between the forward and rearward portions for supporting a container or basket thereon, so that the rear of the container is disposed forwardly of the rear of the base. The cart includes an upwardly extensive handle member, and the basket is hung from the handle member at a substantial distance from the upper part of the handle member. The pedestal is supported against excessive longitudinal forces by connecting rods attaching the rear of the pedestal to the handle member. Two horizontal hinge rods are mounted to the handle member, one above the other, with the lower hinge rod pivotably securing the rear pivoting gate of the basket. A child seat on the pivoting gate is disposed in the rear of the basket substantially below the upper end of the handle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mind Wurx, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Prather, Patrick Maandag
  • Patent number: 7182350
    Abstract: A cart with auxiliary wheels has a body having a bottom and two ends, a handle, at least one front swiveling wheel, a set of rear swiveling wheels and a set of auxiliary wheels. The handle is formed on the body. The front swiveling wheels and the rear swiveling wheels are mounted rotatably and respectively on the bottom of the body. The swiveling wheels are omni-directional and allow the cart to be moved in all directions. The auxiliary wheels are mounted centrally between the front swiveling wheels and the rear swiveling wheels. The auxiliary wheels are non-swiveling and are mounted parallel with the front-rear direction of the cart to provide straight-line stability to the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 7182351
    Abstract: A crawling aid for infants having a partial disability provides a cushioned platform to support the body of the infant. The platform has wheels, including at least one caster, to render the platform maneuverable. Portions of the platform are narrow to allow the infant's good limbs to extend down and engage the floor; and, the head support allows the infant to see on both sides of the platform. Thus, the infant can execute crawling motion while body and disabled limbs are supported on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Margaret Ellen Williams
  • Patent number: 7182352
    Abstract: A skating training device with a V-shape frame that has a front end and two rear portions with handles. The front end includes a wheeled leg and the rear portions include rear legs that terminate with skating blade assemblies. A brake system includes actuating levers that transmit a force of predetermined magnitude to an elongated bar that is pivotally mounted to the blade assemblies and include a braking teethed plate mounted thereto so that predetermined movements of the actuating lever result in causing the teethed plate member to sink against the ice surface. Optionally, the blade assemblies can be replaced with wheel assemblies for land skating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Jesus Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7182353
    Abstract: A turn brake includes a cylinder assembly coupled to a conventional front-wheel steering system of a multi-track vehicle. The cylinder assembly generates fluid power for applying differential braking force to left and right wheels of the vehicle in response to turning of a steering wheel of the steering system, thereby compensating for a loss of steering traction. Pressure generated in the cylinder assembly can exert a reaction force on the steering wheel to provide tactile feedback to the driver, which may help to avoid oversteer. An optional shutoff mechanism may be provided for selectively disabling or disconnecting the turn brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Divers Contracting Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Divers
  • Patent number: 7182354
    Abstract: A non-torque reactive air suspension exhibiting excellent roll stability characteristics is shown to include frame hangers mounted to frame rails extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a vehicle. Longitudinally extending beams are connected to the frame hangers at one end and extend parallel to the frame rails. At their other ends, the beams are joined by a crossbrace extending laterally across the vehicle centerline. In a central portion thereof, the beams have an axle pivot bore to which an axle clamp assembly is connected, the axle clamp assembly clamping a drive axle housing for the vehicle. The axle pivot bore is generally aligned with the drive axle. A control rod assembly is connected to suspension or frame components. Together with the beams, the control rod assembly forms a parallelogram configuration wherein the beams form the lower linkages of that configuration and the control rods included within the control rod assembly form the upper linkages of that configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ashley Thomas Dudding
  • Patent number: 7182355
    Abstract: A land cycle for sailing on land comprising a recumbent tricycle with a first wheel and seat positioned aft of second and third wheels. A boom extending anteriorly of the front wheels engages a tricycle sprint to support a sailing system, which includes a vertically positioned mast engaged with the recumbent tricycle frame between the front wheels. A jib sail is positioned within a butterfly jib boom attached to the forestay and may be adjusted during use by the rider. The mast and combination of forestay, rear stay, mast sidestays and sprint sidestays cooperatively support attachment and use of said jib sail to said recumbent tricycle, thereby allowing a rider to apply wind force to stably motivate said land cycle. Further improvements disclosed and claimed include an independent rear brake, butterfly jib boom sleeve, a tubular jib spar, and a tubular forestay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Philip A. MacTaggart
  • Patent number: 7182356
    Abstract: A wheelchair security system comprises a wheelchair body fabricated of non-metallic material. The body has a pair of side portions, a backrest portion and a seat portion. Each side portion has a bearing mounting recess, a footrest, a main wheel axle mounting aperture, seat mounting holes, a handle and a seat subassembly. A pair of rectangular shaped footrest pieces are provided. Further provided is a pair of front wheels. An axle is also provided. Provided further is a pair of rear wheels. The rear wheels are coupled to the axle. Provided last is a metal detector sized to allow the passage of the wheelchair system through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen J. Haase
  • Patent number: 7182357
    Abstract: A motorcycle whose front end has a coil-over shock disposed within the head tube and telescopic forks which include linear bearings riding between flats on the outer face of the inner fork tubes and flats on the inner face of the outer fork tubes. The linear bearings ride on hardened steel races, enabling the fork tubes to be e.g. aluminum. Using an odd number of linear bearings in each fork prevents having two linear bearings at 180° opposition which would increase sensitivity to manufacturing tolerance stackups, preload, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: MotoCzysz
    Inventor: Michael Czysz
  • Patent number: 7182358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle adjusting device, in particular an adjusting device for adjusting the height of the front wheel suspension, the rear wheel suspension, the saddle or of the steering mechanism of a bicycle, e.g. of a mountain bike, a bicycle with at least one bicycle adjustment device, as well as a bicycle-steering head bearing system, whereby the adjustment has at least one double-acting piston-cylinder assembly with a first cylinder space (14a, 34a) and a second cylinder space (15a, 35a) in each case, and whereby the two cylinder spaces of the two adjustment devices are interconnectable by means of a fluid duct fitted for that purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Andreas Felsl, Stephan Albrecht
  • Patent number: 7182359
    Abstract: Motorcycle of the type comprising a fuel tank (15), an opening (16) situated on the tank (15) for filling up with fuel, a bulkhead flange (17) at the opening (16) for receiving a cap (18) for closing the tank and an accessory (40) associated with the tank by a bayonet joint (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Vincenzo Galvagno
  • Patent number: 7182360
    Abstract: A roller peg includes a housing attachable to a bicycle or skateboard, the housing including a hole, and a roller that is inserted in the housing so that a surface of the roller protrudes from the hole and the roller spins within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Roller Peg, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert William Paasch, Keith Allen Paasch
  • Patent number: 7182361
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle uprighting device having a support bar with a stabilizing base on one end and a ratcheting mechanism on another end, a cable sling adapted for attachment to a lower portion of the two-wheeled vehicle, and a flexible lifting member with a first end adapted for attachment to the cable sling and a second end for engaging relationship about a spindle of said ratchet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Myron M. Lewoczko
  • Patent number: 7182362
    Abstract: A remote controlled locking system for locking a trailer to a truck by locking a mechanism that secures the truck to the trailer. The system may include a remotely located transmitter adapted to transmit a control signal. A receiving unit on the truck is adapted to receive the control signal. An actuator is coupled to the receiving unit and to the mechanism for selectively inhibiting movement of the mechanism depending on information relayed by the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Inc.
    Inventor: Willard Supplee Yeakel
  • Patent number: 7182363
    Abstract: A stroller comprises a main structure provided with a handle including a pair of back pipes, a body structure, and a seat. The body structure includes a back part, and a pair of side parts extending from a right and a left side of the back part, and is formed of a cushioning material. The stroller includes a support sheet for supporting the body structure on the main structure, and a reclining mechanism for adjusting inclination of the body structure relative to the seat. The side parts are connected to corresponding back pipes by connecting flaps formed of a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Takubo, Hiroko Kurosu, Kentaro Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 7182364
    Abstract: An air bag formed from two layers of fabric using a one-piece weaving technique has a peripheral seam at the edge of a region adapted to be inflated. Beyond the seam there are a plurality of chambers and gas escaping from the inflated region through the seam must inflate these chambers thus creating a back pressure to reduce the flow of escaping gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: David Stow, Simon Valkenburg, Altay Kismir, Anorin Shaker
  • Patent number: 7182365
    Abstract: In a knee protecting airbag device (M1), an airbag (26) folded and housed below a steering column (3) is expanded and inflated while rising from the lower side of the steering column (3) along a column cover lower surface (9a) during an inflation process. The shape of the airbag having completed the inflation is in a generally plate shape capable of covering at least the lower surface of the column cover. Even if the knee of the driver comes close to the column cover when the driver depressing a brake pedal, therefore, the airbag being expanded and inflated goes smoothly into the clearance between the knee of the driver and the column cover lower surface. The airbag having completed the expansion and inflation protects the knee of the driver properly so that the knee may not interfere with the column cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Takimoto, Toru Koyama, Yuji Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 7182366
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a roof (18), a side structure (16), and a trim piece (310, 312) overlying the side structure. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position adjacent the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). A deployment ramp (180, 270) is movable from a stored position to a deployed position for directing the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310, 312). The deployment ramp (180, 270) has a construction that is sufficiently resilient and rigid to direct the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310, 312). A connector piece (162, 252) connects the deployment ramp (180, 270) to the vehicle (12). The connector piece (162, 252) has a first portion (174, 264) secured to the deployment ramp (180, 270) and a second portion (168, 258) connectable to the vehicle (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Adan Beltran Enriquez
  • Patent number: 7182367
    Abstract: An arrangement of a motor on twin landing gears is described. The landing gears are interconnected via a connecting shaft and can be telescoped by starting up the motor. To minimize damage to the motor and at the same time to ensure cost-effective production, it is provided that the motor with its driveshaft engages with the connecting shaft and is supported on a component that is fixed relative to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jose Algüera, Martin Richter, Michael Eiermann
  • Patent number: 7182368
    Abstract: A supporting leg for a vehicle that transports exchangeable containers comprises two telescopic tubes and a pneumatic drive for retracting and extending one of the tubes. Thread-type or annular bearing parts comprising a horizontal bearing surface are configured on the inner extendable tube. An engagement part with horizontal bearing surfaces, which interacts with the bearing parts, is located on the outer tube. The engagement part is pre-stressed in its displacement from the disengaged position to the engaged position in a spring-loaded manner and is fixed to the outer tube with a non-positive fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hamburger Patent Schmiede GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Rüdiger Metternich