Patents Issued in May 15, 2007
  • Patent number: 7217186
    Abstract: Mobile aeraulic isolation device (1a) with variable geometry multi-block air diffusion chamber (4), comprising at least two mobile plenums (5,6) to protect a sensitive area such as a bed (2) against contaminating airborne aerosols. It comprises an air diffusion chamber (4) formed of at least two rigid plenums (5,6) mechanically connected together so as to be mobile relative to one another, and having a lower air diffusing surface (7,8) substantially planar and porous to air. Relative movement means (10) for mobile plenums (5,6) enable their positioning in relation to one another in at least two distinct relative positions. The device (1a) comprises physical decontamination means (20,21,22,23) for moving air passing through it, air pressurising means (25), aeraulic connection (30) and air circulation means, and a mobile supporting chassis (12). The device 1a) is characteristic in that it comprises complementary means for absolute movement (13) of the group of two rigid plenums (5,6) relative to chassis (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Airinspace Limited
    Inventors: Frédéric Basset, Jean-Marie Billiotte, Alexandre Vladimirovitch Nagolkin, Elena Vladimirovna Volodina
  • Patent number: 7217187
    Abstract: During operation of a casino game, a hint feature is displayed with a displayed decision-making game round under control of a processor. A memory may store a plurality of decision-making game rounds. A hint contains response information for a player to increase the player's odds in winning the game round The displaying of the hint feature may occur at a random statistical frequency, based upon player hesitation, or a prevailing position in the game round. The hint is stored with each game round or is dynamically determined for the displayed game round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Progressive Gaming International Corporation
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 7217188
    Abstract: In a gambling game a collateral gambling game which can be won by players on at least one specific event occurring in the principal game, the collateral game being separate from the principal game but one when any of the possible winning events occur in the principal game, the payment to the player being calculated from the total value available for the game divided by the total number of players who bet on the specific winning event. The game gives a possibility for a large number of players to share in the success of a single player who has successfully won the main game. It may be used with various types of games including those using electronic gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Christopher Russell Byrne
  • Patent number: 7217189
    Abstract: A gaming device including a rotatable mechanical award indicator which has a plurality of award symbols. The gaming device includes a mask, preferably overlaying the mechanical award indicator, which reveals only a predetermined number of the award symbols. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of player selectable symbols associated with different movements of the mechanical award indicator. This type of gaming device adds excitement to bonus games and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 7217190
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cashless gaming wherein a player can access credits via a pin activated keypad located on the gaming machine. Real-time accounting allows the player to redeem credits and secure perquisites as a function of patronage. A player account is created which has an account balance amount. A player can remove a quantity of credits from a credit meter of the gaming machine in accordance with a selected amount and uploaded the selected amount to the player account to increase the account balance amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 7217191
    Abstract: A gaming system with a retractable remote controller is provided to remotely play a “slot” type gaming device. The retractable remote controller is tethered to the slot machine by a flexible connector such that upon initiation of play the retractable remote controller can be removed from its home position on the slot machine and at the end of play is automatically returned. The retractable remote controller can be a hand held or lap held device, which is battery-operated or hard wired to the slot machine. Advantageously, a single player can simultaneously operate retractable remote controllers from two or more machines. The retractable remote controller is advantageously alarmed to prevent tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Allen Justin Cordell
  • Patent number: 7217192
    Abstract: A game apparatus that has a game machine for advancing a game according to a program and a mobile unit moving based on information data from the game machine. Further, a game system for a game player to play a game using a controller and a toy, comprising a storage step for the for the game player to manipulate the controller for moving the toy for bringing up a toy motion and store the brought-up toy motion and a reproduction step for the game player to manipulate the controller for reproducing the stored toy motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: SNK Playmore Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7217193
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an integral flange hub configured to bear against a flexible coupling element, and an external flange element configured to engage the hub to exert compressive force on the flexible coupling element. The assembly further includes a nut having inner threads configured to mate with a threaded extension of the hub to urge the hub and the external flange element into engagement with the flexible coupling element. The assembly may also include a tapered sleeve and a sleeve nut having inner threads configured to mate with the threaded extension of the tapered sleeve to secure the hub with a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 7217194
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member has three track grooves extending axially in an inner circumference portion thereof with a roller guide surface extending axially on each side of the respective track grooves; a tripod member has three trunnions protruding in the radial direction; and a roller mechanism is mounted in each of the trunnions of the tripod member. The roller mechanism is capable of swinging and oscillating freely with respect to the trunnions, and has a roller guided along the roller guide surface in the direction parallel to the axis line of the outer joint member. An outer peripheral surface of the roller, which is made by ground-finishing, is in contact with the roller guide surface, and has a surface roughness of 0.35 Ra or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Goto, Hiroshi Murakami, Masahide Miyata, Mikio Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 7217195
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a right- and left-hand screw having a first external right-handed thread and a second external left-handed thread formed by an inexpensive rolling process using a rolling die with a first thread-cutting die for the first thread and a second thread-cutting die for the second thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Art Screw
    Inventor: Kou Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 7217196
    Abstract: A spring activated pool cue is disclosed for use in games such as billiards. The device has also been designed to be taken apart for convenient storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Dominick Cestro
  • Patent number: 7217197
    Abstract: A small lightweight golfers' aide comprising low-level high frequency physical vibration generator within a housing for transmitting the vibrations to a golfer as physical vibration patterns indicative of a preferred swing tempo for the golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Glenn Park
  • Patent number: 7217198
    Abstract: A golf putting practice aid comprising a guide having a guide surface (3) with which a heel or the toe of a putter makes contact in use. The guide is positioned to extend upwardly from a substantially planar base or ground surface (1,100?). By making the guide surface straight throughout its length, and inclined towards the user, the surface will act to constrain the putter head to follow an inclined plane angled towards the user. By using a planar guide 3?, a player can decide whether to have the toe or the heel of the putter guided thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Roger J. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7217199
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head allowing to increase the repulsion and the degree of design freedom, while maintaining the durability. A hollow golf club head having a head body formed from a metal, wherein a hole is formed in the vicinity of the middle of a crown portion in the head body, the hole is closed with a cover member made of a material different from the head body, and the ratio (?m/?t) of the specific gravity ?m of the head body and the specific gravity ?f of the cover member is set equal or superior to 1.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Nakahara, Shinji Yamamoto, Yoh Nishizawa, Tomoaki Mori
  • Patent number: 7217200
    Abstract: A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a high or increased melt index thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The cover layer may be relatively thin (i.e., 0.075 or less, preferably 0.050 inches or less, more preferably less than 0.040 inches, even more preferably less than 0.030 inches). In addition, an operation in which the outer cover is exposed to an isocyanate solution is described to improve certain physical properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Gary Matroni, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael J. Tzivanis, Mark L. Binette, David M. Melanson
  • Patent number: 7217201
    Abstract: A sports training apparatus having a substantially resilient elongated arm support coupled to straps adapted to surround an athlete's shoulders to hold the arm support securely against the athlete's chest and under the athlete's arms to facilitate the proper training position for a variety of sports activities. Methods of using the training apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Michael W. Sealy
  • Patent number: 7217202
    Abstract: A free standing, portable device for teaching pitching technique for softball or baseball. The device consists of a folding h-shaped base that rests on the ground and supports a removable vertical member. A horizontal track member is removably secured to the vertical member and can be adjusted in height on the vertical member to match the height of the pitcher. A ball attaches to the horizontal track member and can travel along the horizontal track member as the pitcher executes a pitch while grasping the ball. The ball is mounted to the horizontal track in such a way that the ball is free to spin in either direction relative to the horizontal track. In an alternate embodiment, an optional curved track can replace the horizontal track member in order to facilitate teaching additional pitching techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: April Troxell
  • Patent number: 7217203
    Abstract: A tennis racket having a racket frame defining a ball-hitting face, wherein if the upper part of the ball-hitting face is set as a 0-degree position, a string protection member is mounted on at least one portion of a head part of the racket frame in a range from a clockwise 45-degree position to a clockwise 135-degree position and in a range from a clockwise 225-degree position to a clockwise 315-degree position by interposing a viscoelastic member between the string protection member and the racket frame. The moment (Is) of inertia of the tennis racket in a swing direction is set to not less than 450,000 g/cm2 nor more than 490,000 g/cm2, when strings are not tensionally mounted thereon. The moment (Ic) of inertia of the tennis racket in a center direction is set to not less than 15,000 g/cm2 nor more than 19,000 g/cm2, when the strings are not tensionally mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takeuchi, Takeshi Ashino
  • Patent number: 7217204
    Abstract: A continuously variable belt drive system including a driving pulley assembly, a driven pulley assembly, and a V-shaped belt engaged to transfer rotary power therebetween is disclosed herein. The driving pulley assembly includes an idler pulley portion. As the belt speed decreases, the belt migrates downward within the driving pulley assembly until it falls within the idler pulley portions, thereby isolating the belt from the rotation of the driving pulley assembly. The driving pulley assembly also includes a belt tensioning mechanism that maintains proper belt tension at all speeds and drive ratios. The tensioning mechanism relies upon a pivotably mounted centrifugal weight arm to provide tensioning as a function of speed. A compression spring provides axial pressure to maintain belt tension over all drive ratios. The spring, acts against a curved cam edge on a pivoting lever arm, which arm transfers an axial force to the rear sheave of the driven pulley assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua L. Roby
  • Patent number: 7217205
    Abstract: A series inline continuously variable transmission (SICVT) in which two series coupled continuously variable transmissions are in an inline configuration is provided to be used in rear-wheel drive vehicles. Two sets of pulleys are connected in series to square the reduction and bring the input and output shafts inline. The input and output pulleys are configured for actuation by hydraulic pistons for shifting, while the idler pulley set may be implemented without a need for actuation. Displacement of the actuated pulleys results in the square of the original ratio change. The SICVT is compact and efficient, and can be used in all types and sizes of vehicles including gasoline and diesel powered vehicles and electric, fuel cell electric, and all types of hybrid electric vehicles. Additional CVT stages can be provided for further reduction in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Andrew A. Frank
  • Patent number: 7217206
    Abstract: An automatic tensioner having a load cell for detecting and controlling a power transmission belt tension. The tensioner comprises a lead screw driven by an electric motor for setting a lever arm/pulley position and thereby a belt load. The tensioner also comprises a load cell engaged with a tensioner lead screw for detecting a belt load. The tensioner motor is controlled loop using a load cell signal. The controller compares a detected belt load from the load cell with a predetermined belt load value to identify a desired belt load and thereby set a tensioner lever arm position corresponding to said desired belt load. The tensioner may also be controlled by an engine operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Stone, Brian Knight, Daniele Zecchetti
  • Patent number: 7217207
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a toothed portion, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a spring disposed between the base and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm in a first direction, a mechanism disposed on the pivot arm and engaged with the base, the mechanism comprising a rotatable geared member and a second spring engaged between the geared member and the pivot arm, the second spring biasing the pivot arm in the first direction, and the geared member having a non-toothed portion that when the non-toothed portion is engaged with the toothed portion it prevents substantial rotation of the pivot arm in a reverse direction from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Juergen Hallen
  • Patent number: 7217208
    Abstract: A bicycle chain includes a plurality pairs of outer plates and inner plates. Each pair of the outer plates is connected at two opposite ends to two pairs of the inner plates by connectors connected to the inner plates. Each connector has a rivet extending therethrough and two ends of the rivet are respectively connected to the two opposite ends of the outer plates. Each rivet has a protrusion extending radially outward from the outer periphery thereof and the protrusion is in contact with an inner periphery of a central passage of the connector corresponding thereto. There is a gap defined between the rivet and the inner periphery of the central passage so that the chain has more flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Montanari Sandro, Righi Ermanno
  • Patent number: 7217209
    Abstract: A belt type continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley having a fixed pulley half and a movable pulley half; a driven pulley having a fixed pulley half and a movable pulley half; and a metal belt. The metal belt includes a metal ring assembly having a plurality of endless metal rings laminated on one another and a plurality of metal elements supported on the metal ring assembly. The metal belt is wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The movable pulley half of the drive pulley has a flexural stiffness higher than that of the fixed pulley half of the drive pulley, wherein it is difficult for the edges of the metal ring assembly to contact the metal elements and a V-face of the drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Saito, Takemasa Okano
  • Patent number: 7217210
    Abstract: A belt has a plurality of spaced apart teeth, at least one tensile cord extending along the belt spaced from the teeth, and a tooth stock material filling the teeth and encapsulating the tensile cord. A reinforcement cord is incorporated into the belt to generally follow along the tensile cord, the reinforcement cord having at least one overlay portion passing over the tensile cord and at least one loop portion extending down into a tooth to connect and secure the tooth to the tensile cord, whereby reinforcing the tooth against a separation from the belt due to shear forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Douglas Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 7217211
    Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes a power source, three differential gear sets, first and second motor/generators each connected to at least one of the gear sets, and torque-transmitting mechanisms. An input member transfers power from the power source through the differential gear sets to an output member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide an input-split first electrically variable mode having equal forward and reverse speed ratios for given input speeds and a compound, power-split second electrically variable mode. Torque provided from the power source is added to torque provided from the second motor generator in both forward and reverse electrically variable modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Klemen, Michael R. Schmidt, Brendan M. Conlon
  • Patent number: 7217212
    Abstract: A differential gear system employs stably-oriented orbiting gears to convey drive torque from a drive shaft differentially to a first wheel shaft and to a second wheel shaft. A portion of the drive torque is conveyed to the first wheel shaft, and the remainder of the drive torque is conveyed to the second wheel shaft. The differential gear system uses a first stably-oriented orbiting inner gear to convey torque to the first wheel shaft and a second stably-oriented orbiting inner gear to convey torque to a second wheel shaft. Dual-axis couplings allow the stably-oriented orbiting inner gears to move in a translational, orbital motion, but prevent the inner gears from rotating. Each of the stably-oriented orbiting inner gears has outer teeth, whose surfaces are substantially planar. The outer teeth of the stably-oriented orbiting inner gears mesh with flat-surfaced inner teeth of hollow gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Orbiter Gears Marketing & Finance AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Fanselow, Erich R. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7217213
    Abstract: This invention is a mechanical gearbox for every vehicle or machinery that needs one. It works on the grounds of the differential gear as a way to obtain mechanical addition or subtraction of the motion of two different shafts. Inside this mechanism an input-shaft-motion subdivision take place over other different shafts, which speeds are recombined together by differential gears, returning over an output-shaft a wide-range of selectable speeds with their proportional torque (transmission ratios).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Stefano Cavicchioli, Carlo Cavicchioli
  • Patent number: 7217214
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for use with motor vehicles includes an ECU, an automated gear unit, a variator, an input gear set, an input fixed ratio element and an output fixed ratio element. The automated gear unit has multiple gear ratios and engages one of the gear ratios responsive to commands from the ECU. The variator varies a ratio of torque between its input and output shafts responsive to commands from the ECU. The variator output shaft connected to the gear unit input shaft. The input gear set is connected to the variator input shaft. The input fixed ratio element reduces torque from the input gear set to the variator, and is disposed between the input gear set and the variator input shaft. The output fixed ratio element increases the torque from the variator, and is disposed between the variator output shaft and the gear unit input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy John Morscheck
  • Patent number: 7217215
    Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson, Jeffrey A. Birchak
  • Patent number: 7217216
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus, has: an input shaft; a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission; a rotation transmission shaft; first, second and third planetary-gear-type transmissions; a first power transmission mechanism; a second power transmission mechanism; a third power transmission mechanism; and, a switching mechanism, wherein the second sun gear and one of the first and third sun gears are rotated together with the rotation transmission shaft to thereby execute the power transmission through the rotation transmission shaft and one of the first and second planetary-gear-type transmissions, and, in a state where the power transmission through the third planetary-gear-type transmission is cut off, in accordance with the control of the transmission ratio of the toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, the output shaft is stopped while the input shaft is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7217217
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torque transmission differential for motor vehicles comprising a casing which is selectively rotated around an axis y–y?; a drive wheel axle with an axis Y–Y?; a gearing which is disposed inside the casing and which transmits the rotation movement from the case to the drive wheel axle; and a muzzle which is solidly connected to the casing and which is disposed between the gearing and the internal surface of the casing The gearing generally lies within an ellipsoid of rotation and the muzzle is more or less in the shape of an ellipsoid of revolution which is concentric to the gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles S.A.
    Inventor: Franck Santelli
  • Patent number: 7217218
    Abstract: A multi-stage automatic transmission comprises a drive input shaft (AN), a drive output shaft (AB), three planetary gearwheel assemblies (RS1, RS2, RS3) arranged next to one another in series and five shift control elements (A to E). A sun gearwheel (SO3) of the third planetary gearwheel assembly (RS3) can be fixed relative to a transmission housing (GG) by the first shift control element (A). The drive input shaft (AN) is connected to a sun gearwheel (SO2) of the second planetary gearwheel assembly (RS2) and can be connected via the second shift control element (B) to a sun gearwheel (SO1) of the first planetary gearwheel assembly (RS1) and/or via the fifth shift control element (E) to a web (ST1) of the first planetary gearwheel assembly (RS1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Tiesler, Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 7217219
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The single axle transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. An additional embodiment is disclosed which shifts automatically dependent upon the rotational speed of the wheel. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The disclosed transmission may be used in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The transmission may, for example, be driven by a power transfer mechanism such as a sprocket, gear, pulley or lever, optionally driving a one way clutch attached at one end of the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Miller
  • Patent number: 7217220
    Abstract: A toric-drive transmission comprising a drive disk for receiving a power input. A driven disk transmits a power output. A roller device has a roller displaceably mounted between the drive disk and the driven disk. The roller has three rotational degrees of freedom. A first degree of freedom transmits motion from the drive disk to the driven disk to convert the power input to the power output. A second degree of freedom varies a ratio of the power output to the power input as a function of an orientation of the roller along the second degree of freedom. A third degree of freedom initiates a rotation of the roller about the second degree of freedom. A controller system is operatively connected to the roller device for changing the orientation of the roller in the second degree of freedom by actuating a displacement of the roller in the third degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: S.O.E. Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Fernand Careau, Hugues Maltais
  • Patent number: 7217221
    Abstract: A method for providing an active engine stop of the engine of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method utilizes the electric machine to oppose and rapidly stop the rotation of the engine at a controlled rate. The method includes the calculation of an input speed reduction trajectory using the engine speed when the active engine stop request is made and a predetermined speed reduction interval. The speed reduction interval is less than a time from the active stop request to the shutoff command to the electric machine The method provides rapid deceleration of the engine, particularly through the powertrain resonance speed, reducing the amount of vibration energy dissipated through the powertrain and chassis. The method removes the electric machine torques from the engine prior to achieving zero engine speed in order to avoid imparting a negative engine speed or counter-rotation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jy-Jen F. Sah, Gregory A. Hubbard, Adam C. Bennett, Todd M. Steinmetz, Michael D. Foster
  • Patent number: 7217222
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for limiting coolant temperature at a coolant flow exit port for a hydrokinetic torque converter in a powertrain for a vehicle having an engine and a power transmission mechanism, wherein the transmission and the torque converter are disposed in a common coolant flow circuit whereby a coolant flow line from the torque converter to a cooler is protected from failure due to excessive coolant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Centlivre, David Orton, Brad Riedle, Barbara Hartline
  • Patent number: 7217223
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a motor (4) and a wet clutch (12) for transmission of torque output of the motor to road wheels of the vehicle and transmission of road load from the road wheels to the motor (4). The wet clutch is disengaged in response to a clutch disengagement control signal. Accounting for clutch drag state of the wet clutch, a controller (8) selects one out of various values as threshold (Voff). The controller (8) determines that the wet clutch be disengaged when a parameter indicative of the actual vehicle speed has a predetermined relationship with the threshold. The controller (20) generates the clutch disengagement control signal upon determining that the wet clutch be disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Saeki, Kouichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7217224
    Abstract: A virtual racecourse is mapped by uniting digital pictures with GPS and inclinometer data, stored in a recorded course file, presented in distance increments of the racecourse, and accessed for individual and group competition over the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Tom Thomas
  • Patent number: 7217225
    Abstract: A glider device includes a pair of swingably mounted foot platforms pivotally supported by links at their heel ends. A spring cage, in one embodiment, includes a tension spring in each link to resiliently support the heel end of the foot platform. The spring cage limits displacement of the tension spring and includes a compression spring that cushions the displacement of the tension spring. In the a second, preferred embodiment, a stack of rubber bushings is supported in the spring cage and compress and decompress to provide a cushioning action to the foot platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Royce H. Husted, Joel P. Husted
  • Patent number: 7217226
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly including an electric motor and a flywheel assembly. The electric motor includes a rotatable shaft, at least a portion of the shaft being tapered as the shaft extends from the electric motor to an outer end of the shaft, the outer end of the shaft being threaded to receive a securing member. The flywheel assembly, which optionally includes a pulley and/or fan, includes a bore extending through a center of the flywheel assembly, at least a portion of the bore being tapered as the bore extends from an inner periphery facing the electric motor to the outer periphery of the flywheel assembly. The shaft of the electric motor extends through the bore of the flywheel assembly such that the taper of the shaft and the bore center the flywheel-pulley assembly on the shaft and create a self-holding taper arrangement. A securing member can be secured onto the outer end of the shaft to fix the flywheel assembly axially. Methods of forming and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain L. Wasson, Vincent Hall
  • Patent number: 7217227
    Abstract: An upper body exercise apparatus for assisting an exerciser in performing chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes at least two securely yet releasably attached elastic stretch components connected to a substantially inelastic flexible component that functions as a suspended sling. The method of exercise is to engage part of the body within the sling to allow the elastic resistance to counteract a portion of the exercisers body weight and thus enable the exerciser to perform these effective body weight exercises with less effort than that required with the exerciser's full body weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory M Finn
  • Patent number: 7217228
    Abstract: An exercise system includes a platform, a set of ankle holders connected to the platform by resistance (e.g., elastic) bands, and a leg support. A user can sit on the platform with her back supported by a back support (or fully reclined with her head/neck supported by a headrest) and with her legs supported by the leg support. After attaching the ankle holders to her ankles, the user can perform leg extensions as part of a cardiovascular and resistance workout. The leg support can be constructed so as to compress during each leg extension, thereby reducing knee strain and minimizing the potential for injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Al H. Marquez
  • Patent number: 7217229
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot includes a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of the robot. The tip member changing jig includes a base member, a rotating member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means disposed at positions that are offset from the rotation axis of the rotating member. The tip member holding means holds the tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting or demounting the tool tip member on or from the tool body, extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member and so that rotation of the tool tip member, with respect to the rotating member, is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Masaaki Saito, Takeshi Tsumura, Toshihiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 7217230
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting a position of a drawbar unit installed in a spindle unit. The apparatus is a part of an automatic tool exchange device for exchanging tools in the spindle unit of a machine tool. The apparatus transmits a signal to a main controller after detecting the position of the drawbar such that the main controller checks a state of a tool clamped by the drawbar unit. The drawbar unit is installed in the spindle unit forming the automatic tool exchange device and clamps the tool at a front thereof. A core is installed at a rear peripheral portion of the drawbar unit and a coil section having a cylindrical shape is wound around an outer peripheral portion of the core. An LC oscillating circuit is provided such that the LC oscillating circuit includes the coil section as a part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Yiwon Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Jin Hyun
  • Patent number: 7217231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sealing-in pouring spouts in bags (1), comprising at least one station for opening (4) the bag (1), a station for inserting (4) the pouring spout into the opened bag (1), and at least one station for sealing (5, 6, 7) the bag (1) and the pouring spout. According to the invention, such a device is improved with a view to simple design and high processing speed in that the stations (2–8) for bag processing are arranged on a linear transport system (11) for the bags (1), which linear transport system (11) is formed by two transport belts (9, 10), and in that the stations (2–8) for bag processing are all arranged in a grid of equal spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henno Hensen
  • Patent number: 7217232
    Abstract: This invention provides an automatic paper folder with the adjustable distance between a retarder and a feeding wheel assuring the consistency of the automatic feed for most types of paper. The automatic paper folder includes a paper feed assembly that combines the functions of a retractable retarder and a retractable tension block, assuring the automatic feed of a stack of paper, and a bypass for the manual feed of the stapled sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: SOP Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Thomas Shoebridge, George Arthur Carver
  • Patent number: 7217233
    Abstract: A parallel folding apparatus of a folding machine comprises a first cylinder in contact with a second cylinder. A guide plate guides a signature transported on the lower circumferential surface of the second cylinder after being double-folded by grippers of the second cylinder in cooperation with knives of the first cylinder. The guide plate comprises a stationary guide located downstream, in the rotating direction, of the point of contact between the first cylinder and the second cylinder and disposed continuously along the circumferential surfaces of the first cylinder and the second cylinder, and a moving guide movable in accordance with the operating speed of the folding machine between a position, closer to the circumferential surface of the first cylinder than the stationary guide, and a position, more remote from the circumferential surface of the first cylinder than the stationary guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Masaki, Takao Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7217234
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of controlling a centrifuge for the centrifugal production of a milk product. The steps include taking a milk sample at an outlet of the centrifuge from a liquid phase, adding a substance to the milk sample that increases light transmittance of the milk sample, determining the light transmittance of the milk sample by transilluminating the milk sample using a light source and measuring light intensity via a photo cell, determining the fat content from a measurement of the light transmittance, and controlling the centrifuge as a function of the determination of the fat content. The present disclosure also includes a system for controlling the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AGB
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Zettier
  • Patent number: 7217235
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid state brachytherapy applicator for performing radiation therapy treatment in an animal body, said applicator at least comprising an X-ray emitting surface composed of: a vacuum cavity containing a cathode and an anode spaced apart at some distance from each other; emitting means for emitting free electrons from the cathode; electric field means for applying during use a high-voltage electric field between said cathode and said anode for accelerating said emitted free electrons towards said anode; wherein said vacuum cavity being at least partly transparent to X-ray radiation emitted by said anode. The invention furthermore relates to a radiation therapy treatment system for performing radiation therapy treatment in an animal body and to a method for performing radiation therapy treatment in an animal body using a solid state brachytherapy applicator according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Nucletron B.V.
    Inventors: Johann Kindlein, Rudolf Leonard Josef Scholte