Patents Issued in July 24, 2007
  • Patent number: PP17875
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of grapevine which is characterized by producing a large, high quality, seeded table grape which has a dark blue to nearly black skin coloration and is ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment approximately early to mid-September near Delano in the San Joaquin Valley of central California is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: M. Caratan, Inc.
    Inventor: Angel Antonio Gargiulo
  • Patent number: PP17876
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘Duepremmiro’, characterized by its inflorescences with light red purple and pale yellow-colored flower bracts; uniform and rounded plant habit; freely branching habit; early flowering habit; and excellent post-production longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Dümmen Jungpflazen GbR
    Inventor: Marga Dümmen
  • Patent number: PP17877
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of landscape shrub rose plant is provided which abundantly forms on a nearly continuous basis attractive small brilliant red-pink blossoms having good color stability. The plant exhibits a low, compact and bushy growth habit. Good disease tolerance including resistance to Black Spot has been displayed. The attractive dark green foliage contrasts nicely with the red-pink blossom coloration. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in the landscape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: CP Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain A. Meilland
  • Patent number: PP17878
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Torenia plant named ‘Dancat911’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading to cascading, and uniformly mounded plant habit; freely branching and vigorous growth habit; shiny dark-green colored foliage; early, freely and continuous flowering habit; light blue purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Danziger “Dan” Flower Farm
    Inventor: Gabriel Danziger
  • Patent number: PP17879
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Duefarvio’, characterized by its compact, outwardly spreading and cascading plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and dark violet-colored flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Dümmen Jungpflanzen GbR
    Inventor: Marga Dümmen
  • Patent number: PP17880
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Duefarsopi’, characterized by its compact, outwardly spreading and cascading plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and pink-colored flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Dümmen Jungpflanzen GbR
    Inventor: Marga Dümmen
  • Patent number: PP17881
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of plum characterized by producing a freestone fruit with good dark-red coloration that is ripe for commercial harvesting and shipping June 13-15 in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The new variety, a plum seedling, is similar to ‘Black Beaut’ plum tree (unpatented). Fruit from ‘Black Delight’ is distinguishable and has very good dark coloration, has very good flavor, stores very well, and ripens several days before ‘Black Beaut’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Gerawan Farming
    Inventor: Mike Gerawan
  • Patent number: PP17882
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Peperomia plant named ‘Dapep2106’ that is characterized by an upright habit, large glossy green leaves, a strong stem and a long plant life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel Cornelis
  • Patent number: PP17883
    Abstract: A new Calibrachoa plant particularly distinguished by medium-sized, deep-yellow flowers, an early to moderately-early and continuous flowering response, grass-green to deep-green, glossy foliage with lanceolate leaves, moderately vigorous growth, a medium-sized and spreading to prostrate plant habit, with strong branches, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Goldsmith Seeds, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Osteen Pierce
  • Patent number: RE39737
    Abstract: A print-receptive, pill-resistant, knitted fabric and printed article of apparel. The fabric is knitted from yarn formed from high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber having a tenacity value of greater than about 4 grams/denier and preferably about 6 grams/denier. The resulting knitted fabric has a pilling resistance value of greater than about 3. In the preferred embodiment, the high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber is selected from the group consisting of air jet spun polyester; nylon; acrylic; and polypropylene. The use of staple fibers improves the hand, drape and comfort of the knitted fabric. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the knitted fabric is a double-knit fabric having a front side and a back side, the front side being formed from the high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber and the back side being substantially formed from cellulosic yarns, such as cotton and synthetic cellulosic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Sonny B. Driggars
  • Patent number: RE39738
    Abstract: A throttle value spindle (3) is rotatably fixed to a throttle body (1). A recess is provided within the throttle body at one side of the throttle value spindle along the axial direction of the throttle valve spindle. A holder (6) is fixed to the throttle valve spindle within the recess and has brushes (7) at the opposite side of the throttle valve spindle, which rotates together with the throttle valve spindle. Resistors (12) are mounted on a ceramics circuit board (8) fixed on a housing (12). The housing engages with the recess in such a manner that the resistors contact with the brushes. When the brushes slide on the resistors corresponding to the rotation of the throttle value spindle, an electric signal is outputted continuously from the resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Kubota, Sadayasu Ueno
  • Patent number: RE39739
    Abstract: A color picture tube is provided with a glass bulb in which the external surface of the effective display area of the face plate is formed substantially flat and a color selection mask, having the curvature projected toward the face plate, provided opposed to the internal surface of the face plate within the glass bulb. Therefore, the external surface is flat, the mechanical shock resistance characteristic is high, a tension can surely be applied to the color selection mask and moreover vibration of the color selection mask can be prevented even if external vibration is applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinobu Iguchi, Ichiro Utsumi, Koji Saita
  • Patent number: RE39740
    Abstract: A temperature difference estimated value is found from a video signal using a temperature estimated value representing the temperature of the panel outer periphery of a display screen of a PDP and a reference value representing the temperature of the panel outer periphery of the PDP which is outputted from a panel periphery temperature setter by a temperature difference estimator, and the luminance of an image displayed on a display is controlled depending on the temperature difference estimated value by a controller and a brightness controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kasahara, Yuichi Ishikawa, Tomoko Morita
  • Patent number: RE39741
    Abstract: A temperature difference estimated value is found from a video signal using a temperature estimated value representing the temperature of the panel outer periphery of a display screen of a PDP and a reference value representing the temperature of the panel outer periphery of the PDP which is outputted from a panel periphery temperature setter by a temperature difference estimator, and the luminance of an image displayed on a display is controlled depending on the temperature difference estimated value by a controller and a brightness controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kasahara, Yuichi Ishikawa, Tomoko Morita
  • Patent number: RE39742
    Abstract: A temperature difference estimated value is found from a video signal using a temperature estimated value representing the temperature of the panel outer periphery of a display screen of a PDP and a reference value representing the temperature of the panel outer periphery of the PDP which is outputted from a panel periphery temperature setter by a temperature difference estimator, and the luminance of an image displayed on a display is controlled depending on the temperature difference estimated value by a controller and a brightness controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kasahara, Yuichi Ishikawa, Tomoko Morita
  • Patent number: RE39743
    Abstract: Novel compounds of the formula wherein the substituents are defined as in the application having antibiotic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Aventis Pharma S.A.
    Inventors: Constantin Agouridas, Francois Bretin, Alexis Denis, Claude Fromentin
  • Patent number: RE39744
    Abstract: In the presence of an imide compound (e.g., N-hydroxyphthalimide) shown by the formula (2): wherein R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group; or R1 and R2 may bond together to form a double bond or an aromatic or non-aromatic ring; Y is O or OH and n=1 to 3; or the imide compound and a co-catalyst (e.g., a transition metal compound), an adamantane derivative having a functional group such as a nitro group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group and an isocyanato group is oxidized with oxygen. According to the above method, an adamantane derivative having a hydroxyl group together with a functional group such as a nitro group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group and an isocyanato group is efficiently obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Ishii, Tatsuya Nakano, Naruhisa Hirai
  • Patent number: RE39745
    Abstract: A recording medium retaining data for menu control, a menu control method and an apparatus are provided for creating a menu highly expressive and attractive to the viewer. When operation of a menu button is determined on a menu created with a moving picture with sound, the menu button turns into action highlighting and the color of the button changes into a highlight color. In order to emphasize action highlighting of the menu button, a specific short moving picture with a sound is automatically replayed. After the replay of the moving picture, the display jumps to a chapter of a title selected with the menu button and a replay is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Setogawa, Ayato Nakagawa, Tsuyoshi Oda
  • Patent number: 7246380
    Abstract: Protective garments such as firefighters' coats and pants are described. The garments have an outer shell material made from substantially non-overlapping panels stitched together. Some panels are specially designed and reserved for carrying an enhanced visibility material on a majority of their exposed surface area. The enhanced visibility material can be a retroreflective material such as an exposed lens beaded construction, a fluorescent material, or a phosphorescent material. The enhanced visibility panel(s) are stitched to non-enhanced visibility panels so that if damaged, the stitch can be removed and the enhanced visibility panel replaced to repair the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Gardner, Robert L. Jensen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7246381
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of exercise garments includes a torso portion adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user and one or more flaps. Each flap is secured substantially to a side of the torso portion. The exercise garment also includes at least one fastener adapted to selectively secure the pair of flaps across at least a portion of an abdominal region of the user. The fasteners may include a hook-and-loop arrangement (such as Velcro7), buttons or snaps. The illustrated embodiment includes a pair of flaps, which may overlap over the abdominal region when both flaps are secured. The fasteners may be adapted to provide adjustable positioning of the flaps. The adjustable positioning includes variable placement of the flaps relative to the abdominal region. The torso portion may also include a corset arrangement extending from a top portion of the torso portion downward through at least a portion of the abdominal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Michael D. Green
  • Patent number: 7246382
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that facilitate doffing of protective apparel. The systems and methods employ handwear worn under a glove, such as a disposable fingered glove. The handwear is designed or configured such that when a user doffs the handwear and outer glove, the handwear restrains the glove. When a user pulls the handwear and outer glove inside-out, the inside-out handwear may contain and capture portions of the glove, which reduces exposure by the person to the previously outer (and contaminated) surfaces of the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Cylena Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Plut, Timothy Ormond
  • Patent number: 7246383
    Abstract: A fit adjustment mechanism for the headband of a helmet including a bridge and a buckle. The bridge has ratchet teeth extending from the exterior surface. Each of the ratchet teeth has a tapered surface, a top land, and a retention surface with an undercut face beneath the top land. Substantially flat valleys are formed on the exterior surface between each of the ratchet teeth. The buckle includes a clasp that is resiliently and integrally formed on the exterior surface of the base. The clasp has a pawl having an engagement surface so formed to engage the undercut face of the ratchet teeth retention surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Musal
  • Patent number: 7246384
    Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus includes a headgear, a chin strap and a magnetic fastener including a slide socket and a stud. The slide socket is attached to the chin strap and the stud is attached to the headgear. The slide socket is configured to be magnetically attracted to the stud to secure the chin strap to the headgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: William George Bentz
  • Patent number: 7246385
    Abstract: Helmet chin-strap harness structure including a pair of bilaterally symmetric, bilaterally equi-flex, non-rigid, fabric-strap-like, substantially mirror-image, flexible lateral elements which define opposite sides for the harness structure, and a bilaterally symmetric chin-strap substructure having laterally opposite sides releasably attachable for fore-and-aft translational sliding on the two lateral elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: MJD Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael R. Dennis, Gerhard Paasche
  • Patent number: 7246386
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a waste outlet assembly, in particular a waste outlet assembly for a urinal of the type commonly found in men's lavatories. There is described an elongate cylindrical insert having an operatively upper end and an operatively lower end and being insertable into the waste outlet of a urinal bowl or trough, which outlet includes a liquid trap, wherein the insert is radially dimensioned to provide a close fit against the walls of the waste outlet; and wherein the insert is longitudinally dimensioned such that, in use, the lower end extends into liquid in the liquid trap. There is also described a urinal including such an insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Enviro-Fresh Limited
    Inventor: Kelvin E. Hall
  • Patent number: 7246387
    Abstract: A sink assembly supported by a countertop surface or a freestanding cabinet to form a food preparation station is provided. The sink assembly includes a sink basin, a stanchion, a cutting board supported by the stanchion, and a coupling member fastening the cutting board and stanchion. The stanchion has first and second uprights extending between lower edges that are coextensive with the basin floor and terminating in a platform spanning therebetween. Mounts, such as slotted brackets, releasably secure the stanchion to the basin floor. The coupling member may be first and second pairs of cooperating fasteners associated with the cutting board and platform. The fasteners can be a cooperating tab and slot and a cooperating spring clip and peg. The basin floor may be sloped in multiple directions while the cutting board, when coupled to the stanchion, extends generally parallel to the horizontal plane of the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: E. Jay Erickson, Andrew Gordon
  • Patent number: 7246388
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a bed comprised of two safety panels and a cover. Each safety panel comprises a horizontal stabilizer and vertically-extending panel of a synthetic polymeric material with a density of from about 1 to about 10 pounds per cubic foot. The width of the stabilizer is less than about 20 per cent of the width of the mattress. Disposing the horizontal stabilizer underneath a mattress secures said the vertically-extending panel in a substantially-vertical orientation along a side of said bed. Another embodiment comprises the foregoing side panel safety apparatus in combination with a safety rail of said bed, further comprising said safety rail; wherein said horizontal stabilizer blocks a person in said bed from moving a part of said person's body into contact with said safety rail such that said body part becomes entrapped from said contact. Another embodiment comprises movable vertical sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Samuel L. DiLiberto, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7246389
    Abstract: An adjustable bed includes a platform having a flexible surface, a flex mechanism adapted to flex the platform to form a flexion position that includes at least one of a sitting-up position and a knee break, and a tilt mechanism adapted to tilt the platform surface laterally, the flex and tilt mechanisms both being operable with the other mechanism in an operational state. Furthermore, the adjustable bed includes a side member disposed on a side of the platform, and a side-member lift mechanism adapted to raise the side member relative to the platform surface, the tilt mechanism tilting the platform surface toward the side member raised by the side-member lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Taguchi, Hiroshi Abe, Masashi Morikawa, Hideo Kawakami, Atsushi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7246390
    Abstract: The repositioning apparatus of the invention includes a supporting bed for supporting at least a lower body of a patient, who needs repositioning therapy on his/her leg, a lower leg supporting bed for supporting a lower leg of the patient, a first movable table for allowing the lower leg supporting bed to move about a substantially horizontal axis, a first drive unit for driving the first movable table, a second movable table for moving the lower leg supporting bed in the substantially horizontal direction, and a second drive unit for driving the second movable table. Accordingly, the repositioning apparatus can make the lower leg of the patient perform a twisting action and a bending and stretching action, which are inevitable action for repositioning the patient's lower leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Mitsuishi, Toji Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7246391
    Abstract: A prayer pillow, or cushion, has knee pads placed in the interior of the pillow filling, spaced apart and adapted to receive the knees of a user while kneeling. The knee pads provide further cushioning and support for the knees of the user so that kneeling for a protracted time is more comfortable. The pillow has a removable cover that may, in preferred embodiments, incorporate a pleasant design and verses of Biblical scripture. The spacing between the knee pads maybe adjusted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Leslie M. Brown
  • Patent number: 7246392
    Abstract: A swaddling accessory attachable to a wearable blanket for use in swaddling an infant. The wearable blanket can be used with or without the swaddle to give the caregiver the option of using the wearable blanket without the swaddling accessory. The swaddling accessory and wearable blanket are equipped with fasteners that allow the swaddling accessory to be detachably secured to the wearable blanket in different positions relative to the blanket. The fasteners are positioned to prevent the swaddling accessory from being wrapped too high on the infant's body where it could potentially cover a portion of the mouth or nose. The infant's legs are left free to flex within the wearable blanket which helps to prevent hip dysplasia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Halo Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Schmid, Dawn Griffin
  • Patent number: 7246393
    Abstract: An inflatable mattress for storage within and use in combination with a furniture member includes a main body portion having a lower surface supportable on a surface such as a floor and an upper surface. An extending end of the mattress includes an extension of the upper surface co-planar with the upper surface, and a support surface which contacts a mating support surface of the furniture member. At least one fluid inlet valve and at least one fluid discharge valve are distributed about the inflatable mattress. A plurality of attachment devices connected to the inflatable mattress are used to temporarily or permanently attach the inflatable mattress to the furniture member. The inflatable mattress is collapsible for storage within a furniture member interior envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: West & Knowles Design and Engineering, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David J Westendorf, Kevin J Knowles
  • Patent number: 7246394
    Abstract: An inflatable product includes an inflatable body, a fan and motor assembly for pumping air, a housing built into the inflatable body, and an air conduit disposed at least in part in the housing. The housing has an interior region. The air conduit is movable between a first position and a second position, the fan and motor inflating the inflatable body when the air conduit is in the first position, and deflating the inflatable body when the air conduit is in the second position. Air flows between the interior region of the housing and the inflatable body during inflation and deflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Team Worldwide Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7246395
    Abstract: A control panel for a laundry appliance includes a cycle type section comprising a reconfigurable display, and a cycle parameter section graphically illustrating selected laundry cycle parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James David Buckroyd, Derek Lee Watkins, William Henry Lueckenbach
  • Patent number: 7246396
    Abstract: A sensor system for a water-bearing domestic appliance for monitoring the treatment fluid in the appliance. The sensor system measures the treatment fluid parameters in a program sequence that includes alternating idle and in motion operations of the appliance. The measured treatment fluid parameters can be compared to known proper operational treatment fluid parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Gundula Czyzewski, Martina Wöbkemeier
  • Patent number: 7246397
    Abstract: A method for controlling the dehydrating operation of a drum type washing machine includes a pre-acceleration step for accelerating a drum to a predetermined control starting speed, and a main accelerating step for accelerating the drum from the control starting speed to a target speed along a linear locus having a preset acceleration slope. A deviation of the center of gravity of the laundry and a pre-spinning time period are reduced in the aforementioned control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Woong Kim, Hyun Seok Seo, Tae Hee Lee, Joon Woo Kim, Kyung Chul Woo, Si Moon Jeon, Soo Young Oh
  • Patent number: 7246398
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing an object from a drain for includes a pair of arms each having a first end, a second end, a medial portion, a first side and a second side. Each of the first sides is convexly curved. A pivot member extends between and is pivotally attached to the medial portions so that the first sides facing each other. A slide member engages each of the first sides and urges the first ends toward each other as the slide member moves toward the pivot member. An actuator is configured to selectively move the slide member toward or away from the pivot member. A connector is attached to the actuator and is configured to releasably couple the actuator to a drain snake. Rotation of the drain snake actuates the actuator to grip the object when the first ends are adjacent to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Leonardo G. Chavez
  • Patent number: 7246399
    Abstract: A mop head retaining clamp has a mop handle receiving base member. A lower clamp arm, with retaining teeth is pivotally connected to the base at one end of the arm. The other end of the arm is pivotally connected to one end of a side arm member. The other end of the side arm member is pivotally connected to a handle attached to a lockable insert. The insert is sized to fit snugly into a cavity in the base member and is removeably locked in place by the interaction of the insert's extended front surface with a lipped section extending from the cavity. A mop head attached with this clamp is securely fastened to its mop handle during use, but it can be readily disengaged when the mop head needs to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Quickie Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Robert E. Petner
  • Patent number: 7246400
    Abstract: The present invention is a hygienic toothbrush with cover, which utilizes a uniquely designed novel brush cover to keep the brush head bristles free of harmful particles and contaminants when not in use. The unique cover design allows for bristles to dry through utilization of finely woven mesh/screen-like side panels which allows the largest surface area of the brush head bristles to be exposed to the maximal amount of airflow without risk of contamination. The desired effect of faster drying reduces the ability of bacterial agents to grow on the brush bristles. The unique feature of the cover always remaining fastened to the brush handle helps prevent the contamination of the cover which happens when it is set upon a contaminated surface, and also accomplishes the desired goal of encouraging consistent use. When the toothbrush is being used, the cover is conveniently stored within the handle in a storage compartment, always remaining with the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Patrick Clarkson Ryan
  • Patent number: 7246401
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a hole or bore in a work piece has a reel, a switch, a mandrel, a cutting edge and a cleaning material. The cleaning material is driven by the first reel and extends over the mandrel. The trigger causes the first reel to pull the cleaning material over the mandrel to clean the hole or bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher D. Condliff
  • Patent number: 7246402
    Abstract: An adjustable corner tool is provided having outwardly biased blades. The back surfaces of the blades are connected to an angle control assembly that includes fixed-length arms pivotally connected between each of the blades and a central mounting block. Springs rotationally bias the arms away from each other such that the arms push against the back surfaces of the blades to urge the blades apart. In use, resistive force applied against the front surfaces of the blades moves the blades together. Thus, the adjustable corner tool dynamically adjusts to variations in wall corner angles. The adjustable corner tool can be used with corners in the range of about 160 degrees to 40 degrees and the angle of the tool can also optionally be fixed or maximally limited. In addition, the adjustable corner tool may be adapted to also function as an injection head for delivering spreadable material to a corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Wal-Tech Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Fred Washburn
  • Patent number: 7246403
    Abstract: A wiper with a light emitter formed by providing a light emitting function to a wiper for wiping off a wiped surface, the wiper including a linear light emitting part visible from the outside disposed on the outside of a wiper blade or a wiper arm for wiping operation and a light shielding device provided on the wiper along the light emitting part so that a person positioned on the inside of the wiped surface is not obstructed visually by the light beam emitted from the light emitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Y.Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshisuke Ohyama
  • Patent number: 7246404
    Abstract: A mop having a sponge mop pad is effective for cleaning in a hospital for avoidance of internal infection. In a conventional sponge mop, for washing off dust and dirt sticking to the mop after used for the cleaning, spring force has been used for folding the sponge mop pad at the middle position thereof to squeeze off the water contained in the mop by compression force. This requires a large force and workers, especially women workers, had a difficulty in the cleaning work. In the present invention, the mop having the sponge mop pad comprises a projection and the mop squeezer comprises an insert member into which the projection is inserted. By the principle of lever, the sponge mop pad is easily squeezed by homogenous compression force and predetermined water content of the mop, after squeezed, can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Takahira Takemoto, Shuji Sugioka, Tuyoshi Kawazoe, Syuuzirou Moritaka
  • Patent number: 7246405
    Abstract: A self-moving vacuum cleaner includes a duct disposed in a casing and having a vacuum inlet which extends downwardly of a bottom wall of the casing, and an impeller disposed to draw dust from the floor surface through the vacuum inlet into the duct. An intake nozzle includes a tubular nozzle body which has an upper end communicated with and retainingly slidable relative to the vacuum inlet so as to enable a lower end of the nozzle body to be movable between upper and lower positions, and an anchoring member which is hinged to the bottom wall such that the nozzle body is swingable between the upper and lower positions in response to unevenness of the floor surface, thereby enabling the lower end to keep trailing on the floor surface when the casing moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Jason Yan
  • Patent number: 7246406
    Abstract: A system for cutting and cleaning material to be cut. The system is particularly effective for hard materials which produce heavy particles. The system is ideal for cutting green concrete. This invention provides a two-piece device for locating vacuum a hose connection for a circular saw used in cutting concrete. The hose connection is contained in the low, rear part of the lower piece. The invention also proves a vacuum cleaner which passes debris-laden air through water which collects the debris. Water-laden air rising from the water is passed around a first water barrier connected to a float and a second water barrier connected to the top of the container in order to remove entrapped water droplets which may contain debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Glen Allen Yarbrough, Chad Eric Usherwood
  • Patent number: 7246407
    Abstract: Disclosed is a height adjusting apparatus for a suction brush of an upright vacuum cleaner, by which a user can facilely adjust a gap between the suction brush and a cleaning surface. The apparatus comprises a suction brush body; a height adjusting knob rotatably disposed at a seating portion formed in the suction brush body, and having a cam curve portion formed at a part of an end of the height adjusting knob inserted into the suction brush body, the cam curve portion having a height difference between a starting point and an end point thereof and a plurality of recessed grooves formed between the starting point and the end point; a height adjusting shaft integrally formed with a rod member which is contacted with the cam curve portion and lifted up and down according to a rotational direction of the height adjusting knob; and a brush front wheel rotatably coupled to the height adjusting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-seon Park, Byung-jo Lee
  • Patent number: 7246408
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaning device has a housing having a bottom plate with a working slot. A rotatingly driven working tool is rotatably supported in the housing and passes through the working slot to act on a surface to be cleaned. A motor is arranged in the housing and has a motor shaft. A gear system is connected between the motor and the working tool, wherein the gear system has a driving wheel driven by the motor shaft and a driven wheel fixedly connected to the working tool. The driving wheel and the driven wheel are V-belt pulleys and have a peripheral groove, respectively. The gear system further has a V-gear positioned between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, wherein the V-gear has an outer periphery that engages the peripheral grooves for establishing a driving connection between the driving wheel and the driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Düpro AG
    Inventor: Peter Worwag
  • Patent number: 7246409
    Abstract: A manually-powered floor sweeper is provided according to the invention. In one embodiment, the manually-powered floor sweeper includes a chassis and handle, one or more agitator rollers rotatably affixed to the chassis and rotated by movement of the floor sweeper, and a vacuum port formed in the chassis and communicating with the one or more agitator rollers and adapted to receive a vacuum hose. Debris picked up and propelled by the one or more agitator rollers is drawn out through the vacuum port when a vacuum is introduced into the vacuum port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Moshenrose
  • Patent number: 7246410
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool has a housing having a turbine chamber and a bottom plate. A working tool is rotatably supported in the housing. An air turbine for driving the working tool is arranged in the turbine chamber and has axial end faces defining a gap relative to the chamber sidewalls. A turbine chamber wall has a first intake window and at least one second intake window. The first intake window supplies a driving suction air stream to the peripheral turbine surface on a first side of a plane that extends through the turbine axis. The second intake window supplies a partial suction air stream to the turbine chamber that enters the turbine chamber on a second side of the plane extending through the turbine axis. The second intake window overlaps at least partially at least one gap and the partial suction air stream flows into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Düpro AG
    Inventor: Peter Worwag
  • Patent number: 7246411
    Abstract: An adjustable mechanism for sliding panels, such as sliding windows and doors is disclosed. One embodiment comprises adjustable buttons that extend from a housing positioned in the sliding panel. The adjustable threaded buttons of the present invention provide a surface having reduced friction that extends from the bottom edge of a window or door and that can slide along a track supporting the window or door. In addition to providing a mechanism to facilitate horizontal sliding of a window or door, the adjustable buttons may be used to set the height of the sliding window or door as it sits in its frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Jeld-Wen, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Campbell, Richard Ward Hetherington