Patents Issued in December 18, 2007
  • Patent number: 7309091
    Abstract: The invention provides a cab roof of a vehicle with a movable panel. The cab is provided with a front windscreen, a rear deck or rear walls, and door frames at both sides. The door frames are connected with the front windscreen at the front side, with the rear decks or rear walls at the rear side, forming the enclosing sidewalls of the cab. The connecting cover is hinged with the enclosing sidewalls at the front end, and is provided with rear windscreen at the rear end. The entire cab roof is consisted of the connecting cover and the rear windscreen. A telescopic bellow is at the bottom of the cab roof, which connects the enclosing sidewalls at the lower portion. A raising and lowering device is at the bottom of the rear side of the cab roof. The vehicle can be used as a car where passengers can be seated in the rear seats, and as well as a sports car where the cab roof drops on the enclosing sidewalls by pressing the telescopic bellow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Zhengzhong Wang
  • Patent number: 7309092
    Abstract: A slidable room assembly comprises a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall, and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by a drive mechanism that includes a pair of cables. A plurality of sheaves, rotatably mounted on the vehicle body about the opening, define a path for the cable or cables. The drive cables have a double Y-shape whereby each cable has four ends with an end being connected to each corner of the slideout unit. Sliding movement of the slideout unit 24 may be either motor driven or manually powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, James Young, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7309093
    Abstract: A swing-out tool chest provides a multi-drawer tool storage chest for organization of tools. The multi-drawer tool storage chest is pivotally mounted in the rear corner of the pickup bed or near the rear doors of a utility van. When not in use, the swing-out tool chest nestles against the side of the vehicle between the tailgate (or rear doors of a utility van) and the wheel well. To gain access to the tools, the operator opens the tailgate and swings the swing-out tool chest toward the rear of the bed. The tools are easily accessible and, in the case of a pickup, the tail gate provides a convenient work area. The present invention further includes a method of converting a commercially available locking tool storage chest to a swing-out tool chest mounted in a pickup bed, van, utility truck, or other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Clinton Ward
  • Patent number: 7309094
    Abstract: A lift assembly assists in raising or lowering a tailgate, such as one found on a utility trailer. In one embodiment, a housing extends in a longitudinal direction with an end wall having an opening adjacent the tailgate. A spring is positioned within the housing. A cable extends between the spring and the tailgate, including through the opening in the end wall. An insert receives the cable passing through the opening, and is securely retained by the end wall and prevented from moving freely in the longitudinal direction as the cable moves to and fro during raising and lowering of the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Backsaver International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Norfleet
  • Patent number: 7309095
    Abstract: A release actuating system 10 for a seat assembly 12 in a vehicle. Conventionally, the system includes a seat back 14 that is removable through an arcuate range. The seat back 14 is moveable between a design position (tilted upward and rearwardly) in which it may support a passenger, and a full fold flat position. Seat back latches 24 secure the seat back 14 in the design position. A seat cushion 32 supports the seat back 14. The seat cushion 32 has a rearward portion that cooperates with the seat back 14. The rearward portion also releasably engages floor latches 26. The seat cushion 32 has a forward portion that is pivotally attached to the vehicle floor. The seat cushion 32 and seat back 14 tumble forwardly when (a) the seat back latches 24 are disengaged; (b) the seat back 14 lies in the full fold flat position; and (c) the floor latches 26 are disengaged. The tumble forward position facilitates occupant ingress and egress and provides access to luggage and storage areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: James G. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7309096
    Abstract: According to a visibility adjusting apparatus of a vehicle, an apex T is disposed at a position deviated from a driver and between a position opposed to the driver and a vehicle center position, left and right ridgelines uniformly downwardly inclined from the apex T to the vehicle-width direction are set, and a visibility adjusting section is formed as a parting line which adjusts a lower end visibility of the windshield. The visibility adjusting section is formed of the apex and the left and right ridgelines. With this, a sense of balance of the driver can be stabilized by the inclined parting line, and the sway of a head inclination angle can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keijiro Iwao, Mitsuhito Ito, Kenya Uenuma
  • Patent number: 7309097
    Abstract: A covering apparatus protects motor vehicle occupants from an openable roof of the vehicle in which the roof is movable along an enveloping surface between a stored position in which the roof is opened and a closed position in which the roof is closed. The apparatus includes a cover movable between a rest position in which the cover is stowed and a protecting position in which the cover is extended, wherein the cover moves between the rest position and the protecting position without intersecting the enveloping surface of the roof prior to or during movement of the roof between the stored and closed positions of the roof. In the resting position, the cover is located between the vehicle interior and the enveloping surface formed by the opening and closing motion of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Klein, Emil Schnell, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Patent number: 7309098
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a retractable roof includes front and rear rigid roof parts that are movable between a closed position covering the passenger compartment and an open position stored in a rear receiver space. An articulated connector interconnects the front and rear roof parts. The articulated connector includes two control levers, which form a four-bar linkage, and a support plate. The control levers each having one end rotatably connected to the rear roof part and another end rotatably connected to the support plate. The support plate is movably connected to the front roof part. In the open position, the front roof part is arranged below the rear roof part and the outer surfaces of the roof parts face upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Neubrand
  • Patent number: 7309099
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle includes a roof having roof parts. A rod kinematic system is connected to the roof parts to move the roof parts between a closed position of the roof in which the roof parts adjoin one another along a planar level to thereby cover the vehicle interior and a stored position of the roof in which the roof parts stack on top of one another to thereby expose the vehicle interior. First and second locking devices are associated with the roof parts. The locking devices have locking elements which engage one another to lock the stacked roof parts together when the roof is in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Netzel, Michael Neuberger
  • Patent number: 7309100
    Abstract: A latch device for an access panel door comprises an open lever and a ratchet release lever which are pivotally mounted on a base plate by a first shaft, a coupling spring to resiliently link the open lever to the release lever, a door detection lever being rotated in response to abutment against a rear panel of a front door, and a lock lever pivotally mounted on the plate by a second shaft and displaceable in response to the rotation of the detection lever. The lock lever is configured so as to mechanically abut against the ratchet release lever when displaced to a locked position and be able to restrict the rotation of the release lever. The coupling spring has a first leg to urge the open lever to a first direction and a second leg to bias both of the open lever and the release lever to a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Sawajiri
  • Patent number: 7309101
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a folding ottoman which is convertible to a chair having the usual seat and back rest. A seat frame extends between a pair of opposing arm panels. A storage compartment is slidably connected to the arm panels below the seat frame. The storage compartment is adapted to slide outwardly relative to the seat frame in response to a pulling force applied thereto so as to enable a user to gain access to a storage space at the interior of the storage compartment. A flip-up back rest is pivotally connected to the pair of arm panels by way of a pair of machine bolts extending therebetween. The back rest is rotatable relative to the seat frame from a horizontal, closed position lying atop the seat frame at which the ottoman is established to a vertical, open position standing upwardly from the seat frame at which the chair is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: True Seating Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Alan L. True
  • Patent number: 7309102
    Abstract: The Seat Net prevents items placed on a bucket-style seat of an automobile from falling onto the floor, while still allowing the automobile driver convenient access to any items so placed while driving. The Seat Net helps drivers maintain safe driving practices by eliminating the need for drivers to lean into the passenger side of the vehicle, thereby diverting their attention from the road, to reach for fallen items. The Seat Net has a mesh material combined with a series of straps which allow for easy loading and retrieval of items and rapid attachment of the Seat Net device to bucket-style passenger seats of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Gailynn B. Davis
  • Patent number: 7309103
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger seat with an upholstery cover having a fabric seam designed to absorb energy from a seat occupant upon impact. Means for progressively absorbing energy from the seat belt occupant are disclosed. Use of the fabric seam to absorb vehicle passenger seat occupant energy increases the survivability of an impact for an occupant of a seat with a separate inner and outer seat frame, and relates to compliance with energy absorption requirements for seat-backs of 49 C.F.R. Section 571.222 (FMVSS 222) and seat belt anchorage loading strength requirements of 49 C.F.R. Section 571.209 and 571.210 (FMVSS 209 and FMVSS 210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Erik K. Nelson, Thomas R. Graham, Brian M. Shaklik
  • Patent number: 7309104
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat fabric, wherein at least a portion of the seat fabric comprises a yarn comprising a shape memory polymer adapted to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity at a thermal transition temperature; a support material upon which the seat fabric is disposed; and a controller in operative communication with the shape memory polymer, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply a thermal activation signal to the shape memory polymer to effect a change in the modulus of elasticity of the shape memory polymer, wherein the change in the modulus of elasticity of the shape memory polymer results in a change in a stiffness and/or flexibility of the seat fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7309105
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support for a seat comprising a pair of parallel lateral rails, wherein each of the lateral rails has a lower end and an upper end, a support panel having a top end and a bottom end, the support panel pivoting at the top end while remaining fixed with respect to the lateral rails, a rail bracket slidably attached to the lateral rails, a spring operatively connected to the rail bracket, wherein the spring biases the rail bracket in a first position, a cable operatively connected to the rail bracket, wherein the cable pulls the bracket from the first position to a second position, and a lift wire pivotably attaching the support panel to the rail bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Donald D. Mundell, Joe Reu
  • Patent number: 7309106
    Abstract: A combined cooler/seat having an anti-tip support that extends rearward the ground contact of the cooler/seat beyond the simple footprint of the cooler/seat itself, thereby providing extra support for resisting backward tilting of the cooler/seat; wherein the anti-tip support adjustably extends rearward from the bottom rear portion of the cooler/seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: James J. Stallman
  • Patent number: 7309107
    Abstract: A seat track assembly for providing fore and aft movement of a seat along a floor of a motor vehicle includes a lower track fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes an upper track slidingly engaging the lower track and defining an internal channel there between. The upper track is coupled to the seat and allows for sliding movement of the seat along the lower track. In addition, the seat track assembly includes an anchor seated within the internal channel and fixedly secured to the lower track. In addition, the seat track assembly includes a reinforcement bracket seated within the internal channel and fixedly secured to the upper track. The reinforcement bracket selectively engages the anchor in response to a predetermined load to control deformation and prevent separation between the upper and lower tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Smith, Peter J. Famiglietti
  • Patent number: 7309108
    Abstract: A headrest device of a vertically movable type including a headrest body, a stay element and a lock mechanism provided on a seat back of a seat. The lock mechanism includes a lock plate movably disposed therein and a biasing means for normally biasing said lock plate in a locking direction. The stay element is slidably connected with the lock mechanism so as to be vertically movable and has a non-linearly profiled surface region defined in a surface portion thereof with which said lock plate is biased by said biasing means to frictional contact. Such formation of non-linearly profiled surface region is effective in preventing a friction noise from being generated between the lock plate and the stay element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Tsutsui, Katsuhiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7309109
    Abstract: An axle extension assembly for extending an axle having a longitudinal axle bore. The axle extension assembly includes a shaft having an axle bore insert portion that is adapted for insertion in the longitudinal axle bore. The axle bore insert portion includes a bore engaging element cooperative between the axle bore insert portion and the longitudinal axle bore for securing axle bore insert portion within the longitudinal axle bore. The shaft also includes an extension portion connected to and extending from the axle bore insert portion of the shaft. The extension portion includes an accessory engaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: True Lock, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie J. Weinstein, Erik R. Meinikheim
  • Patent number: 7309110
    Abstract: A wheel formed by the assembly of a disc comprising a hub bearing surface, a transition zone and a radially outer edge, and of a rim with at least a first laminated composite structure formed of at least one fabric of long fibers which are oriented in two distinct directions and impregnated by a cross-linked resin, the radially outer surface of which corresponds to the radially outer surface of the rim or to part thereof, at least a second laminated composite structure formed of at least one fabric of long fibers which are oriented in two distinct directions and impregnated by a cross-linked resin, the radially outer surface of which corresponds to the radially inner surface of the rim or to part thereof, and at least a circumferential weight-reduction structure formed of a material of low density, arranged radially between the first and second laminated composite structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Yves Vernet, Matthieu Bonnamour, Adam Jara, Georges Pirin
  • Patent number: 7309111
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure medium-actuated brake system of a tractor-trailer combination comprising at least one first brake circuit and one second brake circuit. The inventive brake system contains a multiple-circuit braking power sensor, which is connected to a first compressed-air reservoir for the first brake circuit and to a second compressed-air reservoir for the second brake circuit. The brake system also contains an electronic controlling and regulating unit, a control valve device and a tractor protection valve, which can be brought into connection with at least one compressed-air reservoir and via which a brake pressure for a brake system of the trailer can be controlled. The invention provides that at least the multiple-circuit braking power sensor and the control device are placed in immediate proximity to one another and are combined to form a modular unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Herges, Bernhard Schwendemann
  • Patent number: 7309112
    Abstract: Braking system including a master cylinder having at least two pressurizing pistons partially defining at least two mutually isolated pressurizing chambers, and wherein a working fluid in each pressurizing chamber is pressurized by an advancing movement of the corresponding pressurizing piston, a hydraulically operable brake cylinder for activating a brake, and a valve device having a first state in which the pressurized fluid is delivered from two pressurizing chambers of the at least two pressurizing chambers to the brake cylinder, and a second state in which the pressurized fluid is delivered from only one of the two pressurizing chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 7309113
    Abstract: A fluid-flow control system for a valve comprises a valve body and a bi directional main flow passage between a first and second fluid areas. The shuttle piston having a first face in direct communication with the second area and a second face in communication therewith through a bleed orifice. The second face is alternately exposed to the first fluid area through a backpressure passage and second orifice which alters the pressure differential across the shuttle piston. A second valve such as a solenoid operates to either close the second orifice wherein the shuttle piston is operable under differential pressure between the first and second pressure areas, or to close the second orifice wherein the shuttle piston is operable under differential pressure between the second pressure area and the backpressure passage. Filters at the fluid inlet and outlets protect the sealing components therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Dynetek Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Carter
  • Patent number: 7309114
    Abstract: A cabinet has a housing, multiple tracks, multiple drawers, a safety device and a lock assembly. Each track has a sliding rail having a guiding notch and a locking hole. The safety device is mounted in the housing and has a fixed base, a moving base, multiple guiding blocks, multiple locking blocks, multiple guiding brackets and multiple sliders. The guiding blocks are securely attached to the moving base and each have an inclined face. The locking blocks are securely attached to the moving base and each have a locking tab selectively engaging with a corresponding locking hole. The guiding brackets are attached to the fixed base and each have a guiding slot laterally defined through the guiding bracket. Each slider has a top abutting with a corresponding inclined face and a pin engaging with a corresponding guiding notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Lin
  • Patent number: 7309115
    Abstract: A pull-out guide assembly for drawers, having on both sides of the drawer a support rail on the carcass and a pull-out rail on the drawer. The load of the drawer is transmitted between the rails by rollers that are borne in running carriages. The running carriages may be moved between a front end position and a rear end position in a differential manner. Locking means are provided for the running carriages and, in the event of a deviation from the differential running between the rails, they lock the running carriage on one of the rails at predetermined points between the two end positions. This locking is releasable by the movement of the rails with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Julius Blum Gessellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Egon Blum, Ingo Gasser, Herbert Isele
  • Patent number: 7309116
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dairy compartment for supporting items on an inner liner of a fresh food door. The compartment includes a first end section, a second end section and an intermediate section. The intermediate section includes an item support platform and a rear wall. An aperture is formed in one of the central web and the rear wall adjacent the second end. An anchor is mounted to another of the central web and the rear wall adjacent the second end section. The anchor extends through the aperture to hang the compartment on the inner liner of the door with the item support portion in a substantially non-horizontal orientation. The compartment is then rotated such that the item support portion placed in a substantially horizontal orientation whereupon the first end is supported by a lug member formed on the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher S. Garrett, Dennis E. Winders
  • Patent number: 7309117
    Abstract: A printing system comprising a set of nozzles for applying a color component, wherein each of the nozzles in the set is configured to apply a different effective color intensity; and a raster associated with the set of nozzles, the raster comprising a plurality of cells wherein each cell in the plurality of cells comprises at least one element which represents the effective color intensity to be applied to an area by the set of nozzles, wherein the number of elements in a cell is less than the range of different effective color intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sigmatel, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek T. Walton, Brendan P. Mullaly
  • Patent number: 7309118
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining registration errors in the cross process direction of a printer. A first straight line is obtained by detecting line centers of a first plurality of dashes in a test pattern. A second straight line is obtained by detecting a line center positions of a second plurality of dashes in the test pattern. A difference between the off-set of the first straight line and the off-set of the second straight line is used in determining registration errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Howard A. Mizes, Peter Paul, Stanley J. Wallace, Michael D. Borton, Kenneth R. Ossman
  • Patent number: 7309119
    Abstract: In an ink-jet recording apparatus, an active portion for jetting a pigment ink has an area greater than an area of an active portion for jetting a dye ink. Accordingly, the active portion for jetting the pigment ink is capable of generating energy greater than that generated by the active portion for jetting the dye ink. In addition, since a diameter of nozzles which jet the pigment ink is greater than that of nozzles which jet the dye ink, it is possible to jet, at a substantially same speed, the pigment ink and the dye ink to which the different energies are imparted. Further, when performing the recording with the pigment ink, a liquid-droplet having a large volume can be obtained, and when performing the recording with the dye ink, a liquid-droplet having a small volume can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatomo Kojima
  • Patent number: 7309120
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a safe and reliable head substrate having a fuse ROM without increasing the substrate size. To achieve the object, a head substrate includes a plurality of printing elements for printing, first driving elements which drive the printing elements, a fuse ROM which stores information, a second driving element which drives the fuse ROM, input device for inputting a printing signal to cause the plurality of printing elements to print and a block selection signal to time-divisionally drive the printing elements, selective driving device for selectively driving the first driving elements on the basis of the input printing signal and block selection signal, a first pad which applies a first voltage to the fuse ROM to write information, and a second pad which applies a second voltage to read out the information from the fuse ROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Hatsui, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Teruo Ozaki, Yoshiyuki Toge
  • Patent number: 7309121
    Abstract: An ink supplying system for supplying ink to a recording head of a recording apparatus. The ink supplying system includes an ink tank for containing the ink and an ink supplying unit, connected to the ink tank via communication paths, for supplying the ink from the ink tank to the recording head. The ink in the ink tank is introduced into the ink supplying unit through at least one of the communication paths, and gas in the ink supplying unit is transported into the ink tank through at least a different one of the communication paths. At least one of the ink tank and the ink supplying unit has storage means for storing information regarding the amount of ink in the ink supplying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hatasa, Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Ryoji Inoue, Hideki Ogura
  • Patent number: 7309122
    Abstract: A method for storing a cationic polymerizable composition including an acid generating agent, a cationic polymerizable compound and water, the method including the step of: placing the cationic polymerizable composition in a water impermeable container maintaining a content of water in the cationic polymerizable composition at a level of 0.2-5.0 weight % based on the total weight of the cationic polymerizable composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakajima, Nobumasa Sasa
  • Patent number: 7309123
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a feeder, provided in an upstream in a transfer path for transferring a medium, for feeding the medium to a downstream in the transfer path one by one, the medium being stacked at an angle; a recording head, provided in the downstream of the feeder, for performing recording for the medium; a carriage, on which the recording head is mounted, for reciprocating in a main scanning direction along a carriage guide axis; a transfer roller for transferring the medium by rotating, the transfer roller including a transfer-driving roller and a transfer-driven roller; a stacker having a medium-placed surface, the stacker being positioned at a first position allowing the medium to be substantially horizontally fed from the medium-placed surface to a position under the recording head and be substantially horizontally discharged from the position under the recording head onto the medium-placed surface, or a second position for receiving and stacking the medium fed by the feeder, the second p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Anami, Narihiro Oki, Takayuki Shiota, Kazuo Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7309124
    Abstract: A method for displaying an optical performance preferably applicable to also an axially asymmetric spectacle lens is provided. First, a clear visual region of the spectacle lens is determined using an evaluation function which evaluates the optical performance of the spectacle lens. Next, a clear visual angle which depends on a size of the clear visual region corresponding to a vertex angle of a spherical cone is calculated when the spherical cone which has an equal solid angle with a solid angle including the determined clear visual region from a center of rotation of an eye and which is symmetrical to an optical axis of the spectacle lens is assumed. Next, the calculated clear visual angle is expressed by a unit of degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuma Yamakaji
  • Patent number: 7309125
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting abnormalities in spatial perception that consists of a first transparent screen in a close-vision field and a second screen seen through the first one and located in a far-vision field of a person being tested. The apparatus is provided with devices for forming images selectively on the first or second screen and with a device for tracking trajectories of the eye pupils while following the images. The method is based on detecting specific irregularities in trajectories of the eye pupils, such as nystagmuses, cut-offs, sudden drops of the gaze, etc., when a person follows the smooth trajectory of a moving image on a selected screen, or when the size and position of the eye pupil change with certain irregularity in response to instantaneous switching of images between the screens without changing the position of the person's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: Vladimir Pugach, Svetlana Tikhonova, Vitali Tikhonov
  • Patent number: 7309126
    Abstract: A device for measuring eye characteristics, an operation device, and the coordinate origin and the coordinate axes of each eye are sufficiently related with one another. A measuring unit (111) measures eye optical characteristics based on a first light receiving signal from a first light receiving unit (23), and measures a cornea topography based on a second light receiving signal from a second light receiving unit (35). The measuring unit (111) also computes an ablation amount based on an aberration result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Toshifumi Mihashi, Yoko Hirohara, Naoyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 7309127
    Abstract: A first movement unit for moving a condensing position so that a light flux from a light source is condensed on a place close to a retina of a subject eye, and a second movement unit for optically moving a conversion member for condensing a light flux reflected by the retina and a light receiving part for receiving light fluxes can be independently driven and can be further driven by an operation of an operator. First, an arithmetic part adjusts a projection side and a light receiving side based on first signals from the light receiving part. In a case where an independent mode is selected, the projection side and the light receiving side are adjusted automatically or manually. Further, the arithmetic part measures a characteristic of the eye in accordance with adjusted measurement conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hashimoto, Yoko Hirohara
  • Patent number: 7309128
    Abstract: In a method for testing the visual field of a patient especially the central visual field, stereoscopic or binocularly displaced fixation images are presented under computer control to the respective eyes of the patient. In addition, a series of test images viewable by only one of the patient's eyes is generated under the control of the computer. The fixation images, one for each eye, are presented on two separate electronic displays, while the test images may be produced on a third display member different from the electronic displays. The computer is programmed to precisely determine a boundary between points corresponding to unseen test images and points corresponding to seen test images, by automatically testing additional points in a region located about the curve and between points corresponding to unseen test images and points corresponding to seen test images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Centrofuse Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony P. Cappo, Gregory Bennett, Matthew D. Orr, Virginia Lubkin
  • Patent number: 7309129
    Abstract: A perimeter for examining a visual field of an eye of a patient, includes: a presentation unit, which presents an examination target at each of various positions around an eye fixation point to which the patient's eye is visually fixed; a position determination unit, which determines at least one of positions of an optic pappila, a central fovea and a macula lutea on a fundus of the patient's eye; and a control unit, which determines a running state of a nerve fiber bundle on the fundus based on the determined position, and which controls the presentation unit to present and move the examination target based on the determined running state of the nerve fiber bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7309130
    Abstract: A fixture for a projection system that includes a lamp, a light valve and a projection lens mainly comprises a lamp frame and an optical engine main body, wherein the lamp frame contains a chamber for containing the optical engine main body. The optical engine main body includes an optical engine seat and an optical engine upper cover. One end of the optical engine seat is connected to the lamp frame while another end thereof is connected to the optical engine upper cover. The optical engine seat is made of a heat-insulating material for preventing the heat of the lamp from conducting to the optical engine upper cover for providing better image quality of the projection system, extending the lifetime of the light valve and the projection lens, reducing the weight and the cost of the whole projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: I-Hsien Liu, Chien-Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 7309131
    Abstract: When a front cover 12 in which an inner grille 13 is fitted is mounted to the body of the projector, a fin member 13b formed as one unit with the inner grille 13 is placed with very little clearance between itself and a partition 33 separating the region where a light source device 20 is provided from the region where an optical system 100 is provided. Therefore, hot air of a first fan can be prevented from passing between the partition 33 and the front cover 12 and entering the region where the optical system 100 is provided. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent the hot air from entering the above region and further entering the optical system 100 or entering the optical path of a projection lens 26 to cause a heat-wave effect, thus the projector is capable of suppressing a heat-wave effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyasu Asada
  • Patent number: 7309132
    Abstract: A modular keypad assembly for use with a projection device is provided. This modular keypad assembly may include a user input through which a user may operate the projection device. Such a modular keypad assembly may include a elastomer keypad, a keypad support plate; and a keypad circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Greg Sample
  • Patent number: 7309133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projector that projects projection light on a projection object to display an image, including an image formation module that can form a predetermined pattern image for displaying on the projection object; a zoom lens that can change the size of the projected light region on which the projection light is projected; a controller; an imager that images the projection object; and an imaging controller that calculates an exposure calculation value from an imaged image imaged by the imager and adjusts the exposure on the imager such that the calculated exposure calculation value is nearly equivalent to an exposure target value set by the controller, and wherein the controller acquires the image imaged by the imager, and changes an area of a specified color portion represented with a specified color in the pattern image which is formed in the image formation module such that a specified value of a gradient value of a specified color portion represented with the specified color bec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7309134
    Abstract: A system and method of displaying identification information for a projector system are disclosed. The method includes projecting a display onto a viewing surface with the projector system, and projecting an identification image onto the viewing surface over at least a part of the display with the projection system, wherein the identification image is configured to convey the identification information to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Cambron
  • Patent number: 7309135
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making retroreflective sheeting and other articles prepared from casting a moldable synthetic resin onto a tool having a microstructured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7309136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cup or a drinking container and in particular, to a drinking cup a spouting-water and lighting effect during drinking. The cup comprises a liquid container, a liquid output pipe, a spray pipe, a lighting circuit, etc, characterized in that the spray pipe inserts between the top of the liquid container and the bottom of a liquid storage, a water ion switch is supplied inside the spray pipe and just at the middle part of it, a liquid output pipe is led out from the liquid storage. The present invention has a simple configuration and a spouting water and lighting effect compared with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Pingfai Lei
  • Patent number: 7309137
    Abstract: A portable reading light has a telescoping arm that is slidable within a housing, the arm having a light source at the end thereof which has one or more light emitting diodes which provide bright light, low power consumption and durability. The light emitting diodes preferably are located in an articulatable light support and disposed adjacent to a focusing lens to better direct and shape the light onto a surface. The arm is mounted to a base assembly slidable within the housing and being telescopically expandable for stabilizing the arm when set for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sunrich Manufactory Ltd.
    Inventor: Wai Hong Chan
  • Patent number: 7309138
    Abstract: A backlight module and method of assembling the same. At least one fitting structure is formed on each of the top surface and side surface of an exterior frame of the backlight, and a fitting member is provided for each fitting structure. A plurality of fitting structures is formed on the fitting members to be engaged with the fitting structures of the top and side surfaces, such that the backlight films of the backlight module can be properly held between the exterior frame and the fitting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Shun Nan Chang
  • Patent number: 7309139
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, having a rotatable band disposed around the exterior of the flashlight is disclosed. Rotational movement of the band is converted to lateral movement of the light emitting element within the flashlight. The structural integrity of the flashlight is not compromised when the rotatable band is rotated around the flashlight to adjust the width of the projected pattern of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Woon Au, Siu Bong Ng, Wing On Tang
  • Patent number: 7309140
    Abstract: A light for a jack includes a housing having a chamber therein to receive a battery set, two pivot portions at two exterior sides thereof and a light portion at a top thereof. Two pivot devices are pivoted on the pivot portions of the housing respectively to be moved to change an angle relative to the housing. Each of the pivot devices is provided with a magnet to couple the pivot devices with the jack by a magnetic force of the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hiever Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Huang