Patents Issued in April 10, 2007
  • Patent number: 7201542
    Abstract: A solid drill bit for machine tools. has a bit body and two movable inserts located a radial distance apart in insert seats of the bit body. The inserts have a rectangular or quadratic contour, project axially over the bit body with their major cutting edges and overlap in their working area. The outer movable insert projects radially beyond the periphery of the bit body with its outer cutting edge corner and with the adjoining minor cutting edge. Starting from the cutting edge corner, the minor cutting edge is inclined in the direction of the bit body at a setting angle of less than 3.2 °. The minor cutting edge has a guiding edge that is slidingly supported against the wall of the bore over at least part of its length due to a radially outwardly oriented thrust force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Komet Praezisionswerkzeuge Robert Breuning GmbH
    Inventors: Andree Fritsch, Hans Haidinger, Alexander Krause, Jacek Kruszynski, Helmut Morlok, Frank Roeser, Henry Schuett, Miltiadis Theodorou
  • Patent number: 7201543
    Abstract: A twist drill and method for producing is provided. The cutting edge structure has a first portion at the drill tip portion and a second portion disposed away from the drill tip portion. The flute wall extends further into the land structure at the second portion of the cutting edge structure than at the tip portion to provide a greater amount of drill material at the tip portion than at the second portion of the cutting edge structure. The flute wall extends further into the land structure at the second portion of the cutting edge structure than at the tip portion to provide a greater flute volume per length at the second portion of the cutting edge structure than at the drill tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Mühlfriedel, Bernhard Borschert, Jürgen Schwägerl
  • Patent number: 7201544
    Abstract: A drill for producing a deep hole that does not produce a bend of the hole during cutting. A drill body is spirally provided with a pair of cutting edges. The cutting edges are spaced at about 180 degrees apart around a core of the drill and the edge line of a tip section of the cutting edges is depressed toward the core of the drill. When the outside dimension of the drill is 7.4 mm, an angle between the edge line and a line perpendicular to the core is 5 degrees and the core thickness (t) is 2.96 mm. Further, the drill is provided with a guide section for preventing bending during a cutting operation. The guide section is provided on a heel side on the same circumference as that on which the outer end section of the cutting edges passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakashima, Koichi Tsuzaki, Norihiro Masuda
  • Patent number: 7201545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool, a cutting insert and a shim for cutting machining. The tool includes a holder for turning or milling, a shim and an indexable cutting insert. The shim has an upper side and the cutting insert has a lower side. The lower side includes protrusions, The cutting insert and the shim are provided to abut against each other in three points. The upper side of the shim includes recesses. The recesses are provided spaced from the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Seco Tools AB
    Inventor: Christer Ejderklint
  • Patent number: 7201546
    Abstract: When a rotary table rotates, a main control section of a multi-tasking machine detects vibration of the rotary table on which a workpiece is mounted based on fluctuation of a position droop computed by a servo system. The main control section computes the arrangement position (the eccentricity amount and the eccentricity angle) of the workpiece with respect to the rotary table based on, for example, the detected vibration, the weight of the workpiece, and the rotation speed of the rotary table. The main control section computes the attachment position of a balancer with respect to the rotary table based on the computed arrangement position of the workpiece. Therefore, a suitable attachment position of a vibration suppressing balancer with respect to the rotary table is easily obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Ichino, Tohru Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Satoshi Okada, Masahiro Kurata
  • Patent number: 7201547
    Abstract: A chuck actuator has a hollow housing having a chamber and having a front end and a rear end. A ring in the chamber forms with the front end thereof a front compartment and a piston in the chamber between the ring and the rear end forms an intermediate compartment with the ring and a rear compartment with the rear end. A stem on the piston projecting forward through the ring and through the intermediate and front compartments is adapted to engage and open a chuck and is formed with a region of enlarged diameter. The piston is shiftable between a rear position with the enlarged-diameter region offset rearward from the ring and with the stem forming with the ring an axially extending passage between the front and intermediate compartments and a front position with the enlarged-diameter portion fitting snugly in the ring and substantially closing the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Rohm GmbH
    Inventor: Eugen Hangleiter
  • Patent number: 7201548
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a weight compensating device comprising a carrier and a component which is supported on the carrier and is displaceable particularly in vertical direction by means of a drive, characterized in that the carrier and the component have arranged thereinbetween at least one negative pressure body of a variable length which is connected to a negative pressure source for compensating the weight acting on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: P & L GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Roders
  • Patent number: 7201549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load carrying vehicle of the type that has a load deck and a body forming a load carrying compartment above the load deck. The invention provides a load support structure for a load carrying vehicle of the said type. The load support structure comprises at least one load platform and at least one platform support structure, which is located along the longitudinal center line of the load deck. In its operative condition, the load platform is supported on the platform support structure at an elevated level above the load deck and approximately parallel thereto, thus permitting items to be located both on the load platform and on the load deck below the load platform for transportation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventors: Mark James Long, Desley Henwood May
  • Patent number: 7201550
    Abstract: Various load items, such as freight pieces or passenger seats are to be secured to the loading floor of a transport conveyance. For this purpose a lashing device is constructed for a lashing function performed by a tiltable lashing bail or a latching function performed by a mounting rail profile cooperating with an interconnecting or interlocking element when the lashing bail is in a recessed position in a housing to which the lashing bail is journaled and in which a mounting member (7) carrying the mounting rail profile (8) is secured. When the lashing bail is in a raised, active position the mounting rail profile is in an inactive state and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Borrmann, Guenter Vogg
  • Patent number: 7201551
    Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus is composed of a cassette block and a vacuum processing block. The cassette block has a cassette table for mounting a plurality of cassettes containing a sample and an atmospheric transfer means. The vacuum processing block has a plurality of processing chambers for performing vacuum processing to the sample and a vacuum transfer means for transferring the sample. Both of the plan views of the cassette block and the vacuum processing block are nearly rectangular, and the width of the cassette block is designed larger than the width of the vacuum processing block, and the plan view of the vacuum processing apparatus is formed in an L-shape or a T-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Soraoka, Ken Yoshioka, Yoshinao Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7201552
    Abstract: A vehicle game lift adapted for releasable attachment to a trailer hitch mounted on a rear of a vehicle. The game lift is used for suspending a killed animal above a ground surface. The lift includes an inverted “L” shaped post having a vertical post member and a horizontal hoist arm. The hoist arm is attached to a upper portion of the vertical post member. One end of a trailer hitch tongue is adapted for attachment to a trailer hitch. An opposite end of the trailer hitch tongue is attached to a tongue collar. The tongue collar is received around a lower portion of the vertical post member. One end of a moveable horizontal suspension arm is attached to a sliding collar. The sliding collar is received around a portion of the vertical post member. An opposite end of the suspension arm is attached to a balance beam having a plurality of hooks thereon. The hooks are adapted for releasable attachment to the killed animal. A chain hoist is attached to the horizontal suspension arm and the horizontal hoist arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventors: Tony Angel, Roger Jensen
  • Patent number: 7201553
    Abstract: A device (2) for feeding reels (3) has a manipulator (14) having a gripping member (19) for picking up one reel (3) at a time off a pallet (16) and transferring the reel (3) to an unwinding pin (4a; 4b) on a machine (1); the gripping member (19) is enabled to pick up a reel (3) off the pallet (16) when at least one reference point (k1) of the gripping member (19) lies inside a central hole (7) of the reel (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 7201554
    Abstract: A high-speed stacker preferably includes dual stacking arms configured to operate complementary to one another. Most preferably, an electronic control system is provided to enable precise control over the speed and positioning of the stacker arms in both horizontal and vertical orientations. Linear motion devices (such as hydraulic cylinders, screw drive linear actuators, or other devices) can be used to position the arms horizontally and vertically in response to instructions from the electronic control system. In operation, the electronic control system preferably controls the speed and ramping of the stacker arms to repeatedly move courses of material from a feed system to a stacking area at a rapid rate with little maintenance. The high-speed stacker can also be configured to operate fewer than all of the stacker arms to facilitate faster stacking of smaller courses of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hogue Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Wayne Hogue, Brian Cornelius Hogue, Steven M. Colligan
  • Patent number: 7201555
    Abstract: A system for loading pallets onto an assembly line wherein the system has at least one arm capable of lifting a stack of pallets and then depositing the bottom-most pallet of the stack of pallets onto an assembly line surface for subsequent delivery to the assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald Earl Smith
  • Patent number: 7201556
    Abstract: A rotor system is provided whereby a rotary assembly such as a fan blade combination in a jet engine is brought into rub contact with a casing such that sensors detect vibration. The casing is then retreated in order to open the gap to a desired value for engine performance. In such circumstances, the rub contact position is defined as a base datum reference from which distance the casing is displaced in order to provide the specified gap for engine performance and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Peter Loftus
  • Patent number: 7201557
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for the transfer of pressure energy from a high pressure fluid stream to a lower pressure fluid stream wherein a generally cylindrical housing contains a rotor having a plurality of channels extending axially therethrough and a pair of end covers which slidingly and sealingly interface with respective end faces of the rotor. The end covers are supported against deformation by high pressure upon the end covers in an inward direction, as by exerting a balancing comparable outward axial force upon inward surfaces of the end covers through the employment of pressure-balancing chambers that are in communication with a high pressure fluid region at one end cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L Stover
  • Patent number: 7201558
    Abstract: A fan-turbine rotor hub includes an outer periphery scalloped by a multitude of elongated openings. Each elongated opening defines an inducer receipt section to receive an inducer section and a hollow fan blade section. An inducer exit from each inducer section is located adjacent a core airflow passage within each fan blade section to provide communication therebetween. A seal is located between an inner fan blade mount and a blade receipt section to minimize airflow leakage between the inducer exit and the core airflow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Norris, Craig A. Nordeen, Gary Roberge, Gabriel Suciu
  • Patent number: 7201559
    Abstract: A stationary ring assembly forming a rotor shroud for a gas turbine including a plurality of segments having adjacent side faces that are placed end to end with sealing means interposed therebetween. The sealing means include at least one axial sealing strip and at least one radial sealing strip respectively received in axial slots and in radial slots formed facing one another in the adjacent side faces of the segments. At least one end of each radial slot opens out into the corresponding axial slot, each axial slot of a segment presents a depth that is greater than the depth of the corresponding radial slot, and the axial sealing strip presents a width that is greater than the width of the radial strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Alain Gendraud, Delphine Roussin-Moynier
  • Patent number: 7201560
    Abstract: A packing ring holder assembly for packing seal segments about a steam turbine rotor includes a nozzle box and a holder cooperable to form a dovetail for securing packing ring segments to the nozzle box. A spring is interposed between the nozzle box and packing ring segment to bias the latter radially inwardly for sealing with the rotor. The holder includes a shoulder for preventing axial movement of the spring in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Thomas O'Clair, Richard Jon Chevrette, Carl A. Greco, Jeyaruban Amirtharajah
  • Patent number: 7201561
    Abstract: A swashplate seal assembly sized for rotor shaft rotation therein, including an outer cover encircling the rotor shaft and covering a sealing ring having an inner circumference on which a resilient sealing wiper is inwardly disposed. The outer cover, sealing ring and resilient sealing wiper are sectioned in respective like-configured curved segments for disassembly without removing adjacent segments during inspections. Inboard of the sealing ring is a flanged seal ring having an outer surface diameter limited in size to allow positioning the seal ring within the sealing wiper. The seal ring is fitted on an outer perimeter of a bearing retainer positionable within the sealing ring, thereby positioning the seal ring outer surface in sliding engagement with the sealing wiper during rotor shaft rotation. The outer cover positioning and the engaging relationship between seal ring and sealing wiper operate to minimize contaminants intrusion along the rotor shaft during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Army
    Inventors: Wayne C. Parsons, Tracy A. Conklin
  • Patent number: 7201562
    Abstract: A fan with central intake comprises a fan frame, a fan wheel and a fan motor. The fan frame provides a hub seat with an annular spacing for fluid flowing through and a joining part at the center of the hub seat for supporting the bearings. The fan wheel is received in the fan frame and provides a hub with an open side and a hollow side with a circular opening. The annular spacing associated with the circular opening constitutes a central flow route for admitting fluid to pass through such that heat from the central area of a radiator under the fan can be dissipated efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Vital Component Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hao Liu, Chu-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 7201563
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying floors and carpets using a louvered grille with a shrouded floor drying fan for generating a pressurized air stream within a vertical cylindrical shroud that is spaced two to five inches away from the floor on a set of legs such that an opening is formed between the shroud and the floor. The air stream is directed along the cylindrical shroud vertically toward the floor. By means of the louvered grille at least a peripheral portion of the air stream is exhausted from the shroud in a substantially laminar flow at an angle that is inclined from the vertical and the air stream is exhausted radially into ambient air as a substantially laminar air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Studebaker Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Studebaker
  • Patent number: 7201564
    Abstract: A turbine vane, especially a turbine vane of the last stages, respectively includes a lower area which is radially and externally arranged, an upper area which is radially and internally arranged, and a radial cooling air channel extending between the upper area and the lower area. Cooling air can be introduced into the channel via an inlet in the lower area, and can be at least partially discharged via an outlet in the upper area. The cooling channel includes a radial inner channel through which the cooling air flows from the lower area to the upper area, and an outer channel which is adjacent to the inner channel on the circumferential side thereof. The outer channel communicates with the inner channel and includes an outlet which is arranged in the lower area. Part of the cooling air flows back in the direction of the lower area via the outer channel and emerges via the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Thomas Bolms, Michael Strassberger, Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 7201565
    Abstract: A fan blade set (10) for a cooling fan includes a hub (12) having a first wall and a second wall extending from the first wall. First blades (14) extend radially from the second wall. Second blades (16) formed on the first wall extend from a central portion of the first wall to a border thereof. Each second blade has a twisted shape such that an angle formed between the surface of the second blade and the first wall varies continuously along the extending direction of the second blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Long Ku, Chin-Wen Yeh, Chuan-Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 7201566
    Abstract: In a reciprocating-piston machine, in particular a refrigerant compressor for a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, including a machine shaft, a plurality of pistons are arranged, at the same distance from the machine shaft, on a cylinder envelope defined by the axes of the pistons and extending around the machine shaft, and an annular pivoting disc which is driven by the machine shaft and which engages the pistons via a joint arrangement, the joint arrangement has an at least partially spherical receptacle, in which at least one sliding element structure is arranged moveably relative to the associated piston and relative to the pivoting disc, including a first sliding element having a first sliding face in the form of a spherical segment with a first geometric center (M1, M3), and a second sliding element having a second sliding face in the form of a spherical segment with a second geometric center (M2, M4) arranged at a distance from the first geometric center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, Obrist Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Cäsar, Peter Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7201567
    Abstract: A compressor system includes a pair of compressors located in a common shell. A common drive shaft drives both compressors and the drive shaft is powered by a single motor. One or both of the compressors can be equipped with a pulse width modulated capacity control system and a vapor injection system. When one compressor is equipped with these systems, the capacity can be varied between 50% and 110%. When both compressors are equipped with these systems, the capacity can be varied between 0% and 120%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guido Wiertz, Robert Iserentante, Didier Doutrepont, Johann Dobrescu, Francis Pirenne, Gary Anderson, Philippe Ernst, Clyde Verhoff, Pierre Poysat
  • Patent number: 7201568
    Abstract: A scroll fluid machine has a low-pressure stage compression part for compressing a fluid sucked in from the outside between mutually overlapping wrap portions of two scroll members performing a relative orbiting motion and a high-pressure stage compression part for compressing the fluid sucked in from the low-pressure stage compression part between mutually overlapping wrap portions of two scroll members performing a relative orbiting motion. The scroll members in the low-pressure stage compression part have a larger radial gap between the wrap portions than that of the scroll members in the high-pressure stage compression part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hitachi Seisakusho
    Inventors: Susumu Sakamoto, Kazutaka Suefuji
  • Patent number: 7201569
    Abstract: Disclosed is a screw compactor comprising two screw rotors which are disposed in screw rotor bores inside a compressor housing and compress a coolant that enters at a coolant inlet and discharge said coolant at a coolant outlet, and a coolant inlet that is arranged within the compressor housing, said coolant being supplied by a coolant-injecting device via a conduit system in order to additionally cool the screw compressor. The inlet is disposed so as to extend into compression spaces that are enclosed by the screw rotors and the screw rotor bores. The aim of the invention is to create a screw compactor in which the compressive oscillations occurring at the inlet do not travel at all or only in an attenuated manner into the conduit system for the coolant-injecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Bitzer Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Hossner
  • Patent number: 7201570
    Abstract: It is a subject to restrict protrusion of rubber when performing molding and to mold tires of superior uniformity; and for this purpose, the tire mold in which a mold for molding a tire tread is comprised of segments partitioned in a tire circumferential direction is arranged in that segments 11, 12 comprise a plurality of pieces 21 to 25 and 31 to 35 partitioned in the tire circumferential direction, with only one 23, 33 of the pieces of the each segment 11, 12 being fixed while all other pieces 21, 22, 24, 25 and so on are movable in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Ohara
  • Patent number: 7201571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extrusion, in particular for the production of bent extruded products, in which the extruded product (8) is formed in a die mounted before a support yoke (2) of an extrusion machine and then bent or curved by means of the effects of an external force, whereby at least one bending radius is formed, within the support yoke, on the extruded product (8) which enters the support yoke (2) with a straight extrusion direction (4). An extrusion unit further comprises a support yoke (2) formed with a lateral yoke opening (3), running transverse to the straight extrusion direction (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Eumuco GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Graefe, Uwe Muschalik
  • Patent number: 7201572
    Abstract: A ceramic fiber composite comprises ceramic fibers bonded together by an at least partially ceramic binder formed from a nanoclay and at least one of a ceramic precursor material or a ceramic material. The present invention also concerns methods of forming ceramic fiber composites and burners containing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Wood, Scott M. Schutts
  • Patent number: 7201573
    Abstract: A device for emptying hot particle material from a chamber into a transport container. The container is provided with a first pipe that can be inserted into the particle material in the chamber, and a second pipe that is connected to a vacuum source via a precipitator. The first and second pipes communicate with the upper part of the container and are spaced from each other to permit rejection of particle material in the container. The container has an outlet in its lower, downwardly narrowing part. The outlet is provided with a valve. A vertical chute surrounds the outlet, extends downwardly therefrom, and has an evacuation pipe for withdrawal of powder mixed with air that is generated inside the shaft, while particle material is being emptied through the outlet and outlet valve. The container includes a heat exchanger to cool the powder material deposited in the container. An air flow into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Waterman AB
    Inventor: Jan Norrman
  • Patent number: 7201574
    Abstract: A method for measuring arch wires. A guide wire is provided, having at one end an exposed length of wire and a stop. The exposed length of wire may be inserted into a buccal tube, up to the stop. At least a portion of the guide wire may then be inserted into brackets, at least to a point proximate a midpoint of the patient's teeth. The midpoint may be marked on the guide wire, for example by clamping. The guide wire may then be removed, and compared to an arch wire. The arch wire may then be cut to length, outside of the patient's mouth, and thereafter installed in the conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Steven M. Wiley
  • Patent number: 7201575
    Abstract: A method for making a dental appliance is disclosed, including affixing a first blank piece of material to a second blank piece of material forming a combined blank. The first blank piece of material is substantially softer than the second blank piece of material. The combined blank is then placed over a dental cast with the first blank piece of material faces the dental cast, and a dental appliance is formed by using a thermal form suck-down of the combined blank over the dental cast with the first blank piece of material in contact with the teeth of the dental cast. Finally, the dental appliance is removed from the dental cast. The dental appliance can be trimmed while it is on the dental cast or after it is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventors: Loren S. Adell, Michael L. Adell
  • Patent number: 7201576
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a pontic in a polymeric shell dental appliance, including providing a polymeric shell dental appliance of the type which is removably placeable over a patient's dentition, said shell having a concave trough which conforms to the teeth when the appliance is placed over the dentition and a location in the trough corresponding to a missing tooth; and depositing a flexible, durably affixed material in the location to form the pontic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Tricca, Eric Kuo, Peter G. Knopp, Choi Woncheol, Craig R. Burns
  • Patent number: 7201577
    Abstract: An apparatus for practicing the inventive method includes a glass ampule having a tooth whitening solution vacuum sealed within a chamber of the ampule. The ampule is contained within a cylindrical plastic sleeve closed at one end and enclosed at its other open end by the proximal termination of a brush-type applicator. An adhesive such as glue is used to adhere the periphery of the brush to the inner surfaces of the plastic cylinder. The bristles preferably have circular cross-sections so that when they are tightly packed together and adhered to the plastic cylinder, interstices between adjacent bristles are sufficiently large enough to permit flow through of the tooth whitening composition while being sufficiently small enough to prevent shards of glass from the ampule, when broken open, to pass through the brush. A cardboard sleeve surrounds the plastic cylinder to protect the user from the glass ampule when broken. The method of using the inventive apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: GoSmile, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Levine
  • Patent number: 7201578
    Abstract: A method for whitening teeth which utilizes laser light to activate bleaching agents applied to the teeth. The mouth is first prepared so that the soft tissues of the gums are protected and only the teeth are exposed. The teeth are cleaned to remove any materials which will reduce or nullify the effects of the bleaching agents. A first bleaching composition comprising a peroxide compound is prepared and applied to the teeth. The teeth are exposed to laser light from an argon laser which light activates the peroxide to accelerate the bleaching process without heat. If further whitening is desired, a second bleaching composition comprising a peroxide compound is prepared and applied to the teeth. The teeth are briefly exposed to laser light from a carbon dioxide laser which heat activates the peroxide to accelerate the bleaching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: BriteSmile Professional, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Yarborough
  • Patent number: 7201579
    Abstract: An exercise nutritional program focuses on overall health of the user and is part of an overall fitness regimen including exercise. Proper weight and weight maintenance is an ancillary benefit of following a nutritional program and will be achieved by years of following the nutrition program in conjunction with the exercise and fitness program. The nutritional program separates foods into carbohydrates, proteins and fats and adjusts the percent of calories from each group depending on the goal of general weight maintenance, increased shape and definition or significant weight loss. An exercise program is also tailored to these three goals. In implementing the program, three connected shapes, preferably rings, or containers, representing the carbohydrate, protein and fat groups are used. Each ring is desirably a different color so that the user can readily ascertain which ring corresponds to which food group listed on the menus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Yasemin Boyum
  • Patent number: 7201580
    Abstract: A computer-aided learning method and apparatus for a learning user to learn materials inexpensively. Not only does the apparatus provide the user the freedom as to where and when to learn, and the guidance as to what to learn, the apparatus also reduces a significant hurdle to learning—Tuition. The apparatus retrieves a user identifier entered by the user, and determines whether the user is a learning user or an institute user. If the user is a learning user, the apparatus allows the user to access information regarding learning materials. If the user is an institute user, the apparatus permits the user to access information regarding at least one learning user. The institute user might be interested to use the apparatus to recruit employees to fill job openings. A learning user pays significantly less than an institute user to access information, so as to encourage the learning user to work on learning materials. The apparatus can also track and update information regarding the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventors: Chi Fai Ho, John P. Del Favero, Jr., Peter P. Tong
  • Patent number: 7201581
    Abstract: A multifunction IC card (MFC) has compatibility with a multimedia card, an SD card, etc. in that connector terminals (#1 through #13) are disposed on a card substrate (1) in two rows in a zigzag fashion, and realizes multifunction facilities in that a memory card unit (3) and an SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card unit (4) are respectively connected and mounted to predetermined terminals of the connector terminals (#1 through #13). The memory card unit (3) and the SIM card unit (4) are respectively separately provided with areas for storing secret codes for security. Thus, one IC card is capable of implementing multifunction facilities different in security level. Owing to the adoption of a plural-column layout corresponding to a form typified by the zigzag fashion in an array of the connector terminals, a relatively simple structure can be adopted in a card slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., Hitachi ULSI Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Haruji Ishihara, Atsushi Shiraishi, Yosuke Yukawa
  • Patent number: 7201582
    Abstract: A microstrip interconnector includes a ground plane layer, a dielectric layer coupled to the ground plane layer and a spring conductor, and provides a solderless connection between circuit boards. The spring conductor has first and second rising arms with a midsection therebetween. The midsection couples to the dielectric layer opposite the ground plane layer, defining a first elevation. First and second contacts proximate distal ends of the first and second arms, respectively, define at least one second elevation. The solderless interconnection is for example provided when the ground plane layer, the dielectric layer and the spring conductor cooperatively interact to provide a matched impedance path from the first contact, proximate a microstrip of a first circuit board, to the second contact, proximate a microstrip of a second circuit board that is separated from the first circuit board by a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Sternberg, Daniel P. Roman
  • Patent number: 7201583
    Abstract: A generally planar interposer having a plurality of interposer contact pads to contact a plurality of first contacts of a first electronic device on one side of the interposer, and a plurality of electrical connections between the interposer contact pads and a plurality of pressure contacts on the other side of the interposer. Each of the pressure contacts having a directionally deformable contact surface to removably contact a plurality of second contacts of a second electronic device on the other side of the interposer. Also methods of forming the interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Boggs, John H. Dungan, Frank A. Sanders, Daryl A. Sato, Dan Willis
  • Patent number: 7201584
    Abstract: An electrical connector for a chip module including an insulator body and a conductive terminal. The insulator body has a plurality of receptor holes. Each of the plurality of receptor holes has a first conductive terminal and a second receptor hole. A first end of the first conductive terminal forms a first conductive connecting section connected to a terminal of the chip module and a second end forming a press-on section. A first end of the second conductive terminal forms a second conductive connecting section that could be electrically connected to an external electronic terminal and a second end forms an elastic section that presses against the press-on section of the first conductive terminal. At least one part of the first conductive connecting section is located at an oblique angle relative to an outer edge of the insulator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Lotes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ted Ju, Wen-Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 7201585
    Abstract: An electromechanical subassembly has a cover control module equipped with a printed circuit and with first contacts, a mechanical module equipped with second contacts and a support module for securing the cover control module and the mechanical module to the support module. The support module includes first electrical terminals for contacting the first contacts, second electrical terminals for contacting the second contacts and at least one electrical connector for contacting the electromechanical subassembly and the control circuit forming part of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Pirner, Robert Weber, Thomas Urbanek
  • Patent number: 7201586
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for fastening of electrical and/or electronic power components to a circuit board, wherein the electrical and/or electronic power components (8) are mechanically and removably fastened to the board (6). The power components (8) have plug and/or terminal connection elements (8a) for their electrical connection and can be connected electrically to the board (6) via electrical lines, preferably with plug and/or terminal strips (13) arranged on the board (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components, GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kohlenberg, Eckerhardt Grieb
  • Patent number: 7201587
    Abstract: An electrical connector has a connector body. A pin block disposed in the connector body supports a plurality of terminal pins that are arranged in horizontal rows that are vertically spaced with the terminal pins in each row being laterally spaced from each other. The terminal pins have contact portions projecting out a forward end of the pin block and tail portions projecting out a rearward end of the pin block. The tail portions of the terminal pins in an uppermost row of the plurality of terminal pins have straight tail portions. The connector body has a socket at a forward end, an intermediate retainer section holding the pin block and a tail guard at a rearward end for protecting the projecting tail portions of the terminal pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Eichorn, Steven W. Marzo, James M. Stambolia
  • Patent number: 7201588
    Abstract: A grounding wire is formed by bending a conductive wire. The grounding wire includes a winding portion formed on a horizontal portion so as to be smaller in diameter than a cylindrical portion of a jack, a horizontal proximal portion in parallel to a circuit board, and a connection end bent from an end of the horizontal proximal portion and connected to a ground pattern. The winding portion of the grounding wire is expanded and outwardly engaged to the cylindrical portion of the jack, and elastically and closely attached to the cylindrical portion of the jack by an elastic restoring force of the winding portion. The connection end is then inserted into a hole formed in the circuit board and soldered onto the ground pattern of the circuit board. Static electricity, with which the jack is charged, is discharged from the grounding wire to the ground pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Orion Electric Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Nishigaki, Yoshiaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7201589
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical power distribution apparatus is disclosed which includes a track made up of a plurality of track sections 100 connected together by/to joints and end sections. The track sections are each provided with a slot 110 with which a power point connector 400 may be engaged at any point by inserting a contact member of the connector 400 through the slot 110 at a chosen point and then rotating the connector 400 by 90 degrees to bring the contact member into engagement with electrical conductors 126, 128 of the track. The apparatus may comprise a further conduit containing conductors used to distribute communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Nutek Private Limited
    Inventor: Choon Jong
  • Patent number: 7201590
    Abstract: A water-resistant electric connector assembly includes a first electric connector, which is provided with a coupling member and conductive terminals arranged on the inside, and a second electric connector, which has a coupling portion for fastening to the coupling member of the first electric connector, contact terminals arranged on the inside for contacting the conductive terminals of the first electric connector, and a tapered stop flange extending around the periphery for stopping outside water from entering the electric connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Swain Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsang-I Chen
  • Patent number: 7201591
    Abstract: A female housing (10) has a tubular fit-in part (11) and a male housing (30) has a hood (31) that can enter the tubular fit-in part (11) to allow both housings (10, 30) to reach a proper connection. A lever (50) is mounted rotatably on the female housing (10) and engages a cam pin (33) on the female housing (30) to move the housings together. A locking part (60) is provided on the lever (50) and a locking projection (36) is provided on the hood (31). The locking part (60) locks to the locking projection (36) through a window (16) formed on the tubular fit-in part (11) when the lever (50) is rotated to a predetermined normal position. Thus, proper connection of the male housing (30) with the female housing (10) is ensured by the locking of the lever (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Fujii