Patents Issued in September 4, 2007
  • Patent number: 7264229
    Abstract: An evaporative cooler apparatus is disclosed. The evaporative cooler apparatus comprises a bottom and a top, where the bottom and the top are identically dimensioned, and where the top and the bottom are interchangeable. The evaporative cooler apparatus further comprises a U-shaped vertical element disposed between the bottom and the top, where that vertical element comprises a porous material. The evaporative cooler apparatus does not comprise one or more metal or plastic sides formed to include a plurality of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Chuong H. Tran
  • Patent number: 7264230
    Abstract: An engine carburetor and a solenoid valve assembly therefor and methods of assembling the same. The carburetor has a body with a fuel and air mixing passage communicating with an air bleed passage. A cavity extends into the body for communication with the air bleed passage. A solenoid housing is received in the cavity and maintains a coil body for receipt of a valve body therein. The valve body moves between a retracted position to substantially open the air bleed passage and an extended position to substantially close the air bleed passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael P. Burns, David L. Speirs
  • Patent number: 7264231
    Abstract: An aeration apparatus including a cylindrical passage tube, a static mixer positioned in the passage tube adjacent an upper end of the tube and including a plurality of perforated blades and an opening between the blades along a central axis of the tube, a pneumatic line extending to the passage tube and connectable to a gas source, a gas blowoff portion positioned adjacent a lower end of the passage tube and connected to the pneumatic line for supplying gas from the gas source to the passage tube, and a liquid-introducing portion adjacent the lower end of the passage tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Anemos Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 7264232
    Abstract: A device for foaming a liquid includes a casing with a turbine arranged inside the casing. A shaft connects an agitator with the turbine. An air supply nozzle is coupled to the casing and a tube is coupled to the casing for conducting a steam supply to drive the turbine. A pipe is connected between the agitator and the turbine to introduce a steam-air mixture to a region of the agitator. The steam-air mixture is whirled together with the liquid when the agitator is immersed in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Melitta Haushaltsprodukte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Florian Rohde
  • Patent number: 7264233
    Abstract: Disclosed is a humidifier for humidifying dry gas by transferring moisture from moist gas. A humidifier comprising: a housing having a first area for passing a first gas and a second area for passing a second gas having higher water content than that of said first gas; a moisture permeable means for transferring moisture from said second gas to said first gas to humidify the first gas; and a communicating path formed on the housing through which the first area and the second area communicate with each other, to transfer condensed water formed in the first area to the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Katagiri, Yoshio Kusano, Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Kenji Nagumo, Motohiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7264234
    Abstract: In a gas humidifier used for humidifying fuel in a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), a small-size gas humidifier is achieved by carrying out a steam-generating process and a gas humidifying process by the use of the steam by using a single unit. In order to achieve this structure, a plurality of longitudinal tube plates are laminated in a thickness direction with predetermined intervals so that a heat-exchanger core (100) of a plate-fin type is prepared. Heating-use high-temperature fluid (A) is allowed to flow alternately through a plurality of spaces that are formed inside the heat-exchanger core (100) and placed side by side in the horizontal direction so as to direct a gas to be humidified (B) to another space from above to below. An injection tube (210), which is used for spraying liquid (C) that serves as a steam source, is inserted virtually horizontally along tube plates on two sides in an upper portion of each space through which the gas to be humidified (B) flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Iwata, Yasuhiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 7264235
    Abstract: An active damping apparatus for damping vibration due to driving of a stage and/or counter-mass mounted on an isolation table in an exposure device for the manufacture of semiconductor devices has a setting unit for selecting the stage and/or the counter-mass to drive and setting a control mode according to what is to be driven. The apparatus further has a control input switch that sets up a control loop for inputting control target values for driving the stage and/or the counter-mass to an isolation table controller so as to offset the drive reaction torque generated by the movement of the stage and/or counter-mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Morisada
  • Patent number: 7264236
    Abstract: A pressing member is provided on a shutter member provided in a main body of an apparatus and adapted to open and close a folded sheet discharging port upon upward and downward shifting movement of sheet stacking means in such a manner that, after folding processing is performed by folding means as the shutter member is lowered, a sheet discharged onto folded sheet stacking means is pressed down by the pressing member. Further, if there is any sheet on the folded sheet stacking means, by stopping the sheet stacking means at a predetermined position where the shutter member lightly abuts against the sheet discharged on the folded sheet stacking means, the sheet is prevented from being pinched between the shutter member and the sheet stacking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignees: Canon Finetech Inc., Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Obuchi, Hitoshi Kato, Hiroshi Suzuki, Tetsuya Terada
  • Patent number: 7264237
    Abstract: The sheet stacking-aligning apparatus or the sheet processing apparatus includes a substantially horizontal stacking tray, a rear end aligning unit for aligning a rear end of a sheet bundle on the stacking tray, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the rear end aligning unit for aligning the sheet bundle when it is in an upstream position of the stacking tray, and the stacking tray is provided substantially horizontally. It is thus made possible to increase the stacking space, thereby increasing the number of stackable sheets and to achieve the alignment of the rear end of the sheet bundle with a simple configuration, thereby improving the stacking-aligning property of the sheet bundle on the stacking tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhito Kato, Daisaku Kamiya, Daiju Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7264238
    Abstract: A paper feed has a door and a paper carrying tray, and raises the tray as paper is fed. A first detector that detects the presence of paper is located below a paper feed position by a margin corresponding to a given number of paper sheets, and second detector that detects the presence of paper is located below the first detector. If an open state of the door is detected, the paper carrying tray is lowered to a position where the second detector ceases to detect the presence of paper. If the first and second detectors detect the presence of paper after the tray is lowered, the tray is lowered to the position where the second detector ceases to detect the presence of paper. If a closed state of the door is detected after the tray is lowered, the tray is raised so that the uppermost one of paper sheets on the tray is situated in the paper feed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Otaki
  • Patent number: 7264239
    Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a recording medium in a feed direction, including: a drive roller having an annular recess; and a driven roller rotatably held and positioned such that a radially outer end portion of the driven roller is positioned within the annular recess of the drive roller. The driven roller is displaceable away from the drive roller, so that the recording medium is fed to pass between the drive and driven rollers, with the recording medium being gripped by the radially outer end portion of the driven roller and the radially outer end portion of the drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takamitsu Kawai
  • Patent number: 7264240
    Abstract: A document feeder includes a housing, a control lever and a sheet pick-up module. The housing includes a feeding path defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The control lever is mounted on the first sidewall, and includes a pivotal part, a collar and a handle part. The collar is arranged between the pivotal portion and the handle part. The sheet pick-up module includes a driving shaft mounted on the collar and the second sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 7264241
    Abstract: A method of controlling the game of baccarat is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a card delivery shoe equipped with a sensor capable of reading at least a rank of each card; a first processor capable of controlling operation of the card delivery shoe; and a second processor capable of receiving signals from the sensor and programmed to display information related to the game of baccarat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver M. Schubert, Joshua David Marz
  • Patent number: 7264242
    Abstract: A board-type game to be played by two or more players. The game includes lasers where players selectively divert the path of the laser beams. The board apparatus comprises a surface, bounded by a frame, over which laser beams are directed down symbolic rows and columns which constitute a matrix of squares. Each square is a subregion of the surface piece, and is bounded along its four sides by raised edges which are parallel and perpendicular rows and columns of the board. The raised edges, creating recessed squares, assist in orienting the playing pieces. Playing pieces may contain no mirror, one mirror, or two mirrors (oriented back-to-back to produce separate surfaces reflecting in opposite directions). Playing pieces are placed in a predetermined “starting” configuration on the squares of the gridded surface piece. Depending on whether a playing piece contains a mirror or not, said piece may reflect an incident laser beam from a row to a column or from a column to a row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Innovention Toys, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Luke Jackson Hooper, Del Alan Segura, Michael Charles Larson
  • Patent number: 7264243
    Abstract: A live casino operated tables, games, video games, automated games with live players, or by having a dealer or banker provided with a casino table poker game utilizes at least one deck of playing cards, the game comprising: each player placing at least one wager to participate in the casino game; dealing a first number of cards to a dealer as a banker's hand, the first number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for the banker's hand; dealing a second number of cards to each player, the second number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for each player; the dealer discarding at least one card from the banker's hand to form a resulting single dealer hand; each player discarding at least one card to form a resulting player's hand for each player, wherein the number of cards in resulting player's hands and the resulting banker's hand are equal; and resolving each player hand against the banker'
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc
    Inventors: Mark L. Yoseloff, R. Brooke Dunn, Philip S. Smith, Roger M. Snow
  • Patent number: 7264244
    Abstract: A wagering card game between players and a dealer. Each player places a bet. A standard deck of 52 playing cards is shuffled and placed face down. The dealer checks the value of the top card and the bottom card of the deck. If the top card is not an ACE and if the bottom card is not a KING, the dealer commences the game by calling out card value names in the following sequence ACE, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, JACK, QUEEN, KING while turning face up a card from the top of the deck after each card value name is called. If a currently upturned card matches the currently called out card value name, all players lose their bet. If all 52 cards are turned over without a single matching card value name being called out, then all players with their bet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Edward Moy
  • Patent number: 7264245
    Abstract: A ball retriever comprising a main member forming a first closed loop, a base member forming a second closed loop with the main member foldably attached to the base member, a fabric portion smaller in area than a spatial plane defined by the first loop, straps connecting the fabric portion to the main member, and a support to sustain the main member against the base member while maintaining a substantial angle between the main member and the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Kwang Han Cho
  • Patent number: 7264246
    Abstract: A projectile retrieval system includes one or more valves disposed to selectively release projectiles from a bullet stop and containment system. The valves are in pneumatic communication with a tube which utilized a negative air pressure generated by a vacuum to move the projectiles from the valves to a central container. The projectile retrieval system may also include a vacuum extension which enables the same system to retrieve bullets and casings, fragments and other debris on the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Addison Sovine, Kyle Bateman
  • Patent number: 7264247
    Abstract: An entertainment and refreshment assembly with various arcade games and vending machines including a large housing having an exterior configuration resembling a vehicle. The interior portion includes a plurality of separate receptacles which each receive any combination of the arcade games and/or a vending machines. The arcade games and vending machine may have side panels with a transparent portion. The housing also has at least one transparent panel on the exterior surface. A plurality of panels further define the interior, and at least one of the panels has an aperture. The configuration of the present invention permits a longitudinal and lateral line-of-sight to pass unimpaired completely through the assembly to increase the visibility of the prizes and refreshments to the spectators and players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Craig B. Singer
  • Patent number: 7264248
    Abstract: A game of dexterous skill and accuracy involving a magnetically attractive pendulous game piece and an objective target which provides a magnetic field. The game is more specifically evolved from the known ring toss game so as to provide a unique challenge and numerous difficulty levels for the player to physically capture the swinging game piece in the magnetic field of the objective target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas B. Stoddart
  • Patent number: 7264249
    Abstract: A hub unit including a hub and a flange integrally formed with the hub, and a seal including a core metal and an elastic body integrally molded with the core metal. The elastic body includes one or more lips in sliding contact with one or both of the hub and the flange. The elastic body includes a molded rubber, wherein the molded rubber contains, as a raw rubber, acrylonitrile/butadiene rubber having an acrylonitrile monomer content of from 26 to 36% by weight. In a first embodiment, the hub unit includes a hub adapted for receiving a shaft and a flange integrally formed with the hub, and the seal is attached to an outer circumference of the hub unit. In a second embodiment, the hub unit includes an inner ring having a raceway surface for receiving rolling elements and an outer ring. The seal seals the space between the inner ring and the outer ring. Furthermore, the seal includes a radial lip in sliding contact with an outer circumferential surface of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Yokoyama, Takahiko Uchiyama, Toshikazu Yabe, Toshimi Takajo
  • Patent number: 7264250
    Abstract: A stabilizer comprising three parallel wear blades each of which is made to remain sharpened over a long period of time. The side blades may contain holes to divert the snow and to add roughness when engaging into a ski path, while a rectangular central part runner provides a blade support of a given hardness and holding a central carbide blade of a much higher hardness, thereby permitting passage over rugged hard terrain without wearing the blade support. In soft abrasive gravel, the blade support wears partially thereby leaving a protruding central part, the protruding difference being self adjusting. In the case of the concave ski each side comprises a rectangular edge wear part coupled with a side blade for a total of four wear blades. The rectangular central part may be used alone, along with its central carbide blade within it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Ghislain Lachance
  • Patent number: 7264251
    Abstract: Anti-rolling device (1) for vehicles of the type equipped with a front steer system with articulated quadrilateral structure (41, 42, 37, 36) and with two independent front suspensions (34, 35). The device has at least one stop element (2), integral with an element of the quadrilateral structure in its rolling movements, at least one locking element (3), to lock the position of the stop element (2), preventing the rolling movements of the quadrilateral structure (41, 42, 37, 36), and a parking group (4), guided by command means (20), to command the opening or closing of the locking element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Marcacci
  • Patent number: 7264252
    Abstract: An auxiliary suspension system operating on stages of loaded rubber for axles of vehicles in general includes a pair of concentric tubes, one outer and one inner, with rubber applied to the surfaces of contact. As the tubes turn one inside the other, they put the rubber into torsion. The system can have two integrated phases or it can be a hybrid system. The suspension system connects the vehicle chassis to the axle of the wheels using a lever arm attached to the outer tube and a support that holds the inner tube and a system of torsion control at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Roberto Tapia Espriu
  • Patent number: 7264253
    Abstract: A tailgate step for use on a vehicle. The step includes a guide rail bracket. A sliding member is arranged within the guide rail bracket. A support arm is pivotally connected to an end of the sliding member. A fact plate is secured to the guide rail bracket. The step also includes a stop plate pivotally connected to the support arm and a cover secured to an end of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Cummings
  • Patent number: 7264254
    Abstract: A cycle for sailing on land comprising a recumbent tricycle with a first wheel and seat positioned aft of second and third wheels. A frame boom extending anteriorly of the front wheels engages a tricycle sprint to support a sailing system. The jib sail of the sailing system may be adjusted during use through swing of the jib boom. The mast and combination of forestay, rear stay, mast sidestays and sprint sidestays cooperatively support attachment and use of jib sail to recumbent tricycle allowing application of wind force to stably motivate the land cycle. Further improvements disclosed and claimed include an electrical system including an electrical generator in cooperation with the rear wheel to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy for storage and use with accessories as well as an electrical motor which may be controlled to allow application of mechanical force in addition to wind force for vehicle motivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Philip A. MacTaggart
  • Patent number: 7264255
    Abstract: A control linkage system for permitting a user to control functions of a motorcycle from different foot positions. The control linkage system includes a shifting assembly being designed for being operationally coupled to a transmission of the motorcycle for permitting the user to actuate the shifting assembly to shift the transmission of the motorcycle to change gears. The shifting assembly is designed for permitting the user to position a foot of the user in a variety of positions A braking assembly is designed for being operationally coupled to a rear brake system of the motorcycle whereby the braking assembly is positioned on an opposite side of the motorcycle from the shifting assembly for permitting the user to actuate a rear brake of the motorcycle to slow the motorcycle. The braking assembly is designed for permitting a foot of the user to be positioned in a variety of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Jeff Winfrey
  • Patent number: 7264256
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a motor or other control device to a bicycle frame includes a bracket base for supporting the control device at least partially above a chain stay, and a bracket support extending from the bracket base for coupling the bracket base to at least one of a chain stay, a seat stay, a seat tube, or a bottom bracket shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7264257
    Abstract: There is provided a frame assembly for a foldable cycle. The assembly has a rear frame portion including a mounting for a rear wheel; a forward frame portion, hingedly connecting to the rear frame portion such that the two are foldable towards each other; and hingedly connecting to the forward frame portion, a pivot assembly for a mounting arm including a mounting for a forward wheel. On folding of the cycle, hinged movement of the pivot assembly relative to the forward frame portion moves the mounting arm to move the forward wheel mounting relative to the forward frame portion. The rear frame portion and pivot assembly are coupled such that folding of the frame portions towards each other results in the distance between the forward frame portion and forward wheel mounting extending relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Sanders
  • Patent number: 7264258
    Abstract: A leg abductor assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall includes a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A cover is hingedly coupled to the upper edge for selectively opening or closing the opening. A bracket is attached to the bottom wall. The bracket is configured to removably couple the housing to a front edge of a wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Jason M. Seaton
  • Patent number: 7264259
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a mounting assembly, an arched base assembly, a head assembly and a jaw assembly carried by the head assembly. The jaw assembly includes a stepped jaw body. The head assembly includes a single piece, weldless and seamless skid plate. The base assembly is modular and includes a pair of legs and a central housing. The base assembly includes feet that are received in cooperating sockets carried by the mounting assembly. The feet may be locked in those sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Cequent Towing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Lindenman, Anthony S. Roberts, Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 7264260
    Abstract: A quick attach/detach adjustable hitch which allows the operator of a towing vehicle to connect to a trailer without leaving the driver seat. The preferred embodiment includes a lifting carriage connected within a frame by a hydraulic cylinder. Guiding members are used to ensure correct alignment of the hitch ball receiver and hitch ball, and a hold-down bar is used to prevent accidental detachment of the trailer from the towing vehicle. The preferred embodiment also includes an alarm to inform the operator when the hitch ball receiver and hitch ball are in correct alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sybelis Investments, Ltd
    Inventor: Troy E. Overstreet
  • Patent number: 7264261
    Abstract: A pintle hitch adaptor enables a vehicle equipped with a drawbar or DMI bumper to tow trailers having different towing components. The pintle hitch adaptor comprises a sleeve that fits over arid is held to the drawbar. A pintle hitch is mounted to the sleeve. Aligned holes in the sleeve and the drawbar receive a hitch ball shank. A trailer tongue with a cup or eye engages the ball. A pintle hitch latch locks to prevent disengagement of the trailer tongue cup or eye from the ball. Shoulders on a pintle hitch post prevent: the latch from contacting the cup. Alternately, the ball can be removed, and a tow pin can to used between a hole in the trailer tongue and the drawbar and sleeve holes. A locking screw on the sleeve holds the sleeve and drawbar holes in alignment when the ball is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Dean Konsela
  • Patent number: 7264262
    Abstract: A snow sliding device such as a ski, a monoski, or a snowboard, has a plane of general symmetry P. It includes a principal part, called a body or base 2, which has a longitudinal rib 11 formed between two lateral channels 5a, 5b which open laterally toward the exterior EX and upward HA, and which do not open downward BA. A thin, lower lateral edge 20 extends below the channel. In each of the channels 5a, 5b, a complementary lateral element 3a, 3b, respectively, is attached. A height H of the ski, which corresponds to a distance between an upper surface 30 of the complementary lateral elements 3a, 3b and a lower sliding surface 6, is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol SA
    Inventor: Alain Zanco
  • Patent number: 7264263
    Abstract: Ski binding, in particular a touring, telemark or cross-country binding, with a front retaining element associated with the front end of the sole, a back retaining element designed to engage the front part of the sole of a ski boot or the heel of the boot and a tensioning device connecting the front and back retaining elements to one another, which allows the front and back retaining elements to be locked to the ski boot and, in particular, allows the heel of the boot to be raised from the ski while in the locked state, such that at least one spring-loaded release mechanism is associated with the tensioning device in order to release the lock between ski binding and ski boot under the action of a torque that exceeds a specified threshold magnitude and is exerted on the ski or boot about an upright axis of rotation, and/or of a force manually exerted on an essentially only positive-fit locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Rottefella A/S
    Inventors: Tilo Riedel, Bernt-Otto Hauglin
  • Patent number: 7264264
    Abstract: A device for binding a boot to a sports article allowing the heel of the boot to be raised with respect to the sports article, of the type in which the boot has a first connecting zone positioned at the front of the boot, and a second connecting zone positioned rearward of the first connecting zone. The device includes an attachment arm having a fixed length, the attachment arm being articulated to the base of the device at a first of two fixed points of the attachment arm and adapted to be joined to the second connecting zone of the boot at a second of the two fixed points of the attachment arm. A guiding mechanism slidably guides the first boot connecting zone relative to the base of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: François Girard
  • Patent number: 7264265
    Abstract: The invention relates to convertible children's fun-car devices, go-carts and wheeled carriers, and provides removable and stowable wheel stands or chocks that allow for convenient conversion of such wheeled carrier devices from typical rolling devices to fixed, stationary play toys for use with infants and toddlers, typically not yet walking. The invention allows for selective resilient or screw placement of the wheel stands on two or more wheels to prevent overall device movement, and also provides that the wheel stands along with their associated wheel may further be entirely folded into the profile of the wheeled device, converting the overall fun-car into a completely flat, ultra thin profile with all parts and wheels still attached. Further, the wheel stands may instead be quickly detached from the wheels and stowed inside a compartment in the carrier device, such as in the simulated trunk or hood area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Richard N. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7264266
    Abstract: A steering-wheel has an air-bag in it mounted in position by means of connecting pins which are received within housings provided on the frame of the steering-wheel adjacent of the hub of the steering-wheel. The periphery of a cover of the air-bag unit is provided with a moulded bead with co-operates with locating pins provided on the steering-wheel frame adjacent to the end of the cover so that the cover is maintained in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Chister Erlingstam, Stefan Andersson
  • Patent number: 7264267
    Abstract: The head-protecting airbag device (M1) includes an airbag (12) provided with a gas admissive portion (13) and a non-admissive portion (23). The gas admissive portion (13) includes a gas feed passage (14) for feeding inflation gas G toward both front and rearwards of the vehicle, and a plurality of vertical chambers (17) juxtaposed along front-rear direction of the vehicle. Each of the vertical chambers (17) includes a communication port at its upper end for communicating with the gas feed passage (14). The substantial lengths of a vehicle's outer wall (13b) and an inner wall (13a) of the airbag (12) are differentiated from each other by a belt (31) in the periphery (19) of the communication port (18). Thus the periphery (19) of the communication port (18) guides inflation gas (G) obliquely down and toward the vehicle's exterior (O) when inflation gas (G) flows into the vertical chamber (17) via the communication port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kino, Toshinori Tanase, Tetsuya Ogata, Yoshio Mizuno, Toru Koyama
  • Patent number: 7264268
    Abstract: A duct is operative along and inside an outboard boundary of an air bag is adapted to distribute inflation gas to a distal portion thereof. A proximal second opening in the duct provides for fluid communication between the duct and interior of the air bag, but is normally obstructed by a valve element. A control element provides for opening the valve element when the air bag is sufficiently inflated in the absence of an out-of-position occupant, so as to provide more rapidly inflating the air bag through the second opening. A relatively distal third opening in the duct provides for fluid communication between the duct and the interior of the air bag, and the air bag is vented from the duct through a relatively distal vent along an outboard boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ehrke
  • Patent number: 7264269
    Abstract: A head-protecting airbag and a head-protecting airbag device that exhibit a gentle change in internal pressure of chambers and facilitate the adjustment of the internal pressure of a primary chamber. In the event of a side impact or rollover of a vehicle, a gas generator is activated to supply gas into a primary chamber cell group between an air-permeable panel and a first panel of an airbag, which is thus inflated. The airbag expands downward like a curtain and inflates between vehicle occupants and an in-vehicle lateral surface. If the cushion cells, upon receiving the head of an occupant, exhibit an internal pressure higher than a predetermined value, gas flows into a secondary chamber through the air-permeable panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Weixin Gu, Katsushi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7264270
    Abstract: An airbag constructing technology is provided that is useful for improving the protection of a driver upon the occurrence of a vehicle accident, and related techniques. The airbag apparatus to be mounted on an automotive two-wheeler has an airbag which is inflated in a driver-protecting area formed in front of the driver upon the occurrence of a front vehicle collision. This airbag has a tether connecting inner wall surfaces facing each other of the airbag. Inflation of the vehicle rear side wall of the airbag toward the driver is regulated via the tether. Inflation of the vehicle front side wall of the airbag toward the front vehicle is allowed. This tether is prepared by sewing first to third tether component pieces to each other sewn to the inner wall surface of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Miyata, Tadahiro Igawa, Tomohiro Sawa
  • Patent number: 7264271
    Abstract: A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William Barvosa-Carter, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne, Guillermo A. Herrera, Geoffrey P. Mc Knight
  • Patent number: 7264272
    Abstract: A bi-directional anti-tip system for a wheelchair includes a pair of anti-tip system subassemblies actively lifting a leading anti-tip wheel when traveling in either forward or reverse directions. The anti-tip system subassemblies operate to couple a leading anti-tip wheel to the drive assembly such that pivot motion thereof effects vertical displacement of the leading anti-tip wheel and to decouple a trailing anti-tip wheel from the drive assembly to null pivot motion inputs therefrom. In one embodiment, rheonetic links actively couple and decouple the anti-tip system subassemblies. The system may also include compliant bearings or extensible links for inward displacement of the anti-tip wheel upon impact with a curb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Michael J. Rozaieski
  • Patent number: 7264273
    Abstract: A ballast system for use in a cargo bed of a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck, provides generally even weight distribution over rear or powered wheels of the vehicle. The ballast system provides additional weight to the cargo bed of the vehicle, thereby improving stability, handling, and rear wheel traction, especially during inclement weather, such as in snow or rain. The ballast system may be rolled-up into a compact roll during non-use for convenient storage. The ballast system has a plurality of weighted cross-members laminated, attached, or bonded between two generally pliable mats. The cross-members are, preferably, equally spaced apart from each other along widths of the mats and transverse to a longitudinal direction of the cargo bed of the vehicle. The ballast system is readily rolled-up into a compact roll for convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventors: James Joseph Ryan, III, Jennifer Anne Ryan
  • Patent number: 7264274
    Abstract: A steering column assembly (10) of the collapsible type includes a mounting plate (30) for rigid attachment to a vehicle body structure. The mounting plate (30) supports the steering column (12) during normal operation through interconnecting release capsules (24) which allow the steering column (12) to collapse, away from the rigidly attached mounting plate (30), during a frontal collision. An energy absorbing tear strip (44) in formed integrally in the mounting plate (30) and is connected via tab (43) to a fixed connection (42) which adjoins a portion of the column bracket (18). The column bracket (18) moves together with the steering column (12) during a collapse situation. The tear strip (44) simultaneously bends and tears in a peeling fashion as the steering column (12) collapses to provide energy absorption for the assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Ridgway, Sam L. Scrivener
  • Patent number: 7264275
    Abstract: A restraint system for restraining a recumbent occupant of a vehicle seat surface includes a member being selectively movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The member, when in the deployed position, extends higher than the seat surface and is configured to exert a reaction force on the recumbent occupant to retain the occupant above the seat surface in the event of a vehicle impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Bing Deng
  • Patent number: 7264276
    Abstract: A safety belt construction (10) for use in a vehicle occupant protection system. The safety belt construction (10) includes a first panel (12), a second panel (14) affixed to the first panel (12) to form a pocket (16) therebetween, and an amount of an energy-absorbing material (18) secured in the pocket (16) to provide an energy-absorption capability to the safety-belt structure. A safety-belt system including a safety-belt incorporating an energy-absorbing material and a method for manufacturing the safety-belt are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery S. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7264277
    Abstract: A rear structure of a gaseous fuel vehicle in this invention includes right and left rear frame members, and a support frame mounted to the right and left rear frame members, on which support frame a gaseous fuel tank is mounted. Each of the right and left rear frame members is constituted by a curved member which includes a curved portion curving upward, and a front linear portion and a rear linear portion which are lower than the highest portion of the curved portion. The support frame is attached to the front linear portions and the rear linear portions. The front linear portions are attached to the rear end of a vehicle frame to provide a low floor in a passenger compartment. A load applied to the rear ends of the right and left rear frame members is dispersed into the right and left rear frame members and the support frame, and transmitted to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Ono, Akira Nakashima, Yusuke Sogawa
  • Patent number: 7264278
    Abstract: The system includes a registration log and a sequence of registration labels (101-120) detachably secured to a first substrate (100). Each label has indicia (122) that identifies to the position of the label in the sequence and includes space in which the customer is to enter information. The log includes substrates (300), having a plurality of label-retaining spaces (301-320). Each space (301-320) includes indicia (324) that identifies the position of the space in the sequence of spaces and corresponds to a respective indicia (122) of a registration label. After a customer enters information manually on a registration label, the system user detaches the label from the substrate (100) and attaches it to a corresponding space in the registration log. The log is kept out of view of other customers to maintain confidentiality of customer information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Shandy Graphics, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheila D. Fox-Lovell