Patents Issued in February 19, 2008
  • Patent number: 7331817
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a first connector coupled to a first device and a second connector coupled to a second device. A cable connects the first and second connectors. At least a portion of the cable forms a substantially oval-shaped coil. At least one of the first and second devices is a user-wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Quintin Morris, JaeHo Choi
  • Patent number: 7331818
    Abstract: A card connector assembly (1) according to an embodiment includes an elongate insulative housing (10), a plurality of terminals (12), a pair of fastening members (14) and a pair of metal reinforcing elements (16). The plurality of terminals is held in the insulative housing with lower portions (123) for being soldered to a printed circuit board (2). The pair of fastening members is located around opposite ends of the insulative housing for fixing the insulative housing to the printed circuit board. The reinforcing element includes a first portion (162) for being attached to the insulative housing, and a second portion (164) adapted for being soldered to the printed circuit board at a mounting surface. The reinforcing elements are disposed adjacent the fastening members such that deformation caused by connecting the fastening members to the printed circuit board is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsu-Yang Wu, Yu-San Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7331819
    Abstract: Media converters for use in optical-to-electrical and electrical-to-optical conversion. A media converter includes an outer housing, an electrical plug disposed on one end of the outer housing, an optical cable disposed on an opposite end of the outer housing, and circuitry that connects to both the electrical plug and the optical cable. In this example, the circuitry receives electrical signals from the electrical plug and outputs corresponding optical signals to the optical cable. In addition, the circuitry also receives optical signals from the optical cable and outputs corresponding electrical signals to the electrical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Nelson, Kishore Kamath, Atikem Haile-Mariam
  • Patent number: 7331820
    Abstract: A coaxial connector for attaching the end of a coaxial cable to an equipment port includes a tubular post, a coupler, a body member having a cylindrical sleeve, and one or more reservoirs containing a chemical component disposed between the post and the cylindrical sleeve. Insertion of the coaxial cable into the connector opens the reservoir, releases the chemical component, and secures the jacket of the cable within the cylindrical sleeve. The chemical component(s) can include an adhesive, a volume-expanding material, and/or an agent that swells the jacket of the cable. Two or more chemical components may be stored in two or more adjacent reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Gilbert Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Burris, William B. Lutz
  • Patent number: 7331821
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector for use with a coaxial cable. In one aspect, the electrical connector is for use with a coaxial cable having a central signal conductor and an insulative core tube surrounding the central signal conductor such that an air gap is provided between the central conductor and the core tube, the electrical connector comprising a substantially tubular hollow body having a first end and a second end, and a solder cup disposed adjacent to said second end of said hollow body, said solder cup having a flared portion distal to said second end of said hollow body, wherein the flared portion is configured to span the air gap between the central conductor and the core tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Steve Feldman
  • Patent number: 7331822
    Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a insulative housing having an engaging portion, and a guiding position shield having a locking member wherein the engaging portion is defined as a rectangular groove and the locking member has a barb formed by stamping inward from a surface. In assembly, the barb is against the engaging portion (the rectangular groove) whereby to assemble the insulative housing and the guiding position shield together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Amphenol Taiwan Corporation
    Inventor: Chin-Yu Chen n
  • Patent number: 7331823
    Abstract: A braided conductor of a shielded-conductor cable is fitted on a ring of a shield shell in such a manner as to expand an inside diameter thereof in such a state that a portion of an open end portion of the braided conductor is folded over on itself on an inside diameter side of the open end portion so as to be doubled inwards and an annular member is held in the doubled portion of the open end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Fukushima, Takashi Tsukamoto, Masanori Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7331824
    Abstract: An cable connector assembly (500) for high-speed transmission includes a first electrical connector (1) defining a first mating port, a second electrical connector (2) defining a second mating port different from the first mating port (100), cable means (3) electrically connected to the first electrical connector (1) and the second electrical connector (2), and a plurality of wire spacers (5) used for fixing the wires of cable means (3) so as to trim and solder them easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Chieh Lin
  • Patent number: 7331825
    Abstract: A stacked electrical connector has an insulative housing (1), a plurality of signal contacts (23, 26) and a pair of contacts (24, 27, 25, 28) retained in the housing. The housing defines a mounting surface (19) for mounting on a printed circuit board and a receiving space (12) for receiving a mating plug (9). The switch contact includes a base portion retained in the housing and a spring arm extending from the base portion. An insulative separator (245) is formed on one spring arm and projects into the receiving space. The separator is moveable in a plane vertical to the mounting surface. When the mating plug inserts into the receiving space, the separator rotates and drives one switch contact to connect with the other switch contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhang Lan Xue, ZiQiang Zhu, Jinkui Hu, Guohua Zhang
  • Patent number: 7331826
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electric disk brake which enables an operation for wiring the harness to be easily conducted without the risk of lowering production efficiency. A caliper body-side connector 26 which, together with a harness-side connector 24 of a harness 23, forms a connector 25, is provided in a caliper body 3. In the caliper body-side connector 26, first to fourth lead-out terminals 30a to 30d connected to an electric portion for an electric motor are arranged in this order from a first side portion 20a towards a third side portion 20c of a cover 20. In the harness-side connector 24, a first set of first to fourth harness-side terminals and a second set of first to fourth harness-side terminals independently connected to the first to fourth lead-out terminals 30a to 30d are arranged in reverse order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Usui, Toshio Takayama, Masaru Sakuma
  • Patent number: 7331827
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a female housing configured to include a first mating interface adapted to receive a second mating interface; a male housing configured to include the second mating interface; and at least one first anti-splay ferrule positioned at least one of the female housing and the male housing. An electrical connection is achieved when the first mating interface receives the second mating interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Christopher Gleissner, Kenneth Capozzi, Michael Andrew Hoyack, Gino Antonini, Hardik Parikh, Owen Barthelmes
  • Patent number: 7331828
    Abstract: An electrical connector including a housing; electrical contacts connected to the housing; a shield connected to the housing; and a mating connector key connected to the housing. The key includes a front section and a rear section. A portion of the shield is located between the front and rear sections of the key to retain the key with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allison
  • Patent number: 7331829
    Abstract: Embodiments of a mounting bracket for a telecommunications terminal block are presented herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Telect Inc.
    Inventor: Rob Jayne
  • Patent number: 7331830
    Abstract: A high-density orthogonal connector is disclosed and may include electrical contacts that are configured to receive contacts from an orthogonal header connector while minimizing signal skew and signal reflection. The electrical contacts in the connector may define contact pairs (e.g., differential signal pairs). Each contact pair may include a lead portion and a mating interface that extends from the lead portion. The lead portions of the contact pair may define a first plane. One contact of the contact pair defines a first mating interface defining a second plane and the other contact in the contact pair defines a second mating interface defining a third plane. The second plane and the third plane may be both substantially parallel to and offset from the first plane in opposite directions. The contact pair may be configured such that the overall length of each contact within the pair may be substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Minich
  • Patent number: 7331831
    Abstract: An electrical connection device comprises a bifurcated contact to establish an electrical connection with a mating contact, the bifurcated contact having at least two limbs, at least one web region between the limbs, and an electrically conductive jacket that is in contact with said web region. The bifurcated contact includes a region wherein the jacket at least partially surrounds the two limbs, which provide a plurality of contact positions within the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eduard Cvasa
  • Patent number: 7331832
    Abstract: A structure of a focusing mesh for a field emission display includes a cathode substrate and a rectangular mesh. The cathode substrate with one edge formed a cathode conductor including a joint area. The mesh includes a plurality of pores formed in matrix and a L-shaped recess formed at one side of the mesh to provide a rectangular strip as a leading wire of the mesh drooped by self weight to contact with the joint area of the cathode conductor. As such, during vacuuming to envelop the field emission display, it will not cause the crack of wire, air leakage and even make easier to be enveloped and increase the good fabrication rate of a field emission display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Teco Nanotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Yao-Zong Chen
  • Patent number: 7331833
    Abstract: An improved personal propulsion device that generally imparts thrust directly to the user. The device allows hands free control of thrust magnitude and direction so both hands can grasp and control bicycle handlebars and brakes, watercraft paddles, ski poles, etc. The device is adjustable vertically, on the users' back, higher to allow sitting in a canoe or wheelchair and lower for standing on skates, skis, kick scooters etc. A user on a bicycle may prefer to lean forward for comfort and aerodynamics, a device adjustment compensates and delivers level thrust. A user on a snowboard or skateboard stands oblique to the direction of travel, a device adjustment allows in line thrust. Both users' hands and arms are free to balance, protect others by pushing off or break a fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Donald Wesley Burgess, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7331834
    Abstract: An outboard motor is provided with a bar handle equipped with a throttle grip enabling push-pull operation and rotate operation by the boat operator, and one or the other of the engine and the motor is connected to the propeller in accordance with the push-pull operation of the throttle grip. Owing to this configuration, switching between the power sources can be performed using the throttle grip of the bar handle. In addition, the engine speed and motor speed are regulated in accordance with the rotating operation of the throttle grip, thereby avoiding degradation of operability and increase in outboard motor size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yasuda, Akiko Ichikawa, Mitsuaki Kubota
  • Patent number: 7331835
    Abstract: An aquatic gliding board which incorporates a subassembly that includes a hollow inner shell which is covered with a casing made of foam capable of being machined. The invention also relates to a hollow gliding board, such as a surfboard, that includes at least one longitudinal partition, such partition(s) connecting upper and lower portions of the subassembly. The partition(s) is (are) made of a foam, such as an elastic foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Renard, Eric Metrot
  • Patent number: 7331836
    Abstract: An article of aquatic apparel including one or more handles. The handles are secured to the apparel and allow for passengers riding along to hold onto the wearer of the article. The handles can be configured as gripping slots or projecting straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: William R. Harris
  • Patent number: 7331837
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp of the ceramic metal halide type of the Philips MasterColor series having a molybdenum coil wrapped around the discharge vessel and at least a portion of the electrode feed through means, and having power ranges of about 150 W to about 1000 W. Such lamps are provided with a discharge vessel which encloses a discharge space. The discharge vessel has a ceramic wall and is closed by a ceramic plug. An electrode which is located inside the discharge space is connected to an electric conductor by way of a leadthrough element. The leadthrough element projects through the ceramic plug with a close fit and is connected thereto in a gastight manner by way of a sealing ceramic. The leadthrough element has a first part which is formed by a cermet at the area of the gastight connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Jackson, Ray G. Gibson, III, Sarah A. Carleton, Shiming Wu, Louis N. Kowalczyk, Thomas Steere, Jay J. Palmer, John C. Alderman, John E. Conrad, Sr., Kent L. Collins
  • Patent number: 7331838
    Abstract: An airplane flying toy includes a longitudinal frame bearing a wing and a stabilizer, a propeller rotatably disposed at an end of the frame, a force generating device attached to the longitudinal frame and adapted to impart a rotary motion to the propeller by a rotatable shaft, and a propeller protector extending at least partially around and longitudinally beyond the propeller, the propeller connector being connected by struts to the longitudinal frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Jasman Asia Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Shantz
  • Patent number: 7331839
    Abstract: The lower portion (12) of a water toy (10) is buoyant and floats on a body of water (FIG. 1). An upper portion (14) of the toy includes an inner cavity (32) sides to receive the head (34) of a user. The user sights through a sight opening (30) in the upper portion (14). The user's hands are on the controls (64) for a pair of water guns (38,40). When the user depresses the triggers (54) the water guns (38,40) pump water up through the water guns (38, 40) and discharge the water in the form of streams at some target selected by the user. The upper portion (14) is inflatable to give it stand up rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Brett J. Diffley
  • Patent number: 7331840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy having a redundant closure system and method for stuffing the same. The toy comprises a body that defines a cavity for receiving filling material. The toy also includes a fill opening in the body, and a closure system. The closure system includes an internal closure assembly and an external closure assembly. The internal closure assembly is attached to an inner surface of the cavity and is provided for securing the filling material within the cavity. The external closure assembly is disposed proximate the fill opening and is provided to encapsulate the internal closure assembly and filling material within the cavity of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: John Amico, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7331841
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transformable toy of which a figure is transformed between a doll robot toy and a four-legged walking robot toy with rear-leg sections thereof of a more natural shape. One of a pair of leg sections 11 of the doll robot toy 1 is provided with a knee-position connecting mechanism 114 for connecting a thigh section 111 and a shin section 112 and an ankle-position connecting mechanism 115 for connecting the shin section 112 and a foot section 113. The knee-position connecting mechanism 114 includes a connecting link 118 connected to both of the thigh section 111 and the shin section 112 respectively with turning pairs 116 and 117. The ankle-position connecting mechanism 115 is so constructed as to connect the shin section 112 and the foot section 113 with a turning pair 119. Then, the shin section 112 is length-adjustably constructed so that it can become long in a figure of the doll robot toy and become short in a figure of the four-legged walking robot toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Okamoto, Ryosuke Toriyama, Shinya Saito, Shinichi Hanamoto
  • Patent number: 7331842
    Abstract: A contour follower includes a plurality of sensors spaced around a waterjet nozzle, each of the sensors being configured to measure a distance between a working surface and a first plane, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The sensors may include hall-effect sensors lying in the first plane and magnets lying in a second plane, parallel to the working surface. A detecting circuit processes signals from the sensors to determine an angle of the working surface, relative to the first plane, and a distance between an aperture of the nozzle and the working surface. A collision detection sensor provides a signal in the event the device approaches to within a selected distance of an obstruction in the plane of the working surface. A shield plate blocks and dampens secondary spray-back of cutting fluid occurring at low angles above the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Felice M. Sciulli, Andreas Meyer, Robert J. Mann, Michael Knaupp, Charles M. Wakefield, Chidambaram Raghavan, Andrew P. Sterne, Glenn A. Erichsen
  • Patent number: 7331843
    Abstract: The substrate polishing method of the present invention can be used, in a substrate polishing apparatus having multiple carriers for one polishing pad, for determining a polishing time necessary to obtain a specific amount of polishing in polishing substrates using only some of the carriers among multiple carriers. In the present method, a correction coefficient indicating the correlation between the polishing time in polishing substrates using all the carriers and the polishing time in polishing substrates using only a part of the carriers is obtained in advance. The polishing time necessary for the specific amount of polishing in polishing substrates using only a part of the carriers is calculated based on the correction coefficient and the polishing time necessary for polishing the specific amount of polishing in polishing substrates using all of the carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Kunitake, Mamoru Kanemoto, Katsuyuki Ikenouchi, Yasunori Fukui
  • Patent number: 7331844
    Abstract: A slurry feeding apparatus includes closed slurry bottle, piping, wet nitrogen generator, wet nitrogen supply pipe, suction and spray nozzles, temperature regulator, flow rate control valves, slurry delivery pump and controller for controlling the operation and flow rate of the slurry delivery pump. While a wafer is being polished by a CMP polisher, the controller continuously operates the pump. On the other hand, while the polisher is idling, the controller starts and stops the pump intermittently at regular intervals. No stirrer like a propeller is inserted into the slurry bottle, but the slurry is stirred up by spraying the slurry through the spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Tanoue, Yoshiharu Hidaka, Shin Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7331845
    Abstract: First and second end surface truing sections are formed by protruding cylindrical first and second base bodies from opposite end surfaces of a disc-like base of an opposite end surface truing tool in the axial direction thereof and by providing on the external surface of the first base body and the internal surface of the second base body first and second abrasive grain layers in which numerous diamond abrasive grains are adhered with bond material. The rotational axis of the opposite end surface truing tool is inclined relative to the rotational axis of the grinding wheel within almost the same plane at a predetermined inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: Toyoda Van Moppes Ltd., JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Imai, Noboru Hiraiwa, Shinji Soma
  • Patent number: 7331846
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blasting apparatus for an outer surface of a pipe which ejects a blast material to an outer side of a pipe and grinds the outer surface, comprising: a blast head containing a nozzle which ejects the blast material and a suction port which sucks a blast material used for grinding and dust particles; a guide member which is provided along a longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the pipe, and guides the blast head along the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the pipe; and a ring member which is a ring member constructed by connecting at least two half-split members and having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the pipe, and which is disposed to have the pipe inserted through the ring member, holds the guide member, and guides the blast head in a circumferential direction of the outer surface of the pipe by turning in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokuo Shimizu, Tetsunori Yano
  • Patent number: 7331847
    Abstract: A carrier head for chemical mechanical polishing, includes a base, a support structure attached to the base having a surface for contacting a substrate, and a retaining structure attached to the base to prevent the substrate from moving along the surface. The retaining structure and the surface define a cavity for receiving the substrate. A polishing station includes a platen, a vibration damper mounted on the platen and a substrate polishing pad mounted on the vibration damper. The vibration damper includes a material that does not rebound to its original shape when subjected to a deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc
    Inventors: Hung Chih Chen, John M. White, Shijian Li, Fred C. Redeker, Ramin Emami
  • Patent number: 7331848
    Abstract: A method for gas stunning of poultry for slaughter is in which the poultry arrives at the poultry slaughterhouse, for example, in transport crates, where the poultry is subjected to gas after the poultry have been taken out of the transport crates, and where the poultry are conveyed by conveyors (18, 20, 24, 32) successively through a stunning chamber (8). The influence of the stunning gas for stunning of the poultry is adjusted in the stunning chamber by reducing or increasing by adjusting an effective length of at least one conveyor in the stunning chamber (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Linco Food Systems A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Zachariassen, Poul Kjeldsen
  • Patent number: 7331849
    Abstract: An apparatus for tenderizing, progressively flattening and smoothing food items includes a roller set of substantially parallel rollers arrayed laterally for contacting, mechanically advancing and tenderizing a first side of a food item; and a compressing conveyor belt opposing and spaced apart from the roller set for contacting and advancing a food item second side, the roller set and the compressing conveyor belt converging toward each other to define a gap between the roller set and the conveyor belt tapering from a wider gap end to a narrower gap end for progressively flattening food items fed into the wider gap end; the roller set and the conveyor belt defining a roller set and conveyor belt combination. A second version includes a series two or more opposing compressing conveyor belt pairs having decreasingly coarse outer surface textures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Phil Bifulco
  • Patent number: 7331850
    Abstract: Disclosed is a loin puller for trimming off the backfat of a loin that has been scribed from a belly. This loin puller has a frame on which is mounted a conveying system for engaging the loin and moving it towards a cutting zone. In this zone, a cutting tool is mounted for engaging the loin when it is moved by the conveying system, and for cutting the backfat to be trimmed off from the loin, with the so-cut backfat remaining attached to the belly. The cutting tool has two blades that are preferably controlled independently from each other. One of these blades is arcuate and positioned onto the frame so as to engage at least one part of the loin from a side of the loin opposite to the belly, and to cut the backfat to be trimmed from the loin. The other blade is L-shaped and positioned onto the frame so as to engage another part of the loin and cut the backfat to be trimmed thereof directly from the scribing line just below the back ribs of the loin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: G.E. LeBlanc Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Guy Roy, Yvon Dufour
  • Patent number: 7331851
    Abstract: A motor vehicle air-conditioning system (1), including a plurality of air ducts (7?, 7?) having a flap for controlling the air flow therein. A single flap (6) is provided for controlling at least two air ducts (7?, 7?) which serve for the temperature stratification of the air streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Evripidis Koukouravas
  • Patent number: 7331852
    Abstract: A totally integrated ventilation system is contained in the outside air inlet stream. The system samples and controls ventilation airflow as it enters a structure. An air valve connecting the outside air inlet stream to the return plenum is controlled by a valve positioning device and a processor that monitors sensors located in the outside air inlet stream, air quality data provided by a telecommunications link and the HVAC system control signals. The air quality data includes locally broadcast air pollution data or air quality alert data related to accidents or terrorist attacks. The processor and valve positioning device simultaneously control a separate pressure relief valve that allows contaminated air to be exhausted from the structure. An alternate configuration uses a supplemental fan to introduce the outside air inlet stream directly into the structure where HVAC systems are not used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: George D. Ezell, Lynn B. Heitman
  • Patent number: 7331853
    Abstract: Ventilating system including a total heat exchanger at a region where an air supply duct, a passage for supplying outdoor air to a room, and an air discharge duct, a passage for discharging room air to an outside of the room, cross for making room air and outdoor air to heat exchange, an air supply fan connected to the air supply duct for drawing the outdoor air and discharging the outdoor air to the room, an air discharge fan connected to the air discharge duct for drawing the room air and discharging the room air to an outside of the room, and a flow guide between the air supply/discharge fans and the total heat exchanger for guiding flow directions of the room air and the outdoor air, thereby reducing a flow resistance and making the heat exchange efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gi Seop Lee, Kyung Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7331854
    Abstract: A building protection system comprises a filtration unit, an air handling unit, an emergency exhaust subsystem, a first damper positioned between the filtration unit and the air handling unit, and a second damper positioned between the emergency exhaust subsystem and the filtration unit. The first damper is selectively opened and the second damper is selectively closed to filter outside air as it enters a building, and the first damper is selectively closed and the second damper is selectively opened to filter inside air as it is exhausted from, the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Fleming, D. James Schooley
  • Patent number: 7331855
    Abstract: A chopper and wide-spread impeller spreader that feeds crop residue from the chopper into the spreader at a specific upward angle to more fully utilize the momentum the crop residue achieves in the chopper. The spreader incorporates air intake holes and air fins above the impellers to keep crop residue moving through the impellers without plugging of discharge material. The chopper propels the residue upwardly into the spreader resulting in a wide-spread broadcast, while preventing crop residue from plugging the spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Peter Johnson, Mark Pearson
  • Patent number: 7331856
    Abstract: A video monitor 13 is provided on the front surface of a game apparatus casing 2. An operation panel 11 is provided immediately below the video monitor 13. Light detection units 15 for detecting a position provided on both side of the upper end. In the game apparatus casing below the video monitor 13 there are provided a game processing board 10 for generally controlling the game apparatus, an operation device control board 16 for controlling maraca-shaped operation device 20 operated by a game player, and a position detecting board 17 for detecting a position of the operation device 20. The game apparatus enables a game player to operate operation device by natural motions without directly operating the operation device, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Nakamura, Takao Itagaki, Mitsuru Kawamura, Yutaka Yokoyama, Hideyuki Yamada, Kenji Tosaki, Atsunori Himoto, Takashi Abe, Kazuhiro Takayama, Takanori Hasumi
  • Patent number: 7331857
    Abstract: A gaming system for use with a media player and one or more output devices, where the media player is configured to receive user signals, to read and execute information from a game medium, and to present portions of the information on the one or more output devices. The gaming system includes a first remote unit configured to transmit signals corresponding to a first user and a second remote unit configured to transmit signals corresponding to a second user. The gaming system also includes a game medium having information readable by the media player that, when executed, causes the media player to produce a game having a plurality of scenes. Each scene causes the media player to selectively respond to the reception of user signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter MacIver
  • Patent number: 7331858
    Abstract: A gaming machine with an improved game display is disclosed. Polyhedral reel strips are used in a gaming machine to present game outcomes in configurations previously not practicable. In addition, the polyhedral reels provide a game display that is more easily readable than can be obtained from the traditional mechanical circular reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. McComb, Daniel P. Fiden, Michael P. Casey, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 7331859
    Abstract: A method and gaming terminal for playing a wagering game. The method includes conducting the wagering game at a gaming terminal. A plurality of player-selectable game elements are displayed, such that the game elements are divided into a plurality of types. A player selects at least one of the game elements and a predetermined award amount is then revealed. If the player selects an award-all-of-type element, then all of the game elements associated with that particular type are revealed. The player then receives a wagering game payoff based on the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro
  • Patent number: 7331860
    Abstract: A game of skill and chance is provided in which five die are manipulated by a player to obtain different combinations. The obtained die combinations are then recorded on a card and scored by a computer. Players play against each other and the winner is the individual with the highest total score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: GameLogic Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 7331861
    Abstract: A display device for a gaming device which includes concentric rotating displays, wherein an outer one of the displays is also operable to translate with respect to an inner one of the displays. The inner display includes multiple rows of symbols. The outer display includes multiple indicating viewing areas. Each of the viewing areas is also associated with a symbol. When the displays eventually stop, one of the viewing areas that is positioned furthest most towards the front of the machine enables one of the symbols of the first display to be seen by the player. That symbol is made part of an outcome from the sequence in combination with the symbol of the second display associated with the viewing area that indicates the symbol of the first display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Dennis Nordman
  • Patent number: 7331862
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having several symbols with at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device spins the reels for at one spin. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the payline, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol, stationary. The gaming device then re-spins the other reels for a designated number of spins, not including the reel having the wild symbol, in the game. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations on the payline. In another embodiment, the gaming device holds one of the reels stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels the award amounts associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than a designated award value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Erick T. Ching, Jasonlee Kissee Hohman
  • Patent number: 7331863
    Abstract: A primary or secondary game is provided for a wagering gaming device. The game includes a display of a plurality of values. The display associates a set of multipliers with each of the values. One of the values is generated randomly for the player. That generation also designates the set of multipliers associated with the generated value. One of the multipliers from the designated set is then generated. The designated value and multiplier form an award that is provided to a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7331864
    Abstract: An offer acceptance game for a gaming or wagering device. One embodiment comprises: (i) an offer provided to a player; (ii) an input device by which the player accepts the offer; (ii) an input device by which the player rejects the offer; (iii) an advance threshold communicated to the player; and (iv) an advance provided to said player if the offer exceeds the advance threshold. The gaming device preferably includes at least one additional offer that is provided upon rejection of the first offer, wherein the game provides the advance if the final provided offer exceeds the advance threshold. The advance preferably includes second bonus game. The gaming device also preferably includes a limit communicated to said player, wherein the player does not obtain the advance if the second offer exceeds the limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7331865
    Abstract: A gaming device wherein the success or failure of a current selection directly affects the player's chances for success in a later selection and the player's chances for obtaining the highest bonus award possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 7331866
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having several symbols with at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device spins the reels for at one spin. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the payline, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol, stationary. The gaming device then re-spins the other reels for a designated number of spins, not including the reel having the wild symbol, in the game. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations on the payline. In another embodiment, the gaming device holds one of the reels stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels the award amounts associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than a designated award value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Erick T. Ching, Jasonlee Kissee Hohman