Patents Issued in April 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7364119
    Abstract: A compartment in a passenger transport aircraft is outfitted with functional elements that are adaptable for various uses or purposes. The compartment is bounded by walls defining dimensions approximately corresponding to a handicapped accessible toilet compartment or two standard aircraft toilet compartments. The functional elements include a seat that can be tilted up into a stowed position or tilted down into a seating position over a toilet, a table/seat that can be tilted up into a stowed position or tilted down into a table or seat position, a movable cover to selectively enclose and form a counter surface over a handwash basin, various storage spaces, etc. The functional elements can be selectively arranged as needed to configure the compartment as a handicapped accessible toilet compartment, a childcare or medical care room, an office work compartment, a detention cell, a smokers' compartment, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Sprenger, Bernd Roesner
  • Patent number: 7364120
    Abstract: A momentum actuator for steering a spacecraft is disclosed. The momentum actuator comprises a rotor, a gimbal upon which the rotor is mounted, and a stepper motor coupled to the gimbal and operable to rotate the rotor about the gimbal in a series of steps. In one embodiment of the present invention the spin rate of the rotor can be varied to provide torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mason A. Peck
  • Patent number: 7364121
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically controlling aircraft takeoff rolls. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes receiving an indication of a target takeoff roll path for an aircraft, and automatically controlling a direction of an aircraft, while the aircraft is on a takeoff roll, to at least approximately follow the target takeoff roll path. The method can further include providing an input to a rudder of the aircraft and, upon receiving an indication of an engine failure, can transfer the input from the rudder to a rudder trim element. In still further embodiments, the method can include commanding a ground track angle when an airspeed of the aircraft reaches a threshold value, and maintaining the ground track angle as the airspeed of the aircraft exceeds the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Guner Firuz, Michael H. Jaeger, Robert M. Agate, William M. Bresley
  • Patent number: 7364122
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operating features of a model train includes a plurality of selection devices, each of which corresponds to a respective operating feature of the train. The apparatus also includes a controller connected to the selection devices of the apparatus. The controller is operative to generate digital or DC offset messages corresponding to the selection devices. The apparatus further includes a transmitter connected to the controller. The transmitter is operative to send the digital or DC offset messages that are generated by the controller to a receiver located on the train in order to carry out the desired functions. This invention provides for at least a single button output of complex messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lionel L.L.C.
    Inventors: Louis Kovach, James Rohde, Neil P. Young
  • Patent number: 7364123
    Abstract: A data gathering apparatus comprises a power generation device configured to generate power via movement of the rail. The data gathering apparatus further comprises a sensing device configured to receive power from the power generation device and to sense at least one property of the rail, wherein the property of the rail is at least partially defined by a vehicle traveling on the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II, John Erik Hershey
  • Patent number: 7364124
    Abstract: An elevator device for a television camera which reduces noise to a low level, which moves up or down a television camera at high speed regardless of whether the moving distance is short or long, and which makes it possible that camera position movement at high speed is compatible with smooth speed change in low speed range in film shooting. The elevator device for a television camera comprises a stationary cylinder 1, a movable cylinder 3 on which a television camera 2 is mounted, and a linear motor 4 for moving the movable cylinder 3 up or down along the stationary cylinder 1, wherein the movable cylinder 3 is in the form of a telescopic tube and includes a pulley 32 and a wire rope 33 for extension and contraction of the movable cylinder 3 when the movable part 24 of linear motor 4 is moved up or down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Furukawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Yuasa, Hisanao Aoki
  • Patent number: 7364125
    Abstract: A support for apparatus in general and, in particular, for optical or photographic apparatus and the like. The support comprises a pillar arranged to receive the apparatus at a first end and to be housed with its stem in a seat extending through a spider of a tripod. The support also comprises, at the first end, an orientable platform for the levelling of the apparatus independently of the positioning of the tripod, and the pillar is structurally independent of the spider and can be inserted removably in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Speggiorin
  • Patent number: 7364126
    Abstract: An ejectable stand for a portable media center includes a stand body and a slide switch. The stand body has a front end, a rear end and an outer surface, and the rear end has a torsion spring pushing against both the stand body and the portable media center, and the front end has a stop. The slide switch slidably is mounted on the outer surface of the stand body and has a fastening hook corresponding to the fastening lip of the portable media center, and the fastening hook includes a compression spring pushing against both the fastening hook and stop of the stand body. The compression spring provides an elastic force to drive the fastening hook to slide the slide switch on the stand body and to fasten the fastening hook and the fastening lip together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tatung Company
    Inventors: Sheng-Yu Tsai, Sheng-An Tang
  • Patent number: 7364127
    Abstract: A support arm for a monitor comprises a main support arm, an extension arm pivotally connected to the rear end of the main support arm, a monitor mount pivotally connected to the front end of the extension arm, an extension arm mount pivotally connected to the rear end of the extension arm for securing the extension arm on a wall, wherein the main support arm is provided with a spring and a link rod for adjusting the support force thereon. The main support arm further includes a wire groove for receiving a power coil and signal wires running thereon. Thereby, the support arm for a monitor is capable of using with monitors of different weights and the wire groove will protect the power coil and signal wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 7364128
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a support mechanism are provided. The support mechanism includes an engagement pin including an engagement surface and a latch surface wherein the engagement pin is coupled to a base. The support mechanism also includes a pawl that includes an engagement surface complementary to the pin engagement surface and a latch surface complementary to the pin latch surface wherein the pawl is biased toward engagement of the pawl latch surface with the pin latch surface. The support mechanism also includes a ring latch that includes an annular ring having a toothed edge, the ring latch is coupled to the pawl such that the pawl extends axially away from the ring latch in a direction opposite the toothed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: GE Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Donaldson, Arnold Top
  • Patent number: 7364129
    Abstract: A portable, collapsible stand includes first, second and third substantially rectangularly shaped and rigid panels hinged together so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. Flexible straps extend between the panels to prevent them from fully opening. Hooks located adjacent the top edge of the first panel allow the stand to be suspended from a horizontally arranged support such as the handle of a piece of luggage or the back of an airplane seat. When so suspended, the panels are in partially opened positions with respect to each other so that the first panel can function as a desk, computer support or a head rest. The second panel includes a plurality of openings formed therein for holding a drinking cup or a pen or other writing utensil. In lieu of suspending the stand, rigid rods or bars movable into position between the panels can maintain them in their open position. Feet at the bottom of the third panel allow the stand to sit on a desk or table or other horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Levari, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7364130
    Abstract: An improved artificial Christmas tree stand includes a first unit and a second unit. A fixed piece is provided on a top portion of the first unit, and an upper hole is centrally provided in the fixed piece. A moveable piece is provided on each first and second unit, and a hole is centrally provided in the moveable piece. A substantially rectangular hole is provided on the moveable piece. A locking element is connected to the moveable piece of the second unit and has a locking portion. When the stand is not in use, we can disengage the locking portion from two substantially rectangular holes and rotate the first unit with respect to the second unit for a certain angle until they press against each other. Now, the folded stand may be easily stored away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Chung-Ho Lai
  • Patent number: 7364131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-return valve that can be configured for use anywhere along a molding material flow path in a molding system. The non-return valve of the present invention includes an improved means to restrict the backflow of melt therethrough during injection. In particular, a spigot-seal is configurable, during injection, between overlapping, closely-spaced, and mutually parallel complementary male and female spigot portions that are configured between complementary valve members. The spigot-seal advantageously maintains an effective backflow restriction even in the eventuality of transient movement between the spigot portions during injection. Preferably, the non-return valve of the present invention is also configured to include a means for mutually aligning and/or guiding the complementary valve components that ensures a proper alignment between the complementary spigot portions, and may also serve to improve the function and longevity of a face-seal, when present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan M. Manda, Sean Weir, Pierre Jean Pinet
  • Patent number: 7364132
    Abstract: A sanitary diaphragm valve is provided that includes a generally dome shaped diaphragm having a central boss that can be connected to or driven by a valve actuator. The diaphragm includes an outer peripheral edge and a relatively thin web portion that connects the boss to the outer edge. In one embodiment, the web portion is arcuate or dome shaped. The thinner web portion permits the diaphragm to have an extended cycle life and to permit the valve to operate at higher fluid pressures. The thin web may be defined by two different contoured surfaces, one convex and the other concave, such as formed by two radiuses. A valve body is provided that includes a bowl shaped valve cavity. This valve cavity includes an outer vertical edge to permit more thorough cleaning and to eliminate entrapment areas. The valve assembly provides support surfaces for the diaphragm that reduces stress on the diaphragm particularly at higher operating pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Ronnie A. Browne, David C. Kerg
  • Patent number: 7364133
    Abstract: A pulling tool for pulling nails, screws, rivets, pegs, or other protrusions includes a jaw which may be opened to receive the head of the protrusion. The jaw is then at least partially closed against the protrusion, and when the handle of the tool is pulled, the jaw is both urged shut and also away from the surface from which the protrusion extends. Thus, as the protrusion is pulled, its shaft is also more tightly grasped, which helps to pull the protrusion from the surface without stripping off its head/cap. The pulling tool can be provided as a part of a hammer, crowbar, or other conventional tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halvor, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric H. Eby, Rick Parduhn
  • Patent number: 7364134
    Abstract: An optical fiber unit installation apparatus having a unit for preventing a fluid from flowing backward toward entrance of the optical unit to prevent fluid leakage while the optical fiber unit is installed using air pressure is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber unit supplier; a blowing head having an entrance for introduction of an optical fiber unit supplied from the supplier, and an exit communicated with the entrance and combined with a tube for air pressure installation; a pressing unit for applying air pressure to the optical fiber unit introduced into the blowing head to insert the optical fiber unit into the tube; and a fiber sealing unit, an aggregation of fur-type elastic fibers, mounted in an advancing path of the optical fiber unit through the blowing head to prevent fluid leakage by surrounding the optical fiber unit with fiber ends contacted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: LS Cable Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7364135
    Abstract: A panel assembly system is disclosed, which includes an anchor; a tension line, secured to the anchor; and a puller, comprising an engaging face, a pivot joint secured to the engaging face, a lever rotatably mounted about the pivot joint, and a roller mounted on the lever, wherein the puller is configured to receive the tension line threaded about the puller and the pin, and to self-bind the tension line at the puller and tense the tension line between the puller and the anchor, when the lever is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy M. Gerrety, Michael A. Gerrety
  • Patent number: 7364136
    Abstract: A hoist assembly for raising and lowering a load uses a plurality of flat tensile members and spool drums. A modular hoist system can be adapted to various configurations by mounting a plurality of hoist assemblies in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tiffin Scenic Studios, Inc.
    Inventor: Brad E. Hossler
  • Patent number: 7364137
    Abstract: A cable barrier system including a cable-release anchor assembly, a terminal end section having at least one terminal post, the terminal post disposed adjacent to and spaced from the cable-release anchor assembly, and a length of need section having a plurality of line posts spaced from each other, each line post having an internal cavity and a slot formed along a sidewall extending downward from its top end. At least one cable having a terminal end is connected intention between the cable-release anchor assembly and the posts, the cable connected to the cable-release anchor proximate its terminal end. The cable is releasably connected to the terminal post and the line posts. The cable is releasably connected to the line posts by post-cable connectors. The post-cable connector includes an elongated section forming loops, the elongated portion is disposed substantially within the cavity and the loops extend through the slot to the exterior of the cavity. The cable is slidably disposed in the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Neusch Innovation, LP
    Inventor: William H. Neusch
  • Patent number: 7364138
    Abstract: A membrane carburetor (1) has a control chamber (13) which is connected via at least one fuel opening (9, 10) to an intake channel (3). The control chamber (13) is delimited by a control membrane (14). A fuel line (54) opens into the control chamber (13) via an inlet valve (15). The inlet valve (15) opens in dependence upon the deflection of the control membrane (14). The membrane carburetor (1) has an acceleration pump (30) which is actuated in dependence upon the position of a throttle element held in the intake channel (3). A good acceleration enrichment and a stable running of the internal combustion engine are achieved when the acceleration pump (30) operates hydraulically on at least one actuating member in the control chamber (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: André Prager
  • Patent number: 7364139
    Abstract: A carburetor having a throttle valve in the form of a disc which can be rotated to control flow of an air/fuel mixture through a duct, the throttle disc having a heating element and a temperature sensor formed on at least one surface of said throttle disc; and an electric power supply, the electric power supply being controlled by the temperature sensor, to maintain the temperature of the throttle disc above a predetermined minimum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard Bollons
  • Patent number: 7364140
    Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus to supply pressurized breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a humidifier having a gas inlet coupled to the gas outlet of the flow generator, and a filter operatively positioned between the gas outlet of the flow generator and the gas inlet of the humidifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Lipscombe, Richard L. Jones
  • Patent number: 7364141
    Abstract: A cooling tower and/or a fan drive system are provided which enhance cooling performance, are able to reduce lateral temperature gradients at least to some degree, provide for easy removable of debris and/or provide for easy fan adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Brenneke, Hobart Cox, Mark Kauffmann, Jason Stratman, Eric Wiedemann
  • Patent number: 7364142
    Abstract: Spring strut unit for suspension systems of motor vehicles with a fastening connection on the body side and another fastening connection on the wheel side; with a helical spring supported between the body and the wheel; and with a vibration damper installed between the body-side fastening connection and the wheel-side fastening connection. The vibration damper includes a working cylinder, a damping piston attached to a piston rod, damping valves installed in the damping piston, and a compensating space. The helical spring can be pretensioned by a ring-shaped cylinder, which can be actuated by a hydraulic medium. A pump rod is mounted in a permanent axial position in the working cylinder of the vibration damper and cooperates with a cavity in the piston rod to form a pump space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 7364143
    Abstract: A suspension front fork includes a lower tube with a closed bottom and an upper tube is movably inserted in the lower tube. Hydraulic oil is filled in the lower tube and has an oil level in the upper tube. A damper assembly is fixedly received in the upper tube and includes a spring and a piston which is biased by the spring and seals a side hole. A control assembly is movably received in the upper tube and includes a damper member which is connected to the adjustment assembly. An adjustment rod extends from the damper member and a lower end of the adjustment rod is movably inserted through the outlet of the damper assembly. A gap is defined between an inner periphery of the outlet and the lower end of the adjustment rod so that a size of the gap can be adjustable by moving the adjustment rod relative to the inner periphery of the outlet to adjust volume of hydraulic oil entering the damper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Hui-Hsiung Chen
  • Patent number: 7364144
    Abstract: A sensing and communication system includes a transceiver broadcasting an electromagnetic wave, a transponder supported on an associated structural member at a distance from the transceiver that receives the electromagnetic wave, and a sensor adjacent the transponder and in communication therewith. The sensor being operable to sense an input acting on the associated structural member and communicate a signal corresponding to the input to the transponder. The transponder is adapted to induce a modulation of the electromagnetic wave in relation to at least one of the sensor signal and the distance between the transceiver and the transponder. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel L. Nordmeyer
  • Patent number: 7364145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and fabrication of flexures used to guide motion in mechanical systems. A high specific stiffness flexure includes two narrow and thin flexing sections separated by a longer stiffened section. The present invention provides designs and processes for making flexures and flexure systems with monolithic high specific stiffness frame or box structures for the stiffened sections that creates relatively higher self-resonant frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Equipment Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Knirck, Paul A. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7364146
    Abstract: A strut for a system for constructing devices for clamping workpieces in defined and reproducible positions is made of an angle section or a U-shaped section or a rectangular section. The strut has grid bores of identical diameter arranged at a regular grid spacing relative to one another. The grid bores are provided on legs of the strut and are accessible from both sides of the legs, respectively. Several struts are combined to a receiving part in that the struts are arranged parallel to one another and connecting elements are used to connect the struts to one another. The connecting elements are inserted into the grid bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Horst Wille Entwicklungs-und Vertriebs KG
    Inventor: Horst Witte
  • Patent number: 7364147
    Abstract: A projection amount of rod can be adjusted, and workpiece with various shapes or easily deformable workpiece can be stably supported. When an opening/closing valve is switched to an opening position and a working medium flows and is injected from one medium chamber to another medium chamber, a support rod moves upward until an upper face of a first piston abuts on a cover member. Next, when the workpiece is placed on the support rod, the support rod is pushed down. When the workpiece moves downward to a predetermined height, the working medium is prevented from flowing between one medium chamber and another medium chamber if the opening/closing valve is switched to the closing position. Therefore, movement of the support rod is stopped. Since the working medium is sealed in the workpiece support device, it does not leak to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 7364148
    Abstract: A sheet combining device includes at least one former, at least one longitudinal cutter, and at least two partial web guide routes. A respective partial sheet of partial cut webs can be conveyed on each of the at least two partial web guide routes. These sheets can be combined to form a principal sheet at an exit of the sheet combining device. A stapler is provided on one of the at least two partial web guide routes and is used to staple the partial sheet which is conveyed on that guide route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Burkard Otto Herbert, Stefan Wander
  • Patent number: 7364149
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus of the present invention takes in sheets of paper ejected from an image forming apparatus through a taking-in port and clamping and conveying the sheets of paper by a pair of pinch rollers for post processing, has a sheet guidance member which supports one of the pair of pinch rollers and can rotate between a first position where the one pinch roller and the other pinch roller make contact with each other and a second position where the one pinch roller is released from the other pinch roller, and furthermore includes a tray for loading the sheets of paper conveyed by the pair of pinch rollers and an assist arm which is attached rotatably to the sheet guidance member and when the one pinch roller and the other pinch roller are in contact with each other, is projected in the direction for pressing the sheets of paper in the tray and when the one pinch roller is released from the other pinch roller, is rotated in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Terao, Hajime Yamamoto, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 7364150
    Abstract: An air duct is disposed in the vicinity of a heating member generating the heat for heating sheets stacked in a sheet tray, and the air in the air duct is heated by the heat generated by the heating member. The air duct is connected to an air blowing portion blowing the air toward the sheets stacked in the sheet tray, and the air in the air duct that is heated by the heat generated by the heating member is blown toward the sheets stacked in the sheet tray by the air blowing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Nakane
  • Patent number: 7364151
    Abstract: A plate supplying apparatus 1 allows, when taking out a plate P from a cassette 2 and transporting the plate toward an image recording apparatus 8, a support section 33 to operate such that the pivot angle of the support section 33 follows an optimum path based on the type of a plate P to be transported. In addition, upon control of the pivot operation of the support section 33, it is not necessary to control the pivot position of the support section 33, and a rotation drive pulse RP is easily generated so as to synchronize with a linear motion drive pulse DP outputted from a control section of the image recording apparatus 8. In the plate supplying apparatus 1, when a plate P stored in the cassette 2 is held via suction, only suction pads 31 are brought into contact with a plate P to be transported, and when the plate P is transported by transport rollers 51 and 52, the suction pads 31 do not contact with the plate P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanji Ito, Takashi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7364152
    Abstract: In the course of sheet feeding by a sheet feeding roller, a depressing arm is depressed by a sheet feeding cam provided coaxially with the sheet feeding roller, whereby a depressing pawl is moved in a direction to be engaged with the stacking plate pawl of an stacking plate and further, with the depressing pawl engaged with the stacking plate pawl, the depressing arm is lowered by a constant amount to thereby depress the stacking plate, whereby irrespective of the amount of stacked sheets, the timing at which the sheets and the sheet feeding roller are spaced apart from each other is always the same and the amount by which the stacking plate is depressed also becomes constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Suwa
  • Patent number: 7364153
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a cassette configured to accommodate recording media, and a recording media feeding member configured to feed out the recording media accommodated in the cassette. The cassette includes a tray main body part including a stacking plate configured to have the recording media stacked thereon, and a recording media conveying guide part configured to detachably connect to the tray main body part. The recording media conveying guide part includes a raising member configured to raise the stacking plate toward the recording media feeding member, and a raising and lowering member connected to the raising member and configured to raise and lower the stacking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takahashi, Kazuyuki Uchida, Mitsuru Yamada, Mamoru Yorimoto
  • Patent number: 7364154
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device is operable to feed a sheet medium to an image forming apparatus. A cassette chamber has an inner face. A cassette member is adapted to accommodate the sheet medium therein, and to be withdrawably inserted into the cassette chamber in a first direction. The cassette member has an outer face adapted to oppose the inner face of the cassette chamber when the cassette member is inserted into the cassette chamber. At least one recess is formed on one of the inner face of the cassette chamber and the outer face of the cassette member. At least one protrusion is formed on the other one of the inner face of the cassette chamber and the outer face of the cassette member, and adapted to be fitted with the recess when the cassette member is plenarily inserted into the cassette chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ichikawa, Toru Tanjo, Kazunori Koido
  • Patent number: 7364155
    Abstract: In a standby state wherein a document is set in a document tray and can be supplied when needed, when a start signal is not inputted (S21: NO), a controller determines whether a document regulating plate has been operated or not based on a detection output of a document size detector for detecting a position of the document regulating plate (S31), and when the document regulating plate was operated (S31: YES), the controller lowers the document tray by a predetermined amount and stops it (S32). A lowered amount of the document tray can be arbitrarily set by a user through an operator control panel. With a sheet feeding apparatus, an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus constituted as described above, even in a state in which the document is set in the document tray, the set state can be easily canceled by operating the document regulating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagao, Takashi Nishida, Kazuo Nakamura, Sohichi Takata
  • Patent number: 7364156
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus having a construction for guiding a transported medium conveyed from a curved transportation unit enables opening and closing the guide unit. The data processing apparatus 1 has an intermediate roller 39 and guide portion 38 constituting a curved transportation unit 23 inside the printer case 7, and a paper feed roller pair 25 and 26 for nipping and conveying paper P conveyed from the curved transportation unit 23 disposed a specific distance from the curved transportation unit 23. The guide portion 38 has an auxiliary guide member 51 and can move circularly open and closed in unison with an outside wall unit 16. The auxiliary guide member 51 projects toward the paper feed roller pair 25 and 26 and guides the paper P. An auxiliary guide linking mechanism 53 causes the auxiliary guide member 51 to retract away from the paper feed roller pair 25 and 26 in conjunction with the unlocking operation of opening/closing levers 41 and 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wanibuchi, Katsuyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 7364157
    Abstract: A compact banknote dispensing device including a storage section for storing one or more banknotes, a discharging unit driven by a first motor for discharging banknotes one-by-one at a first speed, and a transporting unit driven by a second motor for receiving the discharged banknotes from the discharging unit and transporting the discharged banknotes at a second speed where the second speed is faster than the first speed, the one-way clutch permitting the discharged banknote to be continuously drawn at the second speed without damaging the discharged banknote. The compact banknote dispensing device includes a length sensor disposed about a U-shaped guiding unit and connected to a control unit. The control unit determines whether the transported banknote is acceptable for dispensing and is transported properly. The compact banknote dispensing device turns off the motors in an error condition and sounds an audible alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joji Iida
  • Patent number: 7364158
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes a receiving clearance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vertical clearance between portions of downstream-side upper belts, the portion being located furthest upstream with respect to the conveyance direction of signatures, and upstream-side lower belts. The conveyor apparatus also includes a separation start position adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position at which upstream-side upper belts start to separate away from a signature. The conveyer apparatus can convey sheets, while properly transferring them between upstream-side belts to downstream-side belts, without generation of unintended positional shift, even when changes arise in the thickness and/or length of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ishikawa, Kenji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7364159
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a shell game activity as a primary or secondary/bonus gaming activity in a mechanistic, electronic, or combined mechanistic/electronic manner. Embodiments of methods for presenting gaming payouts involve providing an automated shell-game device and presenting, to a player, a plurality of award elements having a positional relationship to one another, using the automated shell-game device. The plurality of award elements are obscured from the player's view, and subjected to an apparent shuffling in terms of relative position as perceived by the player. A selected award element is revealed to the player subsequent to the apparent shuffling, and a payout result is determined, based on the selected award element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: King Show Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Berman, Adam Martin
  • Patent number: 7364160
    Abstract: A gaming device base having a front surface that allows players to extend their legs. In the preferred embodiment, the gaming device base has a horizontal support member having a substantially flat surface to support at least one gaming device and at least one edge. The gaming device base has at least one door positioned beneath the horizontal support member. The door may be moved from an open to a closed position. In the closed position, the door is positioned behind the edge of the horizontal support member. The door has at least one angled portion, which is an acute angle measured from a vertical plane. Players sitting in front of the edge of the horizontal support member may stretch or extend their legs behind the edge of the horizontal support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald C. Seelig, Mac Seelig, Jack McNamara, Michael Kobryn
  • Patent number: 7364161
    Abstract: This invention is mainly a 7-card stud poker game, played with at least one standard poker deck of 52 cards, plus at least one Joker. After a player places a Poker wager and/or a Pair Of Aces Or Better wager, the player then has the option to place a Bonus wager, against a banker. Each said wager automatically wins if the player is dealt a 7-Card 9 High hand or a 7-Card Straight Flush; otherwise, the player's Poker wager wins if the player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than or the same as the banker's best 5-card poker hand; the player's Pair Of Aces Or Better wager wins if the player's best 5-card poker hand is a pair of Aces or better; the player's Bonus wager wins if the player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than or the same as the banker's with a predetermined hand or better.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Henry Tien Lo
  • Patent number: 7364162
    Abstract: A poker-type game capable of providing players with an exciting alternative to Texas Hold'em and Omaha in which four community cards are dealt, eliminating the effect of the river card. Preferably, in the poker-type card game each player is dealt three playing cards from which at least one must be used in combination with at least two of four community cards to form a best five-card poker hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: New Poker Championships, LLC
    Inventor: Antonio Patelidas
  • Patent number: 7364163
    Abstract: A Big Money playing card game has a box; playing cards and a set of rules and a die, the playing cards including financial cards which constitute the majority of the playing cards and which teach the value of money in business, timing cards which constitute the minority of the playing cards and which teach the value of time in big business, and activity cards which constitute less than ten percent of the playing cards and which teach the value of actions in big business; a set of rules; and a die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Clay Savage
  • Patent number: 7364164
    Abstract: A reconfigurable golf game having an interchangeable body, a hollow shaft, a swing actuation system, and a coupler. The coupler allows a user that purchases one game system including multiple interchangeable bodies to easily attach different interchangeable bodies to the hollow shaft thereby changing the game. The various interchangeable bodies mimic the look and swing characteristics of modem professional golfers. The swing actuation system includes a translational motion system, including a rack and prime mover, and a rotational motion system, including a pinion. In operation the user grips the hollow shaft and activates the translation motion system by pulling the prime mover, and thus the rack, away from the interchangeable body, the rotational motion system pinion cooperates with the rack thereby causing the rotating body portion to rotate from a maximum backswing position to a maximum follow-through position, striking the replica golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventors: George Anasis, Jay Scott Danner
  • Patent number: 7364165
    Abstract: A leaf seal as a shaft seal mechanism is made compact and enables reduction of manufacturing cost. Plural thin plates 29 lapped one on another in layers have their outer circumferential proximal ends fixed to each other by welding so that an annular thin plate assembly 29A having flexibility is formed. This thin plate assembly 29A is bent and assembled to form the leaf seal 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakano, Hirokazu Shirai, Toshio Asada, Shin Nishimoto, Tanehiro Shinohara, Hidekazu Uehara
  • Patent number: 7364166
    Abstract: A seal/retainer unit (10) comprising an annular sealing gasket (12) and a plurality of retaining legs (14) extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. The sealing gasket (12) and the retaining legs (14) are formed in one piece (e.g., stamped) from a sealing material and dimensioned to allow nesting of a plurality of seal/retainer units (10) in a stacked arrangement. The retaining legs (14) may each include a rounded distal edge (16) to minimize package-tearing and interpart-marking and/or a break-off notch (18) to allow special customization. A radiused corner (20) between the gasket (12) and the legs (14) assures a gap between nested parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Engineered Surfaces, Inc.
    Inventors: John Arthur Yoakam, Richard Alan Quayle, Dennis Floyd Quayle
  • Patent number: 7364167
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injector for a common rail injection system of an internal combustion engine, having an injector housing, a valve element disposed in the injector housing, a sealing ring acting as a seal between a high-pressure region and a low-pressure region of the injector, and a support ring, disposed together with the sealing ring in an annular chamber between the injector housing and the valve element, for bracing the sealing ring, which is provided, in its underside remote from the sealing ring, with a plurality of relief grooves spaced apart in the circumferential direction and, in its outer circumferential edge, with a plurality of recesses spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The relief grooves and the recesses are disposed in offset fashion in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Adrian Hedrich
  • Patent number: 7364168
    Abstract: The inventive device includes a casing, inside of which the body is accommodated that has the hydraulic striking mechanism, inside of which a bush is mounted for guiding a tool. Said tool is held in a manner that enables it to rotate in the guiding bush and its horizontally displacement therein is limited by a cotter. The guiding bush includes at least one non-circular peripheral area that interacts with an area having a complementary shape that is made in the front of the casing in order to limit the rotation of the bush and thus of the body relative to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Montabert
    Inventor: Jean-Sylvain Comarmond