Patents Issued in April 17, 2007
  • Patent number: 7204465
    Abstract: An article holder includes a holding member, and hooking members; the holding member has several gaps, and a connecting protrusion in each of the gaps; each of the connecting protrusions has a downwards-projecting edge at an outward end; each hooking member has a straight rod portion, which has a cavity, and a transverse hole under and in communication with the cavity; the hooking members are hooked over an object while the holding member is hung on the hooking members with the lower ends of the straight rod portions being held in the gaps, the connecting protrusions being received in the cavities, and the downwards-projecting edges being fitted in the transverse holes; the holding member can be angularly displaced after it is linearly displaced to such a position that the downwards-projecting edges are outside the transverse holes; thus, the holding member can be hung in a vertical position when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 7204466
    Abstract: A quick-acting telescopic tube has a stationary tube, a detent lining, an extension tube, a lock activating assembly, a bottom plug, an activating rod, a spring and a ball. The detent lining is mounted securely in the stationary tube and has multiple detents. The extension tube is mounted movably in the detent lining and has a top and a bottom. The lock activating assembly is mounted around the top of the extension tube and has a lever extending into the extension tube. The bottom plug is mounted securely in the bottom of the extension tube and has a transverse through hole. The activating rod is mounted in the extension tube, connects to the lever and has a locking piston with an annular recess. The ball is mounted in the transverse through hole and selectively in either one of the detents or the annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7204467
    Abstract: In a longitudinal adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for an automobile seat, with a first seat rail (3), a second seat rail (4) adapted for sliding movement relative to the first seat rail (3), and an engagement member (8) arranged on the second seat rail (4), the first seat rail (3) includes a stop plate (15) with first stop surfaces. The first stop surfaces cooperate with second stop surfaces of the engagement member (8) for limiting the movement of the seat rail (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Strubel, Reinhard Goy, Ulf Schäffling, Jürgen Krebs
  • Patent number: 7204468
    Abstract: An article suspension device for infants includes a length of cord having a continuous encircling member at one end for connection to a highchair or stroller or the like. An elastic loop is attached at the second end of the cord including an adjustable sleeve which allows for adjustment of the length of the elastic cord as well as adjustment of the elastic loop. The device further includes a fabric covering in outer surrounding relation to the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory Kintzele, Lisen Kintzele
  • Patent number: 7204469
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for securing a storage device (70) with a mounting slot (72) defined therein includes a bracket (30) for accommodating the storage device and a mounting member (50) pivotally attached to the bracket. A through opening (41) is defined in the bracket. A locating clip (46) extends from the bracket. A positioning block (59) protrudes from the mounting member corresponding to the through opening of the bracket. A latching finger (62) is formed at the mounting member for engaging with the locating clip. When the mounting member is rotated to engage the latching finger with the locating clip of the bracket, the positioning block inserts through the through opening of the bracket and engages in the mounting slot of the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Wu Long, Ming-Xian Sun, Gang Su
  • Patent number: 7204470
    Abstract: A mold device and method for producing a rough texture on all or a portion of the outward exterior surfaces of masonry block units. The device of the present invention is a mold having one or more cavities, open at the top and the bottom, with a rigid support platform or sheet across the bottom, to hold the masonry mixture in place until discharged through the bottom of the mold. On a portion of the interior sidewalls of the mold, are substantially vertical ribs extending from the interior surface, creating voids in the compacted mixture. An extension or “stripper” unit extends inwardly along the base of the portion of the interior wall containing the vertical ribs. A top plate configured to fit removably within the interior walls of the mold cavity is provided to compact the masonry mixture and to push the masonry unit out of the mold and simultaneously clean the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Dean Jurik
  • Patent number: 7204471
    Abstract: A form-work support arrangement for building form-work for moulding a concrete construction panel on top of a previously poured concrete panel (58). Generally the upper panel to be moulded has the same horizontal dimensions as the previously poured panel (58), the arrangement including an anchor bracket (60) adapted to be removably attached (66) to the previously poured concrete panel (58), an edge form bracket (48) adapted to be removably attached (16) to the anchor bracket (60), the edge from bracket (48) adapted to removably support an edge form (18) having an outer face, the outer face defining an edge of the concrete panel to be poured and positioned so that the outer face is generally above the edge of the previously poured concrete panel (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tiltform Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Dino Lino Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 7204472
    Abstract: Active pressure relief valves and methods of use for regulating atmospheric conditions within an interior compartment of a vehicle generally include an active material to effect movement of a flap relative to an opening. The active material has the ability to remember its original at least one attribute such as dimension, shape, and/or flexural modulus, which can subsequently be recalled by applying or removing an external stimulus, as will be discussed in detail herein. Suitable active materials include, without limitation, shape memory alloys, ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, piezoelectric materials, electroactive polymers, magnetorheological fluids and elastomers, electrorheological fluids, composites of one or more of the foregoing materials with non-active materials, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Jones, Paul R. Meernik, Alan L. Browne, Jan H. Aase
  • Patent number: 7204473
    Abstract: A synthetic resin cap is attached to the tip portion of a movable iron core of a solenoid operation portion, a sliding portion extending to the position of a magnetic plate is formed in the base end portion of the cap, a guiding concave step portion having a depth equal to or less than one half of the thickness of the magnetic plate is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the magnetic plate, and the movable iron core and the magnetic plate being not in contact with each other are held by the sliding portion fitted into the concave step portion so as to freely slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Yoshimura, Masaru Narita
  • Patent number: 7204474
    Abstract: A plug valve has a valve body, a cage fitted within the valve body and a rotatable plug housed within a cylindrical cavity in the cage, for controlling fluid flow through the valve. The cage has first and second opposed flat side surfaces, each side surface has a port for receiving a replaceable flow-path insert in a fluid-tight seal. In one embodiment, the plug also includes at least one inset seal for sealing the at least one of the ports when the plug is in a closed position to inhibit leakage through the valve at low fluid pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Stinger Wellhead Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob McGuire, L. Murray Dallas
  • Patent number: 7204475
    Abstract: A vehicle lift for a motorcycle includes a base, a ramp, and a lifting mechanism. The base has a first end and a second end. The lifting mechanism has a first end and a second end. The ramp has an end and a connection point. The connection point of the ramp is pivotally connected to the first end of the base. The first end of the lifting mechanism is pivotally connected to the second end of the base. The second end of the lifting mechanism is pivotally connected to the end of the ramp. The vehicle lift is in a lowered position when the lifting mechanism is collapsed. The vehicle lift is in a raised position when the lifting mechanism is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: BISS Product Development LLC
    Inventors: James M. Burry, Daniel R. Seymour
  • Patent number: 7204476
    Abstract: A speed-increasing machine for water includes a frame member, a plurality of buoyant members mounted to the lower end of the frame member, a motor mounted to the center of the frame member, and a shielding cover mounted outside the motor. A rotating shaft of the motor is attached to a guide vane set. The guide vane set has a plurality of guide plates for guiding the circulating water current. When driving the motor, the vanes rotate to circulate the water in the cultivation pool, to thereby uniformly increase the dissolved oxygen in the cultivation pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Kuang-Chuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7204477
    Abstract: The invention comprises multiple configurations of downcomers in a parallel flow multiple downcomer tray for vapor-liquid contacting processes such as the separation of chemical compounds via fractional distillation or the removal of a component of a gas stream with a treating liquid. In one embodiment, side downcomers are incorporated into a parallel flow multiple downcomer tray. In another embodiment, the downcomers have an inclined side wall that directs liquid onto the deck below the downcomer. The inclined side wall also provides additional volume above the inferior downcomer inlet to reduce pinching at this inlet without the need for a stilling deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Daniel R. Monkelbaan, Brian J. Nowak, Robert J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7204478
    Abstract: A height control valve for use in a vehicle suspension system for controlling the ride height of the trailer, the height control valve provided with a universal mounting for allowing greater flexibility in the mounting of the height control valve to a vehicle frame, the height control valve also having a position indicator to aide an installer in aligning a valve element contained within the valve according to a selected mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Victor A. Plath
  • Patent number: 7204479
    Abstract: A vibration isolator assembly, such as an isolator bushing or cradle mount, includes a housing and an isolator connected to the housing. A shaft assembly includes first and second mating components, the first component being connected to the elastomer and having a cavity of a first dimension for receiving the second component having a different, second dimension therein. The differing dimensions alters the stress characteristics of the vibration isolator assembly. According to a preferred method of altering stress characteristics of a vibration isolator assembly, the method includes the steps of forming a cavity in the shaft and varying a dimension of the shaft to alter the spring rate characteristics. In the preferred arrangement, the shaft assembly includes a split, first component and a second component is inserted between the split portions to relieve tensile stress in the isolator and, if desired, to impart a compressive stress in the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Power, Bernie Rice, Robert Paladichuk
  • Patent number: 7204480
    Abstract: The pry tool of the present invention is utilized for dislodging concrete forms from set concrete. It includes a fulcrum assembly and pivoting leveraging member in operative juxtaposition to the fulcrum assembly. One end of the fulcrum assembly engages a first single concrete form member connecting slot and the opposite end of the fulcrum assembly connects to a pivoting leveraging member. The leveraging member is parallel and set off from the fulcrum assembly in direct alignment with a second adjacent concrete form. The leveraging member is hand manipulated to exert force against the second adjacent concrete form forcing the form inward into the concrete wall. This causes a leveraging action with the engaged end of the fulcrum assembly forcing the first concrete form outward away from the concrete wall and thereby separating the form from the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Simmons
  • Patent number: 7204481
    Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp for a flexible manufacturing system comprises a body portion, a plurality of pins slidably engaged within sleeves formed in the body portion, a compression spring attached to each shaft of the plurality of pins, a reservoir comprising a magnetorheological fluid in operative communication with the plurality of pins, and an electromagnet in operative communication with the magnetorheological fluid, wherein the electromagnet selectively increases a yield stress property of the magnetorheological fluid; and a matching pressure foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan G. Sears, Robin Stevenson, Roland J. Menassa
  • Patent number: 7204482
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a printer with an apparatus for binding pages. The apparatus includes a tray having a support surface for supporting a stack of pages. The support surface is inclined towards a lower-most corner with two side walls being provided which define a corner situated at the lower-most corner of the support surface. A vibrator is coupled to the support surface to induce vibration therein to thereby urge sheets towards the lower-most corner. A binding press is also provided which is operable by moving through a stroke length to bear upon the stack of pages to thereby bind the pages. The support surface is adjustable vertically so as to present the top page of the stack at a preset level to limit the stroke length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7204483
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a base and opposing sidewalls. The base includes a first feature configured to support sheet media lying flat in the tray and a second feature intersecting the first feature across the width of the tray. The intersection between the first feature and the second feature defines an elongated fulcrum along which media sheets can bend when pressed against the base. In another embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a first elevated sheet supporting surface, a depressed portion immediately adjacent to and downstream from the first sheet supporting surface, and a second elevated sheet supporting surface immediately adjacent to and downstream from the depressed portion. The depressed portion spans the full width of sheet media that may be supported in the tray and the second sheet supporting surface lies in the same plane as the first sheet supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jiangxiao Mo, Kelly A. Brock
  • Patent number: 7204484
    Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control, while maintaining a relatively constant elevation relative to the copier output port, and automatically returns to its original position when partially or completely unloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Margaret Motamed
  • Patent number: 7204485
    Abstract: A media thickness detecting device of a media dispenser comprises: a feed roller through which media passes to be contacted thereto, a thickness detecting portion contacted to a surface of the feed roller by a point and rotated when the media passes through the surface of the feed roller, and a thickness measuring portion measuring the thickness of the media by detecting the rotating amount of the thickness detecting portion, and thereby, the thickness of the media can be measured precisely regardless of a change of center axis angle of the feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ho Ko, Eung-Min Park
  • Patent number: 7204486
    Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus is constructed of a sorting device and a reversible conveying device. Normal sheets are fed by the sorting device and conveyed in an arrangement in zigzag in two rows and conveyed on a primary path. Near an exit of the primary path, there is a high speed discharging roller pair having a drive roller and a nip roller. Between the drive roller and a drive shaft, there is a frictional connection unit. While the sheet is conveyed by conveying roller pairs, a front edge of the sheet reaches the high speed discharging roller pair, and the drive roller freely rotates due to the effect of the frictional connection unit. When a rear edge of the sheet passes the conveying roller pair, the frictional connection unit is set into a connecting situation, and the sheet is discharged by the drive roller and the nip roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 7204487
    Abstract: A board game for at least two individuals to play. The board game is a modified form of soccer that uses roofing nails pounded into a flat surface as “players,” a marble as a soccer ball, and a pair of Popsicle sticks as shooters. In addition, an elastic band is wrapped around into a rectangular fashion to have a rectangular-shaped playing field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew Pohl
  • Patent number: 7204488
    Abstract: The alphabetic roulette game includes a roulette wheel having twenty-five positions thereon, comprising the twenty-six letters of the Roman alphabet and a double letter position. A wagering surface or table provides for the placement of wagers upon the chance of any of the single letters (or the double letters) or a letter of any of several groups of letters turning up on a spin of the wheel. The game also provides for wagers on the chance of a given letter turning up on two or more consecutive turns of the wheel. A further wagering opportunity is provided for wagering upon the chance of a letter within a given word or words (e.g., “LITTLE WHEEL”) coming up on a turn of the wheel. The alphabetic positions on the wheel, and corresponding positions on the table, may be colored to allow players to place wagers on a color or colors, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Budimir Ilievski
  • Patent number: 7204489
    Abstract: This invention is a new-type, full-scale, tank-target silhouette for use in tank gunnery practice with the main gun of a tank. The new target employs lightweight sheet material that is corrugated in the manner of an accordion-door (or pleated) configuration to produce a self-supporting, rigid target silhouette which can be raised and lowered, and which can sustain multiple hits without collapsing. The corrugation configuration, when clamped along the bottom edge of the ridges and grooves, provides the necessary rigidity for the target to stand upright without other vertical structural members which could be hit and destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: George Wilson Rohrbaugh
  • Patent number: 7204490
    Abstract: A shaft-sealing device includes a shaft tube, a retaining ring member, a rotary ring member, a resilient ring member and a sealing ring member. The shaft tube provides with an annular end flange and engaging notches thereon. The rotary ring member also provides with engaging recessions. Correspondingly, the retaining ring member provides with engaging teeth. In assembling, the resilient ring member is retained between the annular end flange of the shaft tube and the retaining ring member by the engaging teeth engaging with the engaging notches. The sealing ring member is disposed between the retaining ring member and the rotary ring member by the engaging teeth engaging with the engaging recessions. Consequently, the resilient ring member, the retaining ring member, the sealing ring member and the rotary ring member are successively mounted on the shaft tube in a longitudinal direction to constitute an inner modular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Scenic Precise Element Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Shiou Huang
  • Patent number: 7204491
    Abstract: A metal gasket capable of preventing the occurrence of cracks in a stopper while employing a wave-shaped stopper, improving the contact pressure balance around the bead to enhance the engine performance, and improving the durability of the stopper. The metal gasket is constituted by a gasket component sheet having an opening formed to face a combustion chamber, and the gasket component sheet is provided with a combustion chamber bead surrounding the opening. An inner circumference side stopper lower than the height of the combustion chamber bead is formed along the combustion chamber bead in a portion between the combustion chamber bead and the opening such that at least a section of each wave where stress amplitude is large becomes thin, a thin portion and a thick portion are arranged alternately in each wave, and the hardness of the thin portion is higher than that of the thick portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignees: Kokusan Parts Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hatamura, Takashi Suzuki, Hiroyuki Ogino, Takahiko Sugiura, Yasuyuki Okudaira, Takeshi Wakuda, Reiji Mahigashi, Keisuke Umehara, Masahisa Kumashiro
  • Patent number: 7204492
    Abstract: A spirally wound gasket is described. The gasket includes a sealing strip (11) wound into a spiral and a support strip (10) wound into a spiral in such a manner that the spiral of the sealing strip is formed interposed between the coils of the supporting strip. The sealing strip comprises a resilient material, the resilient material comprising a CEV component in a proportion of at least 25% w/w of the sealing strip. The CEV component is at least partially derived from dry CEV, and the sealing strip does not include a carrier strip in one aspect. In another aspect, the CEV component is at least partially derived from dry CEV, and the sealing strip has a moisture level of between 3–20% w/w of the sealing strip resilient material during winding into the said gasket. A method of producing a sealing strip is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Flexitallic Limited
    Inventors: John Robert Hoyes, Stephen Woolfenden
  • Patent number: 7204493
    Abstract: A chuck for mounting wheel castings having different diameters upon a wheel lathe for machining the casting to final shape is provided. The chuck includes stepped jaw inserts that cooperate with corresponding stepped part supports to securely mount the wheel castings upon the chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey L. Gatton
  • Patent number: 7204494
    Abstract: A connection of the stabilizer parts of a two-part stabilizer to an actuator is usually performed in a positive-locking manner, as a result of which an additional axial securing and hydraulic sealing toward the outside become necessary. To simplify the design and the manufacturing process, it is provided that the teeth between the outer rotary part (4) and the second stabilizer part (2) be made clearance-free and welded together by a circumferential weld seam (18), wherein the seam area is preheated to a temperature of 350° C. and subsequently cooled to a martensite content of 30% in the microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Klaus Reichel, Torsten Baustian, Winfried Krüger, Stefan Beetz, Christian Klasen, Jochen Peters
  • Patent number: 7204495
    Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of at least two distinct materials with different stiffnesses to achieve a desired blend of stiffness and flexibility. The highback may employ a material of greater stiffness in one or more regions to provide high force transmission between the rider and the board. The highback may employ a material of lesser stiffness in one or more regions where flexibility is desired for more gradual power transmission, comfort and/or to facilitate highback adjustability. The arrangement of the different materials provides a lightweight highback with a relatively sleek profile having selected regions of stiffness and/or flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Reuss, David J. Dodge, Ryan Coulter, Markus Koller, James D. Laughlin, Brian West
  • Patent number: 7204496
    Abstract: An accessory for a snowboard including a plate adapted to support the feet of a rider, the plate being constructed and arranged to be secured releasably to the snowboard, and having a steering mechanism, which is pivotably mounted onto said plate and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement, and to lie substantially parallel to the snowboard in a further arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignees: Royal College of Art
    Inventor: Nick Rawcliffe
  • Patent number: 7204497
    Abstract: A steering post for use with a recreational vehicle, particularly a snowmobile or ATV, is described. The steering post includes a steering shaft having upper and lower ends; at least two steering arms, the two steering arms being positioned at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft; a ball joint assembly positioned at the lower end of the steering shaft; and a stop. An upper bearing for supporting a steering post on a recreational vehicle may have a radiused inner surface that can accept some misalignment of the shaft. A steering system also can include a double ball joint linkage that permits an easier and simpler adjustment of the steering system. A recreational vehicle such as snowmobile or ATV making use of these features also is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Bergman
  • Patent number: 7204498
    Abstract: The twist-beam axle (10) comprises a central cross-member (11) compliant to torsion and a pair of trailing arms (12) fixed to side end portions (11a) of the cross-member (11) for articulated connection of the axle to the vehicle body and for support of the rear wheels. Each trailing arm (12) is formed by a pair of first, transversely inner half-shells (18, 19), that is, a front half-shell and a rear half-shell, respectively, securely connected to each other and to the respective end (11a) of the cross-member (11), and by a second transversely outer half-shell (20), securely connected to the pair of first half-shells (18, 19) so as to form therewith a structure having a closed cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Guido Sebastiano Alesso, Daniele Bussolino
  • Patent number: 7204499
    Abstract: An axle supporting structure for supporting an axle beam for an industrial vehicle includes a center pin, a pair of axle supporting units and a counterweight. The center pin protrudes from the axle beam. Each axle supporting unit has formed therethrough an insertion hole in which the center pin is inserted. The axle supporting unit has an upper axle supporting member and a lower axle supporting member which is detachably connected to the upper axle supporting member. The pair of axle supporting units is spaced from each other in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The center pin is rotatably supported between the pair of axle supporting units. The upper axle supporting members of the axle supporting units are cast in the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahito Miyake, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Shuo Uematsu, Tomomichi Miura, Kenichi Katae
  • Patent number: 7204500
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a control arm, such as a leaf spring, of a vehicle suspension. The bracket assembly includes a first, relatively more rigid member including a first mounting flange and a second, relatively more flexible member including a second mounting flange. The second member is fixed to the first member such that the first mounting flange and the second mounting flange form a fork that accepts a control arm end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Steven Hunt
  • Patent number: 7204501
    Abstract: A universal retractable step for use with the trailer hitch receptacle on automotive vehicles, wherein the step is movable from a stowed position to a utility position while remaining in the same horizontal plane. The step is readily adaptable to fit different trailer hitch receptacle sizes, as well as vehicles of differing heights, while including items to improve stability and security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventors: Gary Bang, Dan Knodle
  • Patent number: 7204502
    Abstract: A steering bearing assembly for a vehicle for connecting a steering tube and a frame of the vehicle is disclosed to include a head tube for mounting on the frame of the vehicle and having a tapered face in one end thereof, a bearing mounted in the head tube and formed of an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of balls mounted in between the outer race and the inner race, the outer race having a protruded retaining portion pressed on the tapered face of the head tube, and a connecting structure for connecting the inner race of the bearing and the steering tube together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tange Seiko Taichung Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Tange
  • Patent number: 7204503
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in or relating to wheelchair wheels. More particularly, the invention relates to a more ergonomically designed wheelchair wheel, and also relates to a method of manufacturing such a wheelchair wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventors: David Goding, Nick Morris
  • Patent number: 7204504
    Abstract: In the case of a method for hitching a trailer (2) to a motor vehicle (1), in particular a semitrailer to a semitrailer towing machine, an image sensor (5) is provided which is arranged in a hitching region (6) in such a manner that image data of the hitching region (6) are recorded. During the approach of the motor vehicle (1) to the trailer (2), stored model data of the hitching region (6) of the trailer (2) are segmented in the image data recorded by the image sensor (5) and are in each case placed in the correct position in the image data. A target zone (9) for the hitching is determined therefrom. The arrangement of the target zone (9) in the image data is used as a measurement for a steering operation of the motor vehicle (1) during hitching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ottmar Gehring, Harro Heilmann, Frederic Holzmann, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Patent number: 7204505
    Abstract: A trunnion, adapted to fit in a receiver, attached to a vehicle as a receiver-type hitch system, provides selective deployment and stowage of a hitch. An optional base secured to the trunnion may receive a pivot. A mount, secured by the pivot to the base, swings between a deployed and a stowed position. Alignments are one-dimensional, typically circumferentially positioning a locking pin aperture and a corresponding locking pin about a radius with respect to a pivot axis. A platform of the mount may contain an aperture for operating as a pin hitch aperture, or for receiving a stud or bolt for securing a ball hitch, or two hitches. In certain embodiments, multiple ball hitches may be attached at once to the platform. Selection of ball hitch sizes, and positioning of the ball hitch altitude may also be accomplished by pivots built into the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: B & W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.
    Inventor: Newell Ryan Moss
  • Patent number: 7204506
    Abstract: A hitch arrangement includes a hitch member, coupled to a towing vehicle. The hitch member is positionable in a stored position and in a deployed position and conforms to a contour of the rear end of the vehicle when in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Design America, Inc.
    Inventor: James McJunkin
  • Patent number: 7204507
    Abstract: A ball hitch covering for protecting a ball hitch from the elements includes a cover that has a top wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends downwardly from the top wall. The peripheral wall has a bottom edge defining an opening into an interior of the cover. A ball hitch may be removably extended through the opening. A flap has an upper edge, a lower edge and a pair of lateral edges. The upper edge is attached to an outer surface of the peripheral wall. The flap extends below the bottom edge of the peripheral wall. Indicia are positioned on a forward surface of the flap that faces away from the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Bernell E. James
  • Patent number: 7204508
    Abstract: A trailer lock and particularly a trailer lock for locking a trailer ball cap includes a lock housing, a lock, a latch bolt, a holding seat and a detent member. The lock housing has an opening to hold the lock, a U-shaped trough to hold the latch bolt, a through trough to hold the holding seat and allow the detent member to slide on the holding seat. The lock has a housing chamber on one side to couple with the trailer ball cap. The latch bolt can control movement of the detent member by turning of the lock so that the detent member is wedged in a latch trough on one end of the latch bolt, and a latch end of the latch bolt is extended and anchored in the housing chamber of the lock housing and locked on the trailer ball cap. When the trailer is separated from a vehicle, the trailer ball cannot be coupled thereby to provide theft-proof function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Handyway Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Hui Hsai
  • Patent number: 7204509
    Abstract: The bar cart is composed of individual components to be assembled and readily disassembled in a knock-down manner. A body frame is made of four individual skeletal rectangular frames which are interconnected in spaced apart relation. Spacers between the individual frames of the body frame fit into slots in vertical plates on the leg frames to provide for a rigid connection between the body frame and the two leg frames. A table top fits onto outstanding arms of the leg frames and interlocks with the arms to provide a rigid structure. Guides are provided in the body frame to define compartments for receiving bottles and containers as well as to define a recess for receiving a cooler. The bar cart is transportable via wheels and is disassembled without tools into a compact condition for storage in a minimum of space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Telescope Casual Furniture Company
    Inventor: William M. Vanderminden
  • Patent number: 7204510
    Abstract: In order to provide an occupant restraint system located in the rear passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, which system increases the safety of vehicle occupants and at the same time can be produced simply and therefore cost-effectively, an occupant restraint system located in the rear passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, having a side airbag module which comprises a gas bag and a gas generator and is arranged next to that side of a rear seat which faces the side body is proposed, a cover being provided in front of the side airbag module in the direction of travel, and the cover consisting of elastically deformable material and being an integral component of a side member of the rear seat or of an arm support arranged in the region of the side body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Alban Bossenmaier, Ulrich Bruhnke, Klaus Frenzel, Murat Guenak, Joerg Hensel, Peter Maly
  • Patent number: 7204511
    Abstract: A first airbag apparatus of the present invention has an airbag module, which includes an airbag and an inflator, and a displacement mechanism, which displaces the airbag module. The displacement mechanism displaces the airbag module from an original position to a predetermined position when a collision of the vehicle is predicted and displaces the airbag module from the predetermined position to the original position when the predicted collision is avoided. A second airbag apparatus of the present invention has the airbag module and the displacement mechanism, which displaces a support member. The support member displaces the airbag from the original position to the predetermined position before the airbag is deployed. The deployed airbag is supported between the support body that is displaced to the predetermined position and an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Mori, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Yuji Kuriyama, Tadashi Yamamoto, Toru Koyama, Toshinori Tanase, Masakazu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7204512
    Abstract: An airbag inflator (10, 110, 210) is provided which includes a first chamber (20, 120, 220) containing a quantity of a first gas generant composition (16, 116), a second chamber (30, 130, 230) containing a quantity of a second gas generant composition (17, 117), and a sympathetic ignition enhancement apparatus (40, 140, 240) for sympathetically igniting the second gas generant composition (17, 117) in response to combustion of the first gas generant composition (16, 116). The ignition apparatus (40, 140, 240) is in thermal communication with both the first gas generant composition (16, 116) and the second gas generant composition (17, 117). Heat from combustion of the first gas generant composition (16, 116) is communicated through conduction along the ignition apparatus (40, 140, 240) to produce sympathetic ignition of the second gas generant composition (17, 117).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald B. Patterson, Roberta A. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 7204513
    Abstract: A gas generator for an occupant protection system of a vehicle includes a compressed gas store, first and second bursting devices, and a gas generating triggering device. The compressed gas store has a discharge opening and is configured to store a compressed gas. The first bursting device can close the discharge opening. The triggering device can open the discharge open. The bursting devices can be supported against one another when the compressed gas store is closed, and an increased pressure for bursting a bursting device being able to be built up between the bursting devices by gas generated by the triggering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Takata-Petri (Ulm) GmbH
    Inventor: Benedikt Heudorfer
  • Patent number: 7204514
    Abstract: An airbag for a vehicle which is comprised of a first base cloth portion having a gas inlet opening, a second base cloth portion joined along an outer edge thereof to an outer edge of the first base cloth portion to form a gas-fillable chamber, gas escape venting which is communicable with the chamber, and a shielding connection portion. The shielding connection portion separably joins the first base cloth portion and second base cloth portion, and is formed at least at a portion of a periphery of the gas escape venting which is closest to the gas inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Kanuma, Yasuhiro Uchida