Patents Issued in December 18, 2007
  • Patent number: 7308940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling and/or broaching within a wellbore. A flexible broach runs into the wellbore and is located adjacent a portion of the wellbore to be broached. The broach reciprocates axially within the wellbore and removes at least part of the portion to be broached. Weight may be coupled to the broach, thereby applying a resultant side load for broaching an offset portion of the wellbore. The broach comprises a flexible member that may be a bare cable. When an abrasive material is disposed on an outer surface of the flexible member, the flexible member may be a cable, a continuous rod, or pressurized coiled tubing. Alternatively, sleeves positioned on the flexible member may have an abrasive material on their outer surface. A rotational mill that is either coupled to the broach or run in separately from the broach can further mill the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Vuyk, Michael Sullivan, Gene Halford, Robert Finch, Mark Schnitker, Jerry Fisher, Ken Winterrowd
  • Patent number: 7308941
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring solids in wellbore that include a bottom hole assembly having a sensor to measuring a characteristic indicative of solids in the wellbore. The measurement may be used to measure solids or solids suspended in fluid flow. The invention is useful for use in wellbore cleanouts. A computer model may be used and updated based on the measured characteristic. The input of measured characteristic and the updating of the computer model may be performed in real time whilst the wellbore cleanout operation is ongoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Radovan Rolovic, Stephen D. Hill, Frank Espinosa, John R. Lovell
  • Patent number: 7308943
    Abstract: A wellhead has, instead of a conventional Christmas tree, a spool tree in which a tubing hanger is landed at a predetermined angular orientation. As the tubing string can be pulled without disturbing the tree, many advantages follow, including access to the production casing hanger for monitoring production casing annulus pressure, and the introduction of larger tools into the well hole without breaching the integrity of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Thomas G. Cassity
  • Patent number: 7308944
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for expanding a tubular. In one embodiment, an expander tool includes a body having at least one recess therein. An expansion assembly disposable in the at least one recess includes a piston that outwardly extends from the body in response to a radially outward force. The expansion assembly includes one or more rollers disposed on a shaft such that the rollers rotate at different speeds. In order to improve a rolling ratio, the shaft is arranged on the piston at an outward angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool. The expansion assembly is disposed along the tool at a skew to provide tractoring and reduce slippage due to axial movement. A bearing adjacent the roller and rotationally secured to the roller reduces roller heating and wear. In another aspect, methods for expanding a tubular within a wellbore are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Johnston, Wayne Rudd, David Hillis, Gary Pendleton, Kevin Scott
  • Patent number: 7308945
    Abstract: A packing tool comprises a sealing element for mounting on a mandrel so as to define a volume between the sealing element and the mandrel; and a ring member for mounting on the mandrel adjacent the sealing element. The ring member is axially movable relative to the sealing element to cause deformation of the sealing element and includes a communicating bore extending between the volume defined between the sealing element and the mandrel and an exterior portion of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Rubberatkins Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Atkins, Craig Spalding
  • Patent number: 7308946
    Abstract: A travelling rolling digger (1) for sequential hole drilling or for producing sequential cultivated spots in soil. The travelling rolling digger (1) includes at least one drilling shaft which is rotatable by a drive mechanism about a longitudinal shaft axis and has a rotating soil penetrating edge. The drilling shaft is mounted to roll about a horizontal shaft in a soil penetrating plane while the horizontal shaft moves in a direction of travel of the traveling rolling digger. The rotating drilling shaft enters the soil at an entry angle and digs into the soil while the horizontal shaft moves in the direction of travel and the drilling shaft continuously changes its angle relative to the soil from the entry angle to a vertical position. The traveling rolling digger further comprising at least one cleaning blade (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Gedalyahu Manor
  • Patent number: 7308947
    Abstract: A pull-type crop harvesting machine has a header carried on a frame mounted on ground wheels with a hitch arm extending from the frame over the header to a hitch connector of a tractor. The hitch arm is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally upright axis such that in a first position the tractor tows the frame in echelon to one side and in a second position the tractor tows the frame in echelon. There is provided connecting assembly for connecting the forward end of the hitch arm to a hitch connector of the tractor and a mechanical connection from the PTO of the tractor to a pump for hydraulically driving the cutting assembly. The connecting assembly provides three axes of pivotal movement for up and down, tilting and side to side movement of the header relative to the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Neil Gordon Barnett
  • Patent number: 7308948
    Abstract: An electric power tool is provided which prevents malfunction with excellent operability even when one operation mode among various modes is selectable. In a gear case of a housing, there are provided a clutch switching groove which engages with a connecting projection of a clutch switching lever, a slit which guides a guide body having a stepped pin which penetrates an impact switching groove to engage with an auxiliary ring, and a percussion switching groove which engages with a connecting projection of a percussion switching lever. In addition, a switching case is externally provided, so that combination of sliding positions of each switching member can be changed. As the switching case can be operated by a switching button, any of all operation modes, which are, a drill mode, an impact mode, a percussion drill mode, and a clutch mode can be selected with the switching button only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Takefumi Furuta
  • Patent number: 7308949
    Abstract: A concrete drill for drilling concrete or the like by a diamond bit (5) attached to a front end of a bit drive shaft (4) projected forward from a main body (1) by driving to rotate the bit drive shaft (4) by a drive source (2) contained in the main body (1) in which the main body (1) is provided with a vibrating apparatus (8) for exerting a vibrating force a magnitude which is pulsated to change along the bit drive shaft (4) to the main body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kigen Agehara, Motoshige Akatsu, Naohide Murakami
  • Patent number: 7308950
    Abstract: A hand held electrically powered drilling and/or hammering tool comprises a balanced motor sub-assembly including a radial fan mounted to the armature shaft at a first end of the motor with the fan blades facing away from the motor, and motor the sub-assembly is mounted with the axis of the motor angled with respect to the axis of the tool spindle and with the first end of the motor closest to the spindle, and an air outlet is located in the housing near a second end of the motor, and the above components are arranged so that rotation of the fan draws air into its inlet via air inlets and then pushes air from its outlet through the motor and out of the air outlets in the region of the second end of the motor which is remote from the spindle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Heinz-Werner Faatz, Ernst Staas, Thomas Stanke, Rosi Wache, legal representative, Robert Wache, deceased
  • Patent number: 7308951
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of coring a crustal core sample, which comprises using a crustal core sampler equipped with a flow-able coating material-ejecting mechanism for ejecting a flow-able coating material, and ejecting the flow-able coating material composed of a polymer substance having a colloidal particles capturing ability by aggregating function and a water-absorbing polymer substance, from the flow-able coating material-ejecting mechanism of the crustal core sampler thereby coring a crustal core sample in a state coated with the flow-able coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Independent Administrative Institution, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
    Inventors: Noriaki Masui, Shigeru Deguchi, Kaoru Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7308952
    Abstract: A method of drilling well bore (20) through and below permeable formation (22) bearing such fluids as gas, oil, water wherein drill cuttings may be evacuated by formation fluid (23) being produced through the drill string (26) either by decreasing well head back pressure or by gas lift. Production rate is kept substantially stable by operating choke valves (140) and (142) placed after separator (52). Formation fluid being produced while drilling may be pumped into well bore (20) through annulus (31) or utilized. The unique injector included in the drill string provides for possibility to pump simultaneously into annulus (31) lifting gas and produced liquid and may be operated from the surface. A method and system (90) comprising a plurality of special 3-way valves included in drill string (26), are provided for making connections without interrupting flushing the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Semen Iosiphovich Strazhgorodskiy
  • Patent number: 7308953
    Abstract: An embodied mobile drilling rig is made of three sections, two substructures and a mast section, which are easily transported and installed at a drilling site. Each substructure includes a mast starting section; a floor side box connected to the mast starting section; a subbase side box; elevating legs connected to the floor side box and the subbase side box; and a raising cylinder. The mast section connects to the mast starting sections. The raising cylinders engage the mast in order to raise the mast into a vertical orientation and then raise the floor side boxes into an operating position. The embodied mobile drilling rigs are configurable to be transported by road with as little as three major loads, all within legal or permitable load and dimensional limits for most regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: R. Michael Barnes
  • Patent number: 7308954
    Abstract: A rotating diverter head for use on a blow out preventer stack of an oil, gas or geothermal well. While providing for sealing and rotation of a drill pipe through the head, the head additional includes a flange on which the head is rotatable. The flange connects the head to the stack whereupon it can be rotated to align a return flow line before being locked in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Stacey Oil Services, Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Stewart Martin-Marshall
  • Patent number: 7308955
    Abstract: A stabilizer comprises a body having first and second ends, each of which is formed with a respective connector means, the body having an outer wall upon which is formed a plurality of the upstanding blades radially outer surfaces of which define gauge pads, flow channels being defined between adjacent ones of the blades, and at least one bridging region interconnecting two adjacent ones of the blades to form an enclosed passage communicating with an associated one of the flow channels, the bridging region having a surface defining part of an outer gauge surface of the stabilizer, the at least one bridging region being located intermediate and spaced from the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: ReedHycalog UK Limited
    Inventors: Steven Paul Barton, Andrew David Murdock, Graham Richard Watson
  • Patent number: 7308956
    Abstract: A rotary cutter assembly constructed in accordance with this method of securing a rotary cutter to a body has a cutter pocket with a first shoulder and a truncated second shoulder. A receptacle extends into the first shoulder. A first retainer retains a first axle end of the rotary cutter and engages the first shoulder to prevent axial movement in a first direction. A projection on the first retainer engages the receptacle to prevent removal of the first retainer radially from the cutter pocket. A second retainer retains a second axle end of the rotary cutter. The second retainer has a step down portion engaging the truncated second shoulder of the cutter pocket to prevent axial movement in a second direction. A locking ring overlies the truncated second shoulder and the step down portion of the second retainer to prevent removal of the second retainer radially from the cutter pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: William R. Wenzel, Robert Wenzel
  • Patent number: 7308957
    Abstract: A fixed-head drill bit includes a bit body having a plurality of cutting elements and at least one wear knuckle disposed on the bit body. Each cutting element includes a cutting surface defining a swept cutting profile when the bit is rotated about an axis. The at least one wear knuckle is positioned at least partially within and extending at least partially outside a selected one or more of the swept cutting profiles, allowing the fixed-head drill bit to wear into a more stable configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Cariveau, Bala Durairajan, Sujian J. Huang
  • Patent number: 7308958
    Abstract: A method for controlling a series hybrid powertrain for an electric vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a primary power source and an electric energy stored system. The method provides total system efficiency with a load-following control strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Tamor, Anthony Phillips, Jack Xu
  • Patent number: 7308959
    Abstract: A regenerative braking system for a vehicle includes a displacement on demand (DOD) engine having cylinders, a battery, and an electric machine having motor and generator modes. The electric machine is selectively driven by a wheel of the vehicle. A controller detects a braking condition of the vehicle and deactivates at least one of the cylinders in response to the braking condition. The controller operates the electric machine in the generator mode during the braking condition to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7308960
    Abstract: A vehicle drive train and drive train system is provided to simplify wire harness including power cables and reduce power loss in an engine-motor hybrid vehicle drive train system. The drive train and system includes some wheels driven by an engine, and other wheels driven by a motorized machine. When the running load is large, for example, starting a vehicle or running on a climbing lane, the motorized machine is activated for driving wheels in order to assist the engine. When no motor assistances is needed (for example, in low to medium load running or deceleration), the motorized machine functions as a generator to convert mechanical energy from the wheels into electric energy. The motorized machine, inverter, capacitor device and controller are integrated into a unit and the unit is attached to a differential gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaya Shimizu, Takehiko Kowatari, Kousaku Oono, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Innami
  • Patent number: 7308961
    Abstract: A maximum permissible acceleration is calculated so as to take into account vehicle stability, driver's comfort, road surface information and traffic information, driver's specific taste in acceleration and deceleration, and the like. An acceleration limiting process is carried out, in which a feedback gain in vehicle speed feedback control is corrected as may be necessary based on a relationship between the maximum permissible acceleration and actual acceleration information so as to keep the actual acceleration within the maximum permissible acceleration. The present invention thereby makes it possible to control a vehicle speed within a desired acceleration range even under conditions, in which there is a large vehicle speed deviation as in a resume mode, causing an excessively large acceleration or deceleration to tend to occur. Auto cruise control offering an outstanding safety and comfort can thus be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Satou, Toshio Hori
  • Patent number: 7308962
    Abstract: In a control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and mounted on a vehicle, in which the engine operation is switched based on the throttle opening between a full-cylinder operation in which all of the cylinders are operative and a cut-off cylinder operation in which some of the cylinders are inoperative, and a running control including at least a cruise control in which the vehicle runs at a desired vehicle velocity is conducted, the engine operation is switched to the full-cylinder operation when it is determined that deceleration is required in the running control, so as to increase pumping loss (engine loss). With this, it becomes possible to generate the deceleration sufficiently as desired, when, for example, the vehicle descends a downhill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Sen, Tadayoshi Okada, Akira Sugiyama, Kenichi Nishida, Yasuhiko Tomokuni, Mahito Ishiyama, Kazuo Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7308963
    Abstract: An articulated vehicle includes a rear frame and a front frame linked by an articulation associated with the device for removably locking controlled by a pendular member mounted oscillating on the front frame between a median position for unlocking the articulation and a spaced apart position for locking the articulation, at least when the vehicle is stopped. The vehicle comprises elements for controlling the unlocking of the articulation, at least during start-up, including an auxiliary platform integral in rotation with the rear frame and comprising, at least, two footrests arranged at substantially the same level relative to the ground, on either side of the articulation axis and constituting each, on the side towards which the front frame is inclined, a support for the front frame to be set upright by the vehicle driver, the pendular member returning to its median position for unlocking the articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: 2P
    Inventors: Pierre Patin, Pierre-Armand Patin
  • Patent number: 7308964
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering input section having at least a steering wheel to which steering input is applied, and a steering output section having at least a steering rack shaft and operatively associated with left and right steered wheels for steering the steered wheels by steering-rack-shaft movement produced by a steering force determined based on the steering input and transmitted directly or indirectly to the steering rack shaft. The steering rack shaft is split into left and right movable rack shaft portions. Also provided is a steer angle converter enabling a differential rack stroke between left and right rack strokes of the left and right movable rack shaft portions. The steer angle converter is constructed by at least one of a variable-pitch dual rack arrangement and a dual taper-pulley arrangement of a cable back-up mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hara, Noriki Kubokawa, Tetsuya Osonoi, Takaaki Eguchi, Kiyotaka Shitamitsu, Hitoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 7308965
    Abstract: A noise-absorbing device includes a substantially flat base and embossed and/or hollow elements each including at least one recess. This base reveals with the embossed and/or hollow elements, a configuration exhibiting a fractality zone of between 1 cm and 50 cm, of fractal dimension greater than 2.5 enabling the localization of the waves over the sound frequency range, in the vicinity of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique, Colas
    Inventors: Bernard Sapoval, Marcel Filoche, Michel Chappat, Didier Peyrard
  • Patent number: 7308966
    Abstract: A device for reducing engine exhaust noise in an aircraft engine includes a number of oscillating jets which direct an oscillating flow into the engine exhaust. The oscillating jets are connected via channels to a turbomachinery source of high pressure gas, where the source is located upstream from the engine exhaust portion. The high pressure gas passes through the oscillating jets, which have a nozzle with a triangular shaped orifice and an exhaust pipe, and exits the oscillating jets having a oscillating flow. The oscillating flow mixes with the engine exhaust thus reducing the noise created by the engine exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 7308967
    Abstract: A sound suppressor for a firearm for reducing sound and flash levels upon the discharge of a firearm comprises a cylindrical housing, a proximal end cap with means for attachment to a firearm and to the cylindrical housing, a distal end cap with means for attachment to the housing, and a plurality of baffles positioned within the housing and between the proximal end and distal end caps of the suppressor. A separate cylindrical spacer element is positioned between the proximal end cap of the suppressor and the first baffle. This spacer provides axial positioning of the baffles within the cylindrical housing of the suppressor. The distal end cap of the suppressor is provided with a concentric circular hole or aperture for the projectile to pass through the end of the suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Gemini Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Trail Hoel
  • Patent number: 7308968
    Abstract: A transportable conveyer is provided for simultaneous rescue of multiple persons and objects. The conveyer is capable of being stored and transported in a compact folded position. The preferred embodiment is an endless conveyer with three elements: a belt equipped with a plurality of eyes for a hook along the circumferential surface of the belt; a vehicle to transport the belt to a site where rescue is required; and a motor for rotating the belt to raise or lower a load secured to the load affixing means. The belt may be deployed manually or by a powered boom. Hooks, harnesses and bags are used to attach one or more objects of rescue to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Orville Douglas Denison
  • Patent number: 7308969
    Abstract: An apparatus, in combination with at least one of a top shelf and a tray of a ladder, for preventing tipping of the bucket and paint can. The apparatus comprises an opening having a predetermined diameter disposed in at least one of the top shelf and the tray of the ladder. The opening has a first plurality of gear like members disposed on an inner circumference of the opening. There is a disc like member engageable with the opening and having each of a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined height. The disc like member has a second plurality of gear like members formed in an outer surface of the disc like member. The second plurality of gear like members for engagement with the first plurality of gear like members on the opening. The present invention also includes a means for attaching the disc like member to a bottom surface of one of the bucket and the paint can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Samuel C. McCaslin
  • Patent number: 7308970
    Abstract: A transmission fluid sump for an automotive transmission comprising a reservoir portion, a threaded extension on the reservoir portion and a fill pipe threadably connected to the extension. A closure member seals a central opening in the extension independently of the fill pipe, thereby avoiding overlapping torque windows for the fill pipe and the closure member while providing a single leak flow path for the transmission fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Holub
  • Patent number: 7308971
    Abstract: A vehicle support system runway with a movable surface for supporting the wheels of a vehicle in such a manner as to permit a limited range of translational motion about a centered position, having an automatic centering and locking system. The centering and locking system is configured to releasably secure the movable surface in a locked configuration at a centered position, in response to a remote command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Peter N. Liebetreu, Paul Roloff, Michael Olsen
  • Patent number: 7308972
    Abstract: A fabricated metal carrier apparatus includes a carrier member having downwardly facing parallel spaced channels for receiving the forwardly projecting parallel forks of a forklift truck or vehicle. The carrier member has a rotatable vertical shaft located between the forks and connected to support a suspended member adapted to be attached to a load to be transported. A locating and locking arm projects rearwardly from the carrier member and engages the forks to prevent sliding movement of the carrier member on the forks. When not in use, the carrier apparatus is supported and stored in a suspended and conveniently viewed elevated position by an A-frame which has a depending hook for engaging the carrier member. The frame permits the forklift vehicle to pick up and lock on the carrier apparatus and return while the vehicle operator remains in his seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Pax Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Pax, Eric A. Sudhoff, Terry L. Vogel
  • Patent number: 7308973
    Abstract: A door panel position control mechanism for a multiple panel horizontal sliding door assembly of a freight elevator landing. The mechanism comprises a multiple node scissors linkage that is configured to be easily installed and initially adjusted and which has its parts symmetrically balanced about a vertical plane such that excessive eccentric loading on the components is reduced and a long service life is obtained with reduced wear and a reduced need for periodic adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: The Peelle Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Zygmunt Dziwak
  • Patent number: 7308974
    Abstract: A pad clip (12) for a disc brake includes a first part configured to engage a brake pad support bracket (2). The clip further includes a spring leg that is positioned to engage the brake pad (4) and apply a force to the brake pad that generates an axial friction force on the brake pad. The clip has a support for receiving a pad return spring (18) and the support for the pad return spring is positioned so that it holds the pad return spring such that the pad return spring applies a return force that is in substantial alignment with the axial friction force. The disc brake is further arranged so that the center of gravity of the brake pads lies between the pad abutment force and the axial friction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Akebono Corporation (North America)
    Inventors: Manuel Barbosa, Eric John Roszman, Muhammed Farooq Ansari
  • Patent number: 7308975
    Abstract: A velocity sensor including a damper assembly having a central axis, a magnet extending parallel to the central axis, the magnet having a magnetic axis radially oriented with the central axis, and a coil extending parallel to the central axis and radially oriented with the central axis, wherein movement of the damper assembly with respect to the magnet induces a voltage in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Nehl, Fang Deng
  • Patent number: 7308976
    Abstract: A suspension damper includes a housing bounding a main chamber. A hydraulic fluid is disposed within the main chamber. A piston rod is selectively movable between an advanced position wherein a portion of the piston rod is advanced into the main chamber and a retracted position wherein the portion of the piston rod is retracted from the main chamber, wherein as the piston rod is moved a fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases and a portion of the hydraulic fluid passes through a passage within the housing. A control valve is at least partially disposed within the main chamber, the control valve being moved by the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid so as to progressively restrict the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the passage as the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Turner Technology Group
    Inventor: Roy A. Turner
  • Patent number: 7308977
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a transmission having a pressurized fluid source includes selectively engageable clutch plates including an apply plate. A piston is movable between an apply position and a release position to respectively engage or release the clutch plates. An apply plate cover cooperates with the apply plate to at least partially form an annular cavity that is sealed to contain pressurized fluid provided by the pressurized fluid source when the piston is moved to the apply position, thereby allowing pressurized fluid flow radially inward across the engaged clutch plates. The annular cavity is opened to allow fluid to empty therefrom when the piston is moved to the released position, thereby allowing centrifugally pumped fluid to flow radially outward across the released clutch plates. A method of reversing cooling fluid flow across clutch plates is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel M. Maguire, Paul D. Stevenson, Paula J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 7308978
    Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway has a step or plate belt with motor-driven steps or plates and free-running steps or plates. A drive frame connected with a frame serves as support for a drive unit of a motor-driven step or plate. The drive unit includes a motor, a transmission and a brake. A friction wheel, which transmits drive power to a travel track, is arranged at the transmission output, while a counter-pressure roller arranged in a fixed position on the drive frame laterally guides the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Michael Matheisl
  • Patent number: 7308979
    Abstract: A conveyor for possible use in transferring articles between two adjacent conveyors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the conveyor includes a pair of idler structures and a drive structure for collectively guiding and moving a conveyor belt or chain relative to a bed. At least one of the drive structure or idler structures is mounted or positioned so at to be capable of moving relative to the belt or chain to provide tensioning therefor. In another embodiment, a bed assembly including the chain or belt, the drive structure, and the idler structure is also substantially fully releasable from a corresponding base for servicing or clearing a jam. In either case, the conveyor may be driven using a slave drive associated with an adjacent conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Span Tech LLC
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Michael D. McDaniel, Stephen C. Fye, B. Keith Thomas, Lewis W. Ward
  • Patent number: 7308980
    Abstract: A method of distributing and assembling a conveyor belt cleaner comprises manufacturing a first key component at a first point of fabrication in a longer than needed standard length, obtaining a first common component at a second point of fabrication, cutting the first key component to a desired length, and assembling the first key component with the first common component at the second point of fabrication. The method further comprises manufacturing a second key component at the first point of fabrication and assembling the second key component with the first common component at the second point of fabrication. In another aspect of the invention, the key components are manufactured into desired lengths and are sold as part of kit to be assembled to by the end user of the conveyor belt cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edwin H. Peterson, Robert Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 7308981
    Abstract: A container for ammunition of the type comprising a case inside which an inner casing receiving the ammunition is able to slide between two axial positions, one in which it blocks the ammunition and the other in which it unblocks the ammunition, the inner casing incorporating a front sleeve having flexible fingers, such sleeve cooperating in its blocking position with a fixed limit stop integral with the case and ensuring the retention of the fingers on a zone of the projectile to limit its translation, such container wherein it incorporates means ensuring the radial spacing of the flexible fingers at a distance from the projectile in the unblocking position of the inner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Jean-François Noel Du Payrat, Elsa Jukiw, Stéphane Guibert
  • Patent number: 7308982
    Abstract: A disc sleeve is provided for allowing safe storage of discs and/or information articles. The sleeve may include a disc access opening formed on a wall of the sleeve and an information article access opening along an edge of the sleeve. The sleeve also may include a disc retention joint to allow for secure storage of a disc when the sleeve is turned upside down, shaken, or handled during manufacturing. The sleeve may be designed to include a use verification joint to verify whether the disc has been removed from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: William Scott Ballantine
  • Patent number: 7308983
    Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. The method, in one embodiment involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally-extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Shilale, William J. Cooper, Steven E. Flannery, Jeffrey A. Raymond
  • Patent number: 7308984
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealing sheet for use to close a container-defining sheet having a top surface comprising a given number of spaced apart cavities embossed therein, each of the cavities being upwardly opened and thus defining a container that is surrounded by a flange that is part of the top surface of the container-defining sheet. This improved sealing sheet has a top layer with tearing lines punched therein in such a manner and position as to extend from one side of each cover piece that may be splitted from the sealing sheet to cover one of the cavities in line with opposite sides of a bottom piece left on the corresponding cover piece. Such facilitates peeling of the bottom piece and of the corresponding part of the cover piece from the corresponding container to have access to the element(s) stored in it while preventing glue to be left on the flanges that surround the top opening of the container since such flanges are then still covered by non splitted parts of the sealing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: 9155-0020 Quebec Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Bouthiette
  • Patent number: 7308985
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a packaging for a medical kit. The packaging includes a bottom configured to receive a plurality of medical products and a top having at least one protrusion extending therefrom. The bottom and the top are shaped so that the bottom receives the top with the at least one protrusion extending towards the bottom. The at least one protrusion is configured to deform about the plurality of medical products to restrict movement of the plurality of medical products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kimberly Riley
  • Patent number: 7308986
    Abstract: A collection case combines a trading card with an actual piece of associated memorabilia to enhance its value. The collection case encapsulates the two items together in a protective plastic slab for safe keeping. The process results in a new collectable product of increased value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: St. Croix Trading & Collectibles, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Tank, Michael Nicholas Ermolovich
  • Patent number: 7308987
    Abstract: A plurality of separate display modules are interchangeably installed on a shelf of a cooperating cabinet structure and arranged to provide convexly curved display panels mounting selected arrangements of illuminated sample chips, an interactive video display, and brochure receptacles. The structure is provided with an integral sprinkler water distribution system and may include a two-part sample chip mounting mechanism which facilitates changing out of sample chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Behr Process Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Richardson, Gregory James Warren, Thomas R. Lee
  • Cap
    Patent number: 7308988
    Abstract: A cap 10 which has a female screw 14 in the inner peripheral surface and which is to be screwed on a port neck part 13 of a container main body 11 holding a predetermined liquid, wherein a plurality of ribs 18 radially extending astride from an inner surface of a top surface part 16 of the cap 10 to an inner surface of a peripheral wall part and integrally projecting inwards are formed on a peripheral edge part 17 of the inner surface of the top surface part 16. A female screw 14 is a screw in the form of two threads composed of spiral mated ridges 14a, 14b of two threads, for example. The liquid held in the container main body 11 is, for example, a chlorine-based bleach which contains a surface active agent and a sodium hypochlorite. The mated ridges 14a, 14b each are 80 to 120 degrees in thread angle ? and 1 to 15% of a valley radius of the female screw 14 in thread height H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Yashima, Takeshi Omi, Mitsuo Yamanoi
  • Patent number: 7308989
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided that have an enclosed interior space that can be used to hold and contain water or other matter. The interior space is defined by an enclosing wall and a base that are both waterproof to prevent leakage of the water or matter contained in the interior space. None, one or more foldable frame members can be provided as part of the enclosing wall and the base, or a foldable frame member can be provided as part of a rim member. The frame members allow the resulting structure to be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 7308990
    Abstract: An automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a shower enclosure with a liquid cleanser dispenses the cleanser using a pump and rotatable spray head. A motor drives the pump and rotates the spray head. The sprayer has a showerhead mountable housing with a hanger. The housing supports a bottle of cleanser in an inverted fashion. Cleanser is delivered from the bottle through a cleanser conduit in the piercing post into a well of the housing. The bottle is vented from the well through an air vent path in the piercing post or from a well vent outlet through the air vent path in the piercing post. An outlet valve in the well permits outflow of cleanser from the well. Various bottle caps and bottle closures are also provided to improve venting and/or limit cleanser leakage from the bottle when the bottle is installed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Amber N. D. Mazooji, Terry M. Kovara, Peter M. Neumann, David H. Leifheit, Michael W. Allen, Paul M. Blankenship, Lawrence M. Pillion