Patents Issued in March 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7186148
    Abstract: A communications connector includes: a dielectric mounting substrate; at least four pairs of conductors mounted on the mounting substrate, each of the conductors including a free end segment, each of the free end segments being positioned in side-by-side and generally parallel relationship; and at least four pairs of terminals mounted on the mounting substrate, wherein each of the pairs of terminals is electrically connected to a respective pair of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: CommScope Solutions Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Amid Hashim
  • Patent number: 7186149
    Abstract: A communications connector includes: a dielectric mounting substrate; at least four pairs of conductors mounted on the mounting substrate, each of the conductors including a free end segment, each of the free end segments being positioned in side-by-side and generally parallel relationship; and at least four pairs of terminals mounted on the mounting substrate, wherein each of the pairs of terminals is electrically connected to a respective pair of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: CommScope Solutions Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Amid Hashim
  • Patent number: 7186150
    Abstract: A connector comprises multiple electrically-conductive pins coupled along a line and a press-fit edge connector body intersected by a slot configured for insertion of the multiple pins. Multiple contacts are contained within the press-fit edge connector body and configured to engage and respectively electrically connect to the multiple pins. A web extends across the slot, separating the multiple pins and the multiple contacts into respective different-sized portions whereby the pin plurality is prevented from reversed installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas Boone
  • Patent number: 7186151
    Abstract: An electrical connector connected to a flat cable, a wire harness, and a method for arranging wire harness is disclosed. Arranging the wire harness is easy and simple, the cost is low, and the degree of freedom in the housing construction is high. The electrical connector 10 has a plurality of mutually stackable base housings 11a, 11b, and 11c having the same shape, with each of these base housings 11a, 11b, and 11c having contact receiving cavities 16a, 16b, and 16c in a single row. At least one lock housing 40 is attached to the uppermost and/or lowermost base housing of the plurality of stacked base housings 11a, 11b, and 11c. A plurality of contacts 30a, 30b, and 30c are connected to the flat cable 2 and are inserted in the contact receiving cavities 16a, 16b, and 16c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K
    Inventor: Ryuichi Komiyama
  • Patent number: 7186152
    Abstract: An electrical contact (1) used in a socket includes a base portion (11), a solder portion (12) bending front a bottom edge of the base portion, a vertical head (13) and a spring ann (14) extending from a top edge of the base portion and a contact portion (15) formed at a topmost end of the spring arm. The head and the spring arm extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the top edge of the base portion. A relatively large spacing (16) is defined between the head and the spring arm. The spring arm includes a body section (140) connecting with the base portion and a stretching section (142) adjacent the contact portion. This configuration makes the contact be more easily manufactured, thereby manufacturing casts is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 7186153
    Abstract: A terminal pin includes a substantially elongate pin body having a longitudinal axis and a terminal head, the terminal head having an opening for receiving a wire, the opening extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. This results in a substantial reduction in space required as compared to other connection structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: John Boettger
  • Patent number: 7186154
    Abstract: A watercraft has an engine that is controlled by an electronic control unit and the watercraft includes a security system. The security system comprises a portable transmitter and a mounted receiver. A predetermined mounting location on the watercraft of a receiver of the security system allows for improved serviceability and improved reception between the transmitter and a corresponding receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sumihiro Takashima, Toshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 7186155
    Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for producing substantially kinematic steering of a boat whose yaw rate and direction is approximately proportional to the rate and direction that a steering device such as a steering wheel is being operated. The invention provides a helmsman a precise method of steering that is relatively independent of such considerations such as the size and weight of the boat, conflicting currents and winds, windage, the size of the rudder and the overall inherent controlling characteristics of the boat. When the steering device is not being operated, the boat continues on a straight course; however, when the steering device such as the steering wheel is turned in one direction or the other, the steering rate of the boat is relatively dependent upon the rate that the steering wheel is being turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Irvin Howard Nickerson
  • Patent number: 7186156
    Abstract: A propulsion unit for propelling a waterborne vessel includes an electric motor arranged to provide propulsion, and a housing arranged to contain the motor. The interior of the housing is maintained at an increased pressure of above roughly 2 bar to increase the cooling effect of a cooling gas maintained therein. An end region of the housing is provided with a heat exchange mechanism arranged to cool a cooling gas passing thereover. The heat exchange mechanism is associated with the housing such that, in use, water surrounding the housing absorbs heat therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Converteam Ltd
    Inventors: Graham Derek Le Flem, Jacques Enon
  • Patent number: 7186157
    Abstract: A rotatable propeller drive (1) for a boat, where the propeller drive (1) includes an upper fixing plate (4) adapted for rotationally fixed attachment to the hull bottom (2) of the boat. A lower underwater housing (6) is provided on which at least one propeller (10, 10a, 10b) is mounted, which underwater housing (6) is mounted rotatably in the fixing plate (4) about an essentially vertical axis of rotation (8). An exhaust duct (50) is provided with an exhaust exit (14) located in the underwater housing (6). The exhaust duct (50) has an upper duct section (54) which extends through the fixing plate (4) and has an outlet opening (62) located in proximity to an opposite inlet opening (60) in a lower duct section (56) which extends through the underwater housing (6). One of the outlet opening (62) and inlet opening (60) overlaps the other at least within a limited first rotation angle range for the propeller drive (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: AB Volvo Penta
    Inventors: Staffan Mansson, Oddbjorn Hallenstvedt
  • Patent number: 7186158
    Abstract: An inflatable necklace designed to be worn around the neck of a young child is provided. The necklace contains a sensor which, in response to a pre-determined period of immersion and/or a sudden increase in pressure, will activate a gas source which inflates one or more bladders which expand outwardly from the necklace. The inflated bladders provide sufficient buoyancy and floatation to keep a child afloat until the child can be rescued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Gerald L. Barber, Dustan A. Barber
  • Patent number: 7186159
    Abstract: A sports headgear apparatus includes a head covering that has a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. The head covering comprises a panel that has a substantially semi-spherical shape. The panel has a bottom perimeter edge defining an opening into the head covering. A perimeter tube is attached to and is coextensive with the bottom perimeter edge. The tube is substantially airtight. A canister having compressed air therein is fluidly coupled to the tube. A pressure sensitive valve is fluidly coupled to the to canister and opening the canister when the pressure sensitive valve detects a predetermined water depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Donald W. Baxter
  • Patent number: 7186160
    Abstract: An electron-emitting device in which the specific capacitance and the drive voltage are reduced, and which is capable of obtaining a finer electron beam by controlling the trajectory of emitted electrons. An electron-emitting portion of an electron-emitting member is positioned between the height of a gate and the height of an anode. When the distance between the gate and a cathode is d; the potential difference at driving the device is V1; the distance between the anode and the substrate is H; and the potential difference between the anode and the cathode is V2, then the electric field E1=V1/d during driving is configured to be within the range from 1 to 50 times E2=V2/H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7186161
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a construction game to make buildings at a reduced scale providing the user with all the necessary elements in order to obtain a sample at real scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Americo Salas Peralta
  • Patent number: 7186162
    Abstract: An aquatic amusement toy including a buoyant body and an underwater member. The buoyant has a housing including an engaging portion, a first protruding shell and a second protruding shell, and the underwater member has a first and second face and a receiving portion communicating through the first and second surface. The engaging portion of the buoyant body is engageable with the receiving portion of the underwater member. In use the buoyant body is coupled with the underwater member and sinks in water such that the first protruding shell or the second protruding shell keeps the buoyant body at a predetermined height above the bottom of water, and when the underwater member is depressed to disengage from the buoyant body, said buoyant body floats to the surface of the water and the underwater member remains immersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Herman Chiang
  • Patent number: 7186163
    Abstract: A garment for a woman, including a brassiere and a front opening blouse. The brassiere has a left and right cup connected by a back strap, a releasable front connection between the left and right cup, left and right shoulder straps releasably connecting the back strap and the left and right cups respectively, and a first attachment along the upper edge of the cups between the left and right straps. At least one of the left and right cups includes a pocket for supporting a breast prosthesis. The blouse includes a neckline adapted to substantially align with the upper edge of the brassiere cups, passages in the shoulders of the blouse through which the shoulder straps releasably extend, and a second attachment along the blouse neckline and adapted to secure to the upper edge of the cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Robin A. Carlucci
  • Patent number: 7186164
    Abstract: An electrochemical mechanical processing station having a zoned polishing pad assembly is provided. The zoned polishing pad assembly includes a conductive layer coupled to an upper layer having a non-conductive processing surface. At least two zones of different current permeability are defined across the processing surface of the upper layer. Each zone is defined by an attribute of the upper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Antoine P. Manens
  • Patent number: 7186165
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus and method for polishing semiconductor wafers utilizes multiple wafer carriers that are transferred to different positions about a polishing pad to polish at least one semiconductor wafer while another semiconductor wafer is being loaded onto or unloaded from one of the wafer carriers. The different positions include multiple polishing positions and one or more loading/unloading positions. In some embodiments, the CMP apparatus is configured such that a semiconductor wafer is polished at a loading/unloading position. The CMP apparatus may also be configured to continuously polish one or more semiconductor wafers while the wafer carriers are being transferred to different positions. Thus, the CMP apparatus can continuously process the semiconductor wafers without significant idle periods. Consequently, in these embodiments, the efficiency of the CMP apparatus is significantly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Oriol, Inc.
    Inventor: In Kwon Jeong
  • Patent number: 7186166
    Abstract: A polishing pad having a body comprising fibers embedded in a matrix polymer formed by a reaction of polymer precursors. The loose fibers define and the precursors were mixed first with curatives, then mold into a pad form. The pad may include a thin layer of free fibers at its polishing surface. A segment of at least a portion of the free fibers are embedded in the adjacent body of the polymer and fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Freudenberg Nonwovens Ltd.
    Inventors: Shyng-Tsong Chen, Kenneth Davis, Oscar Kai Chi Hsu, Kenneth Rodbell, Jean Vangsness
  • Patent number: 7186167
    Abstract: A suspended abrasive waterjet narrow kerf cutting method is reconfigured to simultaneously drill multiple, closely-spaced holes in a target, including holes in confined non line-of-sight locations. Working fluid nozzles can be located on a flat or non-flat tool surface and arranged in uniform or non-uniform patterns, in an angled or perpendicular orientation, and in parallel or non-parallel arrangements. Individual nozzles or nozzle groups can be easily changed to provide increased or diminished working diameters, allowing control over the hole sizes and resultant airflow thru the drilled workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick R. Joslin
  • Patent number: 7186168
    Abstract: The present invention provides a deformable pad useful for chemical mechanical polishing (“CMP”), a CMP apparatus incorporating the deformable pad of the present invention, and methods for using the deformable pad and CMP apparatus of the present invention. The deformable pad of the present invention includes a plurality of solid supports which substantially eliminate the nonuniform polishing rates in known CMP processes and may be tailored to optimize a wide array of CMP processes. The CMP apparatus of the present invention incorporates a deformable pad of the present invention and may include several other known features, such as a polishing pad, a substrate carrier, mechanical assemblies for agitating the polishing pad or substrate carrier, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dapeng Wang
  • Patent number: 7186169
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an angle setting tool for setting the blade section of a hand scaler at a predetermined angle during sharpening of the scaler, and a hand scaler sharpening device which has a relatively simple structure, is easy to operate and do maintenance, and reduces complexity in the sharpening operation. This object is achieved by a hand scaler sharpening device including a sharpener main body having a grind stone (50) provided for reciprocating motion, and an angle setting tool (41) for setting the tip of a hand scaler at one of a plurality of predetermined angles on the grind stone (50), wherein the angle setting tool (41) has a plurality of inclined surfaces (42a, 43a, 44a) corresponding to the predetermined angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nakanishi Inc.
    Inventor: Sousaku Kawata
  • Patent number: 7186170
    Abstract: A milling cutter or grinding tool for severing welds on body sheets is provided. The tool includes an essentially circular-cylindrical cutting wheel having cutting edges at least on the circumference and a pair of distance plates with a smaller radius than the outside diameter of the cutting wheel. The distance plates are arranged in an axially symmetrical manner on at least one side of the cutting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: MV Marketing und Vertriebs-GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Harwath-Seyfried
  • Patent number: 7186171
    Abstract: A two part retaining ring is described that has a lower ring and an upper ring. The lower ring contacts a polishing surface during chemical mechanical polishing. The upper surface and the lower surface of the lower ring have matching grooves formed therein to increase the flexibility of the lower ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeonghoon Oh, Hung Chih Chen, Thomas B. Brezoczky, Douglas R. McAllister, David Datong Huo
  • Patent number: 7186172
    Abstract: A blade-mounting adaptor for a power tool has a blade-mounting stud on which the blade is mounted at a first end. The blade is mounted upon the stud in a manner such that it is capable of axial motion along the length of the stud when exertion is applied to the blade. The blade is provided with an adjustable pre-set bias force against the axial motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nao Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinji Ohata
  • Patent number: 7186173
    Abstract: A tool, particularly for milling operations, capable of being driven in rotation about its own main axis. The tool has a core provided with a plurality of abrasive elements extending from the core radially to the axis and spaced apart from each other angularly. Between at least one pair of abrasive elements adjacent to each other is provided at least one respective gap in the form of a cut extending radially in the core to a predefined distance from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: ADI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Dino Zandonella Necca, Ferruccio Gonzo
  • Patent number: 7186174
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a sanding block holder incorporating locking tabs 22 used to lock the removable side wall 20 into a compressing state upon the sanding block 16. To release compression on the sponge 16, the tab 22 is simply pushed inward and the removable side wall 20 is then pulled out. Additionally a track 24 with a sliding tab 26 are fabricated to work in cooperation with the handle base 18 and locking tab 22 to provide stability to the removable side wall while sliding into place. An elongated handle 32 pivotally attached at 34 to the handle base 18 is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Alfred W Arnold
  • Patent number: 7186175
    Abstract: A hanging element that may include an extended body with a lower insertion body and an upper closure head forming a matrix of hanging elements joined to each other via the side projections. Each insertion body extends into a wire which ends as a Y joint where the respective single wires split to form a closed loop which joined together in the closure head and into which the hook or similar product may be hung to hang of a piece of meat or other object which remains suspended from the insertion body. The closure head may have on its upper end a ringbolt or attachment and includes an identification tag through the joint. The hanging element allows automated insertion using an appropriate tool and at the same time guarantees maximum hygiene because it is disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Jose Mazo Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7186176
    Abstract: The first purpose of this present invention is to provide a coin dispensing safe assembly with a safe system which can prevent coins being stolen. The second purpose of this invention is to provide a coin dispensing safe assembly with a safe system which can prevent coins being stolen, also it is easy and inexpensive. A coin dispensing safe assembly with a safe system includes a coin dispensing safe assembly having a rotating disk with through holes which is located at the bottom of a coin storing bowl with an upper opening and which is rotated by a motor. A safe housing, which is built to enclose said coin dispensing safe assembly and which can be detached from a coin handling apparatus, includes a dispensing slot for dispensing coins and a disabling unit for the coin dispensing safe assembly, when the safe housing is detached from the coin handling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 7186177
    Abstract: A threshing front rotor inlet section and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine. The front rotor inlet section includes a center body or plate having a radial outer circumferential periphery and a substantially annular protuberance extending forwardly therefrom concentric with a rotational axis thereof. The protuberance has at least one slot extending radially therethrough defined by one or more edges and/or surfaces which face in the rotational direction and are raked back in the radial outward direction, for pushing crop material, radially outwardly for conveyance rearwardly by impeller augers or flights of the rotor. Other surfaces can also be provided around the outer periphery for pushing longer plant material away from spaces between the inlet section and bearing housing and shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Dale R. Tanis, Craig E. Murray, Mark J. Svitak
  • Patent number: 7186178
    Abstract: A threshing front rotor inlet section and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine. The front rotor inlet section includes a center body or plate having a radial outer circumferential periphery and a substantially annular protuberance extending forwardly therefrom concentric with a rotational axis thereof. The protuberance has at least one slot extending radially therethrough defined by one or more edges and/or surfaces which face in the rotational direction and are raked back in the radial outward direction, for pushing crop material, radially outwardly for conveyance rearwardly by impeller augers or flights of the rotor. Other surfaces can also be provided around the outer periphery for pushing longer plant material away from spaces between the inlet section and bearing housing and shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Dale R. Tanis, Craig E. Murray, Mark J. Svitak
  • Patent number: 7186179
    Abstract: Adjustable deflector apparatus for transitioning crop residue from an axially arranged threshing system of a combine to a crop residue distribution system is disposed in a position such that at least a portion of a crop residue flow from the threshing system will strike or impinge the deflector and be deflected thereby downwardly and transversely toward the crop residue distribution system. An adjusting mechanism is operable for moving the deflector in relation to an internal side of the combine for adjusting a desired parameter or parameters of the deflected flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Anderson, Luc Yde, Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 7186180
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for providing a lottery game for a plurality of players. The method may include accepting an entry from each of the plurality of players for an occurrence of the lottery game, and each entry may include a predetermined number of multi-digit entry numbers. The method may further include determining an outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game, and the outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game may include selecting a predetermined number of multi-digit drawing numbers. Still further, the method may include comparing the multi-digit entry numbers for each entry to the multi-digit drawing numbers for the occurrence of the lottery game, and determining whether each entry is a winning entry based on the level of correspondence between entry numbers and the drawing numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Scientific Games Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Lathrop, Stephen Penrice
  • Patent number: 7186181
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for distributing gaming applications to a plurality of gaming sites located in a plurality of regulatory regions via a wide area network. Each regulatory region has a regulatory scheme associated therewith. A plurality of gaming applications are stored on at least one central server. A subset of the gaming applications are distributed from the at least one central server to at least one of the gaming sites located in one of regulatory regions via the wide area network, the subset of gaming applications being determined according to the associated regulatory scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Richard E. Rowe
  • Patent number: 7186182
    Abstract: A drive line for a down hole mud motor has a plurality of elongate keys extending radially from an exterior surface of a central shaft for the purpose of transmitting torque. A plurality of circumferentially spaced axial keyways are provided in an interior surface of each end housing, which are adapted to receive the keys. Each of the keys has opposed sides, opposed ends and a front face. The front face is radiused both in a first direction between the opposed ends and in a second direction between the opposed sides, thereby accommodating the omni-directional pivotal movement of the shaft relative to the housing. The use of keys for torque transmission increases available contact area, with a corresponding increase in torque load capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: William R Wenzel, Daryl A Ronaghan
  • Patent number: 7186183
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a swing to a support beam includes a first bracket member coupled to the support beam, a second bracket member coupled to the support beam opposite the first bracket member, a first swing hanger directly connected to the first bracket member for supporting a first elongated support member, and a second swing hanger directly connected to the second bracket member for supporting a second elongated support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: PlayStar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Zeilinger, Richard R. Popp
  • Patent number: 7186184
    Abstract: A golf teaching aid is disclosed. The beneficial golf mat and instructional pattern provide for precise, reproducible foot positioning and alignment, and a wide selection of precise, reproducible ball position options. The pattern may be variously displayed, for instance, on the playing surface of a golf mat or on the turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Practice With The Pros, Inc.
    Inventor: Darin R. Buck
  • Patent number: 7186185
    Abstract: A customizable alignment sighting device for a golf club is mounted to an upper surface of the head of the golf club with a sighting element providing the user a visual target indicator for desired alignment of the club head with the user's line of sight. The sighting element can be readily adjusted for the user's preferences. When not aligned, the sighting element provides an indication of the magnitude and direction of misalignment. In one embodiment, the device is shaped as a planar disc mounted on the upper surface of the club head by leveling posts spaced around its periphery. The sighting element is a concave lens or lenticulated grid or grill superimposed on a target image. In another embodiment, the device has a 3D device body mounted in a mounting cup or socket fastened to or formed in the head of the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Lajos I. Nagy
  • Patent number: 7186186
    Abstract: A ball drop mechanism for a game apparatus has a mechanism allowing to drop balls one by one on a desired location. The ball drop mechanism includes a housing that stores balls, a cylindrical ball passage connected to the housing, and a cogged stopper that is located in the housing near the ball passage. One side of the cogged stopper has a hollowed portion that matches a circumference of the ball passage. A golf ball dispenser is established by installing the ball drop mechanism for a game apparatus. The golf ball dispenser has a plurality of ball cylinders which install and guide a large number of golf balls and has a golf ball placer with a seesaw movement mechanism to place a ball accurately on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Takeo Imahata
  • Patent number: 7186187
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with cavity back configurations and short irons with muscle back configurations. The rear face configurations slowly transition from pure cavity back through cavity-muscle backs to pure muscle backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as face area, loft angle, offset and location of the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Patent number: 7186188
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7186189
    Abstract: A grip for the handle of a golf club having at least one panel with a modified seam that is wrapped about an underlisting sleeve. The edges of the panels are coupled together with three attachment interfaces. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple color panels and inserts and easy installation onto a golf club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Ben Huang
  • Patent number: 7186190
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7186191
    Abstract: A method of making a golf club head is disclosed. A striking plate is attached to a front open end of a metal casing to cover an opening. The striking plate is placed over the front open end by contacting a rear surface of the striking plate with the front open end, thereby creating a clearance between the rear surface and the front open end. A brazing material is positioned on one of the rear surface and the front open end externally of and immediately adjacent the clearance. When the brazing material melts, it flows into the clearance through a capillary action, thereby forming a layer of brazing material between the rear surface and the front open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nelson Precision Casting, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-Tung Chen, Chun-Yung Huang
  • Patent number: 7186192
    Abstract: A ball return apparatus includes a base, a substantially vertical pole extending from the base, an extensible tether extending from the pole, and a ball connected to the tether. The preferred base has a hollow interior and a closure so that the base can be filled with water or sand. The pole is mounted for articulation relative to the base, and a compression spring resists such articulation and causes the pole to return to its rest position. The tether has an extension spring connected to an elastic member. A swivel is at the end of the tether. An attachment device or plug connects to the ball. A glow ball or other ball can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Suissa
  • Patent number: 7186193
    Abstract: A tennis ball holding apparatus includes a central tubular shaft that has a bore formed therein and has apertures formed along a length thereof. A base has legs radially extending outward from a central shaft bottom end and is monolithically formed with the central shaft. A non-linear boom is spaced above the central shaft and has an eyelet mated to a proximal end thereof. The proximal end of the non-linear boom is linearly offset from a distal end thereof. A support bracket has a bottom arm telescopically engaged with the central shaft and includes a tubular top sleeve that is adjustably connected to the linear bottom arm. A mechanism is included for automatically returning the boom to an equilibrium height. A cord is tethered to the eyelet, includes a fastener attached to a bottom end thereof for holding a tennis ball, and is spaced proximal to the automatic returning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: James Monroe McFadden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7186194
    Abstract: A front derailleur has a base member adapted to be coupled to a bicycle frame, a chain guide, first and second pivotal links coupled between the base member and the chain guide, and a biasing member normally biasing the chain guide toward a first position. The biasing member is disposed on a pivot axis pivotally coupling the first link to the chain guide to be at least partially located in front of the part of the first link coupled to the base member. The first link is preferably an inner link located closer to the frame than the second link. Preferably, portions of the first link are at least partially offset due to a transitional portion arranged between them. Preferably, the second link includes a cable attachment portion and a pair of axially spaced mounting elements pivotally coupled to ends of an attachment element of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nankou
  • Patent number: 7186195
    Abstract: A tensioner for endless driving elements, such as chains and belts, comprising a tensioning piston provided with locking means, and a locking piston which is adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the locking means so as to arrest or release the movement of tensioning piston, the locking piston comprising an operating section causing locking piston to move to the arresting position and to the release position, and a locking area used for engagement with the locking means of the tensioning piston and arranged separately from the operating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Joh. Winklhofer & Sohne GmbH und. Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfram Hellmich, Volker Hirschmann
  • Patent number: 7186196
    Abstract: A belt tensioner with integral damping comprising a housing, a pivot bushing, a spring element, a disc-shaped spring bushing, a lever arm assembly, a pulley assembly, an armplate assembly including an armplate and a friction element; wherein the armplate assembly comprises an armplate having a cup-shaped cavity including a circumferential edge and a plurality of spaced apart finger elements extending from said circumferential edge wherein the finger elements are configured to provide a high degree of damping in a radial direction., and a friction element disposed between the fingers elements and the armplate, the friction element providing at least one contact area having increased friction between the lever arm and the armplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventor: James G. Quintus
  • Patent number: 7186197
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator comprising two drive motors (14A, 14B), an outlet (22), a differential reducer (16) with spur teeth and a torque limiter (18), the latter two components being disposed between the two motors (14A, 14B) and the outlet (22). According to the invention, the torque limiter (18) is built into the differential reducer (16). The invention can be used to anchor a landing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: Cedric Zordan