Patents Issued in March 27, 2007
  • Patent number: 7195496
    Abstract: A connector assembly (11) for providing electricity to an electroluminescent display (12) that is mounted on an outer face of a carrier plate (10), includes a first connector (13) that has an insulative body (21) with a rearwardly-opening slit (24) that receives an edge of the carrier plate, the body having inner and outer body arms (25, 26) on opposite sides of the slot. The first connector also has a plurality of U-shaped contact elements (28) with parallel inner and outer ends (32, 31) that lie in the different body arms. The outer end of each contact element engages a conductive pad (16) on the carrier plate but the rest of the outer end is surrounded by the outer body to safeguard against a person touching the contact element outer end. The inner end of each contact element is held spaced from the inner face of the carrier plate by the body inner arm that surrounds the inner end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Biermann, Yasar Semerci, Werner Deiss
  • Patent number: 7195497
    Abstract: A retention member aligns and stabilizes one or more insert molded lead assemblies (IMLAs) in an electrical connector. The retention member provides for alignment and stability in the x-, y-, and z-directions. Such a retention member may be in connection with a right angle header connector. The retention member provides stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts. The retention member is expandable in length, and may be sized and shaped to fit a single header assembly or multiple position configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hull, Stuart C. Stoner, Steven E. Minich, Alan Raistrick
  • Patent number: 7195498
    Abstract: A surface-mount connector (100) comprises an insulating housing (1) defining passageways thereon and a plurality of contacts (2) arranged in the passageways. Each contact comprises a soldering section (33) extending out the housing, an engagement point (321) and a middle portion connecting the soldering section and the engagement point. The middle portion touches at least one sidewall of each passageway, and a cutout (17) is formed on said at least one sidewall of the passageway to space the middle portion from said at least one sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen-Hua Wang, Xiao-Gao Yang
  • Patent number: 7195499
    Abstract: A method of repairing a light-emitting device capable of performing high quality image display even if pinholes are formed when forming an organic compound layer is provided. Device contamination can be prevented during repair. By applying a reverse bias voltage to an organic light emitting element during fixed periods of time, the electric current flowing in the EL element during application of the reverse bias voltage is reduced. Further, by forming a cathode so as to contain as little as possible of the high mobility ions Li and Na, contamination of the device when the reverse bias is applied can be prevented. It is preferable to use AlMg and MgAg for this type of cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7195500
    Abstract: The present invention provides a GFCI that not only has ground fault protection, but also is capable of providing reverse wiring protection as well as detection of end of the service life of the GFCI by way of utilizing an end of life detection control circuit in connection with the reset button. In addition, the GFCI of the present invention provides a forcible mechanical tripping assembly by way of utilizing the test button. Finally, the present invention provides method for detecting whether the service life of the GFCI has ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventors: Huadao Huang, Huayang Lu
  • Patent number: 7195501
    Abstract: A card connector includes an insulating housing (10), a number of contacts (20) and an ejector (30). The insulating housing (10) defines a card receiving space (13) with a card insertion/ejection direction. The contacts (20) comprises a number of contacting portions (23) exposed into the card receiving space (13) and arranged in two rows along the card insertion/ejection direction to electrically connect with a card. The ejector (30) includes a slider (31) moving along the card insertion/ejection direction with the card inserted/ejected, an ejecting arm (323) protruding into the card receiving space (13) to eject the card, holding means to securely hold the slider (31) in a final position, and a resilient member (34) disposed in the slider to urge the slider (31) to move along the card ejection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sen-Bing Zhao
  • Patent number: 7195502
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-function connector for vehicles. The multi-function connector of the present invention includes a connector housing, and a plurality of terminals which are disposed in the connector housing and are connected at ends thereof to wires. The connector further includes a conductor which is coupled to at least two terminals and electrically connects the terminals to each other, and a nonconductor which surrounds the conductor. The conductor is a plate type conductor which has an elastic locking part formed by protruding and bending a part of the plate type conductor. A locking groove, having a shape corresponding to the elastic locking part, is formed in the nonconductor, so that coupling of the conductor to the nonconductor is maintained by insertion of the elastic locking part into the locking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Autonet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mun-Soon Kwon
  • Patent number: 7195503
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect assembly and methods for making an electrical interconnect assembly. In one embodiment, an interconnect assembly includes a flexible wiring layer having a plurality of first contact elements and a fluid containing structure which is coupled to the flexible wiring layer. The fluid, when contained in the fluid containing structure, presses the flexible wiring layer towards a device under test to form electrical interconnections between the first contact elements and corresponding second contact elements on the device under test. In a further embodiment, an interconnect assembly includes a flexible wiring layer having a plurality of first contact terminals and a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of second contact terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin N. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 7195504
    Abstract: A high-pressure connector for an electrical power cable segment having a central stranded conductor encased in a polymeric insulation jacket with an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor. The connector confines a fluid within the interstitial void volume at a residual pressure above atmospheric, but below the elastic limit of the insulation jacket. A housing interior chamber receives the conductor in fluid communication with the interstitial void volume. Some embodiments have the chamber sized to receive and overlap a portion of the insulation jacket with a housing end portion swaged thereto. A seal seals the insulation jacket with respect to the housing and a retaining member secures the cable segment to the housing to prevent pushback of the insulation jacket at the residual pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Novinium, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen John Bertini, Anthony Roy Theimer
  • Patent number: 7195505
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a watertight connection for the purpose of joining electrical or optical circuits including, in a preferred embodiment, a male connector with a cylindrical plug characterized by having a first groove and a first raised seal disposed about the plug's outer side surface and a female connector with a cylindrical receptacle characterized by a second groove and a second raised seal disposed about receptacle's inner side surface, such that the seal of the plug is received in the groove of the receptacle, and groove of the plug receives the seal of the receptacle, thereby operatively coupling the contacts in a redundantly sealed environment. The first and second grooves are disposed distal to the raised seals (with respect the cable end of the connectors) so that when the connector pair is mated, the grooves pass each other without interference and the seals simultaneously engage the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: OYO GeoSpace Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy D. Becker
  • Patent number: 7195506
    Abstract: A fixing structure for an external circuit board is provided for fixing the external circuit board to a carrier board, the carrier board having a first opening, and the external circuit board having a second opening corresponding to the first opening. The fixing structure includes a connecting member and a cantilever extended from one end of the connecting member. When the external circuit board is vertically inserted in a connector of the carrier board, the connecting member is coupled to the first opening of the carrier board and the cantilever is coupled to the second opening of the external circuit board, such that connection between the external circuit board and the carrier board can be enhanced by means of the fixing structure to avoid the external circuit board falling off from the carrier board by shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Lin-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 7195507
    Abstract: A socket apparatus includes a lid pivotally coupled to a socket. When the lid is in an open position, contacts in the socket are actuated to an open position for receiving an integrated circuit. When the lid is closed, levers coupled to the lid cease actuating the contacts, causing them to close and therefore contact pins of the integrated circuit for testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7195508
    Abstract: An electric connector includes a body and a plurality of terminals received in the body. The surface of the body has a receiving surface for receiving electric elements. The receiving surface has a plurality of inserting holes and a plurality of ribs for receiving the electric elements. Besides, the ribs pass through the full receiving surface. Comparing to the prior arts, the situation of the central area of the upper cover out of shape is avoided so as to assure the central processing unit CPU chip module without damage in shaking circumstance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lotes Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ted Ju
  • Patent number: 7195509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector assembly structure of a terminal used for converting connecting wires, comprising a first connector and a second connector disposed on a frame of a cooling system. The first connector is connected to the connecting wires that are connected to a stator of a motor, and is affixed on the frame. The second connector is connected to the connecting wires to be converted. The second connector has at least one hook on the periphery thereof. The cooling system has a releasing hole that corresponds to the hook and can be engaged with the hook. As a result, the second connector is secured at a fix position, and has an advantage of being detached fast by utilizing the releasing hole. Thus, this invention can satisfy the requirement of converting various connecting wires fast and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Hong, Chia Ching Tsai
  • Patent number: 7195510
    Abstract: An electrical connector system with a first connector housing with a first conductive member and a second connector housing with a second conductive member. At least one latch assembly is connected at each end to the first connector housing and has a beam between the ends which extends along and is spaced out from the first connector housing. A projection and an actuation member extends out from the beam of the latching assembly. The second connector housing has an aperture shaped and sized to detachably mate with the projection when the second connector housing with the second conductive member is mated with the first connector housing with the first conductive member. The actuation member is used to release the projection from the aperture when engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Anderson Power Products
    Inventors: Scott Wakefield, William Chura, Benjamin Hermance, Thomas Eagan, Chad Terry, John Aho
  • Patent number: 7195511
    Abstract: Cable strain relief device (100) for electronic equipment (400) that can be attached at any position on a cable (200). The device (100) can secure the cable (200) to any fixed point (402). The device can protect the cable connection (404) to the electronic equipment by transferring mechanical load placed on the cable (200) to a strong rigid location (402) on the equipment or any fixed point. It also protects the cable from damage typically associated with conventional clamping techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Greg G. Ornt, Brent E. Raiber, David J. Zwick
  • Patent number: 7195512
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for predetermining the withdrawal force required to disconnect an appliance coupler such as a plug and socket. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for preventing disconnection of an appliance coupler such as a plug from a socket. Furthermore, the invention relates to method and apparatus for preventing inadvertent or unintentional disconnection of a plug from a socket for the supply of electrical power to a medical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: ResMed, Limited
    Inventors: Philip James Jenkinson, Nicholas Jerome Reed, Philip Andrew Jones, Dan Kao
  • Patent number: 7195513
    Abstract: A solar grounding connector for capturing a wire. The connector includes a base and a stuffer. The base is made from a conductive metal and includes a base plate. The base plate includes means for assembling the base to a solar panel. A pair of opposed sidewalls extend at an angle from the base plate, each sidewall including a slot of preselected size. The stuffer is pivotably mounted to the base. The stuffer includes a top surface, and a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the stuffer top surface toward the base plate. Each stuffer sidewall has a slot corresponding to the slot in the base sidewall, each opposed stuffer sidewall being adjacent to a base sidewall when engaged. The slot in the stuffer sidewalls urge a wire against the corresponding slots in the base sidewalls, exerting a force on the wire sufficient to establish electrical contact between the wire and the base. The grounding connector also includes means for fastening the stuffer with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Gherardini, Christopher G. Daily
  • Patent number: 7195514
    Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a connector housing with at least one conductive member disposed in at least one passage in the connector housing, two or more clamps which are detachably connected together to the connector housing about the passage, and at least one insert device detachably connected in a pocket in each of the clamps. The detachably connected clamps define at least one first opening to the passage in the connector housing and each of the insert devices extend from the pocket in each of the clamps into the first opening to define at least one second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Anderson Power Products
    Inventors: Scott Wakefield, William Chura, Benjamin Hermance, Thomas Eagan, Chad Terry, John Aho
  • Patent number: 7195515
    Abstract: In a wire harness leading-out structure in which a harness notch groove is formed in a case body, and a water stop cover is slidingly inserted into the harness notch groove, and a wire harness outlet port for the passage of a wire harness therethrough is formed by that portion of the harness notch groove which is not closed by the water stop cover, a plurality of the harness outlet ports are formed by that portion of the harness notch groove which is not closed by the water stop cover, and the plurality of harness outlet ports are arranged at two different heights, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 7195516
    Abstract: The battery housing structure having the battery cavity for housing the battery and the battery cavity lid for closing the opening of the battery cavity, is provided with: the pushing portion for pushing the battery housed in the battery cavity toward the battery cavity lid; the supporting member that supports the battery cavity lid so as to be pivotable about the shaft substantially parallel to the pushing direction of the pushing portion; the battery armature that is provided on the battery cavity lid and is in contact with the electrode of the battery housed in the battery cavity; the slanting part provided on the side, of the battery armature, that comes into contact with the electrode of the battery first when the battery cavity lid is pivoted from the position to open the battery cavity to the position to close the battery cavity. The battery armature pivots while pushing the battery housed in the battery cavity in the direction of the pushing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazunari Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 7195517
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a electrical wiring system that includes a plug connector having a plurality of plug contacts configured to terminate a plurality of wires. The system also includes an electrical wiring device having a cover member, a body member, a ground strap assembly disposed between the cover member and the body member, and a receptacle formed in a rear portion of the body member, the receptacle being configured to accept the plug connector. The ground strap assembly is configured to conform to at least one body member feature such that a distance from the ground strap assembly to a major rear surface of the body member is less than a predetermined distance. The receptacle includes a plurality of receptacle contacts configured to mate with the plurality of plug contacts when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7195518
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a mating end, a wire receiving end, and a longitudinal axis therethrough. The housing holds a plurality of contacts grouped in differential pairs and arranged about the axis. At least one shielding member is located within the housing. The shielding member isolates each differential contact pair from an adjacent differential contact pair. An organizer is configured for attachment to the wire receiving end of the housing. The organizer defines a central opening that receives a plurality of signal wires carrying differential signals. The organizer includes a plurality of wire guides arranged about and extending radially outward from the central opening. The wire guides receive the signal wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Linda Ellen Bert, Sam Denovich, James Joseph Eberle, Jr., Ralph Sykes Martin, Michael Patrick Green
  • Patent number: 7195519
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a mating end and a loading end. First and second contact wafers are loaded into the loading end of the housing. The first and second contact wafers each have a dielectric carrier holding a contact therein. The carriers have outer walls, wherein at least one of the outer walls on each of the carriers has a spacer engagement element provided thereon. A wafer spacer is configured to be positioned between the first and second contact wafers. The wafer spacer is positioned in one of different first and second orientations relative to the side walls of the first and second contact wafers. The wafer spacer has opposed first and second side walls that are separated by a spacer core thickness. The first side wall has a wafer engagement element provided thereon. When the wafer spacer is in the first orientation, the wafer spacer separates the first and second contact wafers by a first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Richard McAlonis, Attalee S. Taylor, Richard Elof Hamner
  • Patent number: 7195520
    Abstract: A connector for antenna includes a hollow casing having a flange and an annular protrusion extending inward from an inner periphery thereof. A plurality of notches are defined through the annular protrusion. A terminal has a first end inserted into the first end of the casing and a stop ring is mounted on the terminal to seal the first end of the casing. A C-shaped spring member is mounted on the terminal and including a C-shaped body and two legs which are engaged with the notches of the annular protrusion. The C-shaped body is located between the flange and the annular protrusion. The spring member is well positioned so that it is not rotated when the antenna is rotated and no noise is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Chung-Chuan Huang
  • Patent number: 7195521
    Abstract: A DSX jack module having removable jacks is disclosed. The jack module includes a jack mount for holding the jacks. The jack module also includes a front facing cross-connect array and a front facing IN/OUT array. A circuit board is electrically connected to the arrays. The circuit board includes portions positioned directly behind the cross-connect array and the IN/OUT array. A chassis for holding jack modules is also disclosed. The chassis includes a front door having a double hinge configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Musolf, Richard T. Demulling
  • Patent number: 7195522
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a connector housing having a retainer receiving opening and a terminal insertion opening. A retainer is receivable in the retainer receiving opening and has a terminal receiving aperture that substantially aligns with the terminal insertion opening to form a terminal receiving path. The retainer is moveable between a first position and a second position. An elastic lance extends from a lower edge of and substantially beneath the terminal receiving aperture. A shoulder is formed on an upper surface of the terminal receiving aperture opposite from the elastic lance. An engaging claw extending from the elastic lance extends into the terminal receiving path in the first position for temporarily engaging a terminal, and the shoulder extends into the terminal engaging path in the second position for permanently engaging the terminal. The engaging claw is removed from the terminal receiving path in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Okada, Toshiaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7195523
    Abstract: An electrical conductive path for medical electronic device generally includes a plurality of stackable molded non-conductive housing with each housing having a bore therethrough alignable with adjacent housing bores. The adjacent housings and define any combination when stacked, spaced apart slots for receiving a plurality of electrically conductive spring rings. A plurality of electrically conducting garter springs are disposed within corresponding spring rings and a cable is provided including wires attached to corresponding spring rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques Naviaux
  • Patent number: 7195524
    Abstract: A coupling head includes resilient engaging arms arranged circumferentially in a sleeve body. Each engaging arm is connected integrally to an annular inner surface of the sleeve body, has a free end extending toward a first open end of the sleeve body and spaced apart from the inner surface of the sleeve body, and is formed with a protrusion. A tubular electrical terminal extends into the sleeve body via a second open end of the same, and has an annular outer surface formed with an annular engaging groove that engages detachably the protrusions of the engaging arms, thereby confining the electrical terminal in the sleeve body. The protrusions of the engaging arms are disengaged from the engaging groove in the electrical terminal by moving the free ends of the engaging arms toward the inner surface of the sleeve body using a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hantechnic Incorporated
    Inventor: Tien-Hsing Lin
  • Patent number: 7195525
    Abstract: In an outboard motor adapted for mounting on a boat and equipped with an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a battery for supplying voltage to the engine and electric motor, and a controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor, the controller is disposed near the battery. In other words, the controller is not installed on the outboard motor side where the engine and the like are present but on the boat side where the battery is installed. As a result, the effect of the vibration and heat of the engine on the controller is minimized so that the controller can utilize simpler structural features for vibration and heat resistance and is also advantageous in terms of cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi Watabe, Yoshio Ohtomo, Yoshihisa Hirose
  • Patent number: 7195526
    Abstract: A trolling motor for use with a watercraft is disclosed. The trolling motor comprises a head portion, a propulsion unit, a shaft coupling the propulsion unit to the head portion, and a mounting system configured to secure the trolling motor to the watercraft and to pivot the trolling motor between a deployed position and a stowed position. The mount system comprises a base having a first portion adapted to be mounted to the watercraft and a second portion adapted to receive the trolling motor, a pivot member coupled to the base and configured to pivot between the deployed position and the stowed position, and a damper mechanism coupled to the pivot member and configured to impede the movement of the member as the pivot member is being moved between the deployed position and the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Bernloehr, Dale E. Simonson
  • Patent number: 7195527
    Abstract: A jet propulsion unit for a small watercraft includes a reverse thrust arrangement. The reverse thrust arrangement includes a water diverter bucket assembly moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to a steering nozzle of the jet propulsion unit. An idle speed of the watercraft's engine can be manually and/or automatically adjusted between a low engine idle speed and a high engine idle speed. The lower engine idle speed allows comfortable shifting maneuvers. The higher engine idle speed provides for tighter turning when the throttle is released. The engine cannot be started unless the reverse trust arrangement is in a partially open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Tani, Kenji Itou
  • Patent number: 7195528
    Abstract: In an outboard motor exhaust system having a first exhaust gas passage discharging engine exhaust gas into water and a shift actuator operating a shift mechanism to establish one from among a forward position, a reverse position and a neutral position, there are provided a second exhaust gas passage branched from the first exhaust gas passage at a location above the water and an exhaust valve installed in the second exhaust gas passage and connected to the shift mechanism to be opened when the reverse position is established. The exhaust valve is alternatively opened by an exhaust valve actuator installed separately from the shift actuator. With this, it becomes possible to prevent the decrease in thrust produced during reverse boat travel by the engine exhaust gas being sucked in by a propeller, without degrading shift feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hideaki Takada, Hiroshi Mizuguchi, Shinsaku Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7195529
    Abstract: A strap containment device includes a strap and a loop member. The strap includes an end and a length and is configured to roll upon itself such that the strap end is at a center of a roll of the strap. The loop member is coupled to the strap end and extends in a direction nonparallel to a direction along the strap length. The loop is exposed outside of the roll and is configured to extend around the roll to contain the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Stearns Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Crandall
  • Patent number: 7195530
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system comprising a structure in a body of water, wherein the body of water comprises a depth comprising a top-section from a surface of the body of water to one-third of the depth, and a second-section from one-third of the depth to two-thirds of the depth, a first buoyant apparatus attached to the structure in the top-section of the depth, a second buoyant apparatus attached to the structure in the second-section of the depth, wherein the second buoyant apparatus provides a second buoyancy effect average per length of the structure at least 30% less than a first buoyancy effect average per length of the structure provided by the first buoyant apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Michael Hosokawa Dupre
  • Patent number: 7195531
    Abstract: An image display unit having a structure in which a heat-resisting fine particle layer is formed on a metal back layer disposed on a phosphor layer, and a getter layer is deposited/formed on the heat-resisting fine particle layer by vapor-depositing. The fine particle layer is desirably formed in a specified pattern, and a filmy getter layer is formed in a pattern complementary to the former pattern. The average particle size of heat-resisting fine particles which may use SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 is 5 nm to 30 ?m. Since abnormal discharging is restricted, the destruction and deterioration of an electron emitting element and a phosphor screen are prevented to provide a high-brightness, high-grade display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeo Ito, Tsuyoshi Oyaizu, Takashi Nishimura, Satoshi Koide, Hitoshi Tabata
  • Patent number: 7195532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing plasma display panel and a substrate holder, preventing an occurrence of dust giving an unfavorable effect in a forming process of a film on a substrate of a plasma display panel in a film forming apparatus. When forming the film, a substrate (3) and a dummy substrate (35) are held by a first substrate holder (31) composed of a supporter sustaining underneath the substrate and a restrictor restricting a position of the substrates (3) in a plane direction, and a second substrate holder (32) sustaining the first substrate holder (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiko Takase, Jun Shinozaki, Hiroyuki Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7195533
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating an envelope, which has a high freedom of process, is economical and allows an easy process management. The method aims to fabricate an envelope formed by sealing first and members, the envelope having a vacuum space therein, and basically comprises a step of baking the first and second members in vacuum in a first chamber, a carrying step of carrying the first and second members subjected to baking from the first chamber to a second chamber in an atmosphere in which an air having a predetermined dew point is maintained at a temperature exceeding such dew point, and a sealing step of sealing the first and second members in vacuum in the second chamber thereby forming the envelope. The method allows to economically provide an image display device and an image display apparatus of satisfactory display quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7195534
    Abstract: During play, a toy is rotated in a horizontal circular path about a player's ankle. The toy includes a collar and a housing connected to the collar by a tether. During play, the housing rotates about the player's ankle, while the player simultaneously hops or skips the tether. The housing contains a ribbon that is extendable from the housing to any one of a selected number of lengths. The length of the ribbon extended from the housing is directly proportional to a difficulty level of playing with the skipping toy in the manner described above. That is, the longer the ribbon, the faster a player must rotate the toy to avoid contact between the ribbon and a ground or playing surface. The ribbon may be automatically or manually retracted when the player wishes to do so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Peter L. Millman
  • Patent number: 7195535
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing metrology for chemical mechanical polishing. A chemical mechanical polishing system includes a first polishing station, a second polishing station, a transport device, and a first measuring station. The transport device is configured to hold a workpiece during polishing at the first and second polishing stations and to move the workpiece from the first polishing station to the second polishing station. The first measuring station is situated to measure a characteristic of the workpiece when the transport device is holding the workpiece and when the workpiece is not in contact with a polishing pad of any of the first polishing station and the second polishing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Boguslaw A. Swedek, Dominic J. Benvegnu
  • Patent number: 7195536
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus and method can use an eddy current monitoring system and an optical monitoring system. Signals from the monitoring systems can be combined on an output line and extracted by a computer. A thickness of a polishing pad can be calculated. The eddy current monitoring system and optical monitoring system can measure substantially the same location on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Boguslaw A. Swedek, Manoocher Birang, Nils Johansson
  • Patent number: 7195537
    Abstract: A system of process control is provided. The system comprises a first processing tool, a first sensor, a second processing tool, and a processor. The first processing tool processes a first workpiece. The first sensor provides real-time monitoring (RTM) data of the first processing tool while processing the first workpiece. The second processing tool processes the first workpiece subsequent to the first processing tool. The processor adjusts, according to the real-time monitoring data and a preset program, the first processing tool for processing a second workpiece, and the second processing tool for processing the first workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Volume Chien, Chyi-Shyuan Chern, Yu Yuan Kuo, Ming-Te Mo
  • Patent number: 7195538
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a processing tool that processes a periphery of an eyeglass lens; a lens chucking shaft that holds the lens; a rotating unit that rotates the chucking shaft; a first moving unit that relatively moves the chucking shafts with respect to the processing tool; a lens holding arm that is provided with first and second lens holders for holding the lenses; a second moving unit that moves the lens holding arm; and a controller that controls the first and second moving units so that the first lens holder and the chucking shaft are moved to a first transfer position to transfer the lens therebetween, and, following the processing of the lens which is held by the first lens holder, the second lens holder and the chucking shaft are moved to a second transfer position to transfer the lens therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7195539
    Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad for chemical-mechanical polishing comprising (a) a first polishing layer comprising a polishing surface and a first aperture having a first length and first width, (b) a second layer comprising a body and a second aperture having a second length and second width, wherein the second layer is substantially coextensive with the first polishing layer and at least one of the first length and first width is smaller than the second length and second width, and (c) a substantially transparent window portion, wherein the transparent window portion is disposed within the second aperture of the second layer so as to be aligned with the first aperture of the first polishing layer and the transparent window portion is separated from the body of the second layer by a gap. The invention further provides a chemical-mechanical polishing apparatus and method of polishing a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Coporation
    Inventors: Kyle A. Turner, Jeffrey L. Beeler, Kelly J. Newell
  • Patent number: 7195540
    Abstract: A method and system are presented for monitoring a process sequentially applied to a stream of substantially identical articles by a processing tool, so as to terminate the operation of the processing tool upon detecting an end-point signal corresponding to a predetermined value of a desired parameter of the article being processed. The article is processed with the processing tool. Upon completing the processing in response to the end-point signal generated by an end-point detector continuously operating during the processing of the article, integrated monitoring is applied to the processed article to measure the value of the desired parameter. The measured value of the desired parameter is analyzed to determine a correction value thereof to be used for adjusting the end-point signal corresponding to the predetermined value of the desired parameter for terminating the processing of the next article in the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.
    Inventor: Moshe Finarov
  • Patent number: 7195541
    Abstract: An wafer polishing pad assembly for use in CMP includes an optical sensor for sensing reflectivity of the wafer during polishing, and produces a corresponding signal, and transmits the signal from the rotating pad to a stationary portion of the assembly. The signal is transmitting off the pad through non-contact couplings such inductive coupling or optical couplings after being converted into signal formats enabling non-contact transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Strasbaugh
    Inventor: Stephan H. Wolf
  • Patent number: 7195542
    Abstract: A wire saw (1; 100) for cutting a workpiece includes a device (21, 22, 24, 27) for setting, controlling and/or maintaining a predetermined or desired water content in at least part of the gaseous medium that contacts the slurry. With the wire saw according to the invention and the process carried out using this wire saw, it is possible to achieve consistently good surface properties of the resulting wafers over a prolonged period of use of a slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Freiberger Compound Materials GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Hammer, André Kleinwechter, Sylvia Müller, Ralf Gruszynsky
  • Patent number: 7195543
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining a part by on-head and continuous grinding tool profiling includes a part holder support driven into rotation by first driving means around a first axis in a vertical plane, a machining system provided with a grinding tool for machining the part, and a knurl for profiling the grinding tool. The first driving means are incorporated into a cradle driven into rotation by second driving means along a second axis perpendicular to the vertical plane. The machining system includes a bearing structure translationally mobile along three axes equipped with a main spindle for rotating the grinding tool, and a rotating device bound to the bearing structure and provided with a secondary spindle integral with the knurl moving around the axis of rotation of the grinding pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Thierry Cousin
  • Patent number: 7195544
    Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad comprising a polymeric material having pores and a component that is disposed within the pores, as well as a method of polishing a workpiece with the aforesaid polishing pad, and a method for producing the aforesaid polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Abaneshwar Prasad
  • Patent number: 7195545
    Abstract: Technology of making freestanding gallium nitride (GaN) wafers has been matured at length. Gallium nitride is rigid but fragile. Chamfering of a periphery of a GaN wafer is difficult. At present edges are chamfered by a rotary whetstone of gross granules with weak pressure. Minimum roughness of the chamfered edges is still about Ra 10 ?m to Ra 6 ?m. The large edge roughness causes scratches, cracks, splits or breaks in transferring process or wafer process. A wafer of the present invention is bevelled by fixing the wafer to a chuck of a rotor, bringing an edge of the wafer into contact with an elastic whetting material having a soft matrix and granules implanted on the soft matrix, rotating the wafer and feeding the whetting material. Favorably, several times of chamfering edges by changing the whetting materials of smaller granules are given to the wafer. The chamfering can realize small roughness of Ra 10 nm and Ra 5 ?m at edges of wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakayama, Masato Irikura