Patents Issued in November 20, 2007
  • Patent number: 7296473
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes: an airtight case equipped with first and second pressure input orifices provided respectively on opposing first and second wall surfaces; a cylindrical first bellows fixed on the first wall surface at one end and equipped with a shaft hole communicating with the first pressure input orifice; a cylindrical second bellows fixed on the second wall surface at one end; equipped with a shaft hole communicating with the second pressure input orifice and arranged in series with the first bellows; a resonator-adhering pedestal arranged and fixed between other ends of the first and second bellows; a lamellar piezoelectric resonator supported by the resonator-adhering pedestal, and an oscillation circuit electrically connected to an electrode pattern of the piezoelectric resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Epson Toyocom Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Ishii
  • Patent number: 7296474
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for a fluid system having a tank and a source of pressurized fluid. The sensor has a sensor body enclosing a sensor element that is configured to sense a parameter of the pressurized fluid. The sensor also has a first passageway configured to fluidly communicate the sensor element with the pressurized fluid and a first sealing interface configured to seal the first passageway. The sensor further has a second passageway configured to allow fluid that has leaked past the first sealing interface to drain to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Michael Shamine
  • Patent number: 7296475
    Abstract: A novel displacement instrument that can be used to measure the density or modulus of an aggregate pier upon which a multistory building or parking garage can be built. The aggregate piers are often 35 feet or deeper. These aggravate piers are constructed by adding lifts of approximately 12 to 18 inches of aggregate at a time and tamping it into the pier forming hole. Each lift of aggregate is being tamped or struck by a force of approximately 15,000 psi or greater. The displacement instrument allows aggregate piers to be constructed having a density or modulus that is consistent from the bottom of the hole to the top of the hole. The displacement instrument would be mounted on the side plate of a hydraulic breaker that is mounted on the end of a boom of a crane. The displacement instrument need not be permanently installed on the side of the hydraulic breaker and it is freely removed and installed on another crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Charles C. Conner
  • Patent number: 7296476
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus includes a substrate that defines a plane. The apparatus also includes a first conducting plate that is substantially normal to the substrate and a second conducting plate that is (i) substantially normal to the substrate and (ii) deformable in response to a pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Fortin, Kuna Kishore, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7296477
    Abstract: A composite material has a laminated structure of fiber-reinforced resin layers and films of a shape-memory alloy. A predetermined strain has been applied to each film. A damage sensor has a film of an alloy of nickel and titanium. An electric circuit is bonded to the film, and strain gages are connected to the electric circuit. The damage sensor can be laminated to the resin layers in place of the film of the shape-memory alloy. Damage to the composite material is suppressed as follows: A current is applied to the films of the shape-memory alloy, to monitor change in electric resistance of the films. The damage is located in response to the change in electric resistance. Another current is applied to a film of the shape-memory alloy for which the change is larger than the other films to generate heat for deforming the film to generate shrinking stress or shear stress to the damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshimichi Ogisu, Masato Nomura, Norio Ando
  • Patent number: 7296478
    Abstract: In a master carrier for magnetic transfer which comprises a support that has a transfer-recording pattern arrayed in the track direction thereof in accordance with the information to be transferred to a magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic layer formed on the transfer-recording pattern of the support, the in-plane distance L (mm) between the hill and the valley of the warped master carrier, the vertical-direction distance H (?m) between the two, and the thickness d (mm) of the master carrier are so defined that they satisfy a relation of 0.05?H·d3/L?0.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Nishikawa, Naoto Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7296479
    Abstract: A force sensor comprising a deformable body and a detector coupled to this deformable body for measuring a force brought to bear on the deformable body, wherein the detector comprises a light conductor and, disposed close to an end of the light conductor and coupled with the body a position-variable mirror, the light reflection of which depends on the position of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Academisch Medisch Centrum
    Inventor: Mattijs Hogeland
  • Patent number: 7296480
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the integrity of a flexible pipe used for transporting a pressurized fluid in a terminal end-fitting. The pipe includes an internal pressure sheath, plies of tensile armor wires and an outer sheath fastened to the end-fitting. A device monitors the change in a phenomenon associated with a failure of the armor plies as a result of a fracture of several tensile armor wires inside the end-fitting. The device detects an increase in the twist in the pipe near the end-fitting, which twist is a phenomenon of a fracture of tensile armor wires inside the end-fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Roberto Jourdan De Aquino
  • Patent number: 7296481
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cross spring element, as it is preferably arranged in measuring apparatuses for the measurement of the mass flow of bulk materials according to the Coriolis principle. In that regard, two bearing elements (1, 2) that are rotatable relative to one another are provided in the measuring branch and comprise at least four mutually orthogonally crossing leaf spring elements (3, 4, 5, 6), which connect both of the bearing elements (1, 2) with one another. In that regard, the mutually crossing leaf spring elements (3, 4; 5, 6) of one radial direction (8) are arranged at least pair-wise and cross themselves on the rotation axis (7). The ends of each leaf spring pair (3, 4; 5, 6) in that regard are secured on one side respectively on different bearing elements (1, 2) so that they transmit radial compressive and tensile loads in each direction (8) simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Schenck Process GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Kahle, Robert Weinand
  • Patent number: 7296482
    Abstract: A flowmeter suitable for replacement of differential pressure flowmeters comprising: a primary flow sensor, sensor electronics for proving a measurement signal; a signal processing unit for determining the flow, which can be set to produce a signal proportional to the flowrate or the square of the flowrate; and an output signal generator for generating an output signal proportional to the signal of the signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Joseph W. Schaffer, Dean Sylvia
  • Patent number: 7296483
    Abstract: A magnetoinductive flowmeter incorporates an electromagnetic circuit with at least one coil and a minimum of two detachably interconnected components of a magnetic material. One of the components features a resiliently deformable spring section that presses against the other component. The result is an easy-to-assemble magnetoinductive flowmeter that can be manufactured with substantial production tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Boudewijn Jozef Poortmann, Pieter Herremans, Robin Michael Lee, Ross Peter Jones
  • Patent number: 7296484
    Abstract: An inline measuring device includes a vibration-type measurement pickup having at least one measuring tube, which has a medium to be measured flowing through it during operation. The measuring tube is made by means of an exciter arrangement to execute, at least at times and/or at least in part, lateral oscillations and, at least at times and/or at least in part, torsional oscillations about an imaginary measuring tube longitudinal axis. The torsional oscillations alternate with the lateral oscillations or are, at times, superimposed thereon. Also included is a sensor arrangement for producing oscillation measurement signals correspondingly representing oscillations of the measuring tube. Measuring device electronics controlling the exciter arrangement generates, by means of at least one of the oscillation measurement signals and/or by means of the exciter current, at least at times, at least one measured value, which represents the at least one physical quantity to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Michael Fuchs, Hans-Jörg Sprich, Ibho Itin, Samuel Wyss
  • Patent number: 7296485
    Abstract: A load cell reacts to an applied force by displacing a physical component of the load cell. An electrical component of the load cell produces an electromagnetic (EM) field in response to an applied radio frequency signal. The physical component is located in proximity to the EM field, and perturbs the EM field without physically contacting said electrical component structure. A displacement of the physical component results in a change to the perturbation of the EM field. A monitoring circuit of the load monitors an output signal that is affected by change to the perturbation of the EM field, and thereby detects the applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Aron Kain
  • Patent number: 7296486
    Abstract: Angular movement detectors may be disposed within or proximate to joints in one or more members of articulated arms and linked via one or more communications networks to a controller to provide angular movement data to the controller for use in controlling movement of the articulated arm. The communications networks may be redundant. In an embodiment, the angular movement detector comprises a hydraulic motor drive sensor adapter which uses an eccentrically rotating main shaft to rotate a drive shaft to which the main shaft is loosely connected to further rotate a socket housing about a constant central axis. A trigger mounted in the socket housing generates a detectable field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd G. Holtz, Richard W. McCoy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7296487
    Abstract: A link and sensor assembly includes a first rod, a second rod received telescopingly within the first rod, a force sensor attached between the rods and a motion limiter. The force sensor has a longitudinal range of motion. The limiter limits longitudinal motion between the rods to the range of motion and limits angular motion between the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Curtiss Wright Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Mayer, Nicholas Helmut Hesse, Arthur Degenholtz
  • Patent number: 7296488
    Abstract: A system incorporating a robot to inspect ferrous surfaces. Preferably, the robot is an articulated device having a tractor module for motive power and steering, a power module for electrical power and communications and additional motive power, and a third module for cleaning and inspection. The robot uses sensors and generates and transmits signals to a computer through a tether and receives direction from an operator via the computer and tether. The computer continuously monitors the location of the robot and supports the robot during deployment. In a specific application, the robot travels the interior of a tank on a set of magnetized wheels. Prior to inspection, the tank surface is cleaned of deposits by rotary cutters and rotary brushes on the third module. The robot obtains thickness measurements via onboard ultrasonic transducers that contact the cleaned surface. A method for implementing inspection of ferrous surfaces is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Vince F. Hock, Charles P. Marsh, Warren C. Whittaker, Frank Robb
  • Patent number: 7296489
    Abstract: A starting apparatus includes a drive motor and a reduction gear having a planetary gear for starting an engine by the drive motor via the reduction gear. An internal gear of the reduction gear includes a locking projection projecting in an axial direction. A rotation restricting member is formed with a guide groove in which the locking projection is loosely received and guided in a circumferential direction. A shock absorbing member is held in the guide groove in a state of being elastically in close contact with the locking projection in the circumferential direction. Thus, shock load to the internal gear is alleviated from the start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Oomura, Kazuo Hirama, Mitsuhiro Murata, Tatsuya Saitou, Hiroshi Kaneda, Shinji Usami
  • Patent number: 7296490
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is provided for an electronically controlled transmission that allows user selection between a plurality of shift schedules for the transmission. The switch assembly provides a signal for selecting among the plurality of shift schedules and has a housing. A first set of electrical contacts are positioned within the housing, and selectively closable to cause the input signal to be indicative of a selection of a first shift schedule. A second set of electrical contacts are positioned within the housing and are selectively closable to cause input signal to be indicative of a selection of a second shift schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Michael Mashkevich, Jeffrey C Hendry, Laura Porrone
  • Patent number: 7296491
    Abstract: An injection molded resin gear 1 includes an outside rim 6, an inside hub 4, a web 7 extending in radial directions to connect the rim 6 to the hub 4, and circumferential ribs 8 which are formed on both sides 9 and 9 of the web 7 between the hub 4 and the rim 6 so as to be concentric with the rim 6. A plurality of inside radial ribs 10 extending from the hub 4 to the circumferential ribs 8 are formed on the sides 9 and 9 of the web 7 between the hub 4 and the circumferential rib 8 so as to be arranged in regular intervals in circumferential directions. A plurality of outside radial ribs 11 extending from the circumferential ribs 8 to the rim 6 are formed on the sides 9 and 9 of the web 7 between the circumferential ribs 8 and the rim 6 in regular intervals to be displaced in circumferential directions with respect to the inside radial ribs 10 so as to be arranged between connecting portions at which the inside radial ribs 10 are connected to the circumferential rib 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7296492
    Abstract: An animated children's toy including a gear system for providing intermittent and reciprocal motion. The gear system includes a drive gear and a driven gear. The gear system is adapted to have a non-rotating configuration and an engaged configuration. In the non-rotating configuration the driven gear is prevented from rotating, and a corresponding portion of the animated children's toy is not moving. In the engaged configuration the driven gear rotates and a corresponding portion of the animated children's toy moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon C. Marine, Ivan Chan, Sam Tsui
  • Patent number: 7296493
    Abstract: An offset transmission shift lever assembly and isolator arrangement is provided. The shift lever assembly includes an insert arranged to fit over a transmission shift stub. An isolator is provided that encircles the insert and is formed thereto. The isolator has a varying outside diameter such upon assembling the isolator into a canister that encircles the isolator, a portion of the isolator outside diameter is press fit into the canister and another portion of the isolator outside diameter does not contact the canister thereby leaving a gap between the canister and the isolator. The isolator also includes axial holes formed in a lower end thereof and extending axially for a portion of the isolator length. Affixed to the canister is a shift lever aligned parallel to and offset from the shift stub. A fastener is provided for securing the shift lever assembly via the insert to the shift stub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: David G Buckingham, William Slifco, Michael Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7296494
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accelerator pedal module for controlling the power of a driving engine having a pedal lever held rotatably about a pivot axis by means of a pivot connection on a bearing block, which pedal lever can be made to strike an associated bearing block stop by at least one pedal lever stop. In the region of the pedal lever stop and/or the bearing block stop, elasticities are present such that during a relative rotary motion executed about the pivot axis between the pedal lever and the bearing block to establish the pivot connection, the pedal lever stop slides past the bearing block stop because of elastic deformations and after springing back engages the bearing block stop from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Radek Caba, Josef Rossmueller, Vaclav Cizek, Petr Kovar, Rostislav Solta
  • Patent number: 7296495
    Abstract: The system includes at least two power disc elements, each mounted for rotation on a central shaft which is typically fixed. The first power disc element includes a first peripheral gear portion by which the first power disc element may be turned by an input assembly. The first power disc element has a second gear portion which may have a substantially smaller diameter than the outside diameter thereof. A second power disc portion has a plurality of outer drive gears mounted for rotation to mate with the second peripheral gear portion on the first power disc element. A central gear, which may be substantially larger than the outer drive gears, is positioned to mate with the outer drive gear in the the second power disc element. The second power disc element drives an output assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Quinn Industries LLC
    Inventor: Todd C Quinn
  • Patent number: 7296496
    Abstract: A method of reducing speed in a hydrostatic drive work machine, and a hydrostatic drive work machine are provided. The method includes the steps of retarding the work machine by at least one of, upstroking a variable displacement hydraulic motor thereof, and downstroking a variable displacement pump coupled with the motor. An offgoing clutch pressure is dropped after each of the motor and pump displacements reaches a predetermined point. The steps of slowing the work machine are carried out by adjusting the respective displacements at rates based on a predetermined acceleration limit and/or a predetermined jerk limit of the work machine. The hydrostatic drive work machine further includes an electronic control module having a control algorithm recorded thereon for to neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Vaibhav H. Shah
  • Patent number: 7296497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a drill blank or a mill blank by extrusion, said method comprising the forming of a first blank portion (B1) having external, axially extending external flutes and the forming of a further blank portion (B3) in the shape of a shaft. The invention also relates to a device for manufacturing a drill blank or a mill blank. The method according to the invention is characterised by: extruding a first blank portion (B1) having a free end and external flutes; allowing the extrusion to continue to supply further extruding mass into a cavity (6), said supply of extruding mass completely filling out the external flutes of the first blank portion (B1) to produce a second blank portion (B2) integral with the first blank portion (B1); allowing the extrusion to continue to produce a desired length of the first blank portion (B1); and cutting off the first blank portion (B1) at the end facing away from the second blank portion (B2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Jörgen Kugelberg, Roine Ericsson, Jonathan Fair, Anders Micski
  • Patent number: 7296498
    Abstract: The present invention provides an opener that attached to the side of the conventional crimped metal bottle cap. The high strength metallic bottle cap can be easily opened in safe shape by just pulling out outwardly using two fingers. Using by thermosetting plastic material, it can be attached to the bottle cap without a mechanical retention or adhesive agent. This opener is formed to the outline of the bottle cap and the upper bottle third. The ideal position of the fulcrum and the resistance portions of the present invention make the bottle cap to be opened within 20? degrees from the bottle neck and it causes below 20? degrees bent bottle cap that remains inside of the disposable opener. The present invention also can be formed in various ornamental designs within functional range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Il Koo Kim
  • Patent number: 7296499
    Abstract: The installation tool for a mushrooming expandable anchor has a hollow cylindrical sleeve with an inside diameter, the top having slots for engaging the base of the mushrooming component and a means for engaging and turning a threaded component, which compresses the mushrooming component. The means for turning the threaded component can be a socket, which rotates inside of the sleeve and engages a hex head at the base of the threaded component or alternatively the means for turning the threaded component can be a threaded rod for threading into the base of the threaded component until it reaches the end of the threads in the base. Another means of turning the threaded component is a screwdriver engaging a slot in the treaded component. All of the means for turning the treaded component may be by a powered drill with a connective adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Illinoise Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Bodin, Norbert K. Kolodziej
  • Patent number: 7296500
    Abstract: A torque multiplication system having a mechanism for torque determination including an anti torque component, an input handle, a transfer mechanism, and an output shaft for use in setting screws in spinal surgery to a predetermined target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nu Vasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Martinelli
  • Patent number: 7296501
    Abstract: A limited access building connection for connecting a holding structure and a held structure which includes an anchor member having a threaded end adapted for connection to holding structure. A nut having an inner threaded wall threadably engages the threaded end of anchor member. Nut has a base which engages connector structure. Connector structure is adapted for connection to held structure. A nut rotational member is provided for imparting rotational motion to nut. Connection has dimensional limited access parameters existent between nut and connector structure and held structure. A linear power member is dimensioned and configured to work within the dimensional limited access parameters and is adapted for engaging and imparting rotational energy to nut rotational member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Gregory S. Powell
  • Patent number: 7296502
    Abstract: A spanner with a bending section comprises a handle and a driving portion; and a bending connecting portion connected between the handle and the driving portion; the driving portion being installed with an engaging head; a front end of the engaging head having an engaging end; a periphery of the engaging head having a plurality of teeth for engaging the driving portion; a length L of each teeth being longer than a width W of the engaging end. The ratio of L/W is from 2 to 3. Preferably, the ratio is 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7296503
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the neutralization of improvised explosive devices by using electrical energy to render them inoperable or to explode them yards in front of a military vehicle equipped with the device. It is an object of the invention to counteract acts of terrorism by providing a safe means of transport through hostile territory by ensuring that explosive devices do not detonate directly underneath or alongside a vehicle equipped with the invention. The invention can also be carried aloft by a helicopter and used to destroy all the mines in a minefield quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Alan Thomas McGrath
  • Patent number: 7296504
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of pyrotechnic actuators comprising a piston, the basic function of which is to exert a thrust so as to displace an object by shooting out the piston. More particularly, the invention relates to a pyrotechnic actuator (1, 1a, 1b, 1c) comprising a pyrotechnic-gas generator (7), a combustion chamber (3) and a piston (9) which can move in a slide chamber (5) under the effect of the said gases. The principal characteristic of this actuator is that it comprises a shut-off device (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) used after the triggering of the said actuator (1, 1a, 1b, 1c) in order, on the one hand, to close the slide chamber (5) and, on the other hand, to secure the depressurization of the combustion chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: SNPE Materiaux Energetiques
    Inventors: Evrard Borg, Laurent D'Emmanuelle, Eric Laspesa, Jean-Paul Nadeau
  • Patent number: 7296505
    Abstract: A muzzle brake for a gun having a substantially cylindrical body intended to be positioned in the extension of a gun barrel. The body has two stages of propellant gas reception vanes and is perforated by vents directing propellant gas towards the vanes. The brake has one deflector to deflect the flow of gas and is positioned between the vents of the second stage of the vanes and a front profile of the first stage of the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Patrick Balbo, Jean-Luc Gilberton
  • Patent number: 7296506
    Abstract: A make-break device includes a first component having at least one engaging member, the engaging member presenting first and second orthogonally disposed edges, each edge being defined at the intersection of a respective pair of chamfered face and a second component having at least one engaging member, the engaging member presenting first and second orthogonally disposed edges, each edge being defined at the intersection of a respective pair of chamfered faces, where the first component first edge and the second component first edge cooperatively act to assist in facilitating radial meshing engagement of the first and second components and where the first component second edge and the second component second edge cooperatively act to assist in facilitating axial meshing engagement of the first and second components. A cannon employing the make-break device and a method of selectively coupling/decoupling stationary electric drive assemblies from associated shiftable driven assemblies are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P.
    Inventor: Victor E. Lindblom
  • Patent number: 7296507
    Abstract: A piston for an automatic transmission, wherein a first piston member forming a cylindrical portion of the piston has a plurality of axial cutouts and a circumferential groove formed in one axial end portion thereof, and a second piston member forming a bottom portion of the piston has a plurality of radially extending engaging jaws fitted in the plurality of axial cutouts, while a retainer ring is fitted in the circumferential groove and held in abutting contact with the engaging jaws fitted in the axial cutouts, whereby the first and second piston members are fixed to each other. At least one of the engaging jaws of the second piston member cooperates with the retainer ring to form a gap therebetween, which prevents a stress concentration on portions of the circumferential groove adjacent to the axial cutouts, upon an axial movement of the piston, so that the required thickness of the retainer ring can be reduced, leading to size reduction of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Onishi, Yuji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7296508
    Abstract: A home carbonation device uses a tube to form a gas-tight seal between two separate existing soda-pop bottles. A threaded cap holds flanges on the tube tight against the opening of each bottle. The liquid to be carbonated is contained in one bottle, while the chemicals for producing carbon dioxide are placed in the second bottle. To keep the chemical reactants from reacting while the gas-tight seal is made, a tall thin cylinder in the second bottle acts as a barrier between reactants until the bottle is placed on its side, at which point the chemicals meet and react producing the carbon dioxide that passes through the tube and carbonates the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert John Hillyer
  • Patent number: 7296509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bread maker. The bread maker comprises: a main body having a door opening and forming a bread making space; a door opening/closing the door opening; a baking tray in the bread making space; a tray sensor sensing whether the baking tray is mounted in the bread making space; and a controller controlling a bread making process to be performed on the basis of a sensing signal from the tray sensor when the baking tray is mounted in the bread making space. Thus, operational errors are prevented since the bread maker is operates only when a baking tray is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-ryong Park, Yong-hyun Kwon, Chul Kim, Tae-uk Lee, Han-jun Sung, Jang-woo Lee, Dong-bin Lim
  • Patent number: 7296510
    Abstract: A cooking device, wherein, when a roast chicken is selected from a menu displayed on an operating part (81), a centrifugal fan (51) is controlled so as to be rotated in forward direction at a high speed to blow out hot air with a speed of 65 km/h or faster from upper blowout ports (71) and hot air with a speed of 30 km/h or slower from side blowout ports (72) whereby a roast chicken in a heating chamber (3) can be cooked at the high speed and, when a sponge cake is selected from the menu, the centrifugal fan (51) is controlled so as to be rotated in reverse direction at a low speed to blow out hot air with a speed of 30 km/h or slower from the upper blowout ports (71) and hot air with a speed of 40 km/h or slower from the side blowout ports (72) whereby a sponge cake in the heating chamber (3) can be cooked light and fluffy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Ohtsuka, Yukishige Shiraichi, Shinya Ueda, Yasuhiro Sakoda, Mitsuo Hirooka
  • Patent number: 7296511
    Abstract: In a rice huller, a first small-diameter pulley and a second large-diameter pulley are attached to a first roll shaft. A first large-diameter pulley and a second small-diameter pulley are attached to a second roll shaft. This configuration makes it possible to switch between a first driving state in which a rice hulling operation is performed by passing and driving a belt between the first small-diameter pulley on the first roll shaft and the first large-diameter pulley on the second roll shaft and a second driving state in which a rice hulling operation is performed by passing and driving a belt between the second large-diameter pulley on the first roll shaft and the second small-diameter pulley on the second roll shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Koreda, Hiroyuki Kagota, Seiji Yorioka
  • Patent number: 7296512
    Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: CNH Amercia LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens, George H. Hale
  • Patent number: 7296513
    Abstract: A texture tool comprising a body to which is coupled an upper cap and a lower cap. A ball holder fits in a socket defined by the body and the lower cap. The ball holder includes a plurality of balls which come into contact with a sheet of material to be embossed or imprinted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fiskars Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. McLean, Kevin Schmidt, Marcia Werner, Jason Wolf, Robert W. Cornell, Tiffany Broecker
  • Patent number: 7296514
    Abstract: A convex/concave pattern-forming stamp which is capable of making recesses of a convex/concave pattern uniform in depth and preventing deformation and peeling of portions of the convex/concave pattern at the same time. The stamp has on a surface thereof an annular area formed with protrusions for forming a convex/concave pattern in a resin layer on a surface of a disk-shaped substrate by being pressed against the resin layer. Protrusions for dispersing a pressure applied to the resin layer when the stamp is pressed against the resin layer are formed in at least one of an outer area located radially outward of the annular area and an inner area located radially inward of the annular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Fujita, Mitsuru Takai
  • Patent number: 7296515
    Abstract: A stamp housing that defines an interior channel and a window, with a carrier received within the channel and movable from a first position to a second position, and a stamp body attached to the carrier and configured with a stamp image that receives an ink for transferring the stamp image to an article upon pressing application against the article with the carrier in the second position aligning the stamp image with the window of the housing, with the first position enclosing the stamp image remotely within the housing and non-aligned with the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: IDG, LLC
    Inventor: Chanseol Chung
  • Patent number: 7296516
    Abstract: A rotary roller printing press has a printing unit for printing a web in six printed pages arranged axially next to each other. A superstructure is used to cut the web longitudinally into three partial webs. A folding installation is used to fold the partial webs and includes at least one roller for transporting the partial webs, and at least one folding apparatus. The printing unit, the at least one roller for transporting the partial webs of the folding installation, and the folding apparatus, which is arranged after in the direction of web travel, the other devices, are each separately mechanically driven by a separate drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Burkard Otto Herbert, Bernd Kurt Masuch, Karl Robert Schäfer, Anton Weis, Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder
  • Patent number: 7296517
    Abstract: A roll for metal rolling has a roughened surface formed by an electrolytic treatment in an electrolytic solution while using the roll as an anode. When the roll is used to emboss an aluminum plate, it is possible to obtain an aluminum plate with an uneven structure having regulated positions of levels of peaks and a larger number of the peaks. A presensitized plate formed by use of the aluminum plate as a support has excellent printing performances particularly in the number of printed sheets and sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuo Nishino, Hirokazu Sawada, Akio Uesugi
  • Patent number: 7296518
    Abstract: A process is disclosed to measure or monitor ink concentration or ink thickness of an ink film as printed on a printing press, which consists of measuring light reflected from the ink film and the ink substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Danny Rich
  • Patent number: 7296519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring a pattern from a stamping surface (31) of a stamp (30) to a receiving surface (21) of a substrate (20). The pattern is transferred to the receiving surface (21) by successively bringing portions of the pattern within such a range of the receiving surface (21) during a certain period, that the pattern is locally transferred from the stamping surface (31) to the receiving surface (21). The individual portions can be moved by means of individual actuators (50). By applying the method, the transfer of the pattern can be performed according to a wave, which is for example ring-shaped, moving from the center of the receiving surface (21) to the circumference, or linear, moving from side of the receiving surface (21) to an opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Marinus Josephus Jakobus Dona, Martin Hillebrand Blees, Michel Marcel Jose Decre, Patrick Petrus Johannes Van Eerd, Richard Joseph Marinus Schroeders, Teunis Johannes Antonius Heijmans, Christiaan Leonard Jozef Janssen, Peter Jan Slikkerveer
  • Patent number: 7296520
    Abstract: An external telemetry unit for a projectile. The external telemetry unit comprises a shell adapted to be inserted between the front of the projectile body and the fuze, a flexible battery and flexible electronic circuitry encircling the front of the shell, and a plurality of contoured antennas covering the flexible battery and flexible electronic circuitry. The inside of the shell is formed to match the contour of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary
    Inventor: Kenneth R. McMullen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7296521
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus using movable bodies, in which a plurality of lateral travel rail members capable of supporting and guiding guided devices situated on a main rail are provided to the side of a prescribed region of the fixed path, in such a manner that a frame member provided with a supporting section assumes an orthogonal attitude or position with respect to a direction of travel, and the other frame members become aligned in the direction of travel, and causing the guided devices to branch off onto the lateral travel rail member group in the prescribed region. Thereby, spacing between the movable bodies in the lateral travel direction can be maintained readily by using a simple structure, and the group of movable bodies can be moved laterally in such a manner that there is no mutual contact between conveyed items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kawato, Shigeyoshi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 7296522
    Abstract: A patio heater table (10) for encompassing a patio heater (14) consists of a duplicate pair of table sides (20) having a table upper portion with legs (46) that are connected by a permanent brace ring segment (52). The table upper portion is formed with a semi-circular structure (22) made of a peripheral ring (24) and a bisecting chord (28) having a midpoint radial concave portion (30) for avoiding contact with the heater standard, or post, (12). The two table sides mate together and are attached with each side positioned over and around the patio heater. The table includes removable brace ring segments (54) that are attached to the leg permanent brace ring segments providing access to the patio heater for fuel replacement. The table is made of steel or aluminum material and is preferably of welded construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Alan J. Mahmalji