Patents Issued in May 29, 2007
  • Patent number: 7222802
    Abstract: A dual sprayer has an externally mounted mixing manifold for intimately commingling disparate liquids sprayed during pumping and issuing through a nozzle as a complete admixture of dual liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Steve L. Sweeton
  • Patent number: 7222803
    Abstract: A hand operated flexible bulb for use with a liquid dipensing apparatus 5, the bulb comprises an open ended neck 2 which is securable in an air tight manner to a liquid dispensing apparatus. The flexible bulb is provided with an air inlet 6 separate from the open ended neck, the air inlet having a valve 7 associated therewith such that on application of hand pressure to the bulb, the valve closes to force air through the open ended neck and on release of pressure, the valve opens drawing air into the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
    Inventor: Terence William Bolton
  • Patent number: 7222804
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for the adjustment of the position of a shearbar with respect to knives of a chopper assembly. The arrangement includes a first adjusting drive to position the first end of the shearbar at a predetermined first spacing from the knives and a second adjusting drive to position the second end of the shearbar with respect to the knives until a spacing measurement arrangement indicates that the spacing between the shearbar and the knives is less than a threshold value. An analogous procedure is applied to the first adjusting drive. On the basis of the measurement values the shearbar is brought into a position that corresponds to a desired gap between the shearbar and the knives. Each of the first spacing and the second spacing are greater than the desired gap between the shearbar and the knives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Helmut Wolf, Steffen Clauss, Manfred Engel
  • Patent number: 7222805
    Abstract: A materials processing system adapted for the reduction of metallic materials including a material feed portion configured to convey materials to a mill portion comprising a motor driven rotor in close running fit with a cage mounted grate through which reduced material is discharged onto a conveyer. The cage is biased to a closed operating position by one or more hydraulic rams. A control system receives signals from a speed sensor operatively coupled to the rotor, and is configured to regulate the hydraulic rams, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the cage in response to rotation of the rotor. The control system is further configured to regulate the operation of the materials feed portion to suspend material feed during opening of the cage, permitting trapped or jammed material to be expelled from the mill portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Robert M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7222806
    Abstract: A condiment mill for products such as dry garlic or citrus fruit peels includes a conventional container (2) for containing the condiment, a grinding mechanism (3) fixed to the bottom of the container (2), and a rotatable knob (4) which is arranged on the top part of the container (2) and which is mechanically connected to the grinding mechanism by a rotating drive shaft (5). The mill (1) is also provided with a cutting blade (6) which is arranged above the grinder (3) and which is fixed to the drive shaft (5). The mill is further provided with a separator for dividing the container into at least two adjacent compartments which conform to the size of the condiment in such a way that the condiment is maintained in a substantially vertical position, for slicing of the condiment by the cutting blade (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: PSP Industries SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Fornage
  • Patent number: 7222807
    Abstract: A bucket for crushing and screening stone and similar materials. The bucket has a scoop-shaped body defining an inlet opening for the stone to be crushed and an outlet opening for the crushed stone, between which a direction of flow of the stone is defined. The bucket further has a stone-crushing mechanism including a first jaw and a second jaw housed in the scoop-shaped body and movable relative to one another. The bucket still further has an element for moving the first jaw relative to the second jaw. The element imparts to the first jaw a combined rotational and translational movement relative to the second jaw in which a first component of the movement is away from and towards the second jaw and a second component of the movement is substantially parallel to the direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Meccanica Breganzese S.r.l.
    Inventor: Guido Azzolin
  • Patent number: 7222808
    Abstract: A mulcher apparatus includes a tractor and a mulcher unit provided to the tractor. The mulcher unit includes a tooth assembly with a holder and a cutter element with a cooperating notch portion and cross bar arrangement. The notch portion can be retrofit to existing holder arrangements. The cutter element may include various features, to enhance cutting efficiency. For example, the cutter elements may include a double-ended structure, angle tab portions at each corner portion, carbide coatings, a pair of tip portions at each end with a space therebetween, and/or a generally H-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Attachment Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7222809
    Abstract: An improved bail assembly for a spinning reel which, in one aspect includes a bail arm with a roller hood having an outer converging end portion wherein a bail wire extends from the converging end portion in an initial substantially straight manner such that there are no bends in the bail wire in proximity to the roller hood. In another aspect, the improvement comprises a converging extension piece which extends from the bail arm, the bail wire extending from the extension piece in a substantially straight manner such that there are no bends in proximity to the extension piece. The extension piece preferably also constitutes a connector for the bail wire which is effective for reducing corrosion of the bail assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: W.C. Bradley/Zebco Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry L. Neufeld, Christopher S. Littau, Josh Denton, Kent Zwayer
  • Patent number: 7222810
    Abstract: A clicker mechanism for a fishing reel is described. A typical fishing reel has a spool defining an orifice and a shaft passing through the orifice. A component having an irregular surface, such as a gear-like component with teeth or a ring defining a serrated inner surface engages the shaft. A clicker assembly may be affixed to the spool. The clicker assembly includes a clicker for engaging the clicker gear. The clicker alternately moves from a first position to a second position. The clicker assembly utilizes a magnet that provides a magnetic force to return the clicker to the first position from the second position. Two magnets may be used to exert magnetic force against one another, either with an attracting or a repelling force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: W.C. Bradley/Zebco Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Littau, Joshua M. Denton
  • Patent number: 7222811
    Abstract: A positioning device of a dual direction cable reel is disclosed. The cable reel comprises a top cover, a pad, a reeling disc top cover, a reeling disc, a lead wire, a spring, a bottom cover and positioning member, characterized in that the reeling disc and the positioning element mounted at the outer side of the bottom cover alternately interact to achieve a positioning function, wherein the positioning element includes a peg and a pulling spring and the peg is pivotally mounted to the peg at the outer edge of the bottom cover, and the rear direction is a pulling spring to provide correct direction, and can swing in accordance with the operational rails at the bottom section of the reeling disc to provide an alternate engaging and disengaging swinging action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Wen-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7222812
    Abstract: A positioning shaft of a dual direction cable reel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Wen-Han Chang, Chih-Ming Lu
  • Patent number: 7222813
    Abstract: A log multiprocessing apparatus winds a web material around a winding core to form a log. Once the log is about to be completed, the web material is severed to form a tail of the log, and a pattern including at least one glue layer is applied on the tail of the log. The log then is decelerated and the tail is pressed on the log to form a final sealed log of web material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsai Tung-I
  • Patent number: 7222814
    Abstract: A deflection for deflecting a strip in a reeling plant, in particular, of a metal strip from an initial channel to a final channel arranged above the initial channel and vice versa, wherein a drive acts with an upper drive roller on the upper side and with a lower drive roller on the lower side of the strip, can be improved when a temporarily pivotable into a strip, upper separating device is arranged downstream of the upper drive roller, and a temporarily pivotable into a strip, lower separating device is arranged downstream of the lower drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Andreas Bohn, Matthias Peters, Karl Hoen, Dominik Geibert
  • Patent number: 7222815
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a doffing apparatus of a high-speed high-stand fabric take-up device, which is applicable to a fabric take-up device having a higher fabric-storage volume. The doffing apparatus has safety pins and control handles in the side-frame casings of the fabric take-up device. Via shifting the control handles to change the relative positions of the safety pins, the safety pins can be inserted into the rod shafts of the fabric-winding rod so that the coupling between the drive wheels and the rod shafts can be enhanced and the safety of a fabric-winding operation can be promoted. Further, hydraulic cylinders are installed between the side-frame casings of the fabric take-up device and the support brackets sustaining the fabric-winding rod. Via the hydraulic cylinders providing a buffer force for the support brackets, the support brackets can rotate and descend slowly, and the safety of a fabric-doffing operation can be promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7222816
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted for use with a dispenser housing for rolled sheet material to provide reliable dispensing of sheet material therefrom is provided. The apparatus is adapted for a dispenser housing which includes a roll support configured to hold at least one cylindrical roll of sheet material and a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes an exit port to permit sheet material to be withdrawn therefrom. The cylindrical roll of sheet material is desirably mounted on a portion of the roll support. The roll includes opposing flat surfaces and an outer circumference, the apparatus comprises a guide roller including an elongated central portion positioned between two opposing ends and a flange positioned near each end of the guide roller. The central portion is configured to be positioned adjacent the outer circumference of a roll of sheet material when the roll is a new roll disposed in the dispenser housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Lewis Clark
  • Patent number: 7222817
    Abstract: A cart handle cover system includes a roll of cart handle covers contained within a dispenser for dispensing the covers from the roll. One or more rolls of covers are rotatingly positioned about a roll support rod inside the dispenser. The dispenser includes a dispensing slot near the top on one side of the dispenser. When the roll of covers is advanced through the dispensing slot, a user can peel one of the covers from the roll for application to a cart handle. Accordingly, a sanitary barrier for protecting customers' hands from potential contaminants on a shopping cart handle can be conveniently provided to customers in a retail store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Claude A. Stringer
  • Patent number: 7222818
    Abstract: A spool is provided having opposing identical end flanges coupled to a central barrel. An annular rim portion of the flanges is provided with a plurality of openings positioned at different radial and circumferential positions. The openings are sized such that if the openings were rotated into angular alignment, the openings would span the annular rim portion from an inner radius to an outer radius. The openings thus allow a user to view contents of the spool. Each flange may further provide a generally semi-circularly shaped recess sized and shaped to receive a winding dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Couchey, Victor J. DesRosiers
  • Patent number: 7222819
    Abstract: A ram air inlet includes a channel with an intake in a wing leading edge, front and rear flaps arranged in the channel for selectively closing or opening the channel, and an actuator connected to the flaps. A front end of the front flap is pivotably connected by a fixed bearing to an aircraft structure adjacent the intake. A rear end of the rear flap is moveably and pivotably mounted to the aircraft structure via a movable bearing arrangement, e.g. a pivot bearing linearly movable in guide tracks, or a flexible lever connected to a fixed pivot bearing, or a swinging bearing pivotably connected to a fixed bearing. The opposite ends of the flaps are pivotably connected to each other by a third bearing. The actuator drives the third bearing to pivot the front flap between opened and closed positions, while the rear flap pivots and moves in the wing chord and/or thickness directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Kelnhofer
  • Patent number: 7222820
    Abstract: A lavatory complex for an aircraft. The lavatory complex includes a male lavatory facility and a female lavatory facility. The male lavatory facility includes stall units and may include urinals. The female lavatory facility includes stall units. Each stall unit suitably includes a single commode. The male and female lavatory facilities include at least one sink separated from the stall units by stall unit doors. The lavatory complex may include sinks that are not located within either the male or female lavatory facilities. A lavatory may include illuminating indicators; an illuminated, folding, baby changing station; a vanity; a self-cleaning toilet; and/or an illuminated faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Wentland, Jeanne Guerin, Bethany L. Franko, Shawn A. Claflin, Douglas E. Emsley, Domenic S. Giuntoli, Melanie L. Kimsey, Hau T. Pho, Alan J. Anderson, Charles C. Jensen, Michael D. Thoreson, Michael Jaquish, Wayne T. Yutani, John A. Caldwell, Richard K. Simms, Dennis C. Lin, Thomas F. Pistler, Kevin W. Shimasaki
  • Patent number: 7222821
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility, and thereafter restore its combustibility. As used in an aircraft, the method comprises the following steps: (a) treating aircraft engine fuel to substantially reduce its combustibility in open air; (b) carrying the treated fuel in a fuel tank of an aircraft; (c) increasing the combustibility of a portion of the treated fuel, as needed by the aircraft engine; and (d) supplying the increased restored combustibility fuel to the aircraft engine. Using this method, the preponderance of the fuel on board the aircraft is maintained at low combustibility for safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Matos, Karl F. Milde, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7222822
    Abstract: A linear operating device is provided that includes a way of converting a rotational motion into a translational motion, realized in the form of a nut, a rotating drive unit and a spindle acting in conjunction with the nut; and the nut is connected to the spindle with the ability to rotate. The rotating drive unit is connected to the nut with torsional strength, or it exercises a force in the axial direction of the spindle. Applications for the invention can be found in space travel, particularly in the context of solar generator unfolding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Roth, Leonhard Stielner, Axel Söckle
  • Patent number: 7222823
    Abstract: A payload adapter consists of a body that when hollow includes a plurality of stiffeners—radial and/or circumferential—or alternatively a core for carrying shear loads. The body may include a first annular face sheet, a second annular face sheet and a plurality of stiffeners connecting between the first annular face sheet and the second annular face sheet. The combination of the annular hollow body and the plurality of stiffeners or the same face sheets combined with an in-filled core results in an axial frequency and a lateral (pitch) frequency for the payload adapter that provides superior vibration isolation. Constrained layer damping is incorporated into the design for additional vibration attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: ATA Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gareth Rhys Thomas, Cynthia Marie Fadick
  • Patent number: 7222824
    Abstract: Cable Support Systems for supporting an object at a desired distance below an overhead beam or other overhead structure are provided. Novel clamps for clamping to the overhead structure are fitted to support cables that encircle objects to be supported by the cable support systems. The novel clamps have internal methods to support the cables. The cables are then encircled around the objects are fixed relative to the clamp. The distances between the object and the clamps may be precisely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Ductmate Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan B. Shuey
  • Patent number: 7222825
    Abstract: A yard waste bag loading assembly includes a base having dimensions able to accommodate a yard waste bag therein, the yard waste bag having a given opening size. A plurality of vertical supports extend from the base to a height necessary to accommodate the yard waste bag. A funnel is hingeably secured to the tops of the vertical supports. The funnel has a mouth greater than the bag opening size. The components of the loading assembly are readily formed from tubular plastic pieces, elbow fittings and tee fittings to facilitate easy breakdown and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Jeffrey Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7222826
    Abstract: An adaptive arm support provides motion of an armrest within a plane through any direction of translation. A number of vertical rods and bearings permit at least two links to pivot with respect to each other, permitting translation in any direction while staying within the plane. Bushing-tipped set screws are provided which dampen movement, to reduce or eliminate the effects of unintentional tremors. The armrest includes a swivel mounting which is also damped, which permits the longitudinal axis of the armrest to swivel from horizontal orientation to inclined angles which are out of the plane of translation. An elbow pad is provided which also pivots from perpendicular to the armrest longitudinal axis to different angular orientation with respect thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew Berglund
  • Patent number: 7222827
    Abstract: A telescoping leg particularly adapted for use in supporting geomatic equipment is capable of locking in different selected positions of extension. A lock is provided for holding the leg at the selected position of extension. The lock is biased to a lock position, but is capable of being moved and retained in an unlock position by operation of a single thumb on one hand so that locking and unlocking the leg for telescoping movement occupies only one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Crain Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Crain, Christopher T. Moore, Larry W. Essex, Ralph C. Mize
  • Patent number: 7222828
    Abstract: A device for holding shower accessories and the like, comprising an elastic suction element, an actuating element adapted to actuate the suction element so as to attach the suction element to a supporting surface, a holding element connected with the suction element and formed to support a shower accessory and the like, the actuating element being turnable so that the suction element is actuated in response to turning of the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Eli Zhadanov, Sam Zhadanov
  • Patent number: 7222829
    Abstract: For mounting an antenna device on a first side of a panel body, a mount screw is protruded from the antenna device and formed with a slit extending from a distal end face thereof in an axial direction thereof. A washer has a first engagement member extended from a main body. The washer is adapted to be fitted with the mount screw such that the first engagement member is inserted into the slit from the distal end face of the mount screw in a first direction. A second engagement member is provided in the slit, and elastically deformable so as to allow the first engagement member to move within the slit in the first direction. The second engagement member is adapted to engage with the first engagement member at a first position within the slit so as to prevent the first engagement member from moving in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. A nut is adapted to be screwed to the mount screw while being interconnected with the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Yokowo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motonao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7222830
    Abstract: A bracket for securing an elongated support member elevated against a wall or adjacent a ceiling for attachment of a window or wall covering, is described. The bracket comprises a single flat metal piece bent to form a top horizontal flange and an integrally formed vertical flange. Holes are provided in at least one of the flanges to receive fasteners therethrough for securement of the bracket. The top horizontal flange has an elongated flat stem punched therefrom and bent out of an inner surface thereof to extend downwardly at an angle about 90° thereto and spaced forwardly of the vertical flange. A plurality of thread indentations are formed in opposed side edges of the stem whereby to receive and retain a threaded nut about the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Métaux Satellite Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Sirkin
  • Patent number: 7222831
    Abstract: A display arm having an elongated outer housing, an elongated inner housing telescopically engaged within the outer housing, a biasing member coupled with the outer housing and operative to counter-balance the inner housing within the outer housing, and a locking mechanism for locking the position of the inner housing relative to the outer housing. The locking mechanism may include a first locking vane and a second locking vane, each locking vane having a sloped surface abutting an edge of the inner housing and a second surface abutting an interior surface of the outer housing, wherein the sloped surfaces initiate spreading of the locking vanes when the locking vanes are pulled into an extended position by the locking mechanism such that the second surfaces engage the interior surface of the outer housing with sufficient force to prevent movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Odd N. Oddsen, Jr., Howard M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7222832
    Abstract: A support mechanism comprises a base member, first and second support arms, first and second synchronizing arms, and a load-supporting platform. The first support arm is connected to a pivot bracket and the based member in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the first support arm between stowed and deployed positions. The second support arm is connected to the pivot bracket and the load-supporting platform in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the second support arm relative to the load-supporting platform between stowed and deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Orville V. Welker
  • Patent number: 7222833
    Abstract: The hanger of present invention comprises of an integral hook and anchor sections in the upper and lower parts of hanger respectively. The hook section forms an U-hook for suspending and retaining the hanging wire of a picture frame. The anchor section guides a fastener such as a nail to drive through the anchor section and into the wall in inclined position. The hanger of present invention allows the hanging wire of the picture frame to directly engage into the U-hook without interference when a person holds the picture frame against the wall, and slides the picture frame downward to approach the hanger from the top of hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: David Yang
  • Patent number: 7222834
    Abstract: A tool 10 and a method for creating the tool 10 which is comprised of several selectively coupled sectional members 12, 16, and which includes at least one cooling channel 14. In one embodiment, each sectional member 12, 16, which is to be used to form the at least one cooling channel 14, has respective indented channels 18, 20. Channel 18 of member 12 registers with a unique one of the channels 20 of member 16 to which member 12 is coupled, thereby forming the unique cooling passage 14. Other embodiments are disclosed which also provide desired cooling paths 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: FloodCooling Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Manuel, Thomas N. Greaves
  • Patent number: 7222835
    Abstract: A fast concrete house system for the construction of housing units is disclosed. The system disclosed herein allows for an improved low cost manufacturing, without the use of special tools or an ample array of structural elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Reynaldo Martí-López
  • Patent number: 7222836
    Abstract: The present invention is a poppet comprising a stem and a body, with the body having a plurality of channels extending in an longitudinal direction along the periphery of the body. The channels are gas flow conduits that react to the orientation of the poppet and force the poppet to re-align itself during operation with the centerline of the regulator chamber surrounding the poppet. The plurality of channels greatly reduces the contact between the periphery of the poppet and the regulator body. The present invention further includes a bore beginning at the non-stem end of the body and extending in the longitudinal direction within the body of the poppet. The bore can receive a spring for guiding the poppet. By positioning the spring within the poppet, the spring will have minimal contact with the regulator body. The bore avoids the spring from guiding the poppet by its end and adjusts the poppet's center of gravity toward where the poppet sits on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Shi Jung Chen
  • Patent number: 7222837
    Abstract: A valve body having at least one internal hollow or space comprises two separately formed portions joined by at least one cylindrical web. Internal space may communicate with space outside the valve body via a fluid passage, and internal space may be filled with a substantially incompressible flowable substance to facilitate pressure equalization across the valve body. Forging or casting valve body portions to near-net-shape prior to joining minimizes machining necessary to achieve a final desired shape. Increased valve durability and reduced metal wear arise from the reduced valve body weight and correspondingly reduced impact loading as the valve body moves to seal against a valve seat. A single-durometer or dual-durometer elastomeric seal may be cast and cured in place in a peripheral integral seal retention groove, coupled thereto in part through welding flash protruding into the groove and/or through at least one serration in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7222838
    Abstract: An improvement in a vehicle ramp facilitates easy storage and quick and simple conversion from a stored, collapsed state to an open, in-use state. The vehicle ramp comprises a pair of plate members pivotally coupled together along one side of each respective plate member which, being supported by a frame arrangement articulately connected to the plate members, permits the plate members to be selectively pivoted with respect to one another to either form a functional raised vehicle ramp configuration, or form a storable, collapsed, low profile configuration in which the two plate members lie in substantially a common plane, along with the articulated frame arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Jun Ji
  • Patent number: 7222839
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a cable in a human power amplifying lift system. The method and apparatus employ a cable slack sensor and a cable end sensor to override and prevent the lift from continuing to unwind the lift cable when slack or and end of travel limit has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Gorbel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Taylor, Mark F. Scholand
  • Patent number: 7222840
    Abstract: A rope-guide device suitable for marine use as a crab-pot puller, an anchor puller, a shrimp-pot hauler, and the like includes an arcuate, side-entry slot running the entire vertical length of its cylindrical body. A unique lock-mechanism prevents rope slippage by crimping the rope between the interior wall of the body and a tongue-like locking mechanism with a positive-tension device. An optional handle, which protrudes exterior of the body and extends interior the body, resting against the locking mechanism, assists release by a user-activated motion on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Orval O. Stepper
  • Patent number: 7222841
    Abstract: A gas and heat exchange apparatus comprising at least one substantially vertical elongate hollow member, a plurality of internal members spaced inside the at least one hollow member, each internal member having at least one opening, means for gas intake and exhaust in fluid connection with the at least one hollow member, means for draining the at least one hollow member and a means for adding liquid to the upper end of the at least one hollow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Desmond James Boxsell
  • Patent number: 7222842
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vise clamp that can provide a large clamping force and be operated stably. The vise clamp includes a stationary jaw, a movable jaw connected to the stationary jaw, and a clamping device connected to the movable jaw. The clamping device includes a contact element moved up and down under the control of a lever. Two pinions are connected to the lever. Two pushers are provided besides the pinions. Each pusher includes a rack engaged with one of the pinions. The contact element is put against the pushers. As the lever is pivoted, the pinions are rotated. As the pushers are moved up by means of the pinions, the contact element is pushed up by means of the pushers. Thus, a workpiece can be clamped between a contact portion formed on the stationary jaw and the contact element connected to the movable jaw. Hence, the clamping force is large and the operation is stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Chian Ling Lin
  • Patent number: 7222843
    Abstract: A sheet post-process apparatus has a standby tray for putting a sheet delivered from an image forming apparatus on standby, a process tray arranged under the standby tray for stacking the sheet dropped from the standby tray or the sheet delivered from the image forming apparatus not through the standby tray, a matching mechanism for matching a lateral direction of the sheet stacked on the process tray by a lateral matching plate to form a sheet bundle, a post-process mechanism for post-processing the sheet bundle matched by the matching mechanism, and a delivery tray for delivering the sheet bundle post-processed by the post-process mechanism, in which the process tray and the standby tray are arranged so as to make a height of an upper end of the lateral matching plate of the process tray higher than a height of a lower end of the standby tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Hajime Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Reiji Murakami, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 7222844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a signature hopper loader and method for feeding signatures to a hopper on a binding line. The hopper loader includes a conveyor and a deblocker that work together to feed signatures to the hopper. The deblocker is preferably positioned adjacent the conveyor such that the deblocker serves to laterally shift the signatures facilitating deblocking and/or alignment of the signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Quad/Graphics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon M. Ferus
  • Patent number: 7222845
    Abstract: A printer includes a support structure. A printing assembly is mounted on the support structure. The printing assembly includes a feed mechanism mounted on the support structure for feeding sheets of media along a feed path. At least one printhead is mounted on the support structure, downstream of the feed mechanism to carry out a printing operation on the sheets of media. A picker mechanism is positioned on the support structure, upstream of the printing assembly. The picker mechanism includes a nozzle assembly that is movably mounted on the support structure and includes at least one nozzle that opens towards the stack of sheets. A displacement mechanism moves the nozzle assembly reciprocally between the stack of sheets and the feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David William Jensen
  • Patent number: 7222846
    Abstract: A sheet take-out apparatus is disclosed that includes a sheet-feeding member on which sheets are placed. The apparatus includes an air spout unit to spout out air towards a right or left side of a front portion of the sheets with respect to a take-out direction of the sheets. A take-out unit takes out one sheet from in a predetermined take-out direction. A depression member depresses the sheets against the sheet-feeding member on a rear portion of the sheets. In addition, a method is disclosed for taking-out sheets by means of a sheet take-out apparatus. The sheet take-out apparatus and method are capable of taking out one necessary sheet at a time, regardless of surface conditions of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Haruhiko Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7222847
    Abstract: The feeding apparatus includes a pressure plate cam gear which contacts and separates a pressure plate with and from a feeding roller rubber in a forward rotation of a stepping motor, then interrupts the drive power transmission to the pressure plate, then transmits the driving power again to the pressure plate by a reverse rotation of the stepping motor to return the pressure plate to a separated state and terminates the drive power transmission to the pressure plate, a gear portion provided at an end of a feeding roller shaft for transmitting the driving power from the stepping motor to the feeding roller rubber, and a control circuit for reversing the stepping motor after a leading end of a recording medium is detected by a PE sensor lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7222848
    Abstract: A device and method for aligning a media sheet moving along a media path. An amount of skew that will occur as the media sheet moves along the media path is determined based on one or more physical characteristics. Previous testing of the device indicates that media sheets having particular physical characteristics will have a known amount of skew by the time they reach a predetermined location along the media path. The media sheet is moved the known amount so the media sheet is aligned. Test data is used to determine the amount of expected misalignment of the media sheet and the amount necessary to move the media sheet back into alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Lester Elliott, Paul D. Horrall, Derek Masami Inouye, John Randolph McIntyre, Matthew Christopher Coriale
  • Patent number: 7222849
    Abstract: Feeding roller pairs are respectively constituted of a capstan roller and a nip roller. The nip roller is movable between a nip position and a release position. When movement timing of the nip rollers overlap, a pulse motor for moving the nip rollers is successively driven. For example, a drive-pulse speed for the pulse motor is detected at the moment that the downstream nip roller is moved to the nip position (at the moment that a predetermined time has passed after detecting a recording-paper sheet with a position sensor). And then, the drive-pulse speed is changed in accordance with the detected drive-pulse speed to drive the pulse motor at a prescribed speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Takehisa Ono
  • Patent number: 7222850
    Abstract: Transporting an essentially sheet-like element, particularly for transporting a sheet of printing material in a printing press, in which the sheet-like element is picked up in the area of its leading edge by at least one rotating transport at a pickup site, transported to a delivery site, and then delivered there, wherein the sheet-like element is curved over a rotational or curvature radius during transport. The sheet-like element is forced between the pickup site and the delivery site by at least one guide element, that is, an intermediate guide element, that blocks at least in the centrifugal direction, in order to maintain the radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Dirk Dobrindt
  • Patent number: 7222851
    Abstract: Game systems and apparatuses that include magnets are disclosed herein. A game configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a playing piece having a first magnet and a shooting device having a second magnet configured to repel the first magnet. In this embodiment, the shooting device further includes a bottom portion and a chamber. The bottom portion is configured to move across a playing surface while held in contact with the playing surface. The chamber is configured to releasably hold the playing piece while the bottom portion of the shooting device is held in contact with the playing surface. In this embodiment, the game is played by holding the playing piece in the chamber with the first magnet repelling the second magnet, and releasing the playing piece to shoot it across the playing surface toward a scoring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Michael J. Stromberg