Patents Issued in June 19, 2007
  • Patent number: 7232158
    Abstract: A fitting 5 forms of a fluid-conducting connection in an opening in a plastic wall 3 of a container 1, a tank in particular, for receiving a fluid, a hydraulic fluid in particular. The fitting has a connecting element 17 embedded on the edge of the opening in the plastic of the wall 3 of the container and provided with fasteners 15 accessible from the exterior of the container 1 by which a connection part 11 of the fitting 5 may be mounted on the connecting element 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH.
    Inventor: Werner Wilkendorf
  • Patent number: 7232159
    Abstract: A fluid coupling having an outer housing with an internal bore, an O-ring fitted within the bore, a spacer bushing fitted against the O-ring, a gripper ring fitted against the axially outer side of the spacer ring, the gripper ring having axially and radially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripping teeth, and an end bushing holding the gripper ring, spacer bushing, and O-ring within the outer housing. A second gripper ring and a second spacer ring are used in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Accor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry E. O'Neill, Charlie Whitney
  • Patent number: 7232160
    Abstract: A sealing of pipe repair clamps is taught providing a flexible inner sheet or sleeve adapted for duty inside a pipe repair clamp to prevent leakage of the fluid to be transported in a pipeline. The inner sheet or sleeve may be used in combination with a band-type pipe clamp of various types. The clamp may also be useful for temporary or permanent repair of a leaking pipe and for connecting two pipe ends. The clamp may include, in a pipe clamp or coupling for pipes by means of a metal clamping band to surround the pipes, and a flexible inner sheet or sleeve disposed inside the clamping band, having reinforcing material bonded to or embedded in the inner sheet or sleeve to inhibit axial expansion when the inner sheet or sleeve is under compression between the pipes and the clamping band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Krausz Metal Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Eliezer Krausz, Avi Chiproot
  • Patent number: 7232161
    Abstract: A latch device for a vehicle tailgate comprises a latch/ratchet mechanism, an open mechanism, a lock mechanism, and, an actuator for switching the lock mechanism to an unlocked state and a locked state. The lock mechanism includes a lock lever turning about a lock shaft. The actuator includes an output shaft which turns the lock lever through the lock shaft. The lock shaft is structured so that manual operational access is possible through a service hole in the tailgate or the vehicle body for turning the lock lever. One end of the output shaft penetrates a housing of the actuator to be connected to the lock shaft, and the other end of the output shaft is exposed to the outside through a shaft hole of the housing, and the manual access is applied to the other end of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Matsuda, Miki Ogino
  • Patent number: 7232162
    Abstract: An approved plunger assembly is provided for a door handle. The plunger assembly includes a metallic plunger and a plastic link, which are connected so as to slide together between extended and retracted positions. The plastic link minimizes friction between the plunger assembly and the housing of the door handle, and minimizes wear between the link and the pivot plate which moves the plunger assembly from the extended position to the retracted position. The metallic plunger provides increased wear-resistance from contact with the striker plate or frame which surrounds the door in which the door handle is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Trimark Corporation
    Inventor: Barbara J. Pickar
  • Patent number: 7232163
    Abstract: A first L-shaped bracket is secured to the door and has an aperture aligned with an aperture extending through the door. A second L-shaped bracket having substantially the same size and shape as the first bracket has a rod which, in the locking position, extends through the aperture in the door bracket and door. In the non-use position, the rod extends through an aperture in the outwardly extending section of the door bracket. The outwardly extending section of the door bracket also has a second aperture. The handled bracket has an aperture on each section aligning with the second aperture in the outwardly extending section to accommodate a padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: George Weselak
  • Patent number: 7232164
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for vehicle door handle assemblies. The safety apparatus of the present invention prevents a door from being opened by undesirable operation of a door handle assembly by inertial force when outside impact is applied to a vehicle body, thus enhancing the stability of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7232165
    Abstract: A portable pet waste collection and disposal device. The portable device comprises a nested wand, where the nested wand has an actuator, a lower end and an upper end. The nested wand has a normal tendency to fully extend itself upon activation by the actuator during deployment of the portable device. The portable device also comprises a prong unit, where the prong unit has a pair of prongs, a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge has a normal tendency to spread the prongs, with the second hinge normally tending to rotate the prong unit away from the lower end of the nested wand. The first hinge and second hinge controllably rotate in substantially perpendicular relation to each other. The portable device further comprises a slider coupled to the prong unit, with the slider controllably causing the second hinge to rotate back toward the lower end when the slider is released by the actuator on the nested wand at a first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: David Zelon
  • Patent number: 7232166
    Abstract: A hoist assembly and system capable of being adjusted prior to the lifting and transporting of the loads to accommodate infinite center of gravity changes on loads, such that no changes in position occur during the lifting and transporting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Darrell E Dukate, Louis F. Murray, Kenneth E. Sherer
  • Patent number: 7232167
    Abstract: A cam-operated pipe puller for pulling and extracting a pipe through a conduit wherein the pipe puller has members for grasping the inner sides of the pipe and apparatus attached to the grasping members for holding the grasping members in a retained position as they are initially inserted into the pipe and for releasing and expanding the grasping members to engage the inner surface of the pipe after the grasping members are fully inserted into the pipe so as to pull and extract the pipe from and through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Grady Odell Edwards
  • Patent number: 7232168
    Abstract: A carrier in the shape of a triangle for carrying multiple plastic bags with handles, shopping bags with handles, or items with carry handles, straps, bands, loops or hooks. The handle body uses a small opening in the top center of the grasping portion for the insertion of the items to be carried which is secured shut by the hand of the person carrying the handle. The lowest center point of the triangle shape allows the handles carried to settle at a central, low point, for a secure and balanced load carrying ability. The opposing faces of the handle body have an I shaped cross section for comfortable, secure carrying along with increased rigidity, strength, and a secure gripping surface. Two notches on the inner surface of the grasping portion of the handle allow for the attachment of a carrying strap to free the hands of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Orefice
  • Patent number: 7232169
    Abstract: A bag carrying grip facilitates installation and removal of plastic bags in the grip and remains installed on the bags when the bags are not being carried. The carrying grip includes a rigid, generally tubular section having tapered ends and a slit running the length of the tubular section. Bags are inserted in the slit and can remain in the slit until the user removes them. The carrying grip may also include a pair of opposed hanger carrying openings that form a passage through which one or more hangers may be passed to ease in carrying the hangers. The hangers will remain installed in the grip until removed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Fay Porter
  • Patent number: 7232170
    Abstract: A rack assembly secures articles to a motor vehicle having a liftgate. The liftgate defines a predetermined liftgate with, a bumper and a roof rack. The rack assembly includes first and second base mounts that are fixedly secured to the bumper. The rack assembly also includes first and second rack mounts that are fixedly secured to the roof rack. The rack assembly also includes a mounting rack that is pivotally secured to the first base mount and the first rack mount and removeably securable to the second base mount and second rack mount. The mounting rack provides securing devices for securing articles thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Brad E. Watson
  • Patent number: 7232171
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle glove compartment provided below the seat of the vehicle to increase usable space includes an extension deck extending from the base of the compartment towards the rear or along the direction of the width of body of the vehicle to define a chamber for accommodating a battery; two positioning ribs extending from the bottom of the extension deck to secure the battery in position; and a lid fastened to the extension deck to fend off water and dust, and to serve as an access for replacing or providing service to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Jung Lan, Wen-Ming Su, Wei-Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 7232172
    Abstract: A multi-functional cargo area assembly for a cargo bed of a vehicle includes a first and a second sidewall disposed in a transversely spaced relationship, and an integrally formed guide track in the first and second sidewalls. The cargo area assembly also includes extendible sidewall portions. The cargo area assembly further includes a movable divider panel supported with the guide track by a support rod, and extending transversely between the first and second sidewalls, wherein the divider panel includes a positioning mechanism for fixedly locating the divider panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Projx, Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell Kiester, Douglas Street
  • Patent number: 7232173
    Abstract: A step tailgate and mounting hardware system is presented where a tailgate can swing down to a position in order to create an intermediate stepping area. The tailgate has a primary hinge that allows the tailgate to swing down from a first position, to a second position. The tailgate has a bracket system that allows the tailgate to swing down to a third position in order to create an intermediate stepping area. The tailgate can move away from the vehicle by an inner arm. When the end of the inner arm reaches the end of the inside swing the inner arm can swing down by the inner and outer swing arms to a point where the swing arms are perpendicular to the main and inner arms. When the tailgate is in the third position the tailgate is below the truck bed, creating a stepping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Katterloher, Lassi Mauno Ojanen
  • Patent number: 7232174
    Abstract: An adjustable seat includes a support bracket secured to a vehicle floor panel and a lower and upper portion pivotally connected thereto. The upper portion includes a plurality of lateral wing portions and each wing includes an elongated rod extending along a longitudinal length thereof. The lower and upper portions have an outer layer formed from resilient material. A mechanism is included for selectively pivoting the wing portions in sync about the respective rods such that the width of the upper portion can be adapted. Such a pivoting mechanism extends between the lower and upper portions and is adjacent to a rear side of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory L. A. Trott
  • Patent number: 7232175
    Abstract: A debris deflector to deflect oncoming wind rocks and bugs by diverting the wind which is associated with rocks, bugs, and other debris instead of heading for the hood and windshield of a vehicle, and diverts these nuisances up and away from the vehicle's body. The deflector attaches to the front of a car, truck, sport utility vehicle (SUV), or any other type of vehicle that is prone to oncoming debris. The deflector includes a wing and a pair of pillars connecting the wing to a wind tunnel portion. Air directed through the air passageway formed between the wing and the wind tunnel portion is accelerated and is directed upwardly to deflect debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: J. C. Yuan
  • Patent number: 7232176
    Abstract: The all vision visor is an extendable retractable polarized sun visor that utilizing a prism and light source that is rotative relative to a housing slot whereby the user can vary the color wavelength projected into the sun visor that refracts incoming sun rays, while allowing full vision through the windshield from the interior of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Patrick Dopwell
  • Patent number: 7232177
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for swiveling the parts of a convertible vehicle top, which consists at least of two cinematically linked parts, between a locked position and a put-down position and vice versa. To simplify the arrangement and to make it more effective, an intermediate bearing is carried at the body in such a way that it can be swiveled and it is coupled at one side to the body via a flexibly actuated connection element and at the other side it is coupled to one of the swiveling parts of the convertible top of the vehicle. A drive unit is provided at the intermediate bearing for swiveling the convertible top parts. At the body, a fixed control stop is positioned for a stop element that is mounted at the swiveling part of the convertible top that is coupled to the intermediate bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Rausch & Pausch GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Wagner
  • Patent number: 7232178
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle hood assembly that is operative to raise the rearward and frontward portions of a vehicle hood. The system includes an actuator selectively extendable to raise the rearward portion of a vehicle hood from a first position to a higher second position. A striker of novel design enables the frontward portion of the hood to rise as the rearward portion rises when the striker is engaged with a latch member. The latch member may be disengaged from the striker without extending the actuator, enabling the hood to reach a third position ideal for vehicle service and thus allowing a nonreversible-type actuator to be employed. A method of elevating the vehicle hood with respect to the vehicle body is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mark O. Neal, Joseph D. Mc Cleary, Kenneth J. Baron
  • Patent number: 7232179
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a modular tractor assembly including a driver compartment having a rearward connecting edge configured to slidably receive a complementary forward connecting edge of one of a day compartment module, a sleeper compartment module, or an inter-modular fairing connector assembly. A portion of the rearward connecting edge of the driver compartment has a flange portion disposed at an acute angle relative to a long axis of the tractor for complementarily receiving a forward connecting edge of one of the day compartment module, the sleeper compartment module and the inter-modular fairing connector assembly. The interface between the driver compartment and the day compartment module, a sleeper compartment module, or an inter-modular fairing connector assembly is substantially hidden by the doors of the vehicle to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America
    Inventors: Nikolaus G. Racz, David S. Adams, Martin Luckhaus, John M. Martin, Linton D. Myers
  • Patent number: 7232180
    Abstract: A suspension system for the cab of a lorry comprises a rotational damper preferably of a magneto-rheological type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Biasiotto, Francesco Butera, Stefano Alacqua
  • Patent number: 7232181
    Abstract: A bulletproof window, unitary casement for the window and method for replacing and containing a sheet of bulletproof glass within the casement. The casement securely retains the bulletproof glass therewithin via an ‘L’-shaped cover plate secured over the bulletproof glass within the casement. The casement further comprises reliefs to accommodate the bolt heads that secure the cover plate to a hinge, such as on a vehicle door. The corners of the casement are relieved to allow use of a bulletproof glass sheet without the need to form a radius at the corners of the bulletproof glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Schmucker
  • Patent number: 7232182
    Abstract: A child seat includes a seat body having a seat portion, a backrest, and left and right side guards, an airbag provided adjacent to the seat body for receiving the child upon inflation thereof, and an inflating device communicating with the airbag for inflating the airbag. When the inflating device is actuated, the airbag is inflated to receive the child for protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7232183
    Abstract: A padded seat for use with golf carts. The padded seat is preferably rectangularly shaped and has a pair of holes on each end to allow for placement of the padded seat over the seat and arms of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Gloria Haught
  • Patent number: 7232184
    Abstract: The seat sock is a protective covering to slip over the back of a movie/theater seat to act as a personal barrier between the user and the surface of the seat back. The seat sock consists of a piece of stretchable polyester fabric which is folded over and stitched along the thirty two inch length, folded inside out and stitched along a twenty two inch length. The cylinder is then folded right side out. An elastic loop is attached, stretched and slipped around the rolled seat sock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Suzanne Lawler
  • Patent number: 7232185
    Abstract: A head rest for a car seat used to transport a child in an automobile is positionally adjustable vertically along the seat back on which the head rest is mounted. A latching mechanism, actuated by a button at the top of the head rest, is located within the frame of the head rest and includes a releasable latch engagable with the channels slidably supporting the support rails of the head rest. A retainer clip is mounted at the top of the channels to prevent the head rest from being separated from the seat back once assembled thereon. The head rest includes a pair of laterally spaced wings that are pivotally connected to the rear support portion of the head rest to be positionally adjustable relative to the child's head through an angular displacement of approximately 45 degrees. The pivot mechanism is operable to lock the wings in the selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Wonderland Nursery goods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Sharon A. Gillett
  • Patent number: 7232186
    Abstract: A depth-adjustable device for a chair comprises a rail rack, the railway is formed with a V-shaped concave, and the supporting board is slideably disposed in the railway by four clipping blocks, and in the lower part of each clipping block is formed a V-shaped convex. The inclined concave cooperates with the inclined convex to allow the adjustment device operate firmly. The V-shaped convex of the clipping blocks moveably abuts against the V-shaped concave in the bottom of the respective railways of the rail base, so that the gravity will be focused on the center and the supporting board and the rail base will slide relative to each other but will not wobble and impact each other, thus reducing the operation noise effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Ching-Hui Chi
  • Patent number: 7232187
    Abstract: A head restraint system for an automotive vehicle seat includes a headrest carried upon eccentric mounting posts which may be extended telescopically from a seatback and rotated about their base axes so as to reposition the headrest not only vertically, but also horizontally. A sensor mounted in the headrest feeds back the location of an occupant's head to a system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Sundararajan, Joseph Mazur, Edward Burley
  • Patent number: 7232188
    Abstract: A head restraint guide system is provided to reduce or eliminate contact points between an armature of a head restraint and a housing in a vehicle seat assembly. The housing extends through a seat back frame. In a first embodiment, a retainer is secured to the housing and a washer is seated within the retainer. A retaining cap closes and maintains the washer within the retainer. The armature extends through the guide system contacting only the washer, thus eliminating vibrations and noise due to contact between the armature and the attachment tube. The washer comprises a non-rigid material, preferably felt. In a second embodiment, an elongated sleeve comprising a non-rigid material, preferably felt, is seated within the housing. The sleeve receives and surrounds the armature to eliminate contact points between the armature and the housing, thereby eliminating vibrations and noise therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Runde
  • Patent number: 7232189
    Abstract: A container for disposing of waste concrete provides a pivoting front wall assembly such that lifting the container by the front wall assembly breaks the bond between hardened concrete and the container facilitating removal of the waste concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Southern Star Concrete, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester B. Covington, Phillip R. Fletcher, Gerald T. Kitchingham
  • Patent number: 7232190
    Abstract: A tank according to the invention comprises a casing, a filling port (5) extending, on the outside of said tank, into a filling neck (7), which is provided with a screw thread having a pitch (p) and which cooperates with a cap (9). The inner surface of the cap cooperating with the screw thread, at least one outlet port for the hydraulic-fluid flow towards a hydraulic circuit. The inner space (3) of the tank is connected with ambient air through two channels (45), that extend from a first lengthwise end (47) of the filling neck (7) to a second lengthwise end (49) of the filling neck (7) and through a helical passage (41) between the filling neck (7) and the cap (9) to connect the inside of the tank with the ambient air to avoid the development of negative pressure in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch
    Inventors: Emmanuel Fraisse, François Gaffe
  • Patent number: 7232191
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicle stability includes a pressure calculator calculating a brake pressure. In one embodiment, the calculated brake pressure is calculated based on a yaw rate signal input from a yaw rate sensor. In other embodiments, the calculated brake pressure is further calculated on the basis of signals input from a steering angle sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, a vehicle speeds sensor, and a master brake pressure sensor. A method for controlling vehicle stability is also provided. The method and apparatus enhances stability and reliability during vehicle driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyo Il Lee, Young Man Cho, Jin-Oh Hahn, Seung Han You, Seung Jin Yoo
  • Patent number: 7232192
    Abstract: A system for braking the wheels of a hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes a brake pedal having a range of pedal displacement including a deadband displacement range, an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure, a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure, a pump/motor having variable volumetric displacement connected to the accumulator and reservoir, and driveably connected to the wheels; a system responsive to brake pedal displacement in the deadband range for placing the pump/motor in a pump state wherein the pump/motor is driven by the wheels and pumps fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator; and a control valve for changing the volumetric displacement of the pump/motor in response to displacement of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Teslak, Cliff Carlson, Ron Kepner, Chuanchi Tang
  • Patent number: 7232193
    Abstract: Described is a bezel for an electronics enclosure. The bezel frame includes a frame, first and second plunger mechanisms, a shuttle, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a cam disposed in a path of lateral movement of the first plunger mechanism. The cam is located between that plunger mechanism and a tab of the shuttle. The orientation of the cam determines the extent of lateral movement of the plunger mechanisms. In one orientation, the cam restricts the lateral movement of the first plunger mechanism and urges the shuttle into a position that restricts the lateral movement of the second plunger mechanism. Consequently, neither plunger mechanism is able to move far enough laterally to disengage from a mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: W. Brian Cunningham, C. Ilhan Gundogan, Lawrence J. Feroli, Gerald J. Cote, Steven Cieluch
  • Patent number: 7232194
    Abstract: An insert is provided for a door storage compartment. The insert contains a frame that forms at least one chamber and has a fixing device located on one side of the frame for fixing the insert to the door storage compartment. A second side of the frame contains at least one indentation for securing an object that lies outside of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Becke, Silvia Gerstner, Siegfried Grasy, Michael Kordon
  • Patent number: 7232195
    Abstract: A drawer stop device for use in furniture assemblies, such as dressers, cabinets, hutches, night tables, coffee tables, desks, entertainment centers and the like having drawers therein, the device includes a cam member configured for attachment to the underside of a drawer, the cam having a rearwardly and downwardly front facing cam surface, and a cantilever arm having a front mounting section configured for attachment to the lower frame member of the drawer opening and a rear deflectable section terminating in a free end, the deflectable section having an upwardly extending curved surface between the free end and the mounting section, wherein the arm when attached to the frame member of the drawer opening and cam when attached to the underside of the drawer are configured such that the cantilever arm hump is positioned in the path of travel of the front cam surface of the cam when the drawer is opened and to frictionally engage the cam when the drawer is at its extended normal open position from the opening
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: American Signature, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Shuikuan Yang
  • Patent number: 7232196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a pair of fixed rails 12 installed on both side walls of inner surfaces of a storage space 11; a pair of movable rails 22 combined with the fixed rails so as to be drawn forward with respect to the fixed rails 12; a food storage container 30 supported on the movable rails 22; a linkage mechanism for moving the storage container 30 upward in a certain range; and a holding means for holding the storage container 30 at a position where the storage container has moved upward by the linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism includes first and second links 40 and 50, both ends of each of which are pivotably connected to each movable rail 22 and to the storage container 30. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, it is easy to take foods in and out of the storage container of the storage space positioned at a lower position of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong-Choi Kwon, Kang-Chun Park, Seon-Il Yu, Kun-Jun Seok, Kyeong-Seog Yun, Ji-Young Park
  • Patent number: 7232197
    Abstract: A fire-safe electronic data storage protection device is provided which allows all-time data storage backup and protection. A preferred embodiment of the device includes a fire-proof enclosure having an openable and closeable door which can be opened after the device is exposed to a fire. The enclosure is of a sufficient size to store an electronic data storage device such as a Zip® drive or CD-ROM storage device or the like. Further, the walls of the enclosure are insulated to withstand fire and carry electronic connection and data relay cords, so that the electronic storage device inside may be in continuous connection with a main database and a power supply. The electrical and communication cords are configured within the insulation and walls of the enclosure to ensure no fire reaches the inside of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: William P. Davis
  • Patent number: 7232198
    Abstract: In a printer, an MPU makes a flash ROM store a temperature read by a temperature sensor at the time of setting of a correction value and a misalignment correction number indicating a misalignment correction value. At the time of reciprocating print motion of a printer, the printer makes the temperature sensor measure an actual ambient temperature before backward printing and obtains a difference between the present temperature and the temperature at the time of setting of the correction value. A print start delay time which indicates timing between a point of time of driving a carriage motor and a point of time of starting the backward printing is corrected in accordance with the temperature difference. The printer starts the backward printing at the timing delayed for the corrected print start delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Ogino, Yoshinori Takeda
  • Patent number: 7232199
    Abstract: The droplet ejection apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of droplet ejection heads 100 each having a diaphragm, an actuator that displaces the diaphragm, and a nozzle through which a liquid in a cavity is ejected in the form of droplets in response to the increase and decrease of the internal pressure of the cavity, ejection selecting means 182 for selecting the nozzle of the ink jet head 100 in the plurality of ink jet heads 100 through which a ink droplet is to be ejected, ejection failure detecting means 10 for detecting a residual vibration of the diaphragm and detecting an ejection failure of the droplets on the basis of a vibration pattern of the detected residual vibration, and switching means 23 for switching a connection of the actuator from a driving circuit to the ejection failure detecting means 10 after carrying out a droplet ejection operation by driving the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Shinkawa, Yusuke Sakagami
  • Patent number: 7232200
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged in array, the recording head being utilized for recording a corrective image onto a recording material, an image reading device to acquire readout information by reading the corrective image, an carrying out section to conduct calculation to obtain a correction amount of recording characteristics, from the readout information acquired by the reading device, an image forming section to form an image onto the recording material by the recording head in which a recording characteristics of the plurality of recording elements are compensated based on the correction amount, and a controller to control the recording head so as to record the corrective image on to the recording material, wherein, the readout information in the carrying out section discriminates optical density unevenness caused by a factor not being associated with the recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Manabu Nakahanada, Atsushi Suzuki, Takashi Deguchi
  • Patent number: 7232201
    Abstract: In an ink supply amount adjustment method for a printing press, one of a density value and a color value of a printing product is measured. The difference between the measurement value and a preset reference value is obtained as a measurement difference. The first error ratio allowed with respect to the preset reference value is set as a first allowable ratio. The first allowable difference is obtained from the preset reference value and the set first allowable ratio. An ink supply amount is adjusted on the basis of the obtained measurement difference and the obtained first allowable difference. An ink supply amount adjustment apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Inde, Hideki Saito
  • Patent number: 7232202
    Abstract: A drop discharge head is provided which includes a channel-forming element made from a silicon substrate and having a pressure chamber for containing a fluid to be pressurized, and a nozzle-communicating channel for conducting the pressurized fluid to a nozzle. The nozzle-communicating channel can be formed by anisotropic etching of the silicon substrate after forming a non-through hole by dry etching of the silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kinpara
  • Patent number: 7232203
    Abstract: A liquid-ejection integrated circuit includes a substrate that defines a plurality of liquid inlet channels. A plurality of nozzle chamber structures is positioned on the substrate and defines nozzle chambers in fluid communication with respective liquid inlet channels. Each nozzle chamber structure incorporates a liquid ejection member. A nozzle guard is positioned on the substrate. A plurality of containment walls is interposed between the substrate and the nozzle guard to define a plurality of containment chambers. The nozzle guard, the containment walls and the substrate are of materials that have the same coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7232204
    Abstract: The cleaning process best suited to the condition of an inkjet printer is selected and run, thereby removing nozzle clogging without wastefully consuming ink. The first time a cleaning switch 7 is operated a CL1 cleaning process is run. If the cleaning switch 7 is pressed a second time and the print pass count is less than e.g., 400, a CL2 cleaning process that uses more ink than the CL1 process is used to clean the recording head, but if the print pass count is 400 or more, the CL1 cleaning process is used. If the print pass count is less than 400 the third time the switch is operated, the CL2 cleaning process is used, but the CL1 cleaning process is used if the print pass count is 400 or more. If the cleaning switch 7 is operated four or more times and the print pass count is less than 400, a YCL cleaning process that consumes substantially no ink is used to clean the recording head, but if the print pass count is 400 or more, the CL1 cleaning process is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Koike, Tomoji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7232205
    Abstract: An ink jet recording method comprising a step of jetting an ink to a recording material via an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink is cationically polymerizable ink, and apparatus includes a UV ink jet recording head fitted with a nozzle to eject UV ink; a capping member to cap an ejection plane of the nozzle; a cleaning member which comes into contact with the ejection plane of the nozzle to clean the ejection plane of the nozzle; a piping member to supply a UV ink to the UV ink jet recording head or to discharge the UV ink; and an ink tank member to supply the UV ink to the UV ink jet recording head or store discharged ink, in which apparatus, a weight variation ratio of at least one of the capping member, the cleaning member, the piping member and the tank member, which is determined by an immersion test in the UV ink, is less than 50 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7232206
    Abstract: In an ink-jet head having an orifice ejecting an ink for forming an image, the ink-jet head further has a water repellent film for repelling the ink on a surface of the orifice, and the water repellent film has a fluorine-containing polymer resin layer and a part having a perfluoropolyether chain or a perfluoroalkyl chain bonded on the layer, whereby an ink-jet head and an ink-jet printer having a water repellent film having high water repelling property to an oil-based ink and high abrasion resistance can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sasaki, Makoto Kurosawa, Yoshinari Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7232207
    Abstract: An ink jet head having a head chip with drive walls made of piezoelectric elements and channel portions alternately arranged in parallel; a top-side and a bottom-side base plates each formed to be longer than the channel portions and fixed on an upper and lower surfaces of the head chip; an ink supply room forming member for forming an ink supply room to supply ink to each of the channel portions; first lead wires to be connected to their respective drive electrodes formed on the drive walls, said first lead wires being formed on a fixed surface of the head chip to be fixed to the base plate; and second lead wires to be connected to the first lead wires, said second lead wires being formed on the surface of the top-side and/or the bottom-side base plate at the side of the fixed surface of the head chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe