Patents Issued in July 17, 2007
  • Patent number: 7243452
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a firing mechanism for a small arm, particularly a rifle, with a trigger (2) that can be pivoted about a trigger axis (12), with a trigger rod (4) that is displaceably arranged within a housing (1) and serves for respectively retaining and releasing a prestressed firing pin (6), and with an articulated lever (3) that is arranged within the housing (1) such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis (20) and is connected in an articulated fashion to the trigger rod (4), with said articulated lever being connected to the trigger (2) via the trigger rod (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: S.A.T. Swiss Arms Technology AG
    Inventor: Meinrad Zeh
  • Patent number: 7243453
    Abstract: A pistol including a mechanism that locks firing pin of the pistol. The firing pin locking mechanism may include a stopping member which may be selectively moved by a user of the pistol between first and second positions, and a movable blocking member that may be engaged with a forwardly-movable firing pin. A biasing member such as a spring may be provided to bias the blocking member into engagement with the firing pin. In one embodiment, the blocking member arrests or blocks the forward motion of the firing pin to prevent the firing pin from striking a loaded cartridge and discharging the pistol. In a possible first activated position, the stopping member prevents the firing pin blocking member from being operably disengaged from the firing pin, thereby preventing the firing pin from moving forward to strike a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James McGarry
  • Patent number: 7243454
    Abstract: A vertical fore grip for a firearm with an integrated pressure switch pocket. The vertical fore grip includes a body with internal storage cavity, a mount adapted to secure a firearm, a pocket for a pressure switch on the perimeter of the body, and a cap to secure a pressure switch and waterproof the internal storage cavity. The mount has a groove for a firearm rail, at least one locking bar, and a spring for engaging the locking bar to a firearm rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tango Down, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Cahill
  • Patent number: 7243455
    Abstract: The present invention provides stable support for the extended arm of the operator of a projectile weapon or camera. The invention contains two support members oriented opposed from one another and connected by telescoping support extension members. One support member accepts the user's arm, while the other accepts the user's thigh. Since the invention supports the user's arm rather than the object being used, the invention may accommodate—without alteration—any device the user wishes to operate. Between each support member and the extension member is a connector which provides for 360 degree rotation of each support member. This innovation allows the user to extend or contract the user's arm while still supported by the invention, thereby alleviating the fatigue which may develop from keeping the arm fixed in an extended position. The invention requires no straps or other means to affix it to the operator's body and instead is held in place by tension between the user's arm and the user's thigh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Allan G. Jurk
  • Patent number: 7243456
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting a telescopic sight or “scope” to a firearm. The system is convertible or universal, in that it includes interchangeable mounting plate inserts allowing the mounting plate to be installed onto two or more different types of firearms having differing mounting hole configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Blackpowder Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean N. Williams, Ned J. Hollenbach, Mark D. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 7243457
    Abstract: An equipment selecting system for assisting in selecting optimal fishing equipment for catching a desired type of fish that includes a correlating device for displaying a first reference and a second reference. The first reference is associated with a type of fish selected from a plurality of types of fish. Each fishing kit is optimized for fishing for one of the plurality of types of fish. The second reference of the correlating device is associated with a suggested one of the fishing kits. The fishing kits are preferably assembled to provide optimal equipment for a particular species of fish, as indicated by the correlating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley/Zebco Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Smith, Richard K. Coleman
  • Patent number: 7243458
    Abstract: A device for attracting and capturing or otherwise disabling insects includes a fan mechanism structured and arranged to provide an outflow of air out of the device to atmosphere, and to draw an inflow directed counter the outflow from atmosphere into the device, the outflow being substantially within the inflow outside of the device. The flow mechanism is also structured and arranged to provide an insect attractant in the outflow. The device can include mounting structure being adapted to position the device with the outflow directed in a substantially downward direction. The outflow attracts insects to the vicinity of the device, and the inflow urges the insects to enter the device. An insect disabling structure is arranged with the flow mechanism to capture or otherwise disable insects being urged into the device by the inflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Miller, Bruce E. Wigton, Kenneth Lonngren
  • Patent number: 7243459
    Abstract: A method and components for cultivation of plant materials. The components include enhanced berms, a confined irrigation/fertigation system, field and plant sensors, a plant support system, overcovering structure and a protective collar. Each of these components used singularly or in combination with each other enhances the growth and yield of plant material decreases the associated costs of cultivation, and decreases adverse environmental impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: FW Enviro, LLC
    Inventor: Craig L. Kaprielian
  • Patent number: 7243460
    Abstract: The plant roots are embedded in a fibrous matrix material, which is oriented vertically. The matrix material is fixed to a support structure using a grid of fasteners. The support structure may be standard corrugated plastic sheeting, or a moulded plastic sheet. If biodegradable materials are used, they must be protected from humidity etc. The fibrous material is strong enough to support itself, and the embedded plants, between the fasteners, so long as the grid spacing of the fasteners is less than ¼-meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Air Quality Solutions Ltd.
    Inventor: Alan Blake Darlington
  • Patent number: 7243461
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for coupling a sliding door of a vehicle to a drive unit for sliding the sliding door from an open position to a closed position, the drive unit causing the hinge assembly to slide within a guide track as the door moves between the open position and the closed position, the hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge portion; a second hinge portion, the first hinge portion being pivotally secured to the second hinge portion; a cable attachment being secured to the second hinge portion; and a guide surface disposed on a surface of the first hinge portion, the guide surface being configured to make contact with a portion of a cable having an end secured to the cable attachment when the second hinge portion is in a first orientation with respect to the position of the first hinge portion and the cable no longer makes contact with the guide surface as the second hinge portion moves from the first orientation to a second orientation with respect to the first hinge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Michael A. Ciavaglia
  • Patent number: 7243462
    Abstract: An access door has a rectangular outer frame adapted to be set in a wall and having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides defining four corners and a rectangular inner frame congruent to the outer frame, having longitudinal and transverse sides and four corners, and dimensioned to fit within the outer frame. Hinges at corners at ends of one of the longitudinal sides hold the inner frame in the outer frame and allow pivoting of the inner frame in the outer frame generally about the one longitudinal side. Two transversely effective spring latches are provided at the other longitudinal side near ends thereof between the inner and outer frames, and two longitudinally effective spring latches are provided at the transverse sides near the other longitudinal side between the inner and outer frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Knauf Gips KG
    Inventor: Günter Langenhorst
  • Patent number: 7243463
    Abstract: This is a storm window protection device which will fit over the window fame of a building and lock into position to prevent damage to the window during periods of inclement weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Mayra J. Lucero
  • Patent number: 7243464
    Abstract: A modular building system (100) including preformed extrusion-molded polymeric material (116). Parts include integral connector elements (160, 162) which can be slidably and snappingly reversibly interconnected to form the basic frame (102) and panel structures (108) of an overall building. The interconnected region permits limited ranges of angular as well as translational relative motion between adjacent, connected elements. Parts are assembled simply and quickly in the field, without requiring skilled labor or specialized tools, to form a functionally solid and stable building which responds to loads and temperature changes with yieldable, accommodating deformations that minimize the likelihood of building structural damage, and effectively transmit necessary loads to the ground via load-transfer paths through the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: James H. Crowell
  • Patent number: 7243465
    Abstract: A bird deterrent has a base and at least one branched spike extending from the base. The branching can occur anywhere along the spike, and a single branch point can give rise to multiple branches. Spikes can have multiple branches. The various branches can be of any suitable length(s), and can be oriented in any suitable direction(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Bird-B-Gone, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Donoho
  • Patent number: 7243466
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for protecting buildings from damage due to seismic waves. The system comprises a bed of sand contained between two layers of polymer membrane, upon this sand bed a rests a first concrete slab, this first concrete slab supports, through a plurality of coil springs and shock absorbers, a second concrete slab. The structure to be protected is attached to the upward facing surface of the second concrete slab. In the event of an earthquake, the sand bed acts to slow the propagation of seismic waves, while the plurality of springs and shock absorbers isolates the structure from ground movements caused by the waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Bloch-Fortea
  • Patent number: 7243467
    Abstract: A securing apparatus for securing a cover in a window opening, the securing apparatus engages fastening locations on opposite sides of a window opening. The securing apparatus includes a tube having a first end and a second end. A connector is disposed on the tube at the first end. A precut tube is attached to the connector to engage one of the fastening locations. An end cap is rigidly fixed to the tube at the second end. A threaded shaft is disposed in the tube and projects from the second end through the end cap. A mounting tube is rigidly attached to the threaded shaft, the mounting tube engages another of the fastening locations. An adjusting nut is disposed on the threaded shaft between the end cap and the mounting tube, the adjusting nut adjusts a position of the mounting tube with respect to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Lawrence Peccoraro
  • Patent number: 7243468
    Abstract: The present application discloses curb components that represent various shapes of glass blocks to be used in the construction of a curb for a glass block wall, along with a system and method for laying out the curb components. The curb components can be fitted together to lay out the positioning of glass blocks, such that a user can lay out potential designs for glass block walls prior to constructing the glass block wall. Connection mechanisms are used, which enable a variety of joint sizes, as well as angled joints to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Seattle Glass Block
    Inventor: Brian Wright
  • Patent number: 7243469
    Abstract: A decorated floor panel having a core with a top surface and an opposite bottom surface; a decorative layer coupled to the top surface of the core, the decorative layer having a desired aesthetic appearance; and a wear layer coupled to and substantially covering the decorative layer for protecting the decorative layer. The wear layer has an exposed wear surface with depressions therein of a variable depth below the wear surface, the depressions being arranged to display a desired texture pattern. It is noted that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Miller, David M. Brownlee
  • Patent number: 7243470
    Abstract: An installation method of panels includes a step of assembling panels by fitting projection parts 2, 3 of one panel 1 to insertion grooves 5, 6 of another panel 1, and a step of elastically attaching panels by applying an elastic tensioning force between assembled of panels. Also, a rail type fixing apparatus for installing panels includes a rail 20 having a guide groove 21 formed in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a plurality of attachment panels which are guided along guide groove 21 and are provided movably in the longitudinal direction of the rail 20 and in which a hook projections 32 are provided, and an elastic member which is provided between adjacent attachment panels and applies a tension restoring force between hook projections of the attachment panels to draw the hook projections 32 of the respective attachment panels 30 to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Wan Shik Chae
  • Patent number: 7243471
    Abstract: Face plates 11 and 12 of a hollow shape member 10 are abutted against face plates 21 and 22 of a hollow shape member 20. Grooves 18 formed to said face plates 11 and 12 at the abutted region receive projections 28 formed to said face plates 21 and 22. A connecting plate 14 orthogonal to said face plates 11 and 12 is provided to the hollow shape member 10. There is no connecting plate orthogonal to face plates 21 and 22 disposed on the end of the hollow shape member 20. Friction stir welding heat causes the face plate 21 (22) to move toward the thickness direction of hollow shape members 10 and 20, but such movement is suppressed by the groove 18 and projection 28. Thereby, the abutted region is welded flatly. Since the hollow shape member 20 requires no connecting plate corresponding to plate 14, the welded members are light in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Kazushige Fukuyori
  • Patent number: 7243472
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a decorative trim piece consisting substantially of a carrying element of plastic and a decorative plate of thin metal fastened thereon, to decorate the interior, in land vehicles, aircraft or watercraft, predominantly for use as dashboard elements, center console or as door trim strips. The decorative trim piece is characterized in that the completely finished decorative plate is inserted into an injection mold and that the carrying element is injection-molded as an injection molding compound directly onto the back of the decorative plate so that both elements are connected to one another at least in partial areas so solidly that they form a sturdy unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Angell-Demmel Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Taemmerich
  • Patent number: 7243473
    Abstract: An assembly for posts includes a rigid interior column and a decorative shell mounted around the column. The interior column is anchored to a base that is mountable to a floor, ceiling or other support structure. The base has one or more vertical uprights configured to support the interior column and/or shell. The interior column is supported in a socket in the base. The column may be secured to the base by a latch that positively engages the column and the socket. The latch operates independently of any weight bearing down on the column. The column may be secured to both the floor and the ceiling by latches that cooperate with bases on both ends of the column. An optional trim with interlocking pieces may be installed around the shell to provide a decorative transition where the post mounts to a floor, ceiling or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Christopher J. Terrels
  • Patent number: 7243474
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of placing a concrete structure in a generally horizontal position. The method includes building the concrete structure in an essentially vertical position, the concrete structure being defined by a first end. The concrete structure is pivotably supported at a support location proximate the first end while the concrete structure is in the essentially vertical position. The concrete structure is then pivoted about the support location to move the concrete structure from the essentially vertical position to the generally horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew Russell
  • Patent number: 7243475
    Abstract: An improved bagger or bag dispenser for supplying bags attached to strips in a bag assembly to a workstation includes a reversible drive that pulls the bag assembly from a supply to the work station and returns unused bags to the supply when changing bag assemblies. The bagger includes a winding spool having tapered ribs and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Greydon, Inc.
    Inventor: Derril R. Cady
  • Patent number: 7243476
    Abstract: A system for tracking items includes a turntable to receive a pallet containing articles having RFID devices, a wrap dispenser to wrap the articles with wrap as the turntable rotates and a transceiver disposed on the wrap dispenser to transmit and receive a signal from the RFID devices while the turntable is rotating and wrapping the articles. A method is provided including loading articles having RFID devices thereon on a pallet, loading the pallet on a turntable, attaching an end of a wrap to at least one of the articles, rotating the turntable to cause the wrap to encircle the articles until all of the articles are constrained in position by the wrap, transmitting a signal to the RFID devices to cause the each RFID device to emit a signal back to the transceiver, and reading the signals from the RFID devices to obtain information contained in the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 7243477
    Abstract: A method of disguisedly packaging an absorbent article includes the steps of: volumetrically reducing an absorbent article such that the volume of the absorbent article is less than a nominal volume of the absorbent article; and disposing the volumetrically reduced absorbent article within a package. The package includes a deceptive size and outward appearance such that it is not visually evident that an absorbent article is disposed therein. Indeed, the size of the package is substantially smaller than the nominal size of the absorbent article, whereby the size of the package contributes to the deceptive outward appearance of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Diaperoos, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Kay Snell
  • Patent number: 7243478
    Abstract: A system which provides a first object defining a first volume and a second object defining a second volume wherein the second object contains the first object. A manifold apparatus is provided which allows a flowable material to flow by vacuum action into the first object and also allows any entrained gas to be transported from the first volume to the second volume without interrupting the vacuum. Methods of use of the system and structures for detachably attaching the manifold apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Walker-Dawson Interests, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Dawson, Charles G. Walker
  • Patent number: 7243479
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading insulation batts into a packaging station of a batt-packaging machine includes: an up-stacking station for receiving a plurality of the insulation batts to form a vertical stack of the insulation batts; a staging station from which the insulation batts are elevated into the up-stacking station of the batt-packaging machine; batt engaging members of a first endless conveyor on the first side of the staging station for successively feeding batts into the staging station; batt engaging members of a second endless conveyor on the second side of the staging station for successively engaging the bottom major surfaces of the insulation batts as the insulation batts are successively fed into the staging station and in cooperation with the batt engaging members of the first endless conveyor for vertically raising the insulation batts from the staging station into the up-stacking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventor: Robert J. Allwein
  • Patent number: 7243480
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for individually packing sheet or film-type materials in an automatic manner, said materials consisting of at least one material layer, in a packing unit with marked contents. A marking (40) made of a waxy marking material is applied to a warmed first packing material strip (20). The sheet or film-type material (10) is fixed to the marking wit surface thereof, whereby the roughness of the surface thereof is greater than the roughness of the surface of the first packing material strip. A second packing material strip (30) is applied to the sheet or film-type material and is connected to the first packing material strip in order to form a closed packing unit. The packing unit (35) is cooled and the marking is separated from the first packing material strip. A secure packing method and a marking for sheet or film-type materials are developed according to said inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7243481
    Abstract: A method and machine for packing a group of cartons of cigarettes in a flat tubular package, whereby a first portion and a second portion of a suction gripping head respectively engage a first lateral wall of the flat tubular package, and a second lateral wall of the flat tubular package separated from the first lateral wall by a respective preformed fold line; a rotational movement is then generated between the first and second portion of the suction gripping head to rotate the first and second lateral wall engaged by the suction gripping head with respect to each other, and so convert the flat tubular package from the flat configuration to an open configuration; the group of cartons of cigarettes is then pushed inside the open tubular package, and the suction gripping head is moved to feed the open tubular package to a sealing station where the open tubular package is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: G.D Societa′ per Azioni
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 7243482
    Abstract: A gift wrapping package is provided which furnishes enhanced ornamentation and ease of wrapping of gifts for special events. The gift wrapping package includes a housing which is retractable and expandable for forming a central cavity. In a retracted condition, gifts can be placed within the central cavity. Thereafter, the housing can be closed by expanding and rotating the housing's body portion 360 degrees until an enclosed structure is formed. In preferred embodiments, the gift wrapping package includes various ornaments and features including fanciful appendages. In addition, the gift wrapping package may include a hook or handle or other construction for enabling persons to carry a wrapped gift or to hang the gift wrapped package upon objects, such as a holiday tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: David Bezar
  • Patent number: 7243483
    Abstract: A method for hot bottling of a liquid in bottles, kegs or similar containers using a filling machine that has a plurality of filling elements, each filling element has a liquid duct disposed at a dispensing opening and a valve for dispensing the hot liquid to the container, the liquid being bottled in the filling elements is substantially continuously conveyed in the hot condition in a circuit comprising a flow path that includes the filling elements and the liquid ducts from a source for the hot liquid being bottled to a reservoir during an interruption of the filling process in order to reduce the cooling of the liquid being bottled in the filling elements and/or to prevent the cooling of the filling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventors: Ludwig Clüsserath, Volker Till, Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Patent number: 7243484
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading insulation batts into a packaging station of a batt-packaging machine includes: an up-stacking station for receiving a plurality of the insulation batts to form a vertical stack of the insulation batts; a staging station from which the insulation batts are elevated into the up-stacking station of the batt-packaging machine; batt engaging members of a first endless conveyor on the first side of the staging station for successively feeding batts into the staging station; batt engaging members of a second endless conveyor on the second side of the staging station for successively engaging the bottom major surfaces of the insulation batts as the insulation batts are successively fed into the staging station and in cooperation with the batt engaging members of the first endless conveyor for vertically raising the insulation batts from the staging station into the up-stacking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventor: Robert J. Allwein
  • Patent number: 7243485
    Abstract: A variable stretch horse blanket 13, shown in FIG. 3, of the type comprising either a single layer body of specialized, breathable and stretchable fabric 10, 11, or its alternative comprising a single layer body comprised of a plurality of permanently attached specially sized, paired, and positioned sections of specialized, breathable and stretchable fabric 76 through 106, as depicted in FIG. 8, with neck fastening means 24, 26, belly strap fastening means 54, 55, leg fastening assemblies 51, 53 and a supple reinforced portion 22. The specialized, breathable and stretchable fabric 10,11 or its alternative 76 through 106 can be manufactured to permit either a dominant two-way stretch as depicted by one of twelve representative vector arrows 25, or variable dominant stretching in a plurality of directions as depicted by one of a multiplicity of vector arrows 108 shown in FIG. 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Alicia A. Donahue
  • Patent number: 7243486
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device is disclosed which can reliably protect and guide cables without increasing and decreasing the width between link plates even if the height of the link plates of the cable protection and guide device is increased. The cable protection and guide device includes a number of link frame bodies each comprising a pair of right and left spaced link plates and upper and lower connecting rods respectively bridged on upper edge and lower edges of the link plates are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the device while restricting a flexion radius to a fixed value. A central connecting rod connects the pair of link plates at substantially the center portion along the height direction of the link plate. The central connecting rod is integrally molded with the pair of link plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7243487
    Abstract: A control apparatus for the internal combustion engine includes a fuel cut post-return fuel increasing correction unit for performing a fuel increasing correction during a specified period when a fuel supply stop state by an fuel cut control unit is returned to a fuel supply state, and a fuel increasing correction stop unit which compares an integrated value of an amount of air flowing into a three-way catalyst during a period of the fuel supply stop with an integrated value of an amount of air flowing into the three-way catalyst during the fuel increasing correction after a fuel supply return, and stops the fuel increasing correction of the fuel cut post-return fuel increasing correction unit when a comparison value reaches a specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohisa Shouda, Keiichi Enoki
  • Patent number: 7243488
    Abstract: A diesel exhaust gas system includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a trap for nitrogen oxides (LNT), a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer for generating reformate, and an air supply. A method for controlling the rate of burn of soot in a DPF limits the oxygen percentage in the exhaust to about 6%. The LNT may be located ahead of the DPF in the exhaust line. Reformate is directed with exhaust through the LNT. The second flow of air cools the exhaust gas and thereby prevents overheating of the DPF substrate. The DPF also may be located ahead of the LNT. Reformate is controllably combusted by the second air flow in the DPF, reducing the oxygen percentage to about 6%, thus limiting the rate at which soot in the DPF can burn and thereby preventing overheating of the DPF substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph V. Bonadies, David A. Goulette, Mansour Masoudi, Joachim Kupe, Russell H. Bosch
  • Patent number: 7243489
    Abstract: A method of monitoring engine performance as a function of soot accumulation in a particulate filter includes determining characteristics of soot accumulation in the filter, analyzing the characteristics, and generating an error signal if the characteristics are indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions. An electronic controller configured to monitor soot accumulation in such a manner is also herein disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Johnson, Wilbur H. Crawley
  • Patent number: 7243490
    Abstract: A 4-cycle engine for a motorcycle has a secondary-air supplier for supplying secondary air to exhaust ducts. The engine includes a recess, which is depressed toward the engine, on a cylinder-head cover for holding a control valve of the secondary-air supplier. The recess and the control valve are positioned between two innermost cylinders of the array of the cylinders. Check valves, which are connected to downstream regions of the control valve, are each disposed between two outermost cylinders of the array of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yoshida, Kazutatsu Suzuki, Yoshikazu Matsui
  • Patent number: 7243491
    Abstract: A diesel oxidation catalyst is disposed upstream of a diesel particulate filter (a DPF) disposed in an exhaust passage of a diesel engine. An electronic control unit (an ECU) operates a temperature increasing circuit, which performs post-injection, to eliminate particulate matters accumulated in the DPF. The ECU includes a first correcting circuit and a second correcting circuit. The first correcting circuit corrects a manipulated variable of the temperature increasing circuit based on a result of comparison between a target temperature and a temperature of the DPF estimated based on information related to an area upstream of the DPF. The second correcting circuit corrects the manipulated variable of the temperature increasing circuit based on a result of comparison between the target temperature and the temperature of the DPF estimated based on information related to an area downstream of the DPF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Okugawa, Masumi Kinugawa, Kazuo Kobayashi, Tsukasa Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 7243492
    Abstract: A motion converting section (31) and a translation bar (33) of a feedback mechanism (30) are provided between a lateral side of a swash plate (21) and a control sleeve (26) of a regulator (24). When the swash plate (21) is in a neutral position, the motion converting section (31) is located in an initial position (F—F) at one end of axial direction along an axis line (O—O) passing through a tilting center (C) of tilting motions, and, when the swash plate (21) is driven to tilt in a forward or reverse direction, displaced to the other end of axial direction along the axis line (O—O) to convert a tilting motion of the swash plate (21) into an axial displacement. Through the translation bar (33), the axial displacement is transmitted to the control sleeve (26) of the regulator (24) as an axial displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Niidome, Yoshitomo Yabuuchi, Takeshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7243493
    Abstract: A valve is provided for a hydraulic system having a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid actuator, and a proportional pressure compensating valve. The valve has a bore in fluid communication with the source and the fluid actuator. The valve also has a valve element disposed in the bore and movable between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position to selectively fluidly communicate the source with the fluid actuator. The valve also has a valve signal passageway disposed within the valve element and configured to be in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid having a signal pressure indicative of pressure supplied to the fluid actuator. The valve further has first and second orifices disposed within the valve element in fluid communication with the valve signal passageway and the bore. The valve signal passageway is configured to communicate the signal pressure with the first and second orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Pengfei Ma, Jiao Zhang, Jeff L. Kuehn, Kalpesh N. Patel
  • Patent number: 7243494
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for raising and lowering a load arm on a work machine is adapted to provide a ride control function which will cushion shocks through the load arm as the machine traverses rough terrain. The circuit includes a hydraulic ram that moves the load arm and a first hydraulic accumulator connected to a first chamber of a hydraulic ram. The accumulator provides a cushioning effect to the ram when the ride control function is engaged. The accumulator is located between a first control valve and a load hold valve of the circuit so that the load hold valve will hold the ram in position should there be any sudden pressure drop in or adjacent the accumulator. The accumulator can also be connected to a control surface of the load hold valve to simultaneously open the valve and cushion the ram. A second dedicated accumulator can also be introduced for this purpose if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Terence Evans
  • Patent number: 7243495
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for boosting the pressure of the air charge to an internal combustion engine, which has an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and a turbocharger. The EGR system is arranged to recirculate exhaust gas from an engine exhaust outlet passage to the engine air inlet passage. An exhaust gas bypass passage is arranged to divert exhaust gas that would otherwise reach the turbocharger's impeller. The engine has a single, unitary control valve with a valve inlet arranged to receive exhaust gas from the engine exhaust outlet passage, and three valve outlets. A first of the valve outlets provides exhaust gas to the EGR system for recirculation to the engine air inlet passage, a second of the valve outlets provides exhaust gas to the exhaust gas bypass passage and a third of the outlets provides exhaust gas to the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Whelan, Steven Joyce
  • Patent number: 7243496
    Abstract: A method of operating a combustor (10), to provide intimately mixed hot combusted gas (44) for a gas turbine (46), includes feeding gaseous oxidant (12) and gaseous fuel (16) into the combustor (10) near a combustion flame (28) which has a tip end (39) and a root end (29), where corona discharge occurs through adjustment of an electric field (34), and where the corona discharge causes ionized particles (36) to form and also causes intimate turbulent mixing of the gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Pavlik, David Walter Branston, Guenter Lins, Thomas Hammer
  • Patent number: 7243497
    Abstract: An apparatus to use a refrigerator in a mobile computing device is described. In one embodiment, the refrigerator is a thermoacoustic based refrigerator. In one embodiment, the refrigerator is a Stirling based refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rajiv K. Mongia, Himanshu Pokhama, Eric DiStefano
  • Patent number: 7243498
    Abstract: A fin structure for heat-exchanging, the fin structure being mounted on a heat-dissipating portion of a Stirling cycle cooler, wherein the fin structure is configured by coupling a plurality of unit structures, the plurality of unit structures being split by a plurality of surfaces extending from a inner circumference of the fin structure toward an outer circumference thereof. The fin structure is configured thus way, whereby it can be mounted on the heat-dissipating portion so as to sandwich the heat-dissipating portion from the outer circumference thereof by the plurality of unit structures coupled one another. Accordingly, when mounting the fin structure, large force is not required, no adhesive filler is applied to an unneeded portion of the Stirling cycle cooler, and generating a scratch or a distortion on the casing of the Stirling cycle cooler can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Twinbird Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Sone, Kazuo Maezawa
  • Patent number: 7243499
    Abstract: A refrigeration capillary tube inside suction tube heat exchanger assembly, including a suction tube whose ends each have a slot with a shaped inner end portion; two braze connectors, each including a sleeve portion with the free end having a shaped recess; a capillary tube adapted to be inserted into one of the suction tube ends and therethrough until each capillary tube ends extends from a suction tube end, each capillary tube end being deformed so as to emerge from the suction tube at locations abutting the shaped inner end portions thereof; and each of the braze connectors sleeve portions engaging one of the suction tube ends, with each suction tube slot cooperating with an adjacent one of the sleeve portion shaped recesses to contact, locate and subsequently fixedly secure the deformed capillary tube portions to the suction tube. Two methods of manufacturing the assembly are also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cole, Michael W. Trumbower
  • Patent number: 7243500
    Abstract: Systems and methods for heat exchange in accordance with the invention define adequately long-interchange distances for two fluids by wrapping a tube containing a first fluid about the wall of an inner cylindrical tank, within a gap formed with a second concentric tank. A second fluid is transmitted in the space defined between the turns of the tube and the two walls, providing effective short length thermal interchange through the tube walls. The tube is in the line contact with both tank walls and the fluids can flow rapidly over an adequately long length, so that high efficiency is provided in a low cost system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Thermal Sciences Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Cowans, William W. Cowans, Glenn W. Zubillaga
  • Patent number: 7243501
    Abstract: An expansion device, intended for installation in an air conditioning system with a supercritical refrigerant fluid (FR), is described. The expansion device (12) comprises a body (120) through which refrigerant fluid passes, equipped with an inlet chamber (1210) into which the refrigerant fluid arrives and an outlet chamber (1230) through which the refrigerant fluid departs. The expansion device further comprises a set of expansion means to allow the refrigerant fluid to pass from the inlet chamber (1210) to the outlet chamber (1230), comprising a variable expansion means (1212) comprising a first orifice (34) and an adjusting screw (134) suitable for adjusting the flow section of the first orifice (34); and, a fixed expansion means comprising a second orifice (35) with a fixed flow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Mohamed Ben Yahia, Jin-Ming Liu