Patents Issued in January 15, 2008
  • Patent number: 7318659
    Abstract: A replacement device for a light bulb includes a translucent shell and a base. The base supports a plurality of LEDs positioned so as to emit a light show through the shell. The base is configured to be received in a conventional light socket. The base also includes a compartment for receiving and securing a replaceable volatile active cartridge and a heater for enabling the device to effectively emit an active ingredient from the cartridge when the cartridge is secured in the compartment. A white light source is also provided in the shell as a source of illumination. The device can be used as a white light source, for displaying a colored light show and for volatile active emission. The volatile active may be emitted continuously when the device is used as either a white light source or for purposes of displaying a colored light show. Thus, a single device is used as a replacement for a conventional light bulb and is a combination white light source/colored light show source/volatile active source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Simon M. Conway, Matthew Abbondanzio, Darren K Robling, Scott D. Walter, Jose Porchia, Jeffrey J. Wolf
  • Patent number: 7318660
    Abstract: A light emitting module (10) includes a metal circuit board (11), a number of light emitting units (12) arranged on a first surface of the metal circuit board, and a cooling system (13) mounted on an opposite second surface of the metal circuit board. A light source device (1) using the light emitting module further includes a housing (30) and a transparent light cover (20). The housing has a base with the light emitting module being mounted thereon. The transparent light cover covers the housing. The present light emitting module and light source device can improve the brightness of the light, and increase the utilization efficiency of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Cherng Yu
  • Patent number: 7318661
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing a light emitting diode and driving circuitry integrated into a component module that will retrofit common incandescent lightbulb applications. The disclosed embodiments will perform with high efficiency at a wide operating voltage range with a very small size allowing for the incorporation within the envelope and form of existing lightbulb bases. Therefore, a single universal LED light bulb module can be used to replace the dozens of conventional LED and incandescent lights currently being used. The electronic circuitries used to drive the LEDs are extremely compact and consequently can be incorporated in nearly any standard bulb base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony Catalano
  • Patent number: 7318662
    Abstract: A vehicular head lamp includes a first light source module having a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements and a second light source module connected in series to the first light source module, having semiconductor light emitting elements the number of which is smaller than that of the first light source module and generating the light of brightness higher than that of the first light source module when an electric current substantially equal to that of the first light source module is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Takeda, Masaru Sasaki, Masayasu Ito
  • Patent number: 7318663
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one tail light, a rear license plate to be illuminated, and a light source for emitting a light beam to an optical waveguide disposed adjacent the light source. The optical waveguide has an input surface facing towards the light source for inputting at least part of the light beam from the light source, as well as with at least one output surface for outputting a light beam that is being passed through the optical waveguide to the license plate and/or the at least one tail light. The light source may be a light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Marcus Verbrugh, Nicola Bettina Pfeffer, Johannes Adrianus Frederikus Peek
  • Patent number: 7318664
    Abstract: A light dimming dot pattern is provided for an LCD in which the diameter of dots is changed in a range from approximately 0.16 mm to approximately 0.65 mm depending on the distance of the dots from a fluorescent tube (13) in such a manner that the volume of the shielded light is increased and decreased at a location close to a position overlying the fluorescent tube (13) and at a location remote from the fluorescent tube (13), respectively. In this manner, a light dimming dot pattern with a transmittance for all light rays of approximately 62% (roughly in the vicinity of 62%), higher than the transmittance for all light rays in the conventional technique not higher than 50%, is produced. Consequently, the light of uniform high luminance may be produced without raising the luminance of the fluorescent tube (13), and hence an LCD of high luminance may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Hatanaka, Kazuhiro Yokota, Takashi Oku, Shinsuke Kito, Yuichiro Maruyama, Sinobu Yamada, Kouji Iida, Seiji Miyamura
  • Patent number: 7318665
    Abstract: A light guiding device to compensate insufficient lighting in a light guide plate's corner areas is provided. The light guiding device is positioned on the inner side of the lamp reflector neighboring to the electrodes at the ends of the lamp. The light guiding device has a reflection surface which reflects and directs lights toward the dim corner areas of the light guide plate, compensating the lighting and thereby reducing these dim areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Radiant Opto-Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Cheng-Fa Chung
  • Patent number: 7318666
    Abstract: A blender includes a base forming a receiving space in which a positioning seat is formed. The positioning seat defines a through hole. The base houses a motor that is connected to a safety switch. The safety switch has a bar extending through the through hole of the positioning seat. A container has a lower end releasably mounted to a retainer. A movable member is received in the retainer and has pegs extending through the retainer to be engageable and depressible by the lower end of the container when the container is mounted to the container retainer. The container is positionable in the receiving space, and the depressed movable member is fit into the positioning seat to depress downward the bar of the safety switch to thereby actuate the safety switch supplying the power to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Kuan-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 7318667
    Abstract: A platform shaker for use in a CO2 rich environment that has a corrosion resistant output shaft and a corrosion resistant, sealed motor casing. An eccentric drive assembly is connected between the output shaft and a platform and has components treated with a corrosion inhibiting coating. A shaker control controls the electric motor has components treated with a conformal coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Lab-Line Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Walter Stalec, Bradley William Stone
  • Patent number: 7318668
    Abstract: A container (10) includes a drum (12) and an agitator (14) positioned within the drum (12)for the mixing of the paint or other liquid contained therein. A one-piece conversion device (16) is installed in the drum's central opening (30), which is defined by a flange (32) having internal threads (34) of a certain diameter. The plug (16) comprises an annular base portion (70) and a hollow elongated portion (72), which together define a passageway (74). The annular base portion (70) has external threads (78) corresponding to the flange's internal threads (34) and internal threads (76) having a different diameter corresponding to a motor mounting component (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Woodman Agitator Incorporated
    Inventor: James R. Bielozer
  • Patent number: 7318669
    Abstract: A spring-barrel arrangement for a timepiece includes a fixed plate-like component with a circular cutout. A spring barrel is rotatably mounted in said circular cutout by its corresponding circular outer contour. A barrel core is coaxially rotatably mounted relative to the spring barrel and is enclosed by a helical tension spring. An inner end of the spring is connected to the barrel core and its outer end connected to the spring barrel. A crown wheel with a toothed ring is fixed to the spring barrel and a first wheel of a wheel train of the timepiece is fixed to the barrel core. The circular cutout is formed through the plate-like component and the spring barrel has two supporting regions which extend radially beyond the diameter of the circular cutout and are each in abutment against one of the mutually opposite side surfaces of the plate-like component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Lange Uhren GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Schneider
  • Patent number: 7318670
    Abstract: The device includes a support pipe driven into a bore of a watchcase, a push-piece crown consisting of a head and an extension mounted into the pipe in mobile manner, a part entraining rotation that is integral with the winding and setting stem of the watch, coupling elements causing the extension and the entraining part to move together in rotation as well as in translation in the direction of pulling, a first axial spring arranged between the crown's head and the entraining part, and a second axial spring arranged between the crown's head and the pipe. The first spring exerts a force that is high enough to overcome the resistance offered by stem during the change from the setting position to the winding position of the crown. The second spring exerts the principal restoring force bringing the crown back from its pushed position to its winding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Richemont International SA
    Inventor: Francis Cretin
  • Patent number: 7318671
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for directly observing data from which the thermal emissivity or absorptivity of a surface can be calculated. The invention teaches the use of a substantially planar heat-flux or heat-flow sensor employing a thermopile, to measure the rate of heat dissipation from a radiating surface thermally attached to one side of the heat-flux sensor where the radiating surface is exposed to a first temperature and where the second side of the heat flux sensor is in thermal contact with a heat source at a second higher temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Atec, Inc.
    Inventors: Saeed Moghaddam, John Lawler, Jungho Kim
  • Patent number: 7318672
    Abstract: An accelerated weathering test apparatus of the type used to concentrate solar radiation upon test specimens including a heating element that transfers energy to the test specimens. A temperature sensor is operatively coupled to one of the test specimens for generating a test signal representative of the operating temperature of the test specimens. A controller for generating a temperature set point is connected to the temperature sensor and responsive to the test signal for selectively controlling a power level applied to the heating element in order to control a rate at which energy is transferred to the test specimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Material Testing Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Henry K. Hardcastle, III
  • Patent number: 7318673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system of the chilling process of the temperature of food items at values near but above 0° C. that prevents surface freezing of a food item. The surface freezing can be foreseen due to a mathematical relationship that is a function of the temperature of the food item immediately below its outside surface and of the air temperature near the outside surface of the food item. The above temperatures are detected by a multipoint needle probe. Positioning inside the food item is determined by a projecting member along the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: S.A.G.I. - S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michele Biscotti, Ernesto Sacchi, Cristiano Paoletti
  • Patent number: 7318674
    Abstract: A typical dynamic bearing design comprises a ring shaped or circular thrust plate mounted at or near the end of a shaft, the shaft defining together with a surrounding sleeve a journal bearing by providing grooves on only one of the two surfaces facing the gap between the shaft and sleeve. On the ring shaped thrust plate supported by the shaft, the traditional upward thrust bearing defined between the lower face of the thrust plate and the facing surface of the sleeve is maintained; but no grooves are on the surface of the thrust plate distant from the shaft and a facing counterplate surface. Further, the journal bearing is defined to have an asymmetry so that a bias force pressure along the surface of the shaft toward the thrust plate is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Joseph Aiello
  • Patent number: 7318675
    Abstract: The device for temporary repair of auger carrier bearings is an assembly used to serve as a temporary to semi-permanent replacement for the carrier bearings of auger rotary shafts. The assembly comprises a U-bolt having threaded legs and a flat strap having two openings that are aligned with the threaded legs of the U-bolt. The points of contact between the auger rotary shaft and the assembly are the middle of the strap and the arch of the U-bolt. To these points are attached pads of self-lubricating plastic to provide a low friction interface between the assembly and the auger rotary shaft. The device for temporary repair of auger carrier bearings hangs from a plate that spans the tray of the auger and has two openings that correspond to the legs of the U-bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventors: Bill Kellogg, Jr., Donald Clark
  • Patent number: 7318676
    Abstract: An axial bearing having at least one axial runner disk which has a radially extending portion and an axially extending annular flange. A plurality of rollers roll along the radially extending portion of the axial runner disk. A detachable spacing member of annular shape retained on the axial runner disk with the aid of fastening elements, forming a captive axial bearing arrangement. The annular spacing member has a plurality of spaced-apart projecting bosses arranged in the circumferential direction having an axial extent determined by predefined spacing between two connection parts. A second axial runner disk cooperates with the first disk and holds bearing rollers between them. The bearing may be employed in a hydrodynamic torque converter at the stator between the pump wheel and the turbine wheel of the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fugel, Alexander Reimchen, Walter Wildeshaus
  • Patent number: 7318677
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a connector housing having first and second generally parallel, spaced apart first and second faces and at least one generally cylindrical receptacle for removably receiving an optical fiber terminus therein. An optical fiber terminus is located within the receptacle and includes an elongated body with a passage along a central axis for receiving a portion of an optical fiber cable therethrough. The body further includes an indexing section, and a ferrule secured to the body and having an end portion of said optical fiber cable therein. A collar is positioned on the elongated body and has an engagement section for engaging the indexing section. The collar is movable along the axis between first and second operative positions. In the first operative position relative rotational movement between the collar and the body is prevented and in the second operative position the collar may rotate relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: David E. Dye
  • Patent number: 7318678
    Abstract: A support assembly for supporting an optical recording device about an operator includes a shaft having a first distal end for mounting the optical recording device, and a second distal end for bearing against the back of the operator. A friction plate arm is slidably disposed on the shaft and pivotable movement of the friction plate selectively captures the operator between the friction plate and the second distal end, thus causing the friction plate to frictionally lock against said shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Anton/Bauer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander P. DeSorbo, Carl A. Hultman, Joseph P. Teodosio
  • Patent number: 7318679
    Abstract: To flexibly control a communication status between devices, in accordance with an error type generated in a data process device such as a printing device. Also, to improve a communication efficiency or attain a low power consumption. A type of an error generated in the data process device, such as the printing device, is discriminated by the data process unit such as the printing device or an imaging device. In accordance with the discriminated error type, the communication with a partner device is transited to the low power consumption mode, or the communication with the partner device is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Sakai
  • Patent number: 7318680
    Abstract: In a label printer, a top cover made of transparent resin is attached to a housing at a rear upper edge to cover a roll sheet holder storage part and to be freely opened and closed. A roll sheet of a roll sheet holder removably mounted in the roll sheet holder storage part is visible through the transparent resinous top cover. The roll sheet is provided with a plurality of medium information marks by printing. The medium information marks are visible through the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Keiji Seo, Atsushi Kasugai, Akira Sago, Terumasa Hoshino, Haruki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7318681
    Abstract: A label making apparatus displays a copy print setting screen to make a user input a number of sets or labels to be copied, and determines whether or not a value stored in a total number of sets in a RAM is 1. After the determination, if the total number of sets is 1, the print format input process is terminated, and if the total number of sets is not 1, the user is made to select whether or not a numbering print is to be performed. Accordingly, the label making apparatus can print on a tape having a half cut line which extends in a tape longitudinal direction and makes a plurality of the labels which is narrower than the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kato, Tsuyoshi Nagae
  • Patent number: 7318682
    Abstract: An apparatus for using liquids in bathing, to be used as a cleanser in bathing, comprises a pouf attached by a support to a squeezable container that contains a bathing liquid such as a liquid bathing detergent, a liquid soap, or either or both of these, combined with lotions or the like. When the squeezable container is squeezed, it delivers liquid from the squeezable container to the pouf to apply the liquid to the skin of the bather. A check valve admits replacement air to the squeezable container but keeps the liquid in when the squeezable container is not squeezed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Todd A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7318683
    Abstract: A cosmetic case is structured such that a rotary body (3) having a brush (2) attached thereto is installed to rotate to the upper side of a tube-type case (1) for accommodating liquid cosmetic by an insertion body (4) such that the cosmetic case is manufactured by simple-structured components to enhance economic effect, an opening (12) and a discharge opening (9) are formed in the form of a single line in a body formed with the rotary body (3) such that the liquid cosmetic is smoothly discharged, lock checking parts (16 and 16a) are formed in the outer circumferential front sides of the tube-type case (1) and the insertion body (4) to easily check whether an opening (12) formed in the rotary body (3) and a liquid cosmetic discharging guide (6) formed in the upper side of the tube-type case (1) are opened or closed so that the liquid cosmetic does not leak and the cosmetic case can be maintained clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Young Kwang Byun
  • Patent number: 7318684
    Abstract: This invention concerns a file mechanism for punched documents, comprising a base plate, two mutually spaced filing pins which stand up substantially vertically from the base plate, and a two-limbed transfer arch which is spaced from the filing pins and which is mounted limitedly pivotable between an open and a closed position about a horizontal axis approximately parallel to the base plate and comprises transfer limbs which with their free ends in the closed position contact in pairs the free ends of the filing pins, wherein the transfer limbs are actuable by way of an operating lever which is pivotably mounted to a mounting element projecting from the base plate, characterized in that there is provided at least one reinforcing element which connects the mounting element to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventors: Günter Karl Schneider, Herbert Damhofer
  • Patent number: 7318685
    Abstract: A tension decoupler includes first frangible rupture members, arranged in parallel to each other, and second structural rupture members, arranged in parallel to each other and parallel to the first rupture members. The frangible rupture members and the structural rupture members are designed to break only when the load applied to the decoupler device reaches or exceeds a predetermined load value, and the structural rupture members are designed to have sufficient fatigue strength as long as the applied load does not reach the predetermined load value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Gael Bouchy, Pascal Vasseur
  • Patent number: 7318686
    Abstract: A bearing shell for a ball and socket joint made of plastic as well as the ball and socket joint per se, wherein the bearing shell has first areas, which are subject to higher mechanical loads than the other areas of the bearing shell, wherein the material of the bearing shell forming the first areas is formed from a reinforced plastic, and the other areas are made of a less reinforced or unreinforced plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Frank Budde
  • Patent number: 7318687
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a male component and a female component which connect together to form a mechanical connection, the female component being adapted to at least partially receive an end portion of the male component. The female component has at least one bore which is adapted to receive a clamping pin which can be tightened to clamp the female component around the male component. A guide is provided which is carried by the male component and which defines at least one blocking region and one opening region, the opening region being aligned with the at least one bore in the female component to permit insertion of the clamping pin into the bore when the male component and female component are correctly aligned and the blocking region otherwise preventing insertion of the clamping pin when the male component is inserted into the female component with an incorrect alignment. The guide assists in achieving correct alignment of the male and female components during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: TRW LucasVarity Electric Steering Limited
    Inventors: Michael Appleyard, Stephen David Butler, Mark Anthony Wilkes
  • Patent number: 7318688
    Abstract: Screeding apparatus includes an elongated support and a strike board extending from a carriage on the elongated support, the support moved by drive structure along spaced side forms. The carriage and strike board are moved relative to the elongated support to engage, move and compact wet concrete within a cavity between said side forms during formation of a concrete slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventors: Vito A. Bavaro, Lance William Bavaro
  • Patent number: 7318689
    Abstract: Method and device for rock bolting, wherein a tubular bolt (2) with closed cross-section is inserted and expanded for anchoring inside a bore hole (12), wherein the tubular bolt is expanded to contact in the inner portion of the bore hole, a tension element (3, 7, 8, 9) which is arranged in the outer portion of the bore hole with an inner part (7) attached to the tubular bolt (2) is pre-stressed and a settable medium is injected into the outer portion of the bore hole (14) between (27) the tension element and the wall of the bore hole and is allowed to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventors: Morgan Kanflod, Fredrik Öberg
  • Patent number: 7318690
    Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Neil Gromley, Mark Mahaffey, Brian Wetrich, Robert Klatt, Dustin Cairns, Allan R. Bakerink
  • Patent number: 7318691
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automated-torque controlled tool for attachment to a milling machine. The tool comprises an elongated hollow housing defined by a neck section, a middle section, and a bottom section. The neck section is adapted to engage a spindle of the milling machine for rotational and axial movement therewith. A torque spring is situated within the middle section of the housing. A torque adjuster is dimensioned and configured to sit within the neck section of the housing on top the torque spring. A bit holder and driver mechanism are rotationally mounted within the bottom section of the housing. When the torque threshold is reached by the bit holder, the driver mechanism rotationally disengages from the bit holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Engineered Spring Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Edward Osburn
  • Patent number: 7318692
    Abstract: A spindle unit for a machine tool includes a drive unit having a drive shaft and a spindle head assembly constructed for receiving a tool and having a hollow spindle head shaft driven by the drive unit. Arranged for axial displacement in the hollow spindle head shaft is a tie rod which is mechanically coupled with the drive shaft so as to transmit an axial movement of the drive shaft to the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventor: Max Herla
  • Patent number: 7318693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for machining workpieces, especially for chip removing machining. The device includes a spindle which is mounted on a first end of a pivoting arm in such a way that it can be linearly displaced in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the spindle, and a console on which the pivoting arm is mounted by its second end in such a way that it can rotate about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the spindle. The console can be displaced in a direction which is perpendicular to the displacement direction of the spindle in all of the pivoting positions of the pivoting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hansch, Peter Bielitza
  • Patent number: 7318694
    Abstract: An apparatus for immovably attaching or holding objects to a vehicle, trailer, platform or the like. The apparatus comprises at least two rails. Each rail is fixed and attached to the vehicle or the like, each rail having a channel that runs most of or all the length of the rail. The apparatus further includes at least one attachment device, the attachment device received by the channel of one of the rails, two projections of the rail constraining the attachment device to slide within the rail, whereby the attachment device attaches or secures an object to the rail. The attachment device is made and configured to slide within the one rail, and also configured to be immovably fixed at a desired position within the one rail by operating a locking mechanism that is part of the attachment device. In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises cams that wedge against the projections of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Allen Alexander
  • Patent number: 7318695
    Abstract: A cover for use with a tie-down anchor mounted in a locking track in an air pallet, the locking track having a channel which includes spaced upper flanges shaped to define a series of spaced apart enlarged openings separated by relatively smaller slot segments and the tie-down anchor having a pair of fixed locking studs and a movable spring-loaded locking stud. The cover comprises in one embodiment a first piece and a second piece. The first piece has a front portion sized and shaped to fit into one of the enlarged openings in the locking track and a rear portion sized and shaped to fit over the spring loaded locking stud. The first piece includes a pair of male locking parts. The second piece has a pair of studs sized and shaped to fit into two pairs of enlarged openings but not small enough to move vertically upward through the space defined by a pair of slot segments in the locking track and also includes a pair of female locking parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Li Yu, Jingyuan Gan, Jeffrey A. Raymond, Chiu Yan Wan
  • Patent number: 7318696
    Abstract: A functional element (10), for fixing to a piece of sheet metal (40), such as for example, a nut element or a bolt element with a body section or head section, comprising an annular flange (14) which transforms into a cylindrical rivet section, is characterised in that the transformation from annular flange into the rivet section is formed by an at least essentially conical surface, forming a contact surface for a corresponding conical region of a piece of sheet metal, which, on fixing the functional element to a piece of sheet metal, is clamped between the side of the annular flange facing the rivet section and an annular bead (50) formed from the rivet section. An assembled component and a method for the fixing of a functional element are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Wolfgang Hoessrich
  • Patent number: 7318697
    Abstract: A specially adapted SMIF pod (20) receives and holds one particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) selected from among dozens of different configurations thereof. The SMIF pod (20) may be interrogated to determine the particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) carried therein. A reticle transfer system (50) receives a pair of such SMIF pods (20), interrogates each of the SMIF pods (20) to ascertain which type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) the SMIF pod (20) carries, and automatically moves reticles (42) through a controlled environment from one reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (32) to another reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132). A reticle reorienter (56) includable in the system (50) also permits automatically exchanging reticles (42) between a reticle carrier (144) and a reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Fortrend Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Kung Chris Wu, Robert Frank Sifuentes, Kenneth Alan Hardy, Edgardo A. Caliboso, Anatoly Malobrodsky, Chien-Rong Huang
  • Patent number: 7318698
    Abstract: A tow lift apparatus for a towing vehicle includes a pair of vertically aligned and horizontally and fore-to aft oriented receiver hitches fixedly secured to the rear of the towing vehicle; a lift releasably connected to the receiver hitches, the lift connected to a power source for displacing the tow lift apparatus to and from a loading configuration and a transporting configuration; a connecting mechanism including first and second cradle with a securing device for releasable connection to a vehicle to be towed. The tow lift apparatus is adjustable to accommodate vehicles having different wheel sizes and different wheel widths. A method of assembling and using the tow lift apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Roy Gipson
  • Patent number: 7318699
    Abstract: Covers on bucket tips are provided with an access slot along a circumferentially facing edge of the cover at a location where moisture removal grooves of the bucket will intersect with the cover. Machine tooling is then applied to form the grooves along the suction side and adjacent the leading of the bucket. The machining runs out through the access slot forming grooves along the side edge of the bucket cover within the slot. The axial extent of the covers overlying leading and trailing edges of the buckets is maintained while enabling moisture removal by centrifugal action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Mark Serafini, David Alan Caruso, Mark Edward Burnett, William James Sumner
  • Patent number: 7318700
    Abstract: A spiral for a turbomachine including reinforcing sheets which are partially located in the transition region between the spiral and parallel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: VA Tech Hydro GmbH
    Inventor: Josef-Michael Sugg
  • Patent number: 7318701
    Abstract: A ceiling fan lighting system includes a ceiling fan having motor and a plurality of blades operationally coupled to the motor to permit rotation of the blades when the motor is supplied with power. A plurality of mounting assemblies engages at least two of the blades of the fan. A plurality of light emitting members is provided. Each of the light emitters is configured to emit light and each of the mounting assemblies engages one of the light emitters to mount each of the light emitting members to an associated one of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Clinton S. Farmer
  • Patent number: 7318702
    Abstract: A water wheel assembly is disclosed and comprises a water wheel including a plate having a rotation axis and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced receivers, each including a first slit defined through the plate, proximal to the axis, and a second slit defined through the plate, distal to the axis. A vane is provided for each receiver and includes: a body hinged to the plate for movement between a lowered position, flush therewith, and a raised position, angularly extending therefrom; and a pair of flaps extending from the body to: project through respective slits and beyond the plate when the body is lowered; and define, in combination with the body and the plate, a scoop, when the body is raised. The plate is mounted in a flow of water with its axis normal thereto and such that the plate is free to rotate about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Benedek Büdi
  • Patent number: 7318703
    Abstract: An impeller for a pump, particularly for a cooling water pump of an internal combustion engine, includes a hub (11), a cover disc (14) which is disposed on the intake side and is provided with a central opening (15) for sucking in a conveyed medium, and at least one blade (13) that is connected to the cover disc (14) located on the intake side so as to form a single piece therewith and is provided with an inner section (13a) located in the region of the central opening and an outer section (13b) located in the region of the cover disc (14). The impeller achieves a high degree of efficiency yet is easily produced by embodying the impeller (5) in a completely open manner on the pressure side lying opposite the cover disc (14) and by configuring the inner section (13a) of the blade (13) in a three-dimensionally bent manner while configuring the outer section (13b) thereof in an essentially two-dimensionally bent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Bitter Engineering & Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Schober, Gerald Feichtinger
  • Patent number: 7318704
    Abstract: A turbine disk (20) has a sealing plate (28) fixed to it by bayonet fixing features (36) and (40) formed in sealing plate flange (30) and disk flange (38). Abutments (42) and (44) are formed on the bayonet fixings, between which a multi part anti relative rotation locking member (46) is positioned in abutting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Stefan J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7318705
    Abstract: A variable displacement pump includes a rear cover and side plate arranged on both sides of a cam ring and making slide contact with the cam ring. The rear cover has an end face on the side of the cam ring, which is formed with a suction port. A seal member is arranged in a chamber formed between a pump housing and the cam ring and for dividing the chamber into two portions that define first and second working chambers. A connection groove and terminal groove are formed in the end face of the rear cover to provide fluid communication between the suction port and the second working chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Unisia JKC Steering Systems, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Uchino, Shigeyuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7318706
    Abstract: A multi-stage vacuum pump comprises a first piston in a first cylinder defining a first stage pumping chamber and a second piston in a second cylinder defining a second stage pumping chamber. The pump has a spool valve between the first and second cylinders for controlling flow from the first stage pumping chamber to the second stage pumping chamber. Either the first cylinder and the first piston or the second cylinder and the second piston being stepped so as to define a third stage pumping chamber. The spool valve is arranged to control the flow from the second stage pumping chamber to the third stage pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Paul Schofield, Howard Brian James Stone
  • Patent number: 7318707
    Abstract: A vertical centrifugal pump having a support bearing arranged above the pump and including an axial bearing (22) and a radial bearing (23). A housing (24) encasing the support bearing (22, 23) is directly connected to the flow-carrying housing (25) of the centrifugal pump. Lubrication, and optionally cooling, of the support bearing (22, 23) are performed by the pumped medium, which is conveyed to the support bearing (22, 23) through a connection leading from the pressure zone (28) of the flow-carrying housing and is discharged into the suction zone (29) of the pump, and a pump shaft seal (31) is disposed on the opposite side of the support bearing (22, 23) from the flow-carrying housing of the centrifugal pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Scharffenberger
  • Patent number: 7318708
    Abstract: The present invention provides a submersible turbine pump (STP) comprising a check valve located within a hydraulics cavity, wherein the STP provides the ability to depressurize the hydraulics cavity by relieving a pressure differential between an inlet side and an outlet side of the check valve. In general, the STP is comprised of a casing body comprising a check valve extraction housing and the hydraulics cavity. The check valve is located within the hydraulics cavity and is comprised of a check valve stem, an inlet side, and an outlet side. The check valve extraction housing comprises a lock-down screw adapted to attach to the check valve stem and apply a force to the check valve to open the check valve, thereby relieving the pressure differential between the inlet side and the outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventor: Richard Dolson