Patents Issued in May 22, 2007
  • Patent number: 7219755
    Abstract: The present invention provides a curb-climbing wheelchair having pivotal arm assemblies. The pivotal arm assemblies include at least one front caster and have the ability to rotate or pivot. The pivot arms rotate or pivot in response to moments generated by accelerating or decelerating the wheelchair thereby raising or lowering the front caster(s) through the rotational movement of the pivot arms. By raising or lowering the front caster(s) in such a manner, curb-like obstacles can be traversed in a low-impact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Invacre Corp.
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7219756
    Abstract: A method for setting an operating point of a hybrid drive of a vehicle is provided, the hybrid drive including an internal combustion engine and at least two electric motors/generators as propulsion engines, and the output shafts of the propulsion engines being operatively linkable to a drive train of the vehicle. Depending on a desired output torque and an instantaneous vehicle velocity, operating points of the electric motors/generators are set in such a way that the sum of the mechanical output and the electrical losses of all electric motors/generators of the hybrid drive equals zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Claus Bischoff
  • Patent number: 7219757
    Abstract: In mode transfer control apparatus and method for a hybrid vehicle, in a state in which the vehicle is in at least one of a start state and a travel state and in one steady-state mode of a continuously variable transmission gear ratio mode and a fixed transmission gear ratio mode, a mode transfer to the other steady-state mode of the continuously variable transmission gear ratio mode and the fixed transmission gear ratio mode is inhibited in a case where a driving point of the vehicle determined according to a detection value of a vehicle speed and a calculation value of a target driving force is present within an overlap area on a steady-state mode area map in which both of a continuously variable transmission gear ratio mode and a fixed transmission gear ratio mode are selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Tomita, Kiyoshi Akiyama, Tomoya Imazu
  • Patent number: 7219758
    Abstract: An electric motor-driven vehicle comprises a seat disposed centrally on a vehicle body, a loading platform located over a loading platform receiving frame and behind the seat, and a plurality of main frame rails connected to the loading platform receiving frame. The vehicle further comprises a fuel supply piping system, at least one battery, a fuel cell and at least one fuel tank, all disposed so as to efficiently use the space within the vehicle body, and all protected from external forces by the loading platform receiving frame. A plurality of partition walls separate the at least one battery and the fuel cell from the at least one fuel tank and provide additional protection against external forces to the fuel cell and the at least one fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michael Guidry, Masatoshi Takeshita, Takashi Fujii, Yasuyuki Muramatsu, Hiroyuki Inagawa, Shuhei Adachi
  • Patent number: 7219759
    Abstract: An operation member is manually operable to select and drive an in-vehicle apparatus. A compression spring applies counterforce to the operation member against operational movement of the operation member. A load sensor senses an operational work load of a driver of a vehicle. A movable member is driven by a motor to change the counterforce based on the operational work load of the driver sensed by the load sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Nozomi Kitagawa, Yuji Ito
  • Patent number: 7219760
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) is used with a vehicle seat (2) and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat. A sensor lever (100) transmits the load of the vehicle occupant from the vehicle seat (2) to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor lever (100) has a first end portion (102), a second end portion (112), and a middle portion (122) interposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion (122) of the sensor lever (100) is movable with the vehicle seat (2). The sensor lever (100) has a first sensor portion (107) disposed between the middle portion (122) and the first end portion (102). The sensor lever (100) has a second sensor portion (109) disposed between the middle portion (122) and the second end portion (112). The first and second sensor portions (107, 109) bend as the vehicle seat (2) moves vertically relative to the vehicle floor pan (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S LLC
    Inventors: George B. Wolfe, Scott J. Pollock
  • Patent number: 7219761
    Abstract: An electrically driven power steering apparatus is structured such that a large impact on a rack shaft occurs upon an impingement of a steering stopper, and, even when an axial force acting on a ball bearing of a presser member becomes zero, a rotation of the presser member is hindered by caulking c at a thin plate member. Therefore, the presser member does not slacken, and a predetermined axial force can be given again to the ball bearing when the impact dissipates. The thus structured power steering apparatus exhibiting, though the cost is low, an excellent shockproof characteristic and capable of preventing the bearing from coming off a ball screw nut, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Fukuda, Shuji Endo, Hiroshi Eda, Osamu Tatewaki, Kenichi Hayakawa, Hirotaka Hatano, Mineki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7219762
    Abstract: An acoustic detection of a discrete acoustic signal allows to detect a leak behind a casing (23) of a borehole. An acoustic amplitude (AA) is sampled during a recording time period (24; 64) at a determined position along the tube. Time intervals (26; 66) are defined inside of the recording time period (24), and for each time interval (26) the measured acoustic amplitudes are processed to obtain respectively a corresponding power-frequency spectrum (261). A plurality of the power-frequency spectra are analyzed to identify the discrete acoustic signal by detecting time and frequency dependant changes of power. Preferably the processing involves a Fourier transform analysis. A power-frequency time plot is used to conveniently identify the discrete acoustic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Simon James, Peter Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7219763
    Abstract: A microphone assembly fitted to a panel of a vehicle-mounted control module, provided with a housing for housing a microphone and having an opening section on a surface facing the panel, and a holding case for holding the housing so as to be capable of pivoting, and when inserted into a receptacle provided in the panel the housing pivots so as to seal the opening section to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Mizoguchi, Yoshitaka Uchida
  • Patent number: 7219764
    Abstract: A muffler may comprise a casing having an internal volume, an inlet and an outlet, and a diverter plate dividing the internal volume into a first chamber and a second chamber. The diverter plate may comprise a baffle wall portion and at least one diverter having a deflecting surface oriented at an angle to the baffle wall portion. The baffle wall includes at least one aperture allowing fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The diverter is preferably suspended with respect to the casing, wherein no portion of the diverter directly contacts the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Heartthrob Exhaust Inc.
    Inventor: John Forbes
  • Patent number: 7219765
    Abstract: A work platform for a lighting operator or a cameraman is described, which has a mounting for the apparatus to be operated and a seat for the operator. The work platform consists thereby of foldable sidewalls, which in a transport position lie parallel with the floor and receive frame parts below themselves, which serve to complete the entire work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Karsten Gierss
  • Patent number: 7219766
    Abstract: A mid-span fall protection system including a remotely attachable fall protection latching mechanism for attachment to an elevated horizontal strand. The fall protection latching mechanism may be used with an elongated rigid structure for extending between a support surface and the elevated horizontal strand, where the fall protection latching mechanism is attached to an upper end of the elongated rigid structure. The fall protection latching mechanism includes a hook portion for engaging over the elevated horizontal strand to provide a support for the fall protection latching mechanism, and a fall protection line coupling structure attached to the hook portion for providing a direct connection between the hook portion and a fall protection line. A fall protection line is also provided having an upper end attached to and supported by the coupling structure, and includes a lower end located adjacent a lower end of the elongated rigid structure at the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph F. Deuer
  • Patent number: 7219767
    Abstract: A serving utensil, used for serving food on a salad bar, is attached to a retractable tether device. The retractable tether device is coupled to the under surface of a sneeze shield extending over the food on a salad bar, effectively elevating the retractable tether device and the serving utensil above and/or over food on the salad bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Harry Steinbok
  • Patent number: 7219768
    Abstract: A lift with a multiple locking position safety leg includes a lift bed for engaging in objects to be lifted together with a fluid cylinder to be connected to the lift bed and extendable and retractable to move the lift bed between two extreme positions including a fully lowered position and a fully raised position. A latching mechanism is provided for holding the lift bed in any of a plurality of positions between the extreme positions and includes a plurality of vertically spaced latches operated by gravity to move to latching positions, one for each of the plurality of positions, and a single actuator for simultaneously moving and holding each of the latches against gravity from the latching positions to allow the lift bed to be moved to the fully lowered position. Also disclosed is a kit for retrofitting existing lifts with the safety leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: SVI Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Climenhaga
  • Patent number: 7219769
    Abstract: A load handling operation control apparatus for an industrial vehicle, which has a load carrying apparatus provided movably on a vehicle body, is provided. A load carrying apparatus 2 is positioned with a load handling target 41, 42 according to its movement. A load handling control section 47 has a display device 28 and a detection device for detecting the position of the load handling target. A image control section 46 displays positioning information for supporting positioning of the load carrying apparatus 2 with respect to the load handling target 41, 42 on the display device 28 based on a positional detection result detected by the detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Torahiko Yamanouchi, Hisashi Ichijo, Kenichi Katae
  • Patent number: 7219770
    Abstract: A coordinated lift system with user selectable RF channels coordinates the raising and lowering of a vehicle relative to a surface by using wireless communications. The lift system includes at least two lift mechanisms each having support frame, including a post, a carriage, an actuating device, and a control device with a channel selector switch. The carriage is slidably mounted on the post and is configured to support a portion of the vehicle. The actuating device is engaged between the support frame and the carriage and is activated to move the carriage relative to the post. The control device is interfaced with the actuating device and includes an RF transceiver to enable communication by RF signals with the other control device. The channel on which the transceiver operates is user selectable in the field. A rechargeable battery may provide power to the control device to allow for increased mobility of the lift system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: William J. Baker
  • Patent number: 7219771
    Abstract: An elevator counterweight comprises a counterweight frame constructed from several vertical beams and at least three horizontal crossbars wherein the vertical beams penetrate the horizontal crossbars and form therewith several grid fields in which weight elements are arranged and fixed. The two outermost grid fields disposed above the lowermost horizontal crossbar are open towards the side and can each receive a counterweight guide shoe and a safety brake device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Dario Augugliaro
  • Patent number: 7219772
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake, particularly for commercial vehicles, comprising a brake caliper covering a brake disk, a tensing device arranged in a brake caliper for tensing the brake pads on both sides of the brake disk in the direction thereof, and at least one regulating system arranged in the brake caliper in order to equalize the brake pad and/or disk deterioration by adjusting the distance between the brake pad and the brake disk. The invention is characterized in that at least one or more adjusting rotational devices which are driven by an electric motor are provided on each side of the brake disk to adjust the axial distances between the brake pads and the brake disk. According to a method for controlling the regulating system of the brake disk, the regulating rotational device is individually controlled on both sides of the brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Bieker, Johann Baumgartner, Wolfgang Pahle
  • Patent number: 7219773
    Abstract: A disc brake for a vehicle has a caliper bracket fixed to a vehicle body, a pair of caliper support arms striding an outer periphery of a disc rotor in a disc axial direction, pad guide grooves formed in the caliper support arms so as to be opposed to each other, friction pads disposed on both sides of the disc rotor, the friction pads having ears projected from both side portions of a back plate thereof, and pad retainers disposed on the pad guide grooves, the ears of the friction pads being movably supported by the pad guide grooves via the pad retainers, wherein pad retainers each has pad returning portions for urging the friction pads away from the disc rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Ono
  • Patent number: 7219774
    Abstract: In a double-wrap band brake assembly, an intermediate band is provided with a first friction material forming a first friction surface from a portion of the intermediate band near an apply bracket to a predetermined intermediate portion thereof, the first friction surface working for forming a lubricant film. The intermediate band is further provided with a second friction material having a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the first friction material and forming a second friction surface from the predetermined intermediate portion to a vicinity of a coupling portion of the intermediate band with a pair of outer bands, the second friction surface working for removing the lubricant film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Fujii, Xiaoming Gu, Hideaki Takabayashi, Osamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7219775
    Abstract: A fan rotor is mounted on a shaft carried on bearings attached to a base plate and there is provided an assembly for preventing reverse rotation of the fan which could damage the motor. A stop plate is mounted on the base adjacent the shaft with an edge adjacent the shaft. A pair of wing members are carried on the shaft on two collar pieces so that each wing member is pivotal between ends of the collar pieces about an axis parallel to the tangent to the shaft at the wing member. The wing members are V-shaped and pivot so that one leg moves under gravity either in the vertical or horizontal orientations of the shaft from a retracted position, in which it is free from the stop plate to an extended position in which it engages the abutment surface of the stop member to prevent reverse rotation. The wing members are shaped and weighted such that rotation of the shaft beyond a predetermined angular velocity causes centrifugal force to move the wing members to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: CML Northern Blower Inc.
    Inventor: Elgin Richard Zelinski
  • Patent number: 7219776
    Abstract: A friction disc, in particular a brake or clutch disc, includes carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic composite material with at least one top surface formed as a friction surface. At least part of the friction surface is formed of a different material, in particular of a carbon-containing material. The different material exhibits lower wear and oxidation resistance than that of the rest of the friction surface and a supporting zone of the friction disc. A visual, audible or mechanical signal is produced under operating conditions due to comparatively greater wear. The signal provides a warning that the service life of the friction disc is being exceeded. A process for producing the friction disc is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Bodo Benitsch, Martin Christ, Udo Gruber, Michael Heine, Andreas Kienzle, Jens Rosenlöcher, Rainer Zimmermann-Chopin
  • Patent number: 7219777
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a brake rotor which may include a central mounting portion for mounting the brake rotor on a hub, a first annular braking surface and a second annular braking surface, where each braking surface includes an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a bridge provided between the central mounting portion and the inner diameter of at least one of the first and the annular braking surfaces and a plurality of ribs positioned proximate to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Warren Lin
  • Patent number: 7219778
    Abstract: Exciter rings, wheel assemblies and methods of assembling. In some aspects, a wheel assembly includes a brake rotor including a barrel section having an interior surface defining a barrel cavity, and a projection extending from the interior surface of the barrel section into the barrel cavity. The wheel assembly also includes an exciter ring formed separately from the brake rotor and engagable with the projection within the barrel cavity to removably connect the exciter ring to the brake rotor. In other aspects, an exciter ring is formed separately from and removably connectable to a brake rotor and includes a body portion having an outer surface, the body portion including a detent protruding outwardly from the outer surface and extending around the outer surface of the body portion. The exciter ring also includes a flange extending radially outwardly from the body portion and having a plurality of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Gunite Corporation
    Inventors: Reginal A. Pete, Omar J. Fakhoury, Mark K. Bucey, Shawn D. Sexton
  • Patent number: 7219779
    Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic suspension system includes one or more hydraulic suspension cylinders mounted between the vehicle body and the axle. Each cylinder includes a piston chamber and rod chamber, each of which are connected to an accumulator and which can be connected to a pressure source and a tank by valve systems. The valve system for the rod chamber includes a first solenoid valve and a hydraulically and electrically actuated proportional pressure adjusting valve. The proportional valve is exposed to rod chamber pressure and to tank pressure. The rod chamber pressure can be applied on the proportional valve either directly as control pressure or can be detected with a sensor, and can be used to control the proportional valve. Such a system can influence the dependency of the suspension stiffness on the axle load and can be used to adjust the stiffness to ballast conditions and operating or driving states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bauer, Heinz Schwegler
  • Patent number: 7219780
    Abstract: A piston, which has a piston rod, is guided with freedom of axial movement in a cylindrical pressure tube. At one end of the pressure tube, the piston rod passes through an opening in an end wall, which closes off the end of the pressure tube. The pressure tube is surrounded by a heat-shrink sleeve, which, at the exit end of the piston rod, extends more-or-less radially inward and has a pass-through opening through which the piston rod extends. The ring-shaped end surface at the piston rod exit end of the pressure tube is enclosed by the heat-shrink sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Thurmann, Hans Ihrlich, Arnold Schilz, Hans Jürgen Hofmann, Ines Kistenbrügger, Michael Auer
  • Patent number: 7219781
    Abstract: An electromagnetic suspension system comprises a universal joint mechanism for permitting radial movement of a cylinder relative to a center yoke while preventing axial movement of the cylinder relative to the center yoke. Since the cylinder is capable of radial movement relative to the center yoke, if a lateral force acts on the cylinder, the lateral force acting on a hydraulic damper does not have any significant effect on the center yoke 17 with respect to radial movement or rocking movement thereof. Therefore, excessive sliding friction does not occur in a center-yoke dry metal and a piston-rod dry metal, thereby ensuring smooth axial relative displacement between the center yoke and an outer yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hitachi Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yusuke Akami, Noriyuki Utsumi, Hiroshi Yoshikura, Hiroshi Chikuma, Satoshi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 7219782
    Abstract: A gear position in an automotive gearbox is detected on the basis of measuring a value indicative of the speed of a rotating shaft between an engine and the gearbox, and a value indicative of the speed of an output shaft from the gearbox, and calculating a quotient of these two speeds. If for a predetermined period of time the quotient is between upper and lower limits about a quotient value pertaining to the respective gear position, it is decided that a gear position obtains. Through information about a selected split position of a split gear it is as possible gear position rule out all gear positions which do not correspond to the selected split position, thereby enabling said upper and lower limits to be raised and lowered respectively for the remaining gear positions which correspond to the selected split position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (publ)
    Inventors: Magnus Pettersson, Matts Jargenstedt
  • Patent number: 7219783
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a magnetic sensor to detect the speed of transmission clutch plates or clutch hub. A clutch fiber plate, which is mechanically linked to a buried (or inwardly nested) transmission component, is serrated to generate detectable pulsations or fluctuations in the magnetic intensity of the clutch fiber plate as it rotates. The speed of the buried transmission component is useful in controlling a second clutch arrangement to reduce engine torsional pulses by generating a predetermined amount of slip upon engagement. Moreover, the sensor is configurable to determine the acceleration of the clutch fiber plate to control engine acceleration during a vehicle launch. The sensor is mounted to the transmission housing radially superjacent the clutch fiber plate; therefore, the axial space claim for the transmission does need not increase to accommodate the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 7219784
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor drive belt assembly (40) includes a belt support (60) that facilitates proper engagement between the drive belt (42) and corresponding links (32) of a step chain (30) under selected conditions such as a full brake application. The belt support (60) preferably is positioned between a drive sheave (50) and an idler sheave (52) within the loop traveled by the drive belt. The belt support (60) includes at least one moveable support member (62) that does not contact the inner surface of the drive belt during normal operation conditions. In one example, the belt support (60) comprises a plurality of rollers (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Richard Fargo
  • Patent number: 7219785
    Abstract: A work transfer apparatus configured to move a work to an operating position while transferring the work by a conveyor, perform predetermined processing at the operating position, and discharge a processed work, the work transfer apparatus comprising an ejector moving the work independently from the conveyor; and a stopper stopping the work at the operating position, wherein the work processed by the predetermined processing is discharged by the ejector, and a work to be moved to the operating position next by the conveyor is stopped at the operating position by the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Saito, Akira Kimura
  • Patent number: 7219786
    Abstract: An operator position adjustable production line assembly includes a main unit having a product path and an interior including a product cavity. An operable top is attached to the main unit with a plurality of support posts enabling equal or near equal access to the interior and product cavity from either side and the ends of the main unit. Optional side covers are selectively movable to increase product cavity and interior height of the main unit. A pair of control stations are provided, one on each side of the main unit, to enable operation from either side or both sides. An optional view screen is rotatably attached to the main unit to permit viewing from either of the control stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Sari
  • Patent number: 7219787
    Abstract: In a component mounting work area, two electronic circuit boards are placed in a zigzag manner and components are mounted independently on each board. Two sets of working drive units, board conveying/holding devices, recognition cameras and so forth are also arranged in the work area. The board conveying/holding devices for holding boards are moved to positions close to component feed units, and components are mounted in respective mounting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kabeshita, Osamu Okuda, Naoto Mimura
  • Patent number: 7219788
    Abstract: A variable capacity storage unit is disclosed comprising a set of independent conveyor belts superpositioned on top of each other and connected to operate as a single storage unit. The conveyor belts are arranged in a generally H-shaped pattern including two parallel elongated portions and a transverse portion, which is movable along the elongated portions, and include a transfer belt for converting the active portions of each of the conveyor belts into a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Flexlink Components AB
    Inventors: Henry W. Tuck, Terry W. Lock, Clive Wright
  • Patent number: 7219789
    Abstract: A bailing apparatus includes a bailer feeder and a bailer. The bailer feeder is arranged to feed handles to the bailer. The bailer is adapted to couple the handles to containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Hartley
  • Patent number: 7219790
    Abstract: The invention refers to the field of systems for conveying empty plastics bottles and more precisely to a star-shaped conveyor adapted to feed or discharge empty bottles to or from an operative machine. Preferably, but not exclusively, the machine which the star-shaped conveyor is connected to, is a machine for orienting and aligning empty plastics bottles or containers. The star-shaped conveyor is provided with a plurality of recesses (4), a negative pressure is established in each recess for an arc between 90° and 180°, the arc starts in correspondence of a machine and ends in correspondence of a conveyor (7) for transferring the bottles to a filling apparatus or to feed a bottle processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Lanfranchi S.R.L.
    Inventor: Lino Lanfranchi
  • Patent number: 7219791
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying mechanism capable of accurately detecting a conveyance amount of an object to be conveyed with a simple configuration. A magnetic sensor is fixed to a casing along a locus of a contact point between a sheet and a conveying roller on the basis of a play between the conveying roller and an opening. With the configuration, the contact point and the magnetic sensor are disposed relatively close to each other. Consequently, the pure conveyance amount according to the rotation amount of a magnetic recording medium using the contact point as a reference can be detected by the magnetic sensor. Moreover, the movement amount of the contact point relative to the center axis of the opening as a reference position in association with the play can be also detected with high sensitivity. Thus, the conveyance amount of the sheet can be accurately obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Shoji
  • Patent number: 7219792
    Abstract: An article carrying apparatus for carrying, in a carrying direction, an article placed on a carry face of a carry section making use of a vibration, includes: the carry section provided with the carry face of which the carrying direction is linearly restricted; and a vibration applying mechanism that applies the vibration to the carry section. The vibration applying mechanism includes: a first cam mechanism for converting a motion that has been input from a predetermined drive source into a reciprocating linear motion in a first direction that has at least a component in the carrying direction, and for transmitting the reciprocating linear motion to the carry section; and a second cam mechanism for converting a motion that has been input from a predetermined drive source into a reciprocating linear motion in a second direction that has at least a component in a normal direction of the carry face, and for transmitting the reciprocating linear motion to the carry section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Sankyo Seisakusho Co.
    Inventors: Heizaburo Kato, Toshinao Kato
  • Patent number: 7219793
    Abstract: A braking device for a pallet intended to run in a conveying track. The braking device includes a matrix and a braking element. The matrix includes the support service and exterior surface and a recess having various screws and openings. The braking element includes at least two protrusions which are disposed within the grooves of the matrix and project outwardly from the openings of the matrix at various stages of braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Flexlink Components AB
    Inventors: Staffan Robertsson, Thomas Lumsden, Stavros Progoulakis
  • Patent number: 7219794
    Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system also comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: New England Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Perazzo, David P. Pletz, Michael A. Ruth, John F. Barrett
  • Patent number: 7219795
    Abstract: A device in the form of a concave receptacle (2) has a base (10) from which extends gradually flaring out, at least locally, an edge (12), the painted surface of the canvas (18) being designed to be urged facing the base (10), without touching it and the corners of the canvas being urged in contact locally with the edge (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Herve Poux
  • Patent number: 7219796
    Abstract: A two piece sealed capsule that is inserted into a liquid bearing container including but not limited to the neck of a bottle, said capsule being a container or receptacle for sealably containing a liquid and/or dry material and a dispenser for releasing the material when desired into the container. The top of the capsule is depressed manually forcing two or more blade like prongs against the bottom of the capsule ripping a portion away, dispensing the material. The present invention allows the use of materials that would discolor, degrade or interact with other substances when added to the contents of the bottle, to remain stable and/or inactive until the time of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Vision International Production, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7219797
    Abstract: A box, a blank that can be easily formed into the box via an intermediate box assembly, and methods for generating and using the box allows one to quickly and easily package flowers and accessories for shipment to a consumer without bending, bruising or otherwise damaging the flowers. The box includes an insert that extends from a side of the box and is pivotable into an interior of the box. The insert includes a divider that extends from the insert and can be attached to a side after the flowers have been placed in the interior to extend between two sides and divide the interior into two compartments. One compartment contains the flower portion of the flowers while the other compartment contains the stem portion of the flowers and the accessories. The blanks allow one to quickly and easily generate the boxes and ensure that the box generated will have an insert to protect the flowers during shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Alliance Packaging LLC.
    Inventors: Matt Kroeze, George Jamison
  • Patent number: 7219798
    Abstract: An antistatic transport package for LCD cells. A case includes a body and a cover with cushioning members mounted on the inner surfaces thereof. Protective film surrounds the LCD cells in the case. The antistatic transport package also uses replaceable film in the body, enclosing the protective film and the LCD cells, preventing contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Hannstar Display Corp.
    Inventor: Ping-Shen Chen
  • Patent number: 7219799
    Abstract: A packaging system or storage arrangement that includes provision to indicate the presence of oxygen. An oxygen-sensitive material is placed inside a sealable container. Air is evacuated from the sealable container and the sealable container is sealed to isolate the oxygen-sensitive material from oxygen. The sealable container is then irradiated with an effective amount of radiation to activate the oxygen-sensitive material such that the oxygen-sensitive material will undergo a visual change in the presence of oxygen after the oxygen-sensitive material has been irradiated. The visual change provides an indication of the presence of oxygen inside the sealable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Possis Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bonnette, Eric J. Thor
  • Patent number: 7219800
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to modular array arrangements comprising a carrier and at least one insert for attachment to said carrier, which at least one insert may be positioned in or on said carrier in a predetermined, fixed orientation. In addition, the present invention relates to an insert having first connecting means and at least one section adapted for the application of samples, to a method of preparing a modular array arrangement and to a method for using such modular array arrangements in a screening assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Sven Bülow
  • Patent number: 7219801
    Abstract: A mascara kit for applying mascara to numerous person's eyelashes. The mascara kit includes a kit container for holding: a mascara container, a cleanable palette suitable for receiving mascara, and a brush having bristles arrayed in a concave shape. In one form, the brush includes a handle with an axis such that the axis aligns with a focus of the concave shape of the bristles. To use the mascara kit, an amount of mascara is transferred from the mascara container to a clean palette. Next, a user applies the amount of mascara from the palette to her eyelashes with a clean applicator. Further, for another mascara application another user can transfer an amount of mascara to either the cleansed palette or that user can dispose of the palette and use another palette to transfer an amount of mascara from the mascara container to the palette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Brenda Aarons Christian
  • Patent number: 7219802
    Abstract: A plastic insert (20) is configured to provide support of thin wafers (49) in wafer carriers (45) configured to provide peripheral wafer support. The invention includes the insert, the insert in combination with a wafer carrier, and the, methods of supporting the thin wafers as provided by the insert and the wafer carrier. The insert (20), in preferred embodiments, utilize tabs (80, 82) that fit into the side wall recesses (53) and have an interference fit in said recesses to secure the insert in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Wiseman, Michael Peterson, Tony Simpson
  • Patent number: 7219803
    Abstract: A carrier tape for holding a plurality of disks includes a thin, elongate strip of polymer material presenting a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of pockets defined therein. Each pocket is adapted to receive a separate one of the disks. The pockets are spaced apart and arranged along the longitudinal axis of the strip, and each pocket has at least one operable disk restraining structure for retaining the disk when the disk is received in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Thomas, Jr., Steven P. Kolbow, Joy A. Duban-Hu
  • Patent number: 7219804
    Abstract: A method of flotation processing ores and other mineral materials containing soluble nonferrous base metal and sulfide minerals involves dissolving the soluble nonferrous base metal and precipitating the soluble nonferrous base metal in the form of a floatable precipitate that is collected as part of a sulfide concentrate. The use of an oxygen-deficient flotation gas, such as nitrogen gas, promotes the precipitation of the floatable precipitate. A method for removing dissolved nonferrous base metal from solution involves contacting the solution with a particulate containing sulfide minerals under conditions promoting precipitation of the nonferrous base metal onto the sulfide mineral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Newmont USA Limited
    Inventors: Gary L. Simmons, John C. Gathje