Patents Issued in December 25, 2007
  • Patent number: 7311273
    Abstract: A fluid injection device including a protruding needle. One end of the needle forms a valve and can be moved between a closed position, in which the valve seals the fluid-release opening, and an open position, in which the valve is positioned at a controlled distance from the opening. Movement of the valve between the closed position and the open position is produced by the controlled intrinsic extension of the protruding needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Andre Agneray, Laurent Levin
  • Patent number: 7311274
    Abstract: An antislip material ejector comprises an antislip material container 12 which stores antislip material, an air inlet pipe 13 which is arranged in the antislip material container, a compressed air supply pipe 14 which supplies compressed air to the air inlet pipe, a nozzle portion 16 which is arranged in the air inlet pipe, a mixing pipe 17, which is connected with the air inlet pipe, in which the antislip materials are mixed with air and in which a suction hole 18 is formed through which the antislip material passes, a connecting pipe, one end of which communicates with the mixing pipe and the other end of which communicates with a cavity in the antislip material container, and an ejection pipe 20 which is connected with the mixing pipe and which ejects the antislip material together with the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Railway Technical Research Institute, Tess Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Ohno, Kazuya Gushima, Kosuke Honda
  • Patent number: 7311275
    Abstract: Mobile towers of an irrigation system have drive wheel assemblies that propel the towers along the ground. At least certain of the wheel assemblies may comprise dual wheels that share a common axis of rotation but are separately driven by their own drive motor. By driving the two separate wheels in unison but with their own individual drive shafts, increased ground-engaging surface area can be obtained without a consequential increase in load for any one motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Korus
  • Patent number: 7311276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shredder that includes a proximity sensing system to sense the presence of a person, animal, or object near cutting elements of the shredder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fellowes Inc.
    Inventors: Taihoon K Matlin, Eric Gach
  • Patent number: 7311277
    Abstract: When a printing paper to which an IC chip storing secret information is attached is discarded, a shredder applied voltage to the IC chip by a discharging unit to destroy the IC chip and to make it impossible to read the secret information therefrom. Thereafter, a shredding cutter shreds the printing paper and the shred printing paper is discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Watanabe, Akihiko Takada, Masayoshi Sakakibara, Hajime Kishimoto, Yasuo Horino, Toshiyuki Yano, Yasuhiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7311278
    Abstract: A crusher bucket includes a bucket body (70) and a crushing lid (76) provided on the bucket body. The crushing lid is capable of being opened and closed relative to the bucket body. A material feed rate adjusting mechanism is provided on the bucket body (70) and/or the crushing lid (76) to allow raw material scooped up into the bucket body (70) to be fed into a crushing chamber (70a) in a predetermined amount at a time. Hammers (74) are disposed on the outer periphery of a rotor driven rotationally by a power drive device to strike and break the raw material fed into the crushing chamber (70a). A repulsion plate (77) is provided on the crushing lid (76) to collide with the raw material struck by the hammers (74). The material feed rate adjusting mechanism is preferably a weir (72) provided on the bottom wall of the bucket body (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nakayama Iron Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kitsukawa, Tomio Aimori, Tadaaki Tomonaga, Arata Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7311279
    Abstract: A self cleaning cutting assembly is provided, having an array of counter rotating cutters in which a plurality of cutters rotating in a first direction are mounted on a first shaft and a plurality of second cutters are mounted on a second shaft for rotating in an opposite direction. The array of cutters is provided with a plurality of clearing or cleaning rings located alternately with the cutters on each shaft. The cutting array is kept clear of debris or partially cut material by movement of the clearing or cutting rings against adjacent cutters. Movement of the clearing or cleaning rings is a combination of rotary motion and linear motion, in which the linear motion is imparted by the cutter located opposite the cleaning ring striking the cleaning rings so as to push the cleaning ring beyond the position of the widest part of the cutter to completely dislodge material from the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Terrance James Parke
    Inventors: Karen Mathers, legal representative, Terrence James Parke, deceased
  • Patent number: 7311280
    Abstract: A chopper, or crusher (1) for breaking up ice, including a housing (2, 3) able to be pushed over the goods to be broken up and with a knife (5) with a blade having a toothed cutter (52) is provided. An upper housing part (2) is detachably connectable to a beaker-like housing lower part (3) closed at the bottom. In a preferred embodiment, the height HK of the blade (51), the height of the beaker HB and the maximum vertical path of the knife (5) limited by an actuation mechanism (4) are selected and matched to one another such that the cutter (52) in its lowermost position does not come into contact with the beaker base (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Moha Moderne Haushaltwaren AG
    Inventor: Bruno Herren
  • Patent number: 7311281
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to, among other things, a grinding and impeller clip for attaching to a wheel assembly mounted for rotational motion within a grinding chamber of a coal pulverizer, wherein the clip has an arcuate cross sectional profile and a protective layer on its upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Riley Power, Inc.
    Inventors: William Schmitz, Craig A. Penterson, Daniel P. Smith
  • Patent number: 7311282
    Abstract: A seven-sided housing for an information storage medium, where one of the seven sides is moveable in two planes to allow access to an information storage medium disposed therein. A portable data storage cartridge, which includes an information storage medium disposed in the housing. A method to read information from, and/or write information to, the information storage medium is disposed within the portable data storage cartridge. An information storage and retrieval system, which includes one or more of the portable data storage cartridges. A method to read information from, and/or write information to, an information storage medium disposed in the data storage cartridge. An information storage and retrieval system, which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for writing information to and/or retrieving information from, an information storage medium disposed within the portable data storage cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reed A. Hancock, Linda S. Daanen, legal representative, Joseph C. Ramirez, James A. Jackmond, deceased
  • Patent number: 7311283
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a chalk line device having a helical gear and an improved locking assembly. The locking assembly comprises a first lock member having a lock button. The locking assembly also comprises a second lock member including an opening to lockingly engage the first lock member and having a plurality of teeth at one end disposed adjacent one of the helical gears used in this embodiment. The second lock member engages with the helical gear in response to a movement of the lock button member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventor: Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 7311284
    Abstract: A coil forming apparatus for forming a continuous-pole coil having a plurality of single-pole coils includes a winding jig rotatable around a center swing axis. The winding jig includes: a holder rotatable around a center axis of rotation different from center swing axis; and a plurality of coil bobbins arranged around said holder and mounted for reciprocal movement between advanced and retracted positions relative to the holder. Each individual coil bobbin has a winding axes which can be aligned with the center swing axis by turning the winding jig around the center axis of rotation. The single-pole coils having little twist can be stably formed for any coil bobbin to thereby form the continuous-pole coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Hashimoto, Tooru Kuroyanagi, Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7311285
    Abstract: The present invention provides a box and a method of shipping a cable drum enabling the cable to be unwound in full or in part while the drum is inside said box. The shipping box comprises a bottomless chest for surrounding the drum and a device for unwinding the cable wound on the drum, which drum is provided with an axial opening through which there passes a shaft. The device has two supports each provided with a respective bearing, the supports being secured to two opposite internal side walls of the chest, the box being capable of occupying two positions: a transport position in which the shaft of the drum is not supported by the bearings, and a cable-unwinding position in which the shaft of the drum is supported by the bearings, thus enabling the drum to rotate about said shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Jean Rauchs, Carlo Pecchini, Alain Houyaux, Damien Vanvynckt
  • Patent number: 7311286
    Abstract: An axle to hold standard toilet tissue rolls in common spring-held toilet tissue roll holders is provided that contains an auxiliary tissue roll. The axle shaft is constructed of two sliding, interlocking, hollow parts with an external spring compressed therebetween. Each outer end is solid with multiple, protruding, tapered, different size anchor points for mounting. A male part has a protruding key and fits inside a larger diameter female part, which includes a recessed keyway. The key/keyway device prevents the two hollow parts from spinning within each other. A wound auxiliary tissue roll is contained in the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Allen Garrett Burnett
  • Patent number: 7311287
    Abstract: A vertical stabilizer is configured to minimize the rate of change of cross-sectional area distribution of the vehicle or device to which the vertical stabilizer is mounted. One or more “waisted” areas can be included at the tip and/or the root of the vertical stabilizers, as well as over the distance from tip to root of the vertical stabilizer. In some situations, a strake is mounted on the vehicle or device, such as an aircraft, and the vertical stabilizer is mounted to the tip of the strake. The strake can also be area ruled with one or more “waisted” sections at the juncture of the vertical stabilizer. Applying area ruling to the vertical stabilizer helps to further reduce the drag of the vehicle or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Supersonic Aerospace International, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Morgenstern, Alan E. Arslan, Garret A. Moose
  • Patent number: 7311288
    Abstract: The invention provides a wing structure for an aircraft, including a top skin and a bottom skin defining a primary wing surface, the surface having a width, a length, a leading edge and a trailing edge; a flap having a width smaller than the width of the wing surface and a length extending over a major portion of the wing length, the flap being hingedly joined adjacent to the trailing edge of the wing, wherein the flap is capable of assuming two limit dispositions, a first disposition in which the flap extends substantially parallel to the bottom skin, and a second disposition extending towards the trailing edge of the wing, at an obtuse angle. A method for slowing down the speed of flight of an aircraft is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Top I Vision, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gad Shental, Nir Shental, Ran Shental, Lev Pessachis
  • Patent number: 7311289
    Abstract: A multi-purpose foldable stand is simple in structure and capable of being used on a table as a memo holder, a coffee filter holder, a book holder, and a banana holder, and when not in use, the stand is folded into a compact size for storage or carry. The stand has two identical U-shaped frames. Each of the frames includes a horizontal leg portion, an upright support portion, and a horizontal arm portion, to which spring clips or hooks are attached for suspending articles. Both of the upright support portions are pivotally bound together. When the stand is used, the frames are so pivoted that the horizontal leg portions form an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to each other, then memos, a coffee filter, a book, or bananas are suspended from the horizontal arm portions, and so the stand functions as the holder for the article suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Akio Mori
  • Patent number: 7311290
    Abstract: A kit of components for constructing and installing an awning and light support system to provide sun and weather protection to a window or door of a structure. Included therein are a pair of uniquely constructed bracket members having an L-shaped configuration with the respective free ends of the legs termination in an angled L-shape configuration, where the latter are used to removably secure an awning spar to support the awning material. Additionally, the bracket member includes a short horizontal arm, projecting from a first leg of the bracket member within the plane of the bracket member, from which may be secured a lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Michael S. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7311291
    Abstract: An elongated support post for a mailbox has a mailbox support arm secured to an upper portion of the support post and at least one anchor fin secured to a lower portion of the support post and projectingly outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment of the invention a pair of support fins is secured to generally opposed portions of the support post and project radially outwardly therefrom. The support post may have openings into which portions of the support fins extend for mechanical interengagement therebetween. The support fins are preferably taperedly downwardly so as to facilitate insertion of the post into the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Solar Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Dwight Robinson
  • Patent number: 7311292
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve intended in particular for sanitary applications, comprising a body in which there are a first and a second perpendicular duct for the flow of a fluid to be shut off; a closure member acts in the valve body to close and open the first duct. The closure member is constituted by a central core with a flexible, circular ring extending around it and has a head having a diverging profile which closes and opens the first duct as a result of the action of the actuator means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fedegari Autoclavi SPA
    Inventor: Fortunato Fedegari
  • Patent number: 7311293
    Abstract: A multi-use hand tool for framing includes a shaft, a head, a notch, and a close space. The head is attached to the shaft and includes an open space adapted to fit a board. The notch is adapted for pulling nails. The closed space is adapted for pulling long nails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Florian Mrugalski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7311294
    Abstract: A jack bar includes an outer tube, an inner tube and a positioner tube coaxially located. The positioner tube is extendable to adjust a length to the jack bar in use while enabling the jack bar to be retracted for storage. The jack bar further includes a clamp configured to receive tubes of various shapes. The clamp is further configured to prevent twisting or turning of clamped tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yuhuan Top Sun Machinery Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bu Qin Ruan
  • Patent number: 7311295
    Abstract: A cylinder apparatus is provided for a hydraulic lift jack with a transmission device so that the ascending velocity is high with no load and the ascending velocity is low when there is a load. The cylinder apparatus includes a lifting mechanism for moving an upper plate up and down by the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders and a fluid pumping mechanism for in-taking the oil stored in the oil tank and pumping the oil to the outside. The cylinder apparatus also includes a piston installed to move reciprocally within the main hydraulic cylinder, and a pumping transmission mechanism including a transmission control for controlling the pumping volume of the oil so that the ascending velocity can be controlled progressively. An oil pressure removing portion removes the pressure of the piston so that the pumping mechanism then can supply a little volume of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Tae-Hong Ha
  • Patent number: 7311296
    Abstract: A conduit threading device is provided for passing a pull-cord (24) through a conduit (17) by imposing suction at one end of a conduit to draw a shuttle (16) having a zone of maximum diameter that is commensurate with the internal diameter of the conduit and that is introduced at the other end of the conduit, through the conduit. The conduit threading device includes a positive, displacement pump (1), typically a hand operated piston and cylinder pump, having a suction inlet (14) generally at the end of a flexible suction 10 pipe (13) configured for releasable attachment, by way of one of a selection of adapters, to an end of a conduit. Interposed between the pump and suction inlet is a separate collection chamber (9) for waste solids and liquids drawn into the suction inlet during use. The pull-cord is preferably a light weight polypropylene string, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: John Michael Holtzhausen
  • Patent number: 7311297
    Abstract: A lifting device utilizing a utility winch having an electric motor and cable drum. The cable on the cable drum extends around a pulley located on a load cell beam. Excessive loads will deflect the load cell beam causing a contact on a micro switch to be engaged to shut off power to the motor. The cable is attached to a trolley which reciprocates along a mast between upper and lower limits. The trolley includes a brake which has a drum which engages the mast to stop in travel of the trolley in the event of a cable breakage. Cable tension is also sensed and cable slack will actuate a switch to interrupt power to the electric motor. Various load handling attachments are detachably securable to the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Franklin C. Bradshaw, Craig Churchill
  • Patent number: 7311298
    Abstract: An integrated air compressor and winch is provided that utilizes a single source of rotary motive power for driving both a winch drum and compressor mechanism. The integrated air compressor and winch is preferably provided with a gear case that is operable to provide an appropriate gear reduction for driving the winch drum while providing an appropriate drive speed for operating the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Giacomini
  • Patent number: 7311299
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aeration device made up of a rectangular elastic porous body, a support base supporting the elastic porous body from below and having an orifice for pressurized air, and a securing component which secures the elastic porous body to the support base integrally, wherein the support base contains a supporting portion supporting the elastic porous body from below and an attaching portion connected to the supporting portion and attaching the supporting portion to a pressurized air distribution pipe, the rectangular elastic porous body having a box shape having an opening portion, and the supporting portion being disposed in an elastic porous body. In addition, the present invention provides an aeration system made up of two or more of the above described aeration devices installed on a pressurized air distribution pipe, wherein each aeration device is disposed contacting mutually with no space between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Daicen Membrane-Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Sasajima
  • Patent number: 7311300
    Abstract: An actuator of an active engine vibration isolation support system is driven based on the first, second, third . . . duty groups calculated corresponding to the vibration periods t1, t2, t3 . . . of the engine. When the engine rotational speed varies in the increasing direction and the vibration periods t1, t2, t3 . . . become gradually shorter, parts of the first, second, third . . . duty groups overlap each other, and therefore an electrical current which is supplied to the actuator does not become 0 at the end of the duty groups, leading to a possibility that a peak value of the electrical current gradually increases so that not only the active vibration isolation support system cannot exhibit an effective vibration isolation function, but also the actuator generates heat. Therefore, for example, when the overlapping amount of the first and the second duty groups exceeds a threshold value, a duty ratio of the second duty group is made 0 to stop application of the electrical current to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotomi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7311301
    Abstract: A hook pin unit for use in a manufacturing environment. The hook pin unit includes a pin having an orifice through a surface. A base having an orifice with the pin arranged within the orifice of the base. A hook arranged within the pin and moveable between a first and second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Xu Liu, Douglas D. Colby
  • Patent number: 7311302
    Abstract: An improved substrate support system for clamping spring loaded pins that support substrates, such as printed circuit boards, which have even profiles, and uneven profiles due to components being installed on one side during manufacturing operations to the opposite side of the substrate. The substrate support system can utilize a cam lever, a knob, or a draw latch to move a clamping plate between an aligned position and a clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Production Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas T. Farlow, Thomas A. Gordon
  • Patent number: 7311303
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for distributing print media are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus for distributing print media includes an accumulator that is pivotable about an axis. The accumulator has a print media inlet, a print media outlet, and an actuator that pivots the accumulator about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roberto Gonzalez Gonzalez, Israel Cruz Ruiz
  • Patent number: 7311304
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an arcade game with multiple moving elements, where a player must engage all moving elements with a playing piece to engage a target and earn a reward. The game apparatus has a guiding member having a first motion, a target surface having a second motion, and a playing piece initiated into the game apparatus by a player. The playing piece engages the guiding mechanism having a first motion. In order to properly engage the target surface having a second motion, the player must initiate the playing piece at a proper time such that the guiding mechanism guides the playing piece to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Arcade Planet, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7311305
    Abstract: A roulette device including: a roulette plate having a plurality of marks arranged thereon; a ball which rolls on the roulette plate; a plurality of ball receiving parts which are formed corresponding to the marks in a circumferential direction of the roulette plate to receive the ball; a bank passage which is provided on an outer periphery of the ball receiving parts of the roulette plate and on which the ball rolls along a circumferential orbit; a compressor which compresses air; and a first discharge hole which is provided in each ball receiving part and through which the air compressed by the compressor is discharged to the bank passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Aruze Corp.
    Inventors: Masaki Matsuno, Tetsuya Yokota, Yoshitomo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7311306
    Abstract: A cylindrical jigsaw puzzle includes a bottom rim having an outer flange, an inner flange and a first gap between the outer flange and the inner flange, a top rim having a ring body, a positioning flange extending from an inner face of the ring body and a second gap defined between the ring body and the positioning flange, top puzzle pieces each having a first assembly edge corresponding to and received in the second gap of the top rim and bottom puzzle pieces each having a second assembly edge corresponding to and received in the first gap of the bottom rim. Combination among the top puzzle pieces with the top rim mounted thereon, bottom puzzle pieces with the bottom rim mounted thereunder and a cap mounted on top of the top rim is able to accomplish a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Chuang
  • Patent number: 7311307
    Abstract: A seal seat assembly utilizes a positive mechanical drive between a seal seat and the bore of a pump component, which in turn is mounted to and driven by the shaft by means of a positive mechanical engagement therebetween. The grommet accommodates the positive mechanical drive between the seal seat and the pump component. The seal assembly enables a robust, easily assembled three-component sub-assembly of the seal seat, grommet and pump component that can be handled as a single unit, and which easily installs onto, seals with, and becomes rotationally locked to a shaft. The positive engagement features, retaining features and static sealing features are axially aligned to provide an axially-compact seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Freudenberg-Nok General Partnership
    Inventor: John C Dahlheimer
  • Patent number: 7311308
    Abstract: The tip edge of a second seal lip of an elastic member constituting a seal ring is in sliding contact with an outside face of a slinger. The seal ring and the slinger are pre-assembled and then installed between an inner peripheral surface at an end of an outer ring and the middle of an outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft. The first and second seal lips are protected by the slinger prior to assembly. As a result, the first and second seal lips constituting the seal ring installed with the slinger can be installed without damage, using an industrial method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Masamichi Iketani
  • Patent number: 7311309
    Abstract: A cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine is formed of a first metal plate extending substantially throughout an entire area of the gasket. The metal plate includes a base portion, at least one hole corresponding to a cylinder bore of the engine, a curved portion for defining the at least one hole, and a flange extending from the curved portion to be located above the base portion. A plated layer formed of soft metal is disposed on at least one surface of the base portion, curved portion and flange of the first metal plate facing outwardly of the gasket to thereby form a sealing portion by the plated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ishikawa Gasket Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunekazu Udagawa, Yuichi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7311310
    Abstract: In order to achieve good sealing in both a cold and a warm engine by sealing features which are as simple as possible, an at least substantially metallic cylinder head gasket comprises a gasket plate with only one layer of sheet steel extending over the entire gasket plate, and around each combustion chamber opening of the gasket plate, a combustion chamber sealing element forming on at least one side of the gasket an elevation with a gasket sealing surface surrounding the combustion chamber opening in a closed manner for being pressed against an engine component sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Elring Klinger AG
    Inventors: Armin Diez, Tobias Gruhler, Ulrich Werz, Peter Schenk
  • Patent number: 7311311
    Abstract: A seal rubber 3 is placed in a first peripheral groove 2 formed in one main surface 1A of an approximately flat-plate-shaped metal body 1. A second peripheral groove 4 and multiple communicating holes 5 to communicate between the second peripheral groove 4 and the first peripheral groove 2 are formed in the other main surface 1B of the metal body 1. A retaining rubber 6 disposed in the second peripheral groove 4, the seal rubber 3, and a bridge rubber 7 disposed in the communicating hole 5 are integrated. The first peripheral groove 2 is made to be a dovetail groove, the second peripheral groove 4 is made to have an inner surface inclined to reduce the groove width from a groove opening side to a groove bottom surface side, and the groove width D4-2 of the groove bottom surface and the inner diameter D3 of the communicating hole 5 are made to be substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 7311312
    Abstract: A chuck body is made up of axially movable plungers and jaws, in which the jaw has a master jaw body obliquely arranged with respect to an axis of the chuck body, the jaw also has a front face of the master jaw body and a rear end face of a master jaw head for restricting a position of the jaw with respect to the chuck body, a plunger receives a bushing which acts as a wedge means cooperating with the master jaw body, a driver at a rear end of the master jaw body being restricted in a backward movement within a range of a gap ?, and a wedge having a structure of canceling a moment applied to the jaw as a result of clamping, the driver providing a reactant force to the master jaw body for canceling a drawing force applied to a plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kitagawa Tekkosho
    Inventors: Tamio Nishimiya, Satoshi Isohisa, Naoyuki Masatsugu, Toshihito Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7311313
    Abstract: A hands-free jogging stroller adaptor apparatus with shock absorbing properties is provided. The adaptor allows a jogger to utilize a jogging stroller without interruption of natural arm and leg cross-motion as would occur when pushing the stroller with hands or forearms. Telescopic tubes are situated between a jogger and the stroller, the tubes being equipped with an intermediary shock absorber whereby the motion of the jogger will not cause uncomfortable ‘bumping’ of the stroller or a child inside. The adaptor is worn by a jogger through the use of a waist belt. The adaptor is attached to the stroller by means of an interlocking bayonet-cup fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Sarah Joan Ray, Philip Stephen Fay
  • Patent number: 7311314
    Abstract: A vehicular suspension system having a fluid circuit including two fluid cylinders provided on respective front-wheel and rear-wheel sides, and two fluid passage systems one of which connects one of two fluid chambers of the fluid cylinder on the front-wheel side to the corresponding one of the two fluid chambers of the fluid cylinder on the rear-wheel side, and the other of which connects the other fluid chamber of the front-wheel side fluid cylinder to the other fluid chamber of the rear-wheel side fluid cylinder, the suspension system including a diagnosing device operable to diagnose the fluid circuit for any abnormality, on the basis of at least one of fluid pressures in the two fluid passage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Kasamatsu
  • Patent number: 7311315
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling stiffness of an anti-roll bar for a vehicle includes an anti-roll bar provided with piezoelectric ceramics, the anti-roll bar interconnecting both lower arms of a vehicle suspension system, a power converter connected to a power supply to change an amount of electric power and to supply the electric power to the piezoelectric ceramics of the anti-roll bar, and a controller connected to the power converter to calculate an amount of the electric power needed for providing the piezoelectric ceramics with optimal stiffness based on previously stored vehicle speed and steering angle in response to data detected by a vehicle speed sensor and a steering angle sensor and to control the power converter such that the calculated electric power can be supplied to the piezoelectric ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: June Young Song
  • Patent number: 7311316
    Abstract: In a stabilizer control apparatus for a vehicle, a stabilizer includes a pair of stabilizer bars disposed between a right wheel and a left wheel of the vehicle, and an actuator having an electric motor and a speed reducing mechanism disposed between the stabilizer bars. A turning determination device is provided for determining change in turning operation of the vehicle. And, a controller is provided for changing a control parameter of the electric motor in response to the result determined by the turning determination device, to control a torsional rigidity of the stabilizer. As for control parameters of the electric motor, may be employed a desired value of electric current for actuating the electric motor, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Shingo Urababa, Shuuichi Buma
  • Patent number: 7311317
    Abstract: A traction runner for a snow ski is fabricated of a lightweight metal such as aluminum and is formed on its upper surface with a channel in which mounting members are fixed. A channel is formed also in the lower surface and a carbide wear strip is brazed through induction heating to the aluminum runner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: International Engineering and Manufacturin, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Musselman
  • Patent number: 7311318
    Abstract: A wheel is provided for a conveyance such as a skateboard. The wheel is generally cylindrical in form with a tread surface defining a portion of the wheel adapted to contact an underlying surface upon which the wheel is rotatably supported. The tread surface includes a circumferential trough therein dividing the tread surface into a pair of crests circumscribing the wheel on each side of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Shelby A. Funk
  • Patent number: 7311319
    Abstract: A frame has a top portion and lower portions. A wheel assembly includes a front and a rear axle. The wheel assembly also includes a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. A steering assembly includes a lower tube. The lower tube is coupled to the front axle. The steering assembly includes an upper tube. The upper tube is adjustably received within the lower tube. A cross piece has handles. The handles are adapted to be held by a user for locomotion and for steering. A seat assembly has an upper planar support surface for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Kathryn McDaniel Ortega
  • Patent number: 7311320
    Abstract: A bracket assembly secures a running board to a rocker panel, which includes a pinch weld depending therefrom. The bracket assembly includes a receiving panel adapted to have the running board fixedly secured thereto. A rocker securing plate extends out from the receiving panel and is secured to the rocker panel. An intermediate securing tab extends outwardly between the receiving panel and the rocker securing plate for securing the bracket assembly to the pinch weld outboard thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Kuntze, David Alan Smith, Matthew Philip Brooks
  • Patent number: 7311321
    Abstract: A cycle that has two fixed frame arms extending down on each side of the head tube axis, and a steering arm rotatably mounted in the head tube extends down between the frame arms and has a laterally off-set lower portion. A mounting member is fixed to the lower end of the steering arm and has a hollow cylindrical wheel support section which carries the inner portion of a bearing or bearings for the front wheel, allowing this wheel to rotate while being steerable by the steering arm. A fixed pedal axle extends freely through the hollow wheel support section and is rotatably supported by lower ends of the frame arms, this axle being connected by drive means to one of the cycle's front or rear wheels. Parts of the mounting member have an enlarged interior space relative to that in the wheel support section to accommodate steering movement of the mounting means relative to the pedal axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Gerd Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7311322
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an electrically operated bicycle transmission comprises a power supply sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the power supply sensor. The power supply sensor senses a power characteristic of a power supply, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission when the power characteristic falls below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the control apparatus comprises a running condition time sensor and a control unit operatively coupled to the running condition time sensor. The running condition time sensor senses a time interval of a running condition of a bicycle, and the control unit provides a signal to operate the bicycle transmission to a predetermined gear ratio when the time interval of the running condition passes a selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kazuhiro Takeda