Patents Issued in March 27, 2007
  • Patent number: 7194789
    Abstract: A nonwoven composite fabric is provided that contains one or more abraded (e.g., sanded) surfaces. In addition to improving the softness and handfeel of the nonwoven composite fabric, it has been unexpectedly discovered that abrading such a fabric may also impart excellent liquid handling properties (e.g., absorbent capacity, absorbent rate, wicking rate, etc.), as well as improved bulk and capillary tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Farrell Thomaschefsky, Larry M. Brown
  • Patent number: 7194790
    Abstract: In a needle loom having at least one needle bar coupled by cam follower means to two eccentric shafts in order to be moved by said eccentric shafts in a movement path having two components which are normal to one another, the eccentric shafts are each provided with eccentric cams which have equal amounts of eccentricity and are adapted to be synchronously rotated, and said cam followers rotatably mounted on said eccentric cams are movably connected to one another by at least one coupling element which is adapted to yield in one direction but is stiff in a direction normal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Oskar Dilo Maschinenfabrik KG
    Inventor: Joachim Leger
  • Patent number: 7194791
    Abstract: There are provided a plating factory for process roll for a gravure printing and a turn-table type roll stock apparatus preferable to the gravure printing plate manufacturing factory where a series of plating steps can be performed against the process roll for the gravure printing in an unmanned state at night in a full-automatic operation and the cell can be formed. Many process rolls can be stood obliquely in a circumferential arrangement in one stage or two stages at a roll pallet in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the process rolls may coincide with a generatrix at a conical surface and an optional roll pallet can be stopped at a predetermined position so as to store or take out the process rolls in respect to the roll pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Think Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shigeta, Shigeru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7194792
    Abstract: A method of assembling a refrigerator cabinet assembly including creating a shell by bending a single sheet of material to form side walls interconnected by a top wall, forming front face portions by in-turning front edge portions of the side and top walls, creating a flange assembly including at least a front flange which leads to a return flange that extends to a rear flange, and inserting first and second reinforcing members behind the rear flange so as to be arranged at spaced locations against the rear flange and one of the side walls. The reinforcing members function to increase the structural integrity of the shell while including tab structure for mounting and/or shell deformation preventing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Grace, Dean A. Martin, Eugene H. Schuchert, Forrest F. Wing
  • Patent number: 7194793
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a frequency characteristic of an edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device includes the step of obtaining a frequency characteristic of an edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device having a piezoelectric substrate. The edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device has a pair of edges of the piezoelectric substrate which define a predetermined distance therebetween. The piezoelectric substrate is cut at a position which defines a distance that is shorter than the predetermined distance when a final frequency characteristic of the edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device is to be higher than the obtained frequency characteristic. The piezoelectric substrate is cut at a position which defines a distance that is longer than the predetermined distance when a final frequency characteristic of the edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device is to be lower than the obtained frequency characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Kadota, Yasunori Takakuwa, Seigo Hayashi, Junya Ago, Hideya Horiuchi, Mamoru Ikeura
  • Patent number: 7194794
    Abstract: An electrical machine has a base body provided with conductors fixed in grooves of the base body by a material which limits a groove slot at both sides, and the conductors in the grooves are deformed by a stamping punch introducible through the groove slot into the corresponding groove so that a conductor cross-section is adjusted to a groove cross-section in a region of the corresponding conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Arendes, Christian Werthmann, Maik Seidel, Lars Blenkle, Mirko Bunzel
  • Patent number: 7194795
    Abstract: A head suspension or head suspension component for supporting a head slider over a rigid disk in a dynamic storage device and a method of manufacturing. The head suspension includes a head suspension component and a compliant locating feature formed within the head suspension component. The compliant locating feature includes a plurality of spring beam tabs defined by an aperture and positioned to extend toward an opening. The compliant feature is preferably configured to receive a tapered cylindrical pin through the opening for precisely locating the head suspension component relative to a desired reference while the spring beam tabs are engaged by the tapered pin. The head suspension component may include two or more compliant locating features, and the head suspension may include two or more components that each include one or more compliant locating features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard R. Jenneke
  • Patent number: 7194796
    Abstract: A magnetic head and method for forming the same. Leads are added to a wafer stack having a free layer, a bias layer, and a spacer layer between the free layer and bias layer. A gap is formed between the leads. A protective layer is added to the wafer stack such that the gap is covered, as well as facing ends of the leads. Material is removed from at least one side area of the wafer stack using the protective layer as a mask. The protective layer is removed. A portion of the bias layer below the gap is processed for reducing a magnetic moment of the bias layer in the portion of the bias layer below the gap for forming a sensor in which magnetic moments of end portions of the free layer are pinned by magnetic moments of end portions of the bias layer, and preferably antiparallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kim Y. Lee, Jih-Shiuan Luo
  • Patent number: 7194797
    Abstract: Methods for use in forming a CPP read sensor for a magnetic head are disclosed. In a particular example, a plurality of read sensor layers are formed over a first shield layer and a resist without undercuts is formed over the plurality of read sensor layers in a central region. With the resist in place, read sensor materials in side regions adjacent the central region are removed by milling to thereby form a read sensor structure in the central region. Insulator materials and metallic seed materials are then deposited in the side regions. High angle ion milling is performed to reduce a thickness of the insulator materials, the metallic seed materials, or both, along sidewalls of the read sensor structure. Magnetic hard bias materials are subsequently deposited over the metallic seed materials, and a second shield layer is formed over the structure after the resist is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Mustafa Michael Pinarbasi
  • Patent number: 7194798
    Abstract: Methods suitable for use in making a write coil of a magnetic head includes the steps of forming a seed layer made of ruthenium (Ru) over a substrate; forming, over the seed layer, a patterned resist having a plurality of write coil trenches patterned therein; electroplating electrically conductive materials within the plurality of write coil trenches to thereby form a plurality of write coil layers; removing the patterned resist; and performing a reactive ion etch (RIE) in ozone gas (O3) for removing exposed seed layer materials in between the plurality of write coil layers. Advantageously, the write coil layers remain undamaged from the RIE in the ozone gas. Other structures may be fabricated in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Christian René Bonhôte, Quang Le
  • Patent number: 7194799
    Abstract: A high density multi-layer microcoil includes a substrate, a multi-layer coil winding, a magnetic core and a dry film photoresist structure. The multi-layer coil winding and the magnetic core are supported by the dry film photoresist structure. The fabrication process is using photolithography process to form a dry film photoresist structure with a coil tunnel having coil elements perpendicular to the substrate and two outlets at ends of the tunnel; and injecting a conductive material with a low melting point into the tunnel and forming the coil winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Morris P. F. Liang, Sway Chuang, Frank K. C. Fan, Chen Chung Kao
  • Patent number: 7194800
    Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device is positioned inside the drum. The device includes a hollow cylindrical wedge which cylindrically collapses a tube inwardly upon driving the wedge between the tube hole and outer tube wall. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its inner surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the tube hole such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the wedge engages the tube and the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Babcick & Wilcox Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke G. M. Gray
  • Patent number: 7194801
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating solid-state energy-storage devices including fabrication films for devices without an anneal step. A film of an energy-storage device is fabricated by depositing a first material layer to a location on a substrate. Energy is supplied directly to the material forming the film. The energy can be in the form of energized ions of a second material. Supplying energy directly to the material and/or the film being deposited assists in controlling the growth and stoichiometry of the film. The method allows for the fabrication of ultrathin films such as electrolyte films and dielectric films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cymbet Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Lynn Jenson, Victor Henry Weiss
  • Patent number: 7194802
    Abstract: A device and method for testing a slider of a head-gimbal assembly during disc drive manufacturing. The device includes a test disc, an actuator arm and a control module. The test disc has a first circumferential area for detecting contact between the slider and the test disc and a second circumferential area for burnishing sliders that contact the first circumferential area as the test disc rotates at or above the predetermined velocity. The head-gimbal assembly is affixed to a support, or flexure, on the actuator arm such that the slider is operable to move between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the test disc. The control module controls rotation of the test disc and movement of the actuator arm, and thus the slider, relative to the test disc. The control module monitors the slider-disc interface for contact therebetween. If contact is detected, the slider is either burnished or the head-gimbal assembly is discarded altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Serge J. Fayeulle, Paul W. Smith, Gary E. Bement
  • Patent number: 7194803
    Abstract: A seal ring of a shaft seal has micro-topography depth features, such as wavy faces or radial grooves, formed in the seal face which define a hydrodynamic seal region between opposing seal faces. The micro-topography depth features are formed by an excimer laser shaped such that the beam shape at least has non-linear side edges which define convergent side areas of the beam. The convergent side areas are defined by side edge sections which converge toward each other and preferably are non-linear. For example, the beam shape may be circular or elliptical. The laser beam first cuts repeatedly along the same beam path to define a cut with an increasing depth, whereby the laser beam is shifted incrementally sidewardly to define multiple adjacent beam cuts that form the micro-topography feature such as a valley of a wavy face, a radial groove or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Lionel A. Young, Jeffery R. Staloch
  • Patent number: 7194804
    Abstract: A reinforced hydroform member having an outer structural member reinforced by a structural foam supported by the outer structural member. The structural foam extends along at least a portion of the length of the outer structural member. The structural foam is a heat-activated epoxy-based resin. As the foam is heated, it expands and adheres to adjacent surfaces. The preferred structural foam material is commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich. under the designation L5206, L5207, L5208, or L5209.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: L & L Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Czaplicki
  • Patent number: 7194805
    Abstract: A post bearing and method of manufacture in which bearing balls are loaded into a series of pocket holes arranged along a helical pattern in a sleeve cage. A single groove is swaged into the outside diameter of the sleeve intermediate the ball turns to capture the balls in the pocket holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Danly IEM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Lee Taylor, William Fred Heinze
  • Patent number: 7194806
    Abstract: A nail clipper for pets has a clipper body formed with a pair of board spring arms with operating ends biased apart for mounting respective blade pieces thereon, and the blade pieces are each formed as a semi-circular or semi-elliptical ring half of a given thickness having a cutting edge formed on an inner facing rim thereof and diametrically opposing ends pivotally attached together with the semi-circular or semi-elliptical cutting edges positioned apart facing each other for insertion of a nail of a pet and closing together to cut the pet's nail. The blade pieces produce smooth nail edges cut in a semi-spherical or semi-elliptical shape in a single cutting action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Masayuki Kuzuu
  • Patent number: 7194807
    Abstract: Nail clippers having both shielded cutting blades to prevent intentional or accidental injury and an integral means for collecting clipped nails. The nail clippers include two hollow cylindrical housings each having both a closed and open end. The edges of the open ends of both housings each have a corresponding concave sharpened section, forming the cutting edges of a nail clipping slot. The housings are both slideably connected to and spring biased against each other. A nail inserted into the nail clipping slot is clipped by squeezing the housings together. Clipped nails are collected in the closed end of one of the housings. The closed end may be opened and/or removed to discard the clippings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Edward Weiss
  • Patent number: 7194808
    Abstract: A pair of hairdressing scissors includes two cutting members pivotally connected together. Each cutting member includes a handle having a first side in which a first groove is defined and a second side in which a second groove is defined. A magnetic member is mounted in each first groove in a manner that the magnetic member has an exposed portion outside the respective handle. The exposed portion of each magnetic member of the pair of hairdressing scissors is adapted to be securely engaged with a second groove of a respective handle of another pair of similarly constructed hairdressing scissors. In another embodiment, each cutting member includes a handle having a through-hole extending from a first side thereof through a second side thereof, and a magnetic member is mounted in each through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Wen-Ya Yeh
  • Patent number: 7194809
    Abstract: A knife blade having a cutting edge with a first end and a mounting edge opposite the cutting edge. Typically the first end will be a point, but other configurations are possible. In addition, the knife blade has a first attachment slot extending from the mounting edge toward the cutting edge and away from the first end. The first attachment slot may be tapered at a select taper angle. In addition, the first attachment slot may include a first segment extending from the mounting edge toward the cutting edge and a second segment extending from the first segment away from the first end. Similarly, a third segment of the first attachment slot may extend from the first segment toward the first end. In one embodiment, the first, second, and third segments form a substantially “T” shaped attachment slot. Preferably, the second and third segments of a “T” shaped attachment slot are tapered at a select taper angle from the junction with the first segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Patents Holding Company
    Inventor: Dell Skluzak
  • Patent number: 7194810
    Abstract: A device and method for marking or scratching a ceramic tile, to be laid adjacent to a boundary surface is presented. This tile is subsequently cut according to the mark generated by the device. In the first embodiment, said tile is placed upside down between a backup member and an etching member of the apparatus, both connected to a support member resembling a clamp. Said members place pressure on the said edge tile, while said tile is held in place with one hand of the user. The tile is consequently etched when the device is slid across the tile, and along the edge of an adjacent laid tile via a sliding means be constructed to engage the surface below the laid tiles. In the second embodiment, the apparatus resembles a marker with an angled marking point. On one end an adjustable guide wheel is attached and optionally, on the opposite end, a sliding means is attached. It operates in principle as the first embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Moti Shai
  • Patent number: 7194811
    Abstract: A system is provided for properly resizing a window shade to fit within a window frame adjacent a window. At least one ruler strip is provided with visible graduations thereon. Indicia are provided adjacent at least some of the graduations. The indicia are descriptive of a width of a window frame in which the window shade will fit when the window shade is cut at the graduation adjacent to that indicia. A position of the graduations and the corresponding indicia are misdescriptive of a width of the window shade so that clearance around the perimeter of the window shade and cutting of both edges of the window shade are accommodated. Both rectangular window shade and arched window shade sizing systems are provided. A retainer is also provided for holding and guiding of a cutting tool during cutting of the window shade for proper resizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Shades Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Militello, Barry L. Shevick
  • Patent number: 7194812
    Abstract: A laser marking device includes a fixture for temporarily attaching the device in an initial cutout of a number of serial cutouts to be fabricated in adjacent assembled I-joists. Combined with the fixture is an angle gage that provides angular positioning of a marking laser. The angle gage is configured to hold the laser with its beam coinciding with the marking origin of the initial cutout, which in case of circular cutout may be the reference center at which the pilot drill of the hole saw is centered at the begin of the cutout operation. The marker laser may be horizontally and/or vertically oriented together with an eventual alignment laser and an eventual target marker temporarily affixed on the I-joist where a final reference point is determined for an axial orientation of the cutouts across the I-joists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: John D. Davis
  • Patent number: 7194813
    Abstract: A gyrocompass has a gyrosphere which incorporates a rotor and floats in a liquid tank filled with an electrolyte, and a plurality of electrodes which are disposed in the gyrosphere and the liquid tank, and are respectively opposed through the electrolyte, wherein at least one circuit which supplies electric power to the rotor involves the electrodes, and the plurality of the electrodes includes a first belt-shaped electrode disposed in an equatorial portion of the gyrosphere, the first belt-shaped electrode is formed of a metal which is corrosion-resistant and is a good conductor, and an insulating film is formed on a portion of a surface of the first belt-shaped electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shoichi Kogure
  • Patent number: 7194814
    Abstract: A self-balancing, no-spin magnetic compass. A described embodiment includes a compass card assembly, a retainer assembly, a pivot assembly, a gimbal assembly, a cup, and a dome. The compass card assembly includes an air chamber which provides buoyancy. The retainer assembly functions with the compass card assembly to retain magnets. The pivot assembly snap-fits into the retaining assembly and contacts the compass card assembly to allow the compass card assembly to pivot about the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly also snap-fits into the gimbal assembly. The base of the pivot assembly is positioned into the cup and the entire compass is secured into the dome, that is filled with a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Rule Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce S. Wilkinson, Yu-Feng Wei, Scott K. Batchelder
  • Patent number: 7194815
    Abstract: There is provided a quadrilateral insulating substrate, and plural magnetic sensors are provided on the substrate. An IC is provided on the substrate for supplying driving signals to the magnetic sensors and receiving magnetic detecting signals from the magnetic sensors to output magnetic information depending on strength of magnetism. The magnetic sensors and the IC are encapsulated by an encapsulation member to integrate the substrate and magnetic sensors and IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd., Neomax Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shinichi Miyashita, Makoto Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7194816
    Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus 1 uses an acceleration sensor as a tilt angle sensor 24, and realizes various applications based on this detection result. A processing unit 10 counts the number of steps of a human based on acceleration components of low frequency detected by the tilt angle sensor that detects the acceleration components. At that time, the acceleration component of an axis among three axes which most approximates a gravity axis is mainly used. A viewpoint relative to a three-dimensional object or a three-dimensional space displayed on a display unit 36 is moved. By effectively utilizing the detection result of the tilt angle sensor, it is possible to realize a mobile terminal apparatus 1 featuring greater usefulness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: C&N Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 7194817
    Abstract: An intrinsic gauging device for a ferrule type tube fitting of the type having a coupling nut, a coupling body and at least one ferrule, includes a precisely formed marking on the coupling nut that is visually perceptible that indicates the pull-up position of the tube fitting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Lonnie E. Johnston, John D. Karkosiak, Gerald A. Babuder, Sanjeev S. Moghe
  • Patent number: 7194818
    Abstract: A mount table having a mount surface on which a workpiece as an object to be measured or worked includes a support unit for supporting the mount table so as to be floated from a surface plate so that the mount table can freely move or rotate on the surface plate finished to be plane or fixing and supporting the mount table on the surface plate and a plurality of artifact for measuring a plurality of attitudes on the mount table to detect the positions and rotations of the mount table in respective attitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Seiichi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7194819
    Abstract: An opposed type fulcrum member of a lever detector is constituted by a main body part having a U-shaped section and thin-walled parts each formed in opposed positions of two sides of the main body part, and two ends of the U-shaped main body part can rock, with the tin-walled parts serving as fulcrums. By performing the U-shaped working and thin-walled working of the main body part by press forming, a low-cost, uniform opposed type fulcrum member is obtained and it is possible to reduce the cost of the whole lever detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd., Tosei Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Nozomi Takai
  • Patent number: 7194820
    Abstract: A punch press alignment instrument has upper and lower cylindrical components that are associated for vertical displacement relative to one another. Both components have outer tool holder engaging surfaces which are to be aligned with one another so as to in turn align the tool holders of the punch press when the upper and lower components themselves are in alignment. Alignment elements, e.g., ridges and grooves provided on mating surfaces of the components confronting each other are brought into contact with one another to move the components of the instrument into mutual alignment. An alignment control member, e.g., a screw is preferably provided for progressively bringing the upper and lower components toward one another and an indicator such as a lamp, a dial indicator or an audible indicator is provided for denoting the spacing between the upper and lower components to thereby confirm the alignment of the tool holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mate Precision Tooling Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Schweiger, Todd M. Knetsch, Phillip R. Lysdahl, Christopher D. Morgan, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7194821
    Abstract: The downtime of a vacuum processing apparatus due to wet cleaning is reduced. In a vacuum processing apparatus that requires aging for its chamber or process container after vacuum evacuation of the apparatus and before actual processing of a workpiece, when the chamber has been opened to atmosphere for the purpose of wet cleaning or component replacement, the apparatus comprises a high precision absolute pressure gauge for use in processing, a wide range gauge capable of measuring a wide range of pressures, and a controller, wherein the controller uses a pressure trend during vacuum evacuation to determine whether the vacuum evacuation is satisfactory, and starts aging upon determining that the vacuum evacuation is satisfactory even if the actual pressure is not below a prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Edamura, Akitaka Makino, Motohiko Yoshigai, Takanori Nakatsuka, Susumu Tauchi
  • Patent number: 7194822
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controllably drying moisture-containing work pieces. The system comprises a drying compartment defining an internal workspace for housing and drying the moisture-containing work pieces by introducing heat into the internal workspace and heating the moisture-containing work pieces located in the internal workspace by removing heated moisture from the work pieces and absorbing the heated moisture into the air in the workspace to produce heated humidified air. A multi-directional air flow heat exchanger is employed for receiving heated humidified air and atmospheric air and for recycling waste heat from exhaust air from the drying compartment, and for heating the atmospheric air in the heat exchanger using recovered heat extracted from the heated humidified air to a temperature higher than ambient temperature thereby reducing energy costs and drying time and preventing the loss of circulation air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: American Wood Dryers, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Kolari
  • Patent number: 7194823
    Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus includes a heat pump mechanism, an air path for guiding drying air into a drying drum accommodating therein clothes, a blower for supplying drying air to the air path, and a controller for controlling a driving of a compressor, wherein the controller operates the blower and the compressor during a drying operation; stops the compressor in case the drying operation is suspended; and operates, in case the drying operation is resumed, the compressor after a certain time period has elapsed since the compressor had stopped. In case employing the heat pump mechanism having the compressor as a heat source, it is possible to reduce a load on the compressor and allow temperature of warm air to rapidly return by using the heat pump mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Nakamoto, Hidetaka Yabuuchi, Hajime Nojima, Masayuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7194824
    Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus in which lifters arranged on an inner peripheral surface of a rotating drum, while extending axially along the rotating drum, have an improved structure to achieve an enhancement in drying performance. The clothes drying apparatus includes a rotating drum to contain clothes to be dried, and a plurality of lifters arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum. Each lifter has at least one first step surface, and a second step surface. The first and second step surfaces are arranged at different levels to form a stepped structure, so that they cause the clothes to be easily dropped after being raised by the lifter. A pair of first step surfaces are arranged at opposite end portions of the lifter, respectively, and the second step surface is arranged between the first step surfaces at a level lower than that of the first step surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong Hyun Wang
  • Patent number: 7194825
    Abstract: The snowshoe includes an opened U-shaped frame supporting a semi-rigid decking having a toe hole and a harness pivotally attached to the decking near the toe hole. The absence of a rear tail portion on the frame forms a gap that helps prevent the dragging effect of the snowshoe while it trails on the ground during gait. Also, the harness is pivotally attached to the decking by means of a harness attachment that includes an anti-torsion shoulder that will abut on the edge of the decking in the toe hole, to prevent the harness from rotating about an axis that is transversal to the decking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Faber & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy Faber, Richard Faber
  • Patent number: 7194826
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a sole, and at least one cleat assembly pivotally connected to the sole such that a medial portion and a lateral portion of the cleat assembly can move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the sole. An upper may be secured to the sole structure to form an article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Ungari
  • Patent number: 7194827
    Abstract: A snow thrower having a discharge chute rotation and locking device. The snow thrower includes a discharge chute rotatable about a chute axis with respect to the snow thrower housing to discharge in a selected direction snow under the influence of the auger. The snow thrower also includes a rod having a longitudinal axis non-parallel to the chute axis, the rod being rotatable about the longitudinal axis and movable axially along the longitudinal axis. The snow thrower further includes a first crank member fixed for rotation with the rod and engaging a portion of the chute to cause the chute to rotate in response to rotation of the rod. A locking member is movable into and out of engagement with the portion of the chute in response to axial movement of the rod. The chute is prevented from rotating under the influence of rotation of the rod when the locking member is moved into engagement with the portion of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Tim Mercer, Scott Deschler, John Adrian
  • Patent number: 7194828
    Abstract: An article to be worn, such as a badge, displays indicia such as identification and advertising. The article includes a housing, a first indicia member positioned on the first indicia portion of the housing and a second indicia member positioned on the second indicia portion of the housing. The first and second indicia portions are discrete from one another and can receive interchangeable indicia members. The invention further includes a method of identifying a wearer of the article, such as a sales clerk or food service preparer, and advertising a product or service, all with the same badge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Contemporary, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Peterson, Richard C. Haug, Arnold M. Kapitz
  • Patent number: 7194829
    Abstract: A pipe or conduit labeler includes a saddle leg having an inside diameter equal to or slightly smaller than an outside diameter of a pipe or conduit to be labeled. The saddle leg is molded to a saddle stem which in turn is molded to a sign plate. A user either writes useful information directly on the sign plate or affixes a pre-made label to the plate. The sign plate optionally includes raised lettering or information such as an arrow pre-molded on the plate; or Braille characters. The labeler resiliently clips onto the pipe or conduit being labeled. More complex variations of the labeler include extending arms and moveble joins, enabling the identification of pipes or conduits which are at difficult angles or out of direct sight of a user. The labeler allows for quickly and clearly labeling pipes, conduit, tubes, and rods. The labeler can be mass produced as a single mold or in parts with different sign plates of varying size and construction. The sign plate provides a flat surface for writing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: The Volusia Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Martin C. Boire, Janet L. Boire
  • Patent number: 7194830
    Abstract: A flame simulating assembly for providing an image of flames. The flame simulating assembly has a simulated fuel bed, a light source, and a screen with a front surface disposed behind the simulated fuel bed for transmitting light from the light source through the front surface so that the image of flames is transmitted through the front surface. Also, the flame simulating assembly includes a dynamic reflector disposed in front of the simulated fuel bed and including a plurality of reflective surfaces and an axis about which the reflective surfaces rotate. The dynamic reflector is positioned in a path of light from the light source to the simulated fuel bed, for reflecting light from the light source to the simulated fuel bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Dimplex North America Limited
    Inventor: Kristoffer Hess
  • Patent number: 7194831
    Abstract: A menu system comprises a frame that receives interchangeable menu sections with different heights such that sections of various heights are combined to fill the frame space. The menu sections have a central web with upper and lower front channels that receive a presentation strip. Clips, catches, latches, and magnets are used to secure the menu sections in the frame. A preferred menu section uses upper and lower middle web portions attached to web ends. An end cap at the end of a menu section prevents inadvertent loss of presentation strips from the menu section. The end cap can be formed from resilient matter and latched to a web end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: James E. Cullinan
  • Patent number: 7194832
    Abstract: A sign includes a housing, and at least one symbol plate that provides a visual representation of at least one symbol. A symbol plate attaches to the housing in at least two orientations relative to the housing. Optionally, a symbol plate has at least one cutout that provides the visual representation. Optionally, the housing includes a light source that emits light waves that pass through cutouts to illuminate visual representations. Optionally, a sign includes a sheet, disposable between the housing and a symbol plate, and adapted to filter at least one color from the light waves. The at least two orientations can include a first position, and a second position 90 degrees to the first position. Optionally, a sign includes a cover, or a cover and a deluxe plate, having at least one respective opening that exposes the visual representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Carlos Reinaldo Vazquez
  • Patent number: 7194833
    Abstract: A firing mechanism for a firing pin striker operated semiautomatic handgun that includes a sear, a sear block housing, and a pivot arm. The sear is attached to the pivot arm and includes two angled surfaces and an edge portion for controlling the firing pin. The edge portion abuttingly engages an extension of the firing pin adapted to be in planar movement with the edge portion of the sear. The pivot arm and sear move together in an arcuate path about the pin in response to trigger firing movement. Unlike prior art firing mechanisms, the sear does not move vertically along an axis perpendicular to the bore of the handgun. The arcuate movement of the pivot arm causes the edge portion of the sear to disengage from the firing pin. The angled surfaces of the sear allow the firing pin extension to pass over the sear discharging the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: Brett Curry
  • Patent number: 7194834
    Abstract: A firearm includes a receiver having an opening, at least one cartridge-containing cylinder rotatably disposed within the receiver, and a hammer displaceable between cocked and strike positions. A slide is movably coupled with the receiver so as to be linearly displaceable between a front position and a rear position and displaces the hammer to the cocked position. A rotator is movably coupled with the slide and releasably engages with and rotatably displaces the cylinder when the slide displaces toward the front position and alternatively disengages from the cylinder when the slide displaces toward the rear position. Preferably, each cylinder is rotatably disposed within a chamber of a housing removably disposeable within the receiver cavity and displaceable through the receiver opening. Most preferably, at least one cylinder has chambers for receiving cartridges of a first size and another cylinder has chambers for receiving cartridges of a second, different size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Patrick Falenwolfe
  • Patent number: 7194836
    Abstract: A gun attachment adapted to fit to the subframe of a handgun and mount to a laterally extending member which can be a modified laterally extending member to extend beyond the lateral surfaces of the subframe, whereby an extension member which moves with respect to a base member applies a force to the trigger guard of the subframe, thereby creating a positive torque counteracted by engagement of a chamber region to the forward portion of the subframe whereby the gun attachment is rigidly attached to the subframe of the handgun without substantially modifying the same. The handgun attachment further comprises a forward member adapted to have load exerted thereon and transferring the load to the subframe and not to the slide, thereby maintaining the handgun in battery and allowing the handgun to be fired in a close quarter situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Brian Urban
  • Patent number: 7194837
    Abstract: A device for holding a plurality of firearm magazines is disclosed. The device includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a securing member. The upper plate is rotationally positioned about the securing member, and the lower plate is rotationally mounted to the securing member below the upper plate. Firearm magazines are placed between the upper plate and the lower plate, which together securely engage the magazines when tightened with the securing member. Multidirectional movements of the upper plate and the lower plate facilitate placement and securing of the magazines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Roberto V. Obong
  • Patent number: 7194838
    Abstract: A gunsight reticle defines a system of dimensioned indicia spaced at specific separations to improve aiming accuracy of a gun. The indicia may include perpendicularly intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, and four (or more or less) horizontal range-marker lines disposed at specific angular separations below the horizontal hairline in bisected relationship with the center vertical hairline. Spacing of the range marker lines below the center horizontal hairline is proportional to bullet drop at selected ranges, depending upon ballistic characteristics of bullet used. Relative lengths of said range-marker bars on each side of the central vertical crosshair are proportional to a specific crosswind (say 10 mph) at target range reflected by respective range marker. The method involves employing this reticle to determine distance to target, and using distance thus determined to ascertain a precise aiming point on the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas D. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 7194839
    Abstract: A brake assembly for locking a vertical or horizontal slidable sash window or door within a track of a frame is disclosed. The track has an elongated base and a pair of spaced apart, opposed sidewalls extending perpendicular from the base. Each sidewall has an inner shoulder spaced from and parallel to the base. The assembly has a slider body having a central opening extending from a front face of the body to a rear face of the body. The slider body has a side opening in each side of the slider body and being in communication with the central opening. A pair of brake members are provided wherein one brake member is slidably positioned within a respective one of the side openings. A cam has a rear face and a front face, and is adapted to receive a pivot member mounted on either the sash window or door. The cam is positioned in the central opening and is adapted to be rotatable within the opening by the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Richard H. O'Donnell, Jason L. Annes