Patents Issued in August 7, 2007
  • Patent number: 7252256
    Abstract: A dual bearing reel has a plurality of friction plates that are arranged so as to contact an end portion of a spool shaft, a cap member that is detachably mounted on a boss portion and a spring member. A friction force is adjusted by press fitting the friction plates onto the end portion of the spool shaft 16 with the spring member. The spring member is fixed and mounted on the boss portion to provide an urging force between the cap member and a bearing. The spring member retains the bearing with respect to the boss portion and restricts rotation of the cap member. The spring member has a small diameter portion that contacts the cap member and a large diameter portion fixed to the boss portion to contact an end portion of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Abu Supian Bin Ahmad
  • Patent number: 7252257
    Abstract: The invention proposes a tape drive apparatus, tape extraction apparatus and tape cartridge that enable a reliable chucking and chucking release, and a stable carrying of a tape being extracted from a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiya Kurokawa, Joichi Daiba, Katsumi Maekawa, Yasuaki Kano, Atsushi Mitani
  • Patent number: 7252258
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge which can be loaded into a drive device having a reel on which a recording tape is wound and which is rotatably accommodated in a case, the reel including: a resin-formed main portion which includes a reel hub formed in a tubular shape having a floor, the recording tape being wound around an outer peripheral surface of the reel hub; and a substantially disc-shaped metal plate attached firmly to an outer surface of a floor portion of the reel hub, wherein a gate portion, through which a resin material is introduced at the time of molding the main portion, is provided at a radial direction outer side of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Iino
  • Patent number: 7252259
    Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Enventys, LLC
    Inventors: Ian D. Kovacevich, Kevin J. Dahlquist, Tom Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 7252260
    Abstract: Provided are a winding method and a winding apparatus in which it makes possible to expedite the winding cycle with a relatively simple construction. In a winding method in which a plurality of conductor wires are arranged in parallel and wound around a reel to form a coil, which is dropped into a coil receiving jig, the plurality of conductor wires are temporarily wound around a bobbin, and the bobbin is attached to a flyer of a winding apparatus. The flyer is rotated to wind the plurality of conductor wires around the reel while drawing them out of the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sanko Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Kato
  • Patent number: 7252261
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical expansible shaft includes an outer profile, and a generally cylindrical inner body having a longitudinal axis and at least one first coupling element. At least two semi-circular leaf elements may be movably coupled to the first coupling element of the inner body by means of at least one second coupling element. The leaf elements may together substantially form the outer profile of the generally cylindrical expansible shaft. At least one thrusting element may be operatively disposed between the leaf elements and the inner body to move the leaf elements radially outwards relative to the longitudinal axis to increase an outer diameter of the shaft when in a first configuration, and allow the leaf elements to move radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis to decrease the outer diameter of the shaft when in a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Goldenrod Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rollins, Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7252262
    Abstract: A protective cover is detachably fixed onto a spool to protect an optical fiber wound on the spool. The protective cover includes a pair of half-cylindrical cover members coupled together by a hinge and locked together by a locking mechanism. When an external force allows a pair of hinge members of the hinge to abut together, edges of the cover members are apart from each other at an angle of 2 to 7 degrees as viewed with respect to the center of the hinge. The edges of the cover members are then abut together by an additional external force to lock the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Oku, Yoshiyuki Sakata, Takashi Suzuki, Toshiaki Tateishi
  • Patent number: 7252263
    Abstract: Methods for configuring aircraft that may be implemented to integrate aircraft sonic boom constraint requirements with the design process for a supersonic aircraft, for example, to reconcile a target sonic boom constraint with the internal layout and balance of the aircraft during the design phase. The disclosed methods may advantageously be employed in one embodiment to allow a sonic boom-constrained aircraft design configuration solution to be reached that incorporates a desired sonic boom signature with the requirements of an internal configuration layout. Resulting aircraft configurations may be usefully employed for achieving sonic boom suppression on any type of supersonic-capable aircraft, for example, a civil supersonic business aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
    Inventors: Corey Hagemeister, David C. Aronstein, Kurt L. Schueler
  • Patent number: 7252264
    Abstract: A vehicle adapted for airborne flight and waterborne sailing has a fuselage (20) with left and right wings (52, 54) that pivot independently about a respective longitudinal axis from a generally horizontal orientation for flight to a generally vertical orientation to provide wind-driven propulsion for sailing. Further, the wings (52, 54) pivot about a respective second axis (66) that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to trim the wings (52, 54) for sailing with a given relative wind direction. The wings (52, 54) are mounted by a respective first pivotal joint (56, 58) to the distal ends of respective stub wing/decks (48, 50). The stub wing/decks form a fixed central wing section (46). Water hulls (28) are mounted below the distal ends of the stub wing/decks (48, 50) on vertical pylons (30) to provide stable flotation. Vertical and horizontal stabilizers (40, 60) are mounted on the back ends of the water hulls (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: John Ross Nattinger
  • Patent number: 7252265
    Abstract: An aircraft which is attachable to, for example, a cellular phone. The aircraft is provided with at least four rotors actuated with compressed fluid or by ring-shaped electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: S.I.SV El Societa' Italinana per Lo Sviluppo Dell' Elettronica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Piero Perlo, Bartolomeo Pairetti, Roberto Finizio, Cosimo Carvignese, Piermario Repetto, Denis Bollea, Davide Capello
  • Patent number: 7252266
    Abstract: An aircraft landing assist apparatus is designed to be retrofit to existing aircraft having internal constructions that have been modified to support the apparatus. The apparatus is designed so that on rough landings of the aircraft on a ship deck, the apparatus will collapse in a controlled manner to avoid any damage to ammunition and/or fuel storage areas of the aircraft. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a plurality of support struts that each include an eccentric bushing. A locking pin can be used to selectively position the eccentric position to adjust the overall length of its associated strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Darrin Tebon
  • Patent number: 7252267
    Abstract: An architectural archway for an aircraft. The archways can be positioned individually, or in pairs or other sets along the length of an aircraft fuselage. The archways are used to run or connect various transport elements, such as electrical wiring, water lines, and environmental control system conduits, between the upper crown, lower bay and passenger cabin of the aircraft. The invention simplifies installation complexity and eliminates the installation and variability associated with running transport elements between the various sections of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David A. Young, Richard Fraker, R. Klaus Brauer, Peter S. Guard
  • Patent number: 7252268
    Abstract: An interior layout of an aircraft cabin including a set of aircraft seats arranged in the aircraft cabin. Each set includes two rows of seats arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cabin in which they are located and a single longitudinal aisle allows access to the transverse rows. The two transverse rows are arranged opposite one another and a transverse aisle separates the two rows of seats. In each row of seats, at least one seat is located on one side of the longitudinal aisle and at least two seats are located on the other side of the longitudinal aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventor: Bruno Saint-Jalmes
  • Patent number: 7252269
    Abstract: An asymmetrical bulkhead for a pressure vessel, tank or other storage facility is disclosed. The bulkhead is configured so that there is a high region extending past a cylindrical portion of the vessel on one side of the bulkhead, with a contour of the bulkhead transitioning from the high region to a low region within the last cylindrical region. Such a bulkhead configuration allows two cylindrical pressure vessels to be nested together in end-to-end relation so as to occupy a total smaller volume than similarly sized vessels having convex ends, or to construct pressure vessels that contain a larger volume for storage than similarly sized vessels having convex ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Maple Bridge, LLC
    Inventor: Donald B. Ford
  • Patent number: 7252270
    Abstract: System for launching a missile from a launch region within the atmosphere of a planet, the missile being located within a flying vehicle before launching the missile, the system including a missile support coupled with the missile, and a foldable control-surface mechanism coupled with the missile support, the foldable control-surface mechanism being in a folded position before ejecting the missile support and the missile from the flying vehicle, the foldable control-surface mechanism moving from a folded position to an operational position after ejecting the missile support and the missile from the flying vehicle, wherein the foldable control-surface mechanism maneuvers the missile and the missile support to a predetermined orientation suitable for launching the missile, wherein the missile support is decoupled from the missile when the missile and the missile support are at the predetermined orientation, and wherein the missile is launched after reaching the predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Mitzmacher
  • Patent number: 7252271
    Abstract: A support for a play apparatus comprising a plurality of legs with each leg having an elongate base member for contacting the ground and an elongate support member arranged substantially perpendicularly to the base member. Each support member is hingably connected to another support member such that the legs are movable between an erected position, in which the support members define an opening for engagement with the play apparatus and the base members extend outwardly from the opening, and a folded position, in which the base members are substantially parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Stephens
  • Patent number: 7252272
    Abstract: A fixed bracket assembly for adjustably positioning a portable electric product relative to a stationary member. The assembly includes a pair of clamping members pivotally connected to a connecting block assembly and a rod member rotatably connected at one end to the connecting block assembly. The rod member is adjustable connected at its other end to a seat assembly that is connected to the electric product. With this arrangement the electric product can be adjustably moved to whatever position desired and held in place in a “hands free” condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Pyramid Electron, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen Kuo Hsiung
  • Patent number: 7252273
    Abstract: The invention discloses unique brackets, which form a bracket assembly that may be placed at any location of various components to form an assembly piece, such as furniture. An assembled furniture piece made of furniture panels interconnected with attached engaging and receiving brackets is provided. The engaging and receiving brackets are positioned on components to facilitate the connection of the components. A method to assemble furniture having preformed arm, base, seat and back components is provided. This method of assembly saves on shipment costs, and facilitates the repair of damaged furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Chris Lewellen, Larry Owens, James D. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7252274
    Abstract: A clamping device for stainless steel sinks having rolled rim edges used for suspension of weighted items from a sink's rolled rim edge for better organization around the sink work area comprising, a hanger bracket, a compression gib, and a fastening means. The hanger bracket is further defined by a front having an elongated vertical slot, a supporting member, and a crispate top. The compression gib includes a generally horizontally disposed bracing arm having an integral arm which extends upwardly and vertically in relation to the bracing arm. The integral arm further has an elongated vertical slot which extends the length along a longitudinal axis. Attached to the upper most portion of the integral arm is a crispate top which is substantially identical in configuration and shape, to the arcuate portion of the underside of the rolled rim sink to which it is attached. The fastening means is received by the slots of the hanger bracket and gib and detachably holds the device together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Russell H. Brannen
  • Patent number: 7252275
    Abstract: A support system for a bird feeder. The support system allows vertical and circumferential adjustment of the bird feeder, and prevents dislodgement of the bird feeder from the support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Droll Yankees, Inc.
    Inventors: Betsy P. Puckett, Paul Artigues
  • Patent number: 7252276
    Abstract: A plinth comprises a base (6), a support plate (2) and support legs (4) supporting the plate (2) above the base (6). The support leg (4) includes a collar (20) which is attachable to the base (6), an extension member (22) which is received at one end in the collar (20), and a adjustment member (24) on the other end of the support leg (22), and attachable to the plate by a threaded adjuster (32, 40, 42). The adjustment member may be attached directly to the base (6), and in different orientations, so that adjuster (32) is received in different apertures (32, 32?, 32?), providing a range of adjustment at low heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Acketts Group Limited
    Inventor: Ronald Lionel Acketts
  • Patent number: 7252277
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a load is disclosed. A support arm in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of present invention comprises a first strut, a second strut, a proximal link, and a distal link. A proximal portion of the first strut is pivotally coupled to the proximal link at a first proximal joint. Additionally, a proximal portion of the second strut is pivotally coupled to the proximal link at a second proximal joint. A distal end of the second strut is pivotally coupled to the distal link at a second distal joint. A distal end of the first strut is pivotally coupled to the distal link at a first distal joint. The support arm also includes a cam mechanism comprising a cam and a cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ergotron, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry C. Sweere, Thiem Wong, Khalid Al-Zebdeh, Mustafa A. Ergun
  • Patent number: 7252278
    Abstract: A vehicle seat linkage assembly includes a rod. The linkage has a first link with an aperture and a second link adjacent but spaced from the first link and having a slot. Additionally, a drive nut is adjacent the rod. The drive nut has a body portion, one end, another end and an aperture engaging the rod. The one end is inserted into the slot and the another end is inserted into the aperture. When the nut is disposed into the slot and aperture, the nut is rotated to engage the slot and the aperture so that the nut cannot be disengaged from the first link and the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Pascal E. Garrido
  • Patent number: 7252279
    Abstract: The apparatus shown generally in FIG. (1) is a holder attached to and stored at the back of a cabinet door and when deployed will support an object for viewing from the front of the closed door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Archibald Conibear
  • Patent number: 7252280
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing pellets of hot-melt ink which includes the steps of filling molten ink into a mold cavity defined by a first die and a second die of a mold, allowing the ink to cool down and solidify in the mold cavity, and heating at least one of the first and second dies for re-melting the surface of the ink pellet to facilitate its removal from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Hollands, Wilhelmus Antonius Maria Schreurs, Guido Gerardus Willems, Antonius Johannes Jozef Van Gerven, Reinier Jan Ramekers
  • Patent number: 7252281
    Abstract: A formwork making apparatus includes a bottom block, two side locating boards arranged in parallel on the bottom block, two forming boards respectively adhered to the side locating boards and set facing each other, two blocking plates set between the two side locating boards at the two distal ends and defining with the side locating boards and the bottom block an elongated molding chamber, and two fixtures fastened to the side locating boards and the blocking plates to secure the side locating boards and the blocking plates to the bottom block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Yi-An Sie
  • Patent number: 7252282
    Abstract: In a vehicle solenoid valve, the spool that holds the actuation coil is formed with a hexagonal or octagonal inner chamber in which a cylindrical armature can slide. Owing to the different cross-sectional shapes between the spool and armature, a longitudinal fluid vent passageway is established along each edge of the chamber between the non-cylindrical walls of the chamber and the cylindrical armature so that movement of hydraulic fluid relative to the armature is promoted when the armature moves. The face of the spool that is oriented toward the valve end can be formed with radial vent grooves to further facilitate fluid venting when the armature moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Moreno, Santos Burrola
  • Patent number: 7252283
    Abstract: A paper-pickup clutch of an automatic paper-feeding device includes a clamping member and a clamping-force adjusting member and can be applied to image processors such as printers, copiers or scanners. The automatic paper-feeding device includes a shaft and a paper-pickup mechanism transmitted to picking up paper by the shaft. The paper-pickup clutch provides a bi-directional clutch function by moving the clamping member toward or away from the paper-pickup mechanism with the clamping-force adjusting member in order to adjust the clamping force of the clamping member working on the paper-pickup mechanism to a certain level. With the certain level of clamping force, the paper-pickup mechanism sustains against paper to be fed and self-rotates with the rotation of the shaft in a first direction for feeding paper and rotates with the shaft in a second direction for releasing paper without further changing the state of the paper-pickup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Chia-Tsui Lan, Ping-Hung Kuo
  • Patent number: 7252284
    Abstract: A banknote storing system for providing an economical and space-efficient storage of banknotes of various sizes in a removable banknote storage unit is provided. A banknote transporting unit can move a banknote with a movable elongated belt unit to a position over a gap position on the removable banknote storage unit. The slider unit in the banknote storage unit can move relative to a movable elongated bank unit for forcing the banknote unit into a storage area. The slider unit can form a pair of U-shaped channels that are positioned above the gap for laterally receiving the banknote when transported by the movable elongated belt unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7252285
    Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a manually loaded media sheet to a printer feed path has at least one registration feature disposed to register the trailing edge of the media sheet to the feed path. By aligning the trailing edge, an orthogonal media sheet is loaded into the printer without skew ensuring that the printed image is precisely aligned to the media sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kodak Graphic Communications Canada Company
    Inventors: Andreas Michael Albat, Dannye Robert Williams, Andrew Mitchell, Gil Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 7252286
    Abstract: Increased manual access spaces are provided even within a more compact printer for the movement or removal of printer components such as paper path baffles to be moved for the removal of jammed sheets and/or other hand or tool insertions by printer users and/or repair personnel. This is provided by automatically reducing the normal operating space occupied or required by at least one operative printer component during a machine shutdown in or near such desired manual access areas. In particular, by replacing at least part of at least one of the present rigid space-consuming air ducts or manifolds in a printer with a collapsible portion adjacent to at least one paper path jam clearance area or other desired manual access area which at least partially collapses upon printer shutdowns removing power from the blower for that air duct to substantially increase unobstructed manual access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Henry T. Bober
  • Patent number: 7252287
    Abstract: An auxiliary scanning feed mechanism has a pair of curved feed guides for guiding a stimulable phosphor sheet along a curved feed path, and first and second roller pairs rotatable in synchronism with each other for gripping and feeding the stimulable phosphor sheet along the curved feed path. The first and second roller pairs have respective first and second drive rollers disposed inwardly of respective curved sections of the curved feed guides and respective first and second driven rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Tsutoh
  • Patent number: 7252288
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of a gaming device generally comprising a gaming apparatus configured to allow a player to place a wager and play a game and a bonus display configured to indicate a bonus prize to be awarded to the player. One embodiment of the gaming device comprises at least one game reel having a plurality of game symbols. At least one symbol on the game reel may indicate a game outcome. The gaming device also generally comprises at least one bonus reel having a plurality of bonus symbols which may include one or more of the following: bonus position symbol(s), bonus cycle symbol(s), bonus multiplication symbol(s), and bonus addition symbol(s). The bonus symbols(s) displayed by the bonus reel changes the bonus display in a predetermined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald C. Seelig, Lawrence M. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 7252289
    Abstract: The Dragon-Name Game is a unique letter, word, and number dice game consisting of; a special six-sided, six-colored die having the letters D.R.A.G.O.N. individually placed, one letter and color per each face side, see FIG. 2; a partitioned six-sided blank-surfaced die used for the inscription of the letters of a player's name, see FIG. 3; and a score card to record the numerical points, see FIG. 1; and played with a standard six-sided dotted casino die. The Dragon-Name Game is a competitive dice game designed particularly for children of grammar school age, whereby, the object of said game is to match the letters from the D.R.A.G.O.N. die to respective letters on the score card, while accruing numerical points from the casino die. By substituting the blank-sided die, other selected words and names can also be used as reference words. The player with the highest score after four rounds of play, wins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Tamian
  • Patent number: 7252290
    Abstract: A game method and apparatus includes an elongated game board having a platform attached to each of two ends. The game board pivots on a fulcrum in a seesaw type fashion. The game board can be adjustably attached to the fulcrum to compensate for the weight differential between players. Each player stands on a respective platform and alternates jumping up and down thereon in an attempt to displace the other player from his or her platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Jack Kaselitz
  • Patent number: 7252291
    Abstract: A mechanical seal (e.g., single mechanical seals, double mechanical seals, tandem mechanical seals, bellows, pusher mechanical seals, and all types of rotating and reciprocating machines) with reduced contact surface temperature, reduced contact surface wear, or increased life span. The mechanical seal comprises a rotating ring and a single-piece, perforated mating ring, which improves heat transfer by controllably channeling coolant flow through the single-piece mating ring such that the coolant is in substantially uniform thermal contact with a substantial portion of the interior surface area of the seal face, while maintaining the structural integrity of the mechanical seal and minimizing the potential for coolant flow interruptions to the seal face caused by debris or contaminants (e.g., small solids and trash) in the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Michael M. Khonsari, Anoop K. Somanchi
  • Patent number: 7252292
    Abstract: An oil ring for an internal combustion engine, comprising a metallic annular body (10) to be mounted around a piston (P) reciprocating inside a cylinder (C) of the engine, said annular body (10) having opposite lateral faces (11), an internal face (12) onto which will be seated a resilient expander (M), and an external contact face (13) to be seated against the internal face of the cylinder (C) and having a height (h) that is substantially smaller than the height (H) of the internal face (12). Each lateral face (11) is defined by one or more lateral face portions (11a, 11b), which are designed to reduce the moment of inertia of the annular body (10), giving higher conformability to the latter. Preferentially, but not exclusively, the annular body (10) can be further provided with channels (15, 16), extended along at least part of the ring hight and which are radially spaced back in relation to the external contact face (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Mahle Components de Motores do Brasil LTDA
    Inventors: Renato Panelli, André Ferrarese
  • Patent number: 7252293
    Abstract: A gasket for pipe-to-pipe connections, which is closely received within a rectangular-shaped annular groove in the bell end of a pipe, and provides a compressive, fluid-tight seal with the spigot end of another pipe. The gasket includes a two-part body having a substantially rectangular profile in section, including a relatively rigid component joined to a relatively resilient component. The resilient component includes a radially inwardly projecting sealing lobe for providing a compressive seal with the spigot end of a pipe, and a reinforcement portion of the rigid component is disposed between the sealing lobe and the pipe bell end to provide a radially non-compressible reaction surface against which the sealing lobe is compressed. The rigid component also includes a tapered leading edge portion for aligning and centering the spigot end of a pipe upon insertion within the gasket, and the leading edge portion is reinforced by a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Press-Seal Gasket Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew J Happel
  • Patent number: 7252294
    Abstract: A weather strip has a trim part adapted to be mounted on a flange, a seal part having a hollow portion and a cover lip. The trim part has a bottom wall portion, and an interior and an exterior side wall portions which constitute a pair of side wall portions and is formed into a shape, as a whole, having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and an insert of a center bonded type is embedded in the interior of the trim part so constructed. In a skeletal piece of the insert, an angle ?a formed by a bottom wall part embedded in the bottom wall portion and an internal part embedded in the interior side wall portion and an angle ?b formed by the bottom wall part and an external part embedded in the exterior side wall portion are made to form acute angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Yamada, Satoshi Inagaki, Hiroshi Kuzuya
  • Patent number: 7252295
    Abstract: A household and shopping laundry cart has a cart basket (1) with a first-side wheel (7) and a second-side wheel (8) that are positioned on sides aft of a linear center. A tow handle (10) is pivotal vertically on a tow hitch (11) on a front-end wall (4). A stair-climber incline (14) is extended slantingly downward and rearward from near a front of a bottom (6) of the cart basket to the wheels. A front support (15) proximate a front-bottom edge holds the cart basket level when stopped on a horizontal surface and aids in stair climbing. A basket cover (13) is extendable from a first top side (53) to a second top side (56). Side walls of the basket are tapered inwardly from-top-to-bottom for telescopic storage of a plurality of the household and shopping laundry carts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Aaron Bludworth
  • Patent number: 7252296
    Abstract: A bag with caster wheels includes a base frame 1 having caster wheels 6 and a main bag 3. The base frame 1 includes a stand 2 mounting the main bag 3 thereon and telescopic rods 5 joined on one side of this stand 2 or between both sides. The stand 2 includes supporting cylinders 7 into which the telescopic rods 5 are inserted to be joined. The supporting cylinders 7 are arranged between the caster wheels 6 provided at four corners of the stand 2, and are projected in a lower surface of the stand 2, so that a projection height (d) thereof is made lower than a height (h) of the caster wheels 6. In lower surface projected parts 7A of the supporting cylinders 7, reinforcement walls 8 joined to the lower surface of the stand 2 are provided. The reinforcement walls 8 are arranged between the caster wheels 6 and in a posture oriented in a lateral direction of the stand 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Swany Corporation
    Inventor: Etsuo Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7252297
    Abstract: A safety welding cart structure having a metal box for holding pressurized gas cylinders, a firewall separating the cylinders, individual clamping devices to secure the cylinders, and shelves extending from the back of the box forming a cart set upon a four-wheeled base, which includes two positive-locking swivel casters. The regulators are contained within a ventilated cabinet and the hoses are wound about a reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Dell Barritt, Eugene Dewegeli
  • Patent number: 7252298
    Abstract: A pivot bearing used in a vehicle trailing arm suspension includes a housing, a resilient bush compressed and bonded in the housing, and a rigid axial sleeve in the bush. The bush has voids, above and below the sleeve when the pivot bearing is fitted for use and stiffening elements which extend between the voids at opposite sides of the sleeve. When the pivot bearing is in use in a vehicle trailing arm suspension, the voids increase flexibility of the bush under generally vertical loading on the pivot bearing. The stiffening elements enhance the stiffness of the bush in generally horizontal direction for improved vehicle dynamics and reduced vibration. Preferably, the stiffening elements are of plate or leaf form, are bonded to the bush, and extend arcuately about the sleeve. The voids extend partially through the axial thickness of the bush from opposite ends of the bush and generally accurately about the sleeve. The bush also has enlarged opposite circumferential end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Hughes
  • Patent number: 7252299
    Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
  • Patent number: 7252300
    Abstract: Manual braking system with a variable braking force for a wheelchair. Caliper type brakes positioned to mount on and exert braking force on disks mounted to interior “disk” hubs rotatably mounted to the wheelchair frame wheel hubs are mated with the “disk” hubs with a push button release pin allowing the wheel to be quickly removed without disturbing disk braking system. Caliper brakes are actuated by a manual lever arm, cable and pulley combination mounted to the frame of the wheelchair. The lever is provided with and without a plunger mechanism. A plunger mechanism allows the user to maintain the manual braking force exerted on lever without hands. The plunger mechanism is fixably mounted and positioned to insert a plunger head into notches on the lever. The force exerted by the plunger head is sufficient to hold the plunger head within the notch and prevent movement of the lever without manual force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Todd L. Hargroder
  • Patent number: 7252301
    Abstract: A snowmobile ski includes front and rear alignment points, which are preferably notches in the outer ribs of each of the skis. The notches facilitate alignment of the skis by receiving the end of a tape measure that is used to measure front and rear distances between corresponding front notches and corresponding rear notches of the skis. In one variant, the notches are equidistant from the skags to further simplify the task of aligning the skis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: BRP Finland Oy
    Inventor: Jyri Välikangas
  • Patent number: 7252302
    Abstract: A cart assembly includes a frame that includes a bottom wall and four posts attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. Four bars are attached to adjacent ones of the posts. The bars are positioned such that a front bar, a back bar, a first side bar and a second side bar are defined. Each one of four mesh walls extends between the bottom wall and one of the bars so that each of the posts has an adjacent pair of mesh walls orientated perpendicular to each other. A cover is hingedly coupled to frame and selectively positionable in an open position extending upwardly from the frame or in a closed position orientated parallel to a plane of the loop. A handle and a pair of rails are each attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Kelly B. Thurn, Jeff A. Thurn
  • Patent number: 7252303
    Abstract: An inflator has an inflator housing accommodating a pressurized medium, a diffuser portion attached to an end portion of the inflator housing and provided with a gas discharging port for discharging the pressurized medium flowing out of the opening at the time of actuation of the inflator, the gas discharging port being constantly open, such that pressure inside the diffuser portion is under an atmospheric pressure, a rupturable plate that seals a flow-path through which the pressurized medium flows when the inflator is actuated, a rupturing unit for rupturing the rupturable plate to allow the pressurized medium to flow through the flow-path, and a filter provided directly over and covering the discharging port by making contact with a surface of the diffuser portion at a portion defining the gas discharging port, such that the pressurized medium is discharged from the gas discharging port through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Katsuda, Masayuki Nakayasu, Naoki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7252304
    Abstract: Described is a method for operating a positioning vehicle for positioning a test probe in defined intervals along a travel line, as well as to a positioning vehicle for carrying out the method. The positioning vehicle contains a traveling vehicle base part with a guide device and with a test probe carrier guided by this guide device in a guide. The guiding has a first reversal point and a second reversal point. The guide device comprises guide means in order on displacing the vehicle base part to guide the test probe carrier in the travel direction up to the first reversal point after it has reached the second reversal point, and in order to lead back the test probe carrier opposite to the travel direction up to the second reversal point after it has reached the first reversal point. In the phase of the return, the test probe carrier relative to the vehicle base part has the negative speed of the vehicle base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: BAM
    Inventors: Herbert Wiggenhauser, Dieter Schaurich
  • Patent number: 7252305
    Abstract: A basket assembly for a three-wheel pushcart having a leg brace includes a clamp for attachment to the brace. The clamp has a block with a notch for receiving the top of the brace. The block has bore extending from its top to its bottom and opening into the notch and another bore extending from one side of the block to the other. A clamping plate, for engagement with the bottom of the brace, is secured to the block by a first threaded fastener passing through the bore. A basket is releasably attached to a supporting bracket attached to the clamp and has an openwork box adapted for support by forwardly facing hooks at the bottom of a lower segment of laterally spaced members of the supporting bracket. A second threaded fastener extends through each apertured flange and the other bore to attach the bracket to the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Harold F. Linker