Patents Issued in November 27, 2007
  • Patent number: 7300035
    Abstract: A valve actuator comprising a lower housing comprising a mounting spool that is operable to couple to a valve body. A rotating sleeve is disposed within the lower housing and coupled to a stem connector. A fixed sleeve in disposed within the lower housing and includes a first slot disposed therethrough. A second slot is disposed in the rotating sleeve, wherein at least one of the slots is a helical slot. An axle engages both the first slot and the second slot. A shaft is coupled to the axle and extends through a connector flange that is coupled to an upper end of the lower housing. A piston is coupled to the shaft and movably disposed within an upper housing that is coupled to the connector flange. Axial movement of the piston within the upper housing will result in rotational movement of the rotating sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Albert S. Davis, John M. Saldivar, David R. Mefford, Frank J. Arriens, Daryl L Ard, Anthony Laitkep, Leonard Martinak, Larry Vyvial, Jim Mohrfield
  • Patent number: 7300036
    Abstract: A hoist or pulley adapter that fits upon an elevated “all thread” type rod or a threaded bold. The adapter includes engagement means that are adapted to receive the all thread or threaded bolt and are connected to a support member featuring an eyelet or similar opening structure to support a rope or pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Michael J. Dinius
  • Patent number: 7300037
    Abstract: A fall protection device for an opening in a roof includes at least one rail section having a vertical member. The vertical member is preferably in the form of a metal tube having an open lower end. A bearing foot has a connecting portion and a bearing portion and is secured to the lower end of the vertical member by the connecting portion so that the bearing portion supports the vertical member above the roof. The connecting portion of the bearing foot preferably extends into the open lower end of the tube and resiliently engages an interior surface of the tube to secure the bearing foot thereto. A hardness of the bearing portion is greater than a hardness of the connecting portion. The connecting portion and the bearing portion are preferably plastic and co-molded so that the bearing foot is of unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Winchester Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Peter Beirne, Jr., John Sells
  • Patent number: 7300038
    Abstract: Structure helps support material in a container with an increased exposed surface area to help promote contact of a gas with vaporized material. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may help support material for vaporization in the same form as when the material is placed at the structure. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may help support material with an increased exposed surface area relative to a maximum exposed surface area the material could have at rest in the container absent the structure. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may define one or more material support surfaces in an interior region of the container in addition to a bottom surface of the interior region of the container. For at least one disclosed embodiment, the structure may define in an interior region of the container one or more material support surfaces having a total surface area greater than a surface area of a bottom surface of the interior region of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Gregg, Scott L. Battle, Jeffrey I. Banton, Donn K. Naito, Ravi Laxman
  • Patent number: 7300039
    Abstract: This invention relates to remediation systems, and more particularly to remediation systems for water, soil, and sediment bodies using thin-layer coated microbubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 7300040
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that allows for the production of vortex-ring bubbles in a liquid. The device is an inverted cup with a short nozzle protruding through the center of its end face such that the nozzle lower opening is at a higher level than the open end of the inverted cup. When the immersed cup is pressurized with an inflow of gas, the liquid level of the confined gas in the cup will fall, and peel away from the nozzle open end. The gas will enter the nozzle when the pressure has built up within the cup sufficiently to break the liquid surface tension at the nozzle opening. The gas then self accelerates up through the nozzle and self organizes into a gas-filled vortex ring at the nozzle exit. The liquid level in the cup rises back up and re-enters the nozzle in a unique self-siphoning action shutting off further gas flow out the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew Sydney Withiel Thomas
  • Patent number: 7300041
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an alternator for testing uses a supporting pin mounted to extend in a first direction relative to the alternator. A first holding pin extends in a second direction relative to the alternator, and has two ends with a first end having a bore therethrough sized to receive the first holding pin to pivot about the supporting pin and a second end having a threaded portion, with a first shoulder being disposed on the first holding pin between the first end and the second end. A first nut is adapted to engage the threaded portion to trap the alternator between the shoulder and the first nut when the nut is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Opsahl, Jason Murphy, George Walter
  • Patent number: 7300042
    Abstract: A temporary fastener tool (20) for establishing and maintaining compressive alignment between at least two parts, each having an aperture through which the fastener tool is inserted. The tool includes a spindle (120) having a first and second end wherein a bulbous element (126) extends from the first end. The spindle engages collet (100) that includes a plurality of finger elements (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Travis D. McClure
  • Patent number: 7300043
    Abstract: A rotating positioning vise for use in hand working operations. The positioning mechanism utilizes a permanent magnet that is lifted off the surface of a turntable by the means of a lever. The user pushes on the lever, moves the vise in the position desired and then releases of the lever. Releasing the lever allows the magnet to be pulled back down against the turntable's surface and locks the vise in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventors: Steven James Lindsay, Stephen Ellison Shepherd
  • Patent number: 7300044
    Abstract: A method for producing a document suitable for mailing to a recipient including the steps of determining preferences of the mail recipient and compiling a selection of messages relating to recipient preferences in a format accommodating variable data printing. The compilation of messages is printed on sheets of material which are arranged to form a multi-sheet stack. The stack is then bound along an edge to produce a personalized information package such as a catalog, coupon booklet, brochure or magazine suitable for mailing. The binding step may be performed by deformation binding to eliminate the use of consumable binding materials such as glue, staples, clips, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle
  • Patent number: 7300045
    Abstract: A sheet post-process apparatus includes a waiting tray and a processing tray. The waiting tray is provided in the middle of a conveying path and makes standby sheets in the case where a post-process is required. The processing tray has a function which causes the sheets made standby on the waiting sheet to be dropped by self-weight. With this function, the processing tray receives the sheets moved to be dropped and the sheets conveyed from the conveying path without intervening the waiting tray, before carrying out the post-process. Sheet bundles formed on the processing tray are stacked on a storage tray by a sheet conveying mechanism after they have been post-processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Mikio Yamamoto, Tomomi Iijima, Reiji Murakami, Hiroyuki Taki, Tokihiko Ise, Hajime Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Katsuya Sasahara, Chiaki Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7300046
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including a first sheet stacking portion for stacking sheets thereon, a second sheet stacking portion provided downstream of the first sheet stacking portion with respect to a sheet conveying direction, a sheet holding device for holding the sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking portion, and a holding device moving device for moving the sheet holding device between a holding position for holding the sheets and a discharging position provided downstream of the holding position in the sheet conveying direction, wherein the discharging position has a predetermined distance upstream from a stop position in which the sheet holding device moved to a downstream side with respect to the sheet conveying direction by the holding device moving device is stopped to an upstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiko Sugiyama, Naoto Saeki, Takehiko Kodama, Naoyasu Funada, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7300047
    Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism having a multi-layer structure. The multi-layer structure has a wear layer adapted to contact a sheet during sheet feeding and a replacement indicator layer adjacent the wear layer. The replacement indicator layer is adapted to indicate a wear condition of the multi-layer structure upon wear through the wear layer to the replacement indicator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Baum, Tang Kee, Robert Haas
  • Patent number: 7300049
    Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets one-at-a-time along a path is disclosed having: means for storing a plurality of sheets; a feeder/separator comprising feeding means for engaging the sheets and feeding them from the means for storing and a separator for engaging sheets fed by the feeding means to thereby feed single ones of the sheets one-at-a-time along the path whilst remaining sheets not being fed along the path are halted by the separator; and a clearance mechanism for engaging said remaining sheets and removing them from the separator region in a sheet clearance process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Brown, Nicholas S. Clarke, Martyn R. House, Paul L. Jeeves
  • Patent number: 7300050
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which an automatic double-side unit 81 is provided free to open and close on the side of an apparatus body 1a, and a manual paper feeding device 61 is provide adjacent to the automatic double-side unit. And, there are provided manual moving mechanisms 75, 86, 86a for moving the manual paper feeding device in a direction away from the side of the apparatus body in association with opening operation of the automatic double-side unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Reiji Murakami, Masahiro Kodo
  • Patent number: 7300051
    Abstract: A rippler may be installed on a paper deliverer used in conjunction with a paper sheeter, in between the vacuum belts of the sheeter. The rippler includes an upwardly projecting ridge, causing paper passing over it to develop a ripple, thereby increasing the rigidity of the paper. This increased rigidity of the paper resists the tendency of the paper to fly upward as it is being transported by the deliverer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: David L. Rieschick
  • Patent number: 7300052
    Abstract: A sheet-shaped medium processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a pair of arranging members 102a, 102b, and these arranging members 102a, 102b have both arranging function for arranging paper S piled on a tray 12 after being discharged in a discharge direction “a” from a paper discharge roller 3 at only fixed position, and sorting/arranging function for arranging the papers S grouped together at different position in direction (direction perpendicular to paper face) perpendicular to the discharge direction “a” in every copy of grouping together predetermined number of the paper S. For that reason, it is possible to conduct sorting/arranging action by using small drive power and to arrange the paper S in high precision regardless of largeness of piled amount of the paper S on the tray 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Akihito Andoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7300053
    Abstract: A sheet storage device improved in terms of its performance in aligning sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus. In the sheet storage device, a plate-like shock absorber is superimposed on a surface of a fence member forming an end fence, and a lower end portion of the shock absorber is fixed to the fence member, with an intermediate portion thereof being curved so as to be convex and an upper end portion thereof being movably engaged with an engagement portion formed at an upper end of the fence member. In the intermediate portion, a spacer is provided between the fence member and the shock absorber to form a gap between the shock absorber and the fence member at a position where the shock absorber is hit by the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Asano
  • Patent number: 7300054
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet along a sheet path, has a skew detecting unit for detecting the skew of the sheet being conveyed, a skew correcting unit rotatable in a direction to correct the skew of the sheet in a state nipping the sheet in its skew state, on the basis of a detection signal from the skew detecting unit, a position correcting unit for moving the skew correcting unit in a direction intersecting with the sheet conveying direction, and a controller for controlling so as to move the skew correcting unit in the direction intersecting with the sheet conveying direction by the position correcting unit while conveying the sheet by the skew correcting unit, in order to convey the sheet in a state coincident with the sheet conveying direction when the skew correcting unit is rotated to correct the skew of the sheet and convey the sheet in the rotated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Suga, Masafumi Takagi
  • Patent number: 7300055
    Abstract: The object is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the copy sheet can be transferred with stable velocity and high accuracy even if there is variation in diameter due to machining tolerance. A pair of roller for feeding copy sheet pinching the sheet between the rollers consists of a rigid roller and an elastic roller which is pressed against the rigid roller, and both the rollers are connected by means of a driving mechanism so that the peripheral velocity of both the rollers are essentially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Mukai
  • Patent number: 7300056
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to online gaming utilizing virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments. According to one aspect of the invention, physical playing instruments are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical playing instruments are traditional poker-style gaming playing cards. The playing instruments include at least one identifier that may be read upon being dealt, such as identified and stored on a computer-readable medium before a game. In one such embodiment, computer-executable instructions may utilize the information on the computer-readable medium in conjunction with one or more games. Further aspects relate to validating the playing instruments and/or systems before, during, and/or after conducting one or more games with the playing instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: GIOIA Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gene George Gioia, Andrew Nicholas Gioia, Brendan Michael Fogarty
  • Patent number: 7300057
    Abstract: A method for playing a game comprising the steps of selecting a story having a plurality of characters using one of a plurality of spin boards. Thereafter, randomly designating the plurality of characters from the selected story to a plurality of game players using the spin board and acting out the selected story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Jennie Franklin
  • Patent number: 7300058
    Abstract: Tools and techniques are provided for creating nonrandom notable patterns in elements of games of chance which are traditionally random and hence lack such patterns. Players are notified of the existence of such patterns. When a player detects a pattern, the player may act on it to the player's advantage. Play may be monitored to determine whether a pattern has been detected by a player. Player rewards may be limited by a reward threshold, based on amounts wagered by the individual player and possibly other players. Play may be monitored to detect undesired play by software bots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: John W. Ogilvie
  • Patent number: 7300059
    Abstract: An assembly including a tubular connector and at least one framing member having a hollow open end and a longitudinally-extending recessed channel. The recessed channel is formed by at least a pair of opposed inwardly-directed walls having inner peripheral surfaces that taper toward one another in a substantially V-shaped configuration. The connector is slidably received within the hollow end of the framing member and has a longitudinally-extending inset track for cooperatively receiving and engaging the tapered inner peripheral surfaces of the channel walls of the framing member. The inset track has outer peripheral surfaces formed by outwardly tapered walls, whereby when the inset track and recessed channel are urged together by a fastener, a slip-resistant joint is formed therebetween. Sports goal assemblies and methods of assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kwik Goal Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony Caruso
  • Patent number: 7300060
    Abstract: A staged seal assembly having a plurality of staged seals and an external pressure breakdown device connected to the seal assembly and configured to be connected to an external device, wherein each staged seal includes a shaft seal and a seal bypass. The seal bypass includes a pressure breakdown device and directs a portion of fluid through the pressure breakdown device bypassing the respective shaft seal. The staged seal assembly may be configured to be installed in a new installation or replace an existing, seal assembly while substantially maintaining equal pressure reductions across each staged seal and substantially matching the fluid parameters of an external device originally connected to the seal assembly being replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: David P. Zagres
  • Patent number: 7300061
    Abstract: A sulky that includes a platform having a top and a bottom, a connector disposed upon a front of the platform, at least three wheels disposed upon the bottom of the platform in a wheel arrangement such that the connector is zero-weight bearing, and a seat disposed upon the top of the platform. A hinged platform extension provides added stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Michael J. Omstead
  • Patent number: 7300062
    Abstract: A nestable shopping cart formed to at least partially receive a second nestable shopping cart. The nestable shopping cart includes a frame, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame, and a basket coupled to the frame. A body is coupled to the frame and a seat is coupled to the body to at least partially define a seat portion and a nest space. The nest space is positioned to receive at least a portion of the second nestable shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: Redico, Inc., RTS Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Otterlee, Rodney L. Hempen, Graham C. Lobban
  • Patent number: 7300063
    Abstract: A vehicle dolly on which the vehicle can rest and which can be attached to either the rocker panel of the vehicle or positioned so that the vehicle can rest on it if there are no rocker panels, so that the vehicle which is non-drivable either because it has no engine in it or because it has been badly damaged in an accident, can be easily pushed to any location in the body shop or in a home repair garage, or can be more easily towed up the ramp to a flat bed truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Ivo Prizmich
  • Patent number: 7300064
    Abstract: An axle beam suspension system for a mobile vehicle, the system includes a main vehicle body, an axle attached to the main vehicle body, a control bar, and a track bar. The track bar includes a controlling connection portion. A first end of the track bar is attached at a lateral attachment to a lateral joint connection portion of the main vehicle body. A second end of the track bar is attached at a pivot attachment to a pivot joint portion on the axle. The control bar has a first end attached at a control attachment to a control joint connection portion of the main vehicle body and a second end attached at a fourth attachment to the controlling connection portion of the track bar. A lateral portion of an axle-pivoting-movement is transferred into lateral movement of the axle beam suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: James J Johnson, Alexandre Opeiko, Ronald Williams, Mohamed Abbadi
  • Patent number: 7300065
    Abstract: A body weight-activated scooter having a rear, vertical chassis section and at least one front steering wheel mounted on a front chassis section and at least one rear drive-wheel, the scooter provided with a pair of systems substantially in alignment with a vertical gravity line for transferring power to at least one rear drive-wheel, each of the pair of systems comprising: a treadle bearing most of the weight of a rider at a heelward end; a weight-vector wheel; a return tension means; and an over-running clutch drive connected to the at least one rear drive-wheel and linked to the weight-vector wheel via a linking means, the over-running clutch drive providing sustained forward thrust when the treadle is depressed by the weight of a rider on the heelward end and the scooter is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Yair Tal
  • Patent number: 7300066
    Abstract: A folding frame for a tricycle, scooter or child's bicycle has a front frame part on which the front wheels can be mounted and a rear frame part on which the rear wheels can be mounted. A swivelling joint with a front articulated part is mounted on the front frame part and a rear articulated part is mounted on the rear frame part. The first of the two articulated parts has a first recess and the second of the two articulated parts has a second and third recess. The first recess and the second recess are in alignment in the use position of use and the first recess and the third recess are aligned in the folded position. The first articulated part and the second articulated part are locked against one another in the use position and in the folded position via a pin which can be moved in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karin Kettler, legal representative, Joachim Kettler, Reinhold Rocholl, Heinz Kettler, deceased
  • Patent number: 7300067
    Abstract: A trailer adaped for a boat that includes a U-shaped chassis having wheels and a number of struts supported by the chassis and slings or the like oriented between struts coordinated in pairs is described. The slings support the boat by abutting against an outer surface of a boat hull. Also, the chassis may be formed by two flexurally rigid branches, each one turnably related and connected with a connecting part of a first end portion of each branch. Further selected struts may consist of one hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement each. The piston-cylinder arrangements are hydraulically interconnected such that hydraulic oil may be distributed under an overpressure between the arrangements, in correlation with the rocking and/or rolling motion of the hull, including the twisting motion of the branches in relation to the ground and the twisting motion thereof in relation to the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Anytec Marine AB
    Inventor: Hans Ingmar Granlind
  • Patent number: 7300068
    Abstract: An integral keyed lock (10) for a trailer trigger-lock coupler for use as an aftermarket kit or to be incorporated by an original equipment manufacturer. The coupler integral keyed lock (10) utilizes an actuating lever (20) that is configured to interface with and enclose a lock (52). The lock (52) is preferably keyed and includes an outward-extending plunger (54). The lock is disposed within the actuating lever, inside an enlarged portion (26) of one end. The plunger of the lock extends when actuated with a key and prevents rotational travel of the coupler trigger latch, thereby locking the trailer coupler until the plunger is retracted with the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Roger L. Johnsen
  • Ski
    Patent number: 7300069
    Abstract: A sliding board, such as a ski, with at least one interface element or guide element, connected to the sliding board via fastening elements, for arranging binding elements or the like on the upper side of the sliding board. The sliding board has a single-ply or multi-ply upper and lower skin, a running surface, and if appropriate, steel edges, and a foamed core. The interface element or guide element is arranged in a positionally fixed manner on the sliding board by at least one of the fastening elements and is allowed limited mobility in the longitudinal direction of the sliding board by at least one of the other fastening elements. The at least one fastening element fixing the interface element or guide element in a positionally fixed manner is advantageously integrated into the foam during foaming of the core and hardening of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tyrolia Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Herwig Schretter
  • Patent number: 7300070
    Abstract: Aspects of this invention provide binding mounting systems for recreational boards. The board comprises a longitudinally extending chamber corresponding to each binding. The binding mounting system includes a slider assembly comprising a slider member, at least a portion of which is disposed to move longitudinally within the chamber and a slider retaining mechanism for engaging the slider member. The slider assembly is adjustable to a first configuration wherein the slider member is longitudinally moveable relative to the chamber and to a second configuration wherein the slider member is fixed relative to the chamber. The binding mounting system also comprises a binding positioned atop a rider support surface of the board and a binding retaining mechanism for engaging the slider and/or the slider retaining mechanism to couple the binding thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Pelchat
  • Patent number: 7300071
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device for steering columns, which has a bracket and a capsule placed around a capsule locking slot of the bracket and fastened along with the bracket to a vehicle body by a locking bolt, is disclosed. The capsule includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a connector which connects an end of the upper plate to an end of the lower plate. The shock absorbing device further includes a stopper which is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate of the capsule such that the stopper is placed in the capsule locking slot of the bracket. The upper plate of the capsule is bent at an outside edge thereof. The stopper is thinner than the bracket around the capsule locking slot. Furthermore, the upper plate and the lower plate of the capsule are configured such that the upper and lower plates are vertically aligned with each other at outside ends of extensions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byeong-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7300072
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for masking clearances between an instrument panel (6) and a covering element (2) linked to an adjustable steering column along a longitudinal direction (10) and a transverse direction (12). The device comprises a relatively rigid intermediate element (4) mobile solely along the longitudinal direction relative to the instrument panel, to remain in contact with said instrument panel, while the covering element moves along the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, such that it slides along the longitudinal direction relative to the covering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Tony Ercolano, Dominique Leserre
  • Patent number: 7300073
    Abstract: A fuel tank trailer has a fuel tank supported on the bed of the trailer, and a secondary containment wall surrounding the fuel tank to provide an open secondary containment region. A drain valve controls the flow of fuel and water collecting in the secondary containment region. A fuel separation filter separates the fuel from any water draining from the secondary containment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Western Environmental, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Bachman
  • Patent number: 7300074
    Abstract: An elbow fitting is used in a pneumatic product conveying system in which the fitting expands from the inlet pipe along the outer side of the elbow fitting to enable a layer of accumulated product particles to be formed so as to move at a lower velocity than the velocity of the incoming product stream while establishing a moving contact surface for deflecting incoming product particles toward the outlet pipe with a minimum of pressure resistance and product attrition. The accumulated product particles are discharged from the elbow fitting by incorporating a step in the outer surface of the elbow fitting to create a Bernoulli effect causing the accumulated product particles to enter the air flow after the incoming flow of product particles has ceased. The particles in the accumulated layer are replenished from the incoming flow during operation of the elbow fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pelletron Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome I. Paulson
  • Patent number: 7300075
    Abstract: Sealing assembly, for example forming part of a flowmeter. The sealing assembly comprises a first metal body with a mating surface in which a centering chamber with a flat bottom and an upright wall are provided, and a second metal body with a mating surface provided with an annular collar having a narrowed end and a centering surface that bears on the upright wall of the chamber. Bolts couple the two bodies in a detachable manner under deformation of the collar such that the mutually facing mating surfaces do not touch each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Lambertus Ebskamp, Nicolaas Joannes Notten
  • Patent number: 7300076
    Abstract: A pipe joint provided with a joint main body having a male screw portion and a cap nut screwed on the male screw portion of the joint main body. And, the pipe joint has an outer-fitting cylinder portion and an insertion cylinder portion holding an end portion of an elastically deformable connected pipe on inner and outer sides. And, a C-shaped stop ring, having a slit on its periphery and disposed within a tapered portion of a hole portion of the cap nut, is provided. The stop ring has a holding female portion formed through an inner peripheral face and a peripheral face of the stop ring. A rotator, held within the holding female portion as to rotate, touching the tapered portion of the hole portion of the cap nut, elastically forming a peripheral concave groove on a peripheral face of the pipe, and deforming the end portion of the pipe into a tapered portion increasing in diameter, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: Higashio Mech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7300077
    Abstract: A pipe connecting structure for connecting a pair of sleeve-like pipes integrally in an axial direction by inserting a male side end portion of one of the pair of sleeve-like pipes into an opening of a female side end portion of the other sleeve-like pipe so as to serve as a connecting portion, wherein a male side protrusion insertion hole and a female side protrusion insertion hole are formed in a peripheral surface of each end portion of a pair of the sleeve-like pipes which constitute the connecting portion, the protrusion insertion holes are brought into coincident with each other, an engagement protrusion is inserted in the protrusion insertion holes and engaged therewith, and such an engagement state of the engagement protrusion is retained by pressing the engagement protrusion with a sleeve member disposed in such a manner as to cover the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Tawara, Makoto Kato
  • Patent number: 7300078
    Abstract: A pipe joint clamp for connecting piping members includes a circular holding portion in which flange portions of the piping members are clamped, and multiple flexion-shaped hinge portions, which protrude from the holding portion toward a diametrically outer side thereof. The hinge portions are resiliently deformable to accommodate a variation of outer diameters of the flange portions. Thus, a protrusion amount of the each hinge portion can be reduced. Accordingly, the space occupied by the clamp at the joint part of the piping members is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamamoto, Koji Hisaka
  • Patent number: 7300079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lead seal which is introduced into an opening, having a projection, which shaves off when there is a continued insertion movement, the base body being provided with a hook which can be latched opposite the plane enclosed by the limiting contour of the opening to be sealed. In addition, an arrangement having a housing which can be joined together and having an opening to be sealed by the lead seal is the subject matter of the invention, the lead seal having a base body which is provided with a shaped section which limits, in an interlocking manner, the ability of the lead seal to move in the insertion direction. Such lead seals or arrangements have until now been deficient in terms of the intended evidence function. In this case, the invention provides a remedy by the lead seal being fixed to the second housing part opposite the plane enclosed by the limiting contour of the opening to be sealed. In addition, the hook may be in the form of a snap hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Juergen Goetz
  • Patent number: 7300080
    Abstract: A bumper system having a bumper running transverse to the longitudinal direction of a vehicle and at least one connecting element mounted thereon for the purpose of attaching the bumper to a vehicle, in particular to a longitudinal beam of a passenger car. The connecting element is a multi-chamber extruded section of metal with longitudinal axis running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The connecting element is in the form of a safety element which, under impact, absorbs impact energy by compressive deformation. For the purpose of connecting a towing device, an attachment member is provided that is situated in one of the hollow chambers of the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Alcan Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Olivier Rebuffet, Klaus Fritz, Serge Bompard
  • Patent number: 7300081
    Abstract: A flexible auxiliary handle having an elongate member having a hand grip portion associated with a first end and an attaching portion associated with a second end wherein the elongate member provides for torsion or bending or both in response to motions and forces applied to the grip portion. The elongate member is typically advantageously comprised of one or more segments having characteristics enabling such action. The flexible handle ergonomically allows the gripping hand to move freely while the implement's tool maintains orientation to the ground without undue need for balancing, or for avoiding or performing certain undesirable movements customary with auxiliary handles. Such auxiliary handle is attractive, lightweight, cost effective to manufacture, has many configurations, conserves implement storage and retail space, installs and adjusts without tools, fits a wide variety of implements, enables conventional implement use, remains within easy grasp of the user, and is pleasurable to own.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventors: Robert H. Murray, John R. Murray
  • Patent number: 7300082
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an end effector that utilizes a gripping mechanism to grip a peripheral edge of the wafer and secure the wafer to the end effector. In one embodiment, the gripping mechanism includes a pair of gripper arms that pivot between a wafer-loading position and a wafer-engaging position. In another embodiment, an active plunger moves linearly between the wafer-loading and wafer-engaging positions. Both the gripper arms and the plunger device are driven by a motor assembly. A force feedback system monitors the force the gripping mechanism exerts on the wafer and, based on the amount of force, controls the operation of the motor assembly to dynamically adjust the position of the gripping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Rogers, Shawn M. Hamilton, Michael J. Mayo
  • Patent number: 7300083
    Abstract: A first tong member includes a first 4-joint linkage, in which both pairs of opposite rods are substantially equal, in length, to each other; a second tong member likewise includes a second 4-joint linkage, in which both pairs of opposite rods are substantially equal; and the first and second linkages have one of the foregoing rods in common. The first linkage has a first arm extended from the rod opposite to the common rod, and the second linkage likewise has a second arm extended from the rod opposite to the common rod, so that when respective actuating tails of the first and second tong members are operated in an arcuate manner, an opening width in the article-seizing area is configured to be capable of being adjusted, while the first and second extended arms in a substantially parallel relationship with each other maintain a substantially constant distance defined in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Masahito Hamazaki
    Inventors: Hidenobu Hamazaki, Masahito Hamazaki
  • Patent number: 7300084
    Abstract: An apparatus for convening a liquid crystal display panel for moving various size unit liquid crystal display panels. The present invention includes a horizontal driving unit controlling a revolution of a motor, a plurality of screw shafts protruding out of the horizontal driving unit. A pair of robot arms having first and second ends, the first ends are supported by corresponding screw shafts and extend from the screw shafts, and a plurality of clamping units connected to the second ends of the robot arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: L.G.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Su Chae, Jong-Go Lim
  • Patent number: 7300085
    Abstract: A improved form of attachment for a motor vehicle safety screen assembly which includes a screen having a perimeter frame (12) of tubular metal and an in fill panel (13) extending between the perimeter frame members, and a plurality of metal securing straps (15) which are connected to the frame (12) of the screen by connector brackets (20) each mounted on a bush (22) which is fitted on a respective frame member of the frame (12), wherein each of the brackets (20) can be rotated about the axis of their associated bush (22) to positions on opposites sides of the screen. The bushes (22) are made of two hinged portions which can be opened to facilitate attachment to the frame member and then subsequently closed and clipped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Rees Operations Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Giumelli