Patents Issued in January 22, 2008
  • Patent number: 7320573
    Abstract: A system for continuously packaging or sorting fragile articles having varying thicknesses in a stack includes a plurality of proportional shifters coupled to each of a plurality of stripping devices in an article infeed assembly. Each proportional shifter has an article gauge for measuring the height of a stack having a set or desired number of fragile articles, such as crackers or cookies. An article stripping device may be quickly and accurately adjusted in-process to measure the thickness of a set number of stacked articles contained in a given batch coming from an article infeed. The article gauge provides a measure of the height of a stack of a set number of articles sampled from an article infeed. The stack height is equivalent to the height of the stack of articles stripped by the strip feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Jones, Jr., William A. Blain, Steve A Ramos, Edward Drake, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7320574
    Abstract: A turbomachine has, on its inner casing (5) and on its shaft, recesses into which shrouds of rotor blades and/or of guide vanes (2a) protrude. The recesses are configured with wave-shaped contouring arrangements (10), which extend over their periphery. The contouring (10) extends over axially extending regions of the recess and consists of periodic elevations and depressions (14, 15) in the radial direction. They can also be effected on the radially extending regions of the recess and on the shrouds. The undulation-shaped contouring arrangements are used to counteract existing pressure fields and to reduce performance losses due to mixing processes between the leakage flow and the main flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Ralf Greim, Said Havakechian, Axel Pfau
  • Patent number: 7320575
    Abstract: An airfoil having a root, a tip, and an outer surface for pressuring air flowable thereover. The outer surface includes one or more slots elongate in a direction selected to preclude or reduce circulation within the slots, and the one or more slots are configured to bleed a boundary layer from the outer surface to the tip utilizing one or more passageways within the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aspi Rustom Wadia, Peter Nicholas Szucs, Syed Arif Khalid, Peter John Wood, Kevin R. Kirtley, Xiaoyue Liu
  • Patent number: 7320576
    Abstract: In a variable displacement swash plate type refrigerant compressor (10), a stopper (28) is provided for setting an initial angle of the inclination angle of a swash plate (23) when a drive shaft (19) is not driven. When the drive shaft (19) is driven by a driving power source of the compressor (10) under a non-operation condition of a refrigerant circuit, the stopper (28) is moved to permit the inclination angle of the swash plate (23) to be reduced from the initial angle in response to increase of compression work of the compressor (10) so as to suppress the increase of the compression work to save the driving power for the compressor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Anri Enomoto, Yoshihiro Ochiai
  • Patent number: 7320577
    Abstract: A dual pump apparatus for use on a vehicle or industrial application having a housing in which a pair of hydraulic pumps are mounted, having a cooling fan mounted on the primary or secondary input shaft on the opposite side of the pulley used to engage the prime mover. A charge pump may be mounted on the end cap, and the trunnion arms for controlling the hydraulic pumps extend out of opposite sides of the housing. An auxiliary pump may also be mounted on the primary input shaft and may be located either at the input end thereof adjacent to the pulley, or on the opposite side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Lonnie E. Holder, Michael Todd, Robert E. Trimble
  • Patent number: 7320578
    Abstract: A compressor includes a housing for accommodating a compression mechanism, and an oil separator including a cylindrical body having inner and outer cylinders defining therebetween an annular oil separating chamber and fixed in a communication passage of the housing. The outer cylinder is spaced from a communication passage-forming portion of the housing to define a gap therebetween, extends along a slit formed in the communication passage-forming portion of the housing, and is formed with an opening directed tangential to the oil separating chamber and facing part of the slit. Gas discharged from the compression mechanism flows through the slit and the opening into the oil separating chamber to form a swirl flow, so that lubricating oil is centrifugally separated from the gas. Part of the gas collies with an outer face of the outer cylinder, whereby lubricating oil is separated from the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7320579
    Abstract: A roots type fluid machine includes a housing, a pair of parallel rotary shafts and two-lobe rotors. Each rotor includes two lobe portions and two well portions. Each lobe portion has a profile of convex arc with a radius R and each well portion has a profile of concave arc which is an envelope of the convex arc of the lobe portion. The rotor has a configuration defined by a curve which includes the convex arc, the concave arc and further an involute curve with a base radius r between the convex and concave arcs. The base radius r is set in a range L/(2?{square root over ( )}2)<r<0.3(?{square root over ( )}2)L where distance between axes of the rotary shafts is L, and the radius R is set in a range {(?{square root over ( )}2)/16}?L<R<{(27?5?{square root over ( )}2)/56}L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takayuki Hirano, Kazuho Yamada, Toshiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7320580
    Abstract: A tire press has an upper mold fixedly attached to a top plate. A bottom mold is fixedly attached to a bottom plate. The tire press has a plurality of guide posts adapted to maintain proper alignment of the upper mold and the lower mold as the tire press opens and closes. A plurality of lock rods, which are independent of the guide posts, are positioned about the tire press. Each of the lock rods has a first end and a second end. The lock rods may have an adjustment mechanism positioned on the first end of the lock rods to adjust the various mold heights. Locking means are a part of the tire press, which are adapted to selectively engage the second end of the lock rods. Further, each of the lock rods has cylinder mechanism operatively connected to the locking means. The cylinder mechanism is adapted to force the locking means to the surface of the lock rods. The cylinder mechanism is a hydraulic cylinder having the piston disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: John R. Cole
  • Patent number: 7320581
    Abstract: A stabilized filament drawing device for a meltspinning apparatus. The stabilized filament drawing device applies a high-velocity flow of air to attenuate the filaments, which are discharged from a device outlet in a discharge direction. The filament drawing device includes multiple inclined guides adjacent to the outlet that cause the high-velocity flow of air to deviate from the discharge direction by the Coanda effect. The filaments, which are entrained in the high-velocity process air, likewise deviate from the discharge direction. The guides are arranged such that spaces are absent between adjacent guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Aktiengesellschaft Adolph Saurer
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, Patrick L. Crane, Steven Clark, Matthew Thompson
  • Patent number: 7320582
    Abstract: Disclosed is a molding system. According to an aspect, the molding system includes molding-system elements configured to process a molding material. The molding system includes a mold surface configured to cooperate with the molding-system elements. The molding system also includes a fibrous-insert generating mechanism configured to generate a fibrous insert onto the mold surface. The mold surface, in use, encapsulates the fibrous insert received by the mold surface with the molding material, at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Alois Müller, Jeffrey Douglas MacDonald, Robin Alexander Arnott
  • Patent number: 7320583
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for varying the color and/or flavor of an extruded food product during a single production run of a single extrusion device. The apparatus includes a multi-additive injection system, which is attached to a fluid supply line of an extrusion device. The injection system is comprised of a plurality of additive supply tanks, which are each in fluid communication with the fluid supply line via an injection manifold, and a metering mechanism which selectively controls the amount of additive injected into the supply line by each individual supply tank. The injection system may also include a central control mechanism for calibrating the amount of additive injected into the supply line and for maintaining a constant fluid volume added to the extrusion device. Each of the additive supply tanks may contain a different colorant and/or flavoring. Two variants of the injection manifold are provided as well as a novel injection sequence for use with the disclosed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc
    Inventors: Eugenio Bortone, Perry Hanson, Devang Jitendra Sutaria
  • Patent number: 7320584
    Abstract: A press system that reduces contamination of workpieces and/or compliant members used in die assemblies of the press from the pressing process. The die assemblies may utilize annular or hole-less stampers in which the compliant member is sealed in the die assembly. The compliant member may have be annular having a cavity at approximately its center. A gap may be generated at the cavity of the compliant member between a constraint member and the stamper. The gap, for example, may be filled with a plug to prevent significant distortion of the stamper over a hole of a disk shaped workpiece due to the pressure induced force generated by the press system. An outer diameter ring surrounding a workpiece may be used to prevent collapse of the stampers outside the diameter of the workpiece to insure uniform pressing out to the outer diameter of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Komag, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Harper, Christopher H. Bajorek
  • Patent number: 7320585
    Abstract: Device for the hot granulation of thermoplastic polymers, optionally expandable, which comprises: a) a die (1) containing a series of small plates (6), equipped with a series of extrusion holes, and a plurality of feeding ducts (3) situated inside the die body (2) in correspondence with the perforated small plates (6), lined with a material having a high thermal conductivity (4); b) a cutting chamber comprising a set of spraying nozzles (17) which create a jet of drops of a thermostat-regulating liquid for cooling the cut granules; c) a cutting system comprising a cutting plate (13) supporting a set of knives (15) arranged so that the cutting profile of the knife is radial with respect to the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Polimeri Europa S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Casalini
  • Patent number: 7320586
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for blowing containers, in particular bottles, from a preform with a gas and recuperating said gas, comprising at least means for supplying the device with gas at a first pressure and at a second pressure, drawings means and container forming means. It comprises means for recuperating said gas until a predetermined expansion pressure is reached in the container, means for controlling said recuperating means and adjusting means for adjusting the operating conditions of said control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Technoplan Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Savino Storione, Daniel Jover
  • Patent number: 7320587
    Abstract: Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing contact lens molds are described. The contact lens mold sections include two optical quality surfaces, a flange circumscribing at least a portion of the two optical quality surfaces, and an elongate member extending from the flange. Two mold sections can contact one another to form a mold assembly having a contact lens shaped cavity. The mold sections are structured to form a contact lens having an edge that does not require further physical modification before placement on an eye. Systems and methods are described which direct a molten polymeric material into cavities corresponding to the mold sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cooper Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil G. Goodenough, Gregg A. Dean
  • Patent number: 7320588
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source and delivering the melt stream to a nozzle channel of a nozzle. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel to receive the melt stream through the mold gate. A distribution assembly is located adjacent to the manifold. The distribution assembly includes at least one distribution member having a groove formed in an outer surface thereof and at least one conduit provided in the distribution member. The groove receives wiring from a heater of the nozzle and routes the wiring to a termination location or box. The conduit distributed fluid to various locations in the injection molding apparatus, such as actuation fluid for an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventor: Murray Feick
  • Patent number: 7320589
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotating a cross-sectional asymmetrical condition of a laminar flowing material is provided in a hot runner system for supplying a laminar flowing material. The hot runner system has (i) an upstream melt passage, (ii) a pair of intermediary melt passages downstream from the upstream melt passage, and (iii) for at least one intermediary melt passage, an associated pair of downstream melt passages downstream from the at least one intermediary melt passage. The cross-sectional asymmetrical condition of a laminar flowing material is rotated by providing a bending path for orienting at least one path outlet relative to a path inlet to rotate the cross-sectional asymmetrical condition of the laminar flowing material such that the cross-sectional asymmetrical condition is substantially equally divided between the two downstream portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Denis Babin, Gino Colonico
  • Patent number: 7320590
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material under pressure and delivering the melt stream to a nozzle channel of a nozzle. The manifold includes a manifold plug fit within a bore thereof and having a plug melt channel for fluidly connecting the manifold melt channel and the nozzle melt channel. The manifold plug further includes a valve/pressure disk portion that abuts with a back plate of the injection molding apparatus to maintain the spacing therebetween and to accommodate thermal expansion of the manifold relative to the back plate. In an injection molding application utilizing a valve-gated nozzle, the manifold plug may further include a valve pin receiving/guiding bore that functions as a valve pin bushing for a valve pin. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel of the nozzle to receive melt through a mold gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Fabrice Fairy, Murray Feick, Payman Tabassi
  • Patent number: 7320591
    Abstract: A process for the molding of an assembled object in at least two subsequent moldings and a machine for the performance of the process are provided. The object is molded in a mold comprising at least three mold parts. When the mold is open, at least one of the mold parts or a part thereof is rotatable about an axis which is parallel to the mutual direction of movement of the mold part in relation to the opposing mold part. In a mold consisting of three mold parts, the middle part may be rotatable in relation to the two outermost mold parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Jes Tougaard Gram
  • Patent number: 7320592
    Abstract: Methods and corresponding apparatus for segmenting an orthodontic treatment path into clinically appropriate substeps for repositioning the teeth of a patient include providing a digital finite element model of the shape and material of each of a sequence of appliances to be applied to a patient; providing a digital finite element model of the teeth and related mouth tissue of the patient; computing the actual effect of the appliances on the teeth by analyzing the finite elements models computationally; and evaluating the effect against clinical constraints. The appliances can be braces, polymeric shells, or other forms of orthodontic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Chishti, Elena Pavlovskaia, Gregory P. Bala, Brian M. Freyburger
  • Patent number: 7320593
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diode Light Sources for Dental Curing are disclosed. Some embodiments of the invention include structures such as Light Emitting Diode Array(s), heat sink, heat dissipation, heat pipe, and control circuitry are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: TIR Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Calvin D. Ostler, Kevin D. Ostler, Bruce R. Walker, Marc C. Cimolino, Miles F. Elledge
  • Patent number: 7320594
    Abstract: A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and/or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Biolase Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ioana M. Rizoiu, Andrew I. Kimmel
  • Patent number: 7320595
    Abstract: A device for bleaching a part of the human body has a wave-current generator, a plurality of electrodes and a conductive gel. The conductive gel is maintained in contact with the part of the body. An active product is cooperative with the gel so as to be activated under the presence of light or heat. A conductive circuit and a resistor define poles of the electrodes on the container of the conductive gel and the part of the body. The photosensitive bleaching product is activated by applying photonic energy of a wavelength of 400 to 500 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Francois Duret
  • Patent number: 7320596
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of extruding dental material from a capsule-like cartridge, by providing a capsule-like cartridge having an elongated body and a nozzle. The elongated body has an inner chamber wall enclosing dental material. The nozzle has an inner channel wall, and a channel wall exit orifice rim. The inner chamber wall has a chamber wall exit port rim, opening between the inner chamber wall and the inner channel wall. The chamber wall exit port rim has a chamber wall exit port rim effective diameter D1. The inner channel wall has an inner channel wall effective diameter D2. The inner channel wall effective diameter D2 effectively is greater than the chamber wall exit port rim effective diameter D1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Dentsply International Inc.
    Inventor: Curt E. Metzbower
  • Patent number: 7320597
    Abstract: A saliva control device for controlling or isolating the production of saliva by a salivary gland. The saliva control device includes a body, a cavity formed in the body for forming a seal over the salivary gland, a vacuum chamber in the body that assists the cavity in forming a seal, and an air evacuation passage. The air evacuation passage is used to selectively apply and then maintain a vacuum to the vacuum chamber and cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard W.S. Odenkirchen
  • Patent number: 7320598
    Abstract: A root canal is filled and/or sealed using a hydrophilic sealing composition, optionally in combination with other filling materials. The sealing composition may include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. The composition may be introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. In the case where a chemical cure composition is used to seal the root canal, a chemical initiator can be used to cause the mixed composition to harden over time. Hardening of at least a portion of the composition can be accelerated by including a photoinitiator and irratiating the mixed composition with radiant energy (e.g., from a dental curing lamp).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Jensen, Dan E. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7320599
    Abstract: The blood pressure level in humans is a vital health parameter, yet the vast majority of people do not have a physical feeling for what normal and abnormal blood pressure levels mean in relation to the forces exerted on the heart and blood vessels. A blood pressure simulation apparatus is described which provides human subjects a means to physically feel simulated blood pressure levels through a tactile interface. Both normal and abnormal blood pressure cycles are simulated. Interfacing of the apparatus to an electronic blood pressure monitor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Jay Morris
  • Patent number: 7320600
    Abstract: An electronic mobile device having a first body, a second body mounted to the first body for movement relative to the first body between first and second positions, at least one of the first body and second body housing electronic circuitry. An electronic drive motor is linked to first body and the second body for moving the bodies relative to each other, the drive motor being operable in a first mode for effecting movement of the second body from the first position to the second position and operable in a second mode for effecting repetitive movement of the second body relative to the first body for generating a vibration alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Steven Fyke
  • Patent number: 7320601
    Abstract: A power storage structure comprises a mother element having a rechargeable battery mounted on the inside and at least a socket, a power plug, and a coupling part on the outside. The coupling part is for coupling with a daughter element. The daughter element is a transformer and has a switch, an output terminal, and an input terminal mounted thereon. As a result, the power storage structure acts as an uninterruptible power system when the mother element couples with the daughter element via the coupling part. In addition, it is unnecessarily to detach the electric appliance's plug from the mother element when the daughter element is detached from the mother element for outdoor use so as to supply various power sources for electric appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiang Yeh
  • Patent number: 7320602
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a substrate structure including a printed-wiring board. A micro-contact sheet is soldered to the printed-wiring board, and includes a spiral terminal on a first surface thereof and a pad on a second surface thereof. The pad is electrically connected to the spiral terminal. A holding jig presses the micro-contact sheet against the printed-wiring board such that the second surface of the micro-contact sheet contacts with the printed-wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokihiko Mori, Sadao Makita
  • Patent number: 7320603
    Abstract: The ink jet head is provided with a piezo-electric sheet having a plurality of contacts distributed on a surface thereof. A flat connector is fixed so as to cover the surface of the piezo-electric sheet. A plurality of conductive spots and a plurality of conductive lines are formed on a surface of the flat connector. One of each of the conductive lines is connected with one of each of the conductive spots, and the plurality of conductive spots is disposed with the same distributive pattern as the plurality of contacts. The flat connector is provided with a sheet formed of an insulating material, and is provided with a plurality of projections corresponding to the conductive spots. At least a distal end of each of the projections is covered with one of the conductive spots. The flat connector and the piezo-electric sheet are fixed such that the conductive spots make contact with the contacts of the piezo-electric sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7320604
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic circuit module using a board having no cavity and a method for efficiently fabricating it. Electronic components are mounted on the front face of a module board 1, and an LSI chip 5 is die-bonded on the bottom face thereof in a bare-chip state with gold wires 8. Around the LSI chip 5, metal blocks 9 made of copper are mounted by soldering. The LSI chip 5, the gold wires 8, and the metal blocks 9 provided on the bottom face of the module board 1 are sealed with resin 10 with a motherboard-facing face 9a of each metal block 9 and a face 18 thereof flush with the corresponding side face of the module board 1 exposed from the resin 10. These exposed portions serve as electrode terminals when the module 11 is soldered to a motherboard. The module board 1 is obtained by cutting a sheet circuit board into individual unit module boards 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Terukazu Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 7320605
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for use in a board-to-board electrical connector assembly and includes a dielectric housing for mounting on a first printed circuit board and having a receptacle for receiving a plug portion of a mating connector mounted on a second printed circuit board. A plurality of conductive terminals are mounted on the housing, and each terminal includes a contact arm extending into the receptacle. The contact arm has first and second contact portions projecting into the receptacle at different angles for engaging a terminal of the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Wei-Sun Chang, Pei-Chang Chao, Yi-Tse Ho
  • Patent number: 7320606
    Abstract: The terminals of a pair of connectors are made by deforming sheet metal in the thicknesswise direction so that they are located within an interference area prior to connection. The terminal (12) of a connector (10) has a flat indentation (12B-1), while the terminal (22) of another connector (20) has a projection (22A-1) within an area corresponding to the flat indentation (12B-1). The flat indentation (12B-1) and the projection (22A-1) are located within the interference area upon connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hirose Electric, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7320607
    Abstract: Disclosed is a main board of a portable terminal including a socket receiving an additional device, such as a memory card and being installed at one side of the main board, an interface connector attached to a printed circuit board, and a battery terminal attached to the printed circuit board. The interface connector and the battery terminal form a stacked structure together with the socket. The main board of the portable terminal is provided at a predetermined portion thereof with a stacked structure of the socket for receiving the memory card, the interface connector, and the battery terminal, thereby minimizing mounting space required for the above elements, ensuring mounting space for installing other parts, and efficiently utilizing part mounting space. The socket and the interface connector are located adjacent to each other, and the socket and the interface connector are exposed through a common opening, thereby making the assembly for the portable terminal more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Gu Kim, Jae-Sun Park, Kee-Dug Kim
  • Patent number: 7320608
    Abstract: An electric distribution box includes a printed circuit board that has a distribution installation circuit, a fuse holder that has a plurality of first connection terminals for connecting the distribution installation circuit, a connector block that has a plurality of second connection terminals for connecting the distribution installation circuit, and a power bus bar. The fuse holder is attached to a first end portion of the printed circuit board. The connector block is attached to a second end portion of the printed circuit board. The power bus bar is attached to the printed circuit board so as to face an attached face of the print circuit board in which the fuse holder and the connector block are attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kubota, Keisuke Ozawa, Masahiro Wada
  • Patent number: 7320609
    Abstract: A card assembly includes two spaced-apart circuit boards defining an interior region between the cards. Connectors may be mounted on the circuit boards and be located within the interior region. That is, respective interior sides of the circuit boards may face each other and the interior region. A connector may be mounted on each interior side. Mounting the connectors in the interior region provides an assembly that defines a mating footprint that is independent of the respective thicknesses, and variations in the thicknesses, of the spaced-apart printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Minich
  • Patent number: 7320610
    Abstract: A power-rail adapter (39) for mechanical and electrical connection of a light fixture (10) and/or of an operating unit (15) of the light fixture with a power rail (28), comprising at least a switch shaft (41) that can be pivoted between a removing position in which the adapter is removable from the power rail and an installing position in which the adapter is fixed to the power rail is illustrated and described. A specific feature is amongst others that a coding stud (66) is provided on the switch shaft and that a coding groove (77) is provided at the power rail in which the coding stud can be introduced only with a single relative orientation of the adapter (39) with respect to the power rail (28) with pivoting of the switch shaft from the removing position into the installing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Erco Leuchten GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Boike
  • Patent number: 7320611
    Abstract: A terminal locking system comprises an elongated tubular case having a connection end section and an opposing distal end section, an adapter, configured to matingly engage a terminal, rotatably mounted within said connection end section and including an engagement surface located within said case, and a blocker, comprising a disk having at least one aperture extending through said disk, mounted within said tubular case between said engagement surface and said distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Phillip G. Abbott
  • Patent number: 7320612
    Abstract: A card connector has a miniaturized and simplified structure. The card connector has a base frame includes side frames, a connector body provided at one end of the base frame and serving to arrange in a row and fix a plurality of contact pins, a shutter having through orifices corresponding to the plurality of contact pins arranged in a row and fixed by the connector body and can move in a state in which the contact pins are inserted into the through orifices, and a shutter lock formed by a segment lead of at least one side frame of the two side frames of the base frame, which locks the movement of the shutter before the card is inserted and releases the lock and allows the connection of contacts of the card with the contact pins in response to the insertion of a compatible card. The shutter lock spring is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Koga
  • Patent number: 7320613
    Abstract: A female locking electrical outlet is provided including an outlet body having slots for apertured prongs of a standard male electrical plug, a pair of receptacles and a locking member mounted within the outlet body. The locking member has locking tabs that engage within apertures in the prongs when the outlet is in a locked position and the electrical plug is connected to the outlet. The outlet has a release mechanism with a release member for engaging the locking member and to transition the locking member from the locked position to an unlocked position. The outlet is capable of being mounted on the end of an extension cord or within a standard wall outlet box, and for use in portable generators, UPS systems, and other auxiliary power sources containing female receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Inventor's Group, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Daniel Ratzlaff
  • Patent number: 7320614
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a female and a male connector wherein the female connector has a resin first connector body to which a first set of contact pins are attached and a tubular metallic shell that ensheathes the outer surfaces of the first connector body. In front of the first tubular body, two pairs of opposing overhangs are formed projecting a certain distance from the forward surface of the first connector body, whereby one pair of overhangs is bent mid-way in a direction such that their forward edges approach each other but a certain gap is provided between them forming first and second guide latching portions. One of the other pair of opposing overhangs has an insertion opening formed in it, into which the male connector is inserted and passes through the aforementioned gap in order to affect connection while being guided by the first and second guide latching portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignees: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd., MEA Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Toda, Hong Fan Shin
  • Patent number: 7320615
    Abstract: A grounding spring plate mounting structure includes a metal grounding spring plate mounted on each track inside a case for blade server to secure and ground a computer motherboard blade. The metal grounding spring plate has a flat base fitted into a recessed portion of the track, two channel-like mounting frames disposed at two sides of the flat base and respectively mounted on two parallel rails of the track and defining with the flat base a guide passage for receiving the inserted computer motherboard blade, and two clamping spring arms respectively extending from the channel-like mounting frames and suspending in the guide passage for clamping the inserted computer motherboard blade from two opposite sides and constituting with the inserted computer motherboard blade a grounding loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Adlink Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Liang Fang
  • Patent number: 7320616
    Abstract: There is provided an insulation displacement connector (IDC) assembly having a main body defining at least one wire channel. The main body has at least one substantially flat surface to which a vacuum nozzle can be affixed in order to pickup the IDC assembly. The IDC assembly has at least one contact member with a piercing, cutting or slicing end that is slideably disposed within the main body, and a mounting end that extends from the main body. The mounting end of the contact is attached to a printed circuit board. An insulated conductor, such as wire, cable, and/or ribbon, can be quickly and easily inserted in the channel without being pierced by the piercing end of the contact. When a user pushes down on the IDC, the contact slides into the channel and pierces the insulated conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Zierick Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Janos Legrady, Ronald Fredriks, Raffaele Tarulli
  • Patent number: 7320617
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of electrical coupling apparatuses and methods. In one embodiment, an electrical coupling apparatus is provided having a first contact array on a card, where the first contact array is located at a first predefined position relative to an insertion edge of the card. The apparatus also includes a flexible printed circuit having a second contact array corresponding to the first contact array, where the second contact array is positioned in alignment with the first contact array. A compliant interposer material is positioned between the first and second contact arrays, the compliant interposer material electrically coupling respective pairs of contacts in the first and second contact arrays. Also, the insertion edge is configured to be inserted into a receptacle, the second contact array being positioned relative to the insertion edge so as to mate with a corresponding contact array in the receptacle when the insertion edge is inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Verigy (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Bellato, Kenneth D. Karklin
  • Patent number: 7320618
    Abstract: An electrical connector to be electrically connected to a transmission cable plug. The connector includes a plastic base, a metal housing and at least one fastening assembly. At least one connection slot and a plurality of terminals are formed on the plastic base. Each of the terminals has a pin portion extending out of the plastic base. The metal housing covers the plastic base while exposing the at least one connection slot of the plastic base and the pin portions of the terminals to the outside. The at least one fastening assembly contacts the metal housing and thus is electrically connected to a circuit board. The at least one fastening assembly and the metal housing pertain to different parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Chou Hsuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 7320619
    Abstract: A fixing member of the present invention can be mounted to a fixed member that is fixed to a printed circuit board, and is used for fixing the fixed member to the printed circuit board, the fixing member including: a male connector portion inserted into an insertion opening formed in the printed circuit board; a plurality of arm portions provided at the male connector portion; lug portions provided at each tip end side of the arm portions and engaged with an opening edge of the insertion opening; and a lug-guiding portion extending out from a tip end portion of at least one lug portion to guide the lug portion to the insertion opening when the lug-guiding portion comes in contact with the opening edge and is further pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai- Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Yoshiaki Kato, Harehide Sasaki, Katsumasa Matsuoka, Masato Minakata, Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7320620
    Abstract: An electrical network-powered hand-held power tool (2) includes a connection device for connecting the network cable with a power tool cabling and arranged on through-opening (23) through which a network cable (6) projects, with the connection device (14) having electrical connection elements (24) with which the network cable (6) is connectable, and securing elements (20) for securing the network cable (6), and with the electrical connection elements (24) and the securing elements (20) being at least partially displaceable out of an interior (42) of the housing (4) through a mounting opening (40) of the housing (4) upon lifting of the mounting cover (18) off the mounting opening (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Ege, Helmut Burger
  • Patent number: 7320621
    Abstract: A high speed connector includes a plurality of wafer-style components in which two columns of conductive terminals are supported in an insulative support body, the body including an internal cavity disposed between the two columns of conductive terminals. The terminals are arranged in horizontal pairs, and the internal cavity defines an air channel between each horizontal pair of terminals arranged in the two columns of terminals. The pairs of terminals are further aligned with each other so that horizontal faces of the terminals in each pair face each other to thereby promote broadside coupling between horizontal pairs of terminals. The components further include vertical castellations between adjacent terminals in order to provide electrical isolation to adjacent pairs of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: John C. Laurx, David E. Dunham, Gary Humbert
  • Patent number: 7320622
    Abstract: A memory card adapter (100) comprises an upper cover (2), an insulating lower cover (1), a conductive member (4) and a conductive terminals module (3) fixed on the insulating lower cover. The upper cover comprises a resin cover (22) and a metal cover (21). The lower insulating cover engages with the metal cover with a mini memory card receiving space (10) formed therebetween. The conductive terminals module comprises a plurality of conductive terminals (32) electrically connecting with the conductive member and a resin beam (31) to retain the conductive terminals therein. The mini memory card (200) is accommodated in the mini memory card receiving space and electrically connecting with the conductive terminals. Due to the arrangement of the conductive terminals module with the conductive member and the insulating lower cover, the whole assembly of the adaptor is highly simplified and the conduction efficiency is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Ying, Jin-Kui Hu, Guo-Hua Zhang