Patents Issued in July 1, 2008
  • Patent number: 7392722
    Abstract: This controller, between a fixed base (1) and a control handle (4), comprises three similar arms (2) of which each comprises three links (5,6,7) jointed between the base and the handle platform by a pivot (8), two rotation joints (9 and 10) and a ball-joint (11). This controller with six degrees of freedom includes force feedback motors at the first and second joints (8 and 9) of which the first is fixed to the base (1) and the second to the first link (5), so that the first is immobile and the other has scarce movement; the third joint (10) is free. The resulting structure is simple and light not requiring any parallelogram, and kinematic singularities are greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Commissariat A l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Florian Gosselin, Eric Villedieu, Jean-Pierre Friconneau
  • Patent number: 7392723
    Abstract: A bicycle shift position control mechanism is configured to provide a bicycle shifting unit with multiple gear shifting in a single upshift operation or a single downshift operation. The shift position control mechanism that has a wire take up member, a positioning member, a first position maintaining member and a second position maintaining member. The positioning member rotates with the wire take up member between one of a plurality of predetermined shift positions. The first position maintaining member selectively moves between a first engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a first disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement. The second position maintaining member selectively moves between a second engagement position that holds the positioning member in one of the predetermined shift positions and a second disengagement position that releases the positioning member for rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 7392724
    Abstract: A steering wheel is provided with at least one device for the fastening of build-on parts, the steering wheel having a steering wheel skeleton surrounded by foam. A holding part is substantially fixed by the steering wheel foam surround and projects out of the steering wheel foam surround for the fastening of at least one build-on part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Achim Hartlaub, Dietmar Ludwig
  • Patent number: 7392725
    Abstract: A steering wheel has a rim part, and the rim part includes a rim core portion which is made through die casting and a rim cover portion which covers an outer surface of the rim core portion. The rim cover portion is provided with a rim cover body and a garnish made of a synthetic resin. A reinforcement member is provided on the garnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yasuda, Akio Hosoi, Norio Umemura, Akiyoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7392726
    Abstract: In a ratchet wrench, a frictional force generation mechanism including a first guide bush and a disc spring is attached to a shank with a locking pin to form a shank assembly. Spring force of the disc spring acts only on the inside of the shank assembly. The shank assembly is inserted from a central space of a first annular hold portion toward a second annular hold portion, and the shank is held by an inner wall of the second annular hold portion. In the back side on which the shank assembly is inserted, the drop-out of the shank assembly from the central space side of the first annular hold portion is prevented by a snap ring attached to a groove of the first annular hold portion. With this arrangement, constant friction is applied to the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: KTS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Nagata
  • Patent number: 7392727
    Abstract: A tool device includes a tool shank having a noncircular engaging hole for slidably receiving a socket member which includes a noncircular bore for engaging with various fasteners, a biasing device may bias the socket member outwardly relative to the engaging hole of the tool shank, and an anchoring device may detachably and slidably anchor the socket member to the tool shank. One or more socket members may be replaced with each other for driving various tool members of different sizes or diameters or dimensions. A control ferrule may be slidably engaged onto the tool shank and selectively engageable with the detent and for selectively forcing the detent to engage with the socket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hsin Ying Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen Hung Chiang
  • Patent number: 7392729
    Abstract: A manual multi knife cutting device for vegetables and other material of similar structure wherein: the knives are mounted directly in a base guide containing slots and fulcrum bolt for the knives, and an enclosure platform for the vegetables right next to the knife fulcrum. The enclosure location close to the fulcrum reduces cutting loads and it's closed design prevents vegetable sliding. The guides which make up the base using spacers and connecting bolts at the bottom fully support the knives throughout the cutting stroke enabling a smooth cut. Slots extending below the platform enable the knives to go past the cut pieces for a clean cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Gopinath Baddepudi
  • Patent number: 7392730
    Abstract: A rotary punching apparatus includes: an upper rotation plate provided with punching member on which punching blade having a pattern of a specific shape is formed, and an upper jig which support elastically the punching member and forms a guide hole in the same shape as the pattern; an upper plate configured to enable the upper rotation plate to be rotated; a lower rotation plate including lower jig on which a punching hole in the same shape as the pattern is formed; and lower plate configured to enable the lower rotation plate to be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: Ok-Hwan Kim, Sang-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7392731
    Abstract: In a force cutting type paper cutter, a movable blade includes a pair of right and left edges having a V shape. These right and left edges are intersected and brought into pressure contact with a linear cutting edge of a fixed blade. The movable blade also includes a pair of right and left elastic pieces formed by a lateral slit and a division slit provided in the movable blade. These elastic pieces are held in an inclined state to the side of the fixed blade and such that the edges overlap with each other. During a cutting stroke, the elastic pieces are held a state in which the edges of the movable blade always make point contact with the edge of the fixed blade and uneven abutment is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Nonaka
  • Patent number: 7392732
    Abstract: A scribing tool for use in semiconductor scribing apparatus includes a rotatable semiconductor wafer scribing wheel engageable with the semiconductor wafer to form a scribe line when the tool exerts pressure on the semiconductor wafer and the scribing wheel rotates. Bearings are engageable with the scribing wheel sides to resist sideways deflection during the scribing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Micro Processing Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Lindsey, Jr., Christopher K. Lindsey, Jeffery D. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7392733
    Abstract: A projectile based targeting system for underwater objects includes a trainable gun terminal mounted in a waterproof housing. The gun terminal includes plural gun barrels terminating in waterproof breeches. Noise generating projectiles are launched from the gun barrels, and a fire control system selectively fires the projectiles from each of the plural gun barrels in a noise pattern. A host controller detects and processes noise generated by a launched pattern of the noise generating projectiles to give information about the objects. The projectiles each include a void region connected to an outer surface of the projectile by a hole formed in a neck of the projectile. Launching of the projectile creates a vaporous cavity around the projectile and thus the hole, thereby causing the void region to resonate at a noise generating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert Kuklinski, Thomas J. Gieseke
  • Patent number: 7392734
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator using a fluid cylinder capable of imparting stiffness to a fluid cylinder such as an air cylinder with a simple constitution, a control method thereof and a choke valve device. The actuator is provided with a fluid cylinder 1, a first choke valve device 3 and a second choke valve device 5. The fluid cylinder 1 has a cylinder chamber 7 and a piston 12 dispose slidably in the cylinder chamber 7 so as to partition the cylinder chamber 7 into a first chamber 9 and a second chamber 11. The first choke valve device 3 is disposed between a fluid pressure source and the first chamber 9; and the second choke valve device 5 is disposed between the fluid pressure source and the second chamber 11. Each of the choke valve devices 3 and 5 is provided with a discharge valve mechanism capable of changing the opening of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, Ichiro Kawabuchi
    Inventors: Ichiro Kawabuchi, Kiyoshi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 7392735
    Abstract: Housing is generally tubular and split into two longitudinal hinged halves. Housing receives threads on driver. Retention and anti-rotation means retain cartridge in other end of housing. Cartridge has zero draft tubular wall, and rounds to an extended tip with external threads at other end. Tip is hollow. Piston matching profile to tip and seals open end of cartridge. Liquid is contained between tip and piston. In use, driver engages piston to force liquid out tip. Cartridge differentiates between capacities of cartridge for housing. Driver and housing indicate rotary position of driver with respect to housing and prevent driver from reversing direction. Injector is designed to withstand pressures of operating system to which liquid is injected. Injector high accuracy for use with high concentrations and small cartridges. Cartridge and piston limits introduction of air when filling and limits retained liquid after cartridge used. Housing and driver indicate liquid remaining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brasscorp Limited
    Inventors: Jack Brass, Bjarki Hallgrimsson, Gregory R. W. McEwan
  • Patent number: 7392736
    Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit includes a piston rod guided axially in a cylinder, a support disk fixed to the piston rod, a mounting element fixed to the support disk, and a protective sleeve which can be threaded over the mounting element. The protective sleeve has an end wall with an aperture profiled to receive the mounting element therethrough as the protective sleeve is fitted to the support disk, the protective sleeve being rotatable relative to the mounting element when fitted to the support disk, the mounting element having an axial support surface which can be positioned axially above the end wall to retain the protective sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerald Fenn, Daehun Gwon, Jonghyuk Lee, Taewon Kim
  • Patent number: 7392737
    Abstract: This is a dynamic system for refrigeration equipment. This invention provides special features, including a set of mechanisms, electro-mechanisms, and electronic controls for refrigeration compression chambers or other kinds of fluids that employ two, three, or four compression chambers. There is extremely low vibration, noise, cost, and energy consumption in this equipment. It does not overheat and has a reduced size, lightweight and requires less raw materials to build it. There are other advantages in its technical aspects. It can be run on an electric motor or only with solenoid coils for traction. The applications include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, cold stores, refrigerated trucks, compressors for automotive air-conditioning, etc. Other applications include those that normally require a piston (piston-air compressor or diaphragm compressor to fill tires, spray painting, etc . ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Aurélio Mayorca
  • Patent number: 7392738
    Abstract: Locking device for silicone packings of household bean milk and bean curd makers, that firmly attaches a silicone packing in a predetermined position in a bean milk and bean curd maker, thus preventing the silicone packing from being undesirably dislodged from its predetermined position in the maker. Loss of the silicone packing is thus prevented. The silicone packing is attached to an underside of the main body so as to prevent leakage of water into the main body and to absorb shock. The locking device for the silicone packing includes protrusions on an upper surface of the silicone packing, and locking depressions on a lower portion of the main body corresponding to the protrusions, so that the protrusions are inserted into and engages with the corresponding locking depressions, in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Hong-bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7392739
    Abstract: A cooking basket holder comprises a hand gripping section that allows a user to hold the cooking basket holder by inserting four fingers and grasping thus providing a firm grip. An elongated hook section is cylindrical and is tapered having a smaller diameter at the insertion end and gradually increasing in diameter longitudinally. A locking notch is formed at the distal end therein and has a smaller diameter than the insertion end. Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, semi-circular arms are provided to add extra stability. In another embodiment of the present invention, the insertion end is surrounded by flexible spring leaves to lock the cooking basket holder in place. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical catch arm is provided to lock the cooking basket holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: Keith M LaFauci, Lori Beth LaFauci
  • Patent number: 7392740
    Abstract: A web-fed rotary printing unit having a plurality of printing mechanisms is provided. Each printing mechanism includes a form cylinder (1, 5, 16-18, 27-30), a transfer cylinder (2, 6, 3, 7, 12-15, 22-25) and an impression cylinder (3, 7, 11, 26). The component costs associated with the drive motors can be reduced by providing a drive motor (4, 8, 9, 21, 41, 42, 55) that has a drive connection to the other cylinders via the impression cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmachinen AG
    Inventors: Alfons Baintner, Max Eder
  • Patent number: 7392741
    Abstract: A printing machine color assembly presenting a main or cliché-carrying cylinder (2) and an interlocking or screened cylinder (3), each carried at its hubs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) by first (4a; 5a—operator side) and second (4b; 5b—motor side) slidable supports positioned on different sides of the printing machine and parallel displaceable independently from one another. The first support (5a) of at least said main cylinder (2) is detachable from the respective hub (2a) to cantileverwise position the main cylinder (2) on the second support (5b) thereby carrying out the sleeve replacement on the main cylinder (2). At least one auxiliary supporting means (17) at the second support (5b) of at least the main cylinder (2) is designed to engage with, and assist in supporting, it when cantileverwise positioned for replacing a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Claudio Maggio
  • Patent number: 7392742
    Abstract: A forme cylinder is supported and adjusted in a printing group of a rotary printing press, which group includes a transfer cylinder and a counter-pressure cylinder, which two cylinders include interacting support elements. The forme cylinder does not include a support element which interacts with the transfer cylinder. The forme cylinder has a shaft distance that can be adjusted during printing to adjust a contact pressure between the forme cylinder and the transfer cylinder. The forme cylinder may be covered with a waterless printing forme. The contact pressure between the forme cylinder and the transfer cylinder can be adjusted to a property, such as the compressibility, of the waterless printing forme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Erich Albert Schaschek, Georg Schneider, Martin Heinz Schoeps, Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder
  • Patent number: 7392743
    Abstract: There are provided a thickness detecting apparatus which can restrain erroneous detection even though a sheet or the like overlaps with only a part of a rotary body, and, which can enhance the degree of accuracy of detection, comprising a cylindrical displaceable rotary body and a cylindrical stationary rotary body which are opposed to each other, the thickness detecting apparatus detecting a thickness of the sheet or the like to be transferred in accordance with a displacement by which the displaceable rotary body is separated from the stationary rotary body, when the sheet or the like passes through between the displaceable rotary body and the stationary rotary body, and the center of a load with which the displaceable rotary body presses the sheet or the like is biased from the center of the displaceable rotary body in one of center axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi-Omron Terminal Solutions, Corporation
    Inventors: Ryota Kawaguchi, Katsuyoshi Funai
  • Patent number: 7392744
    Abstract: A doctor blade device (01) for cleaning a surface has a doctor blade (03) and a tub (09) for receiving the material stripped from the surface by the doctor blade. The doctor blade is movable between a position in which it projects out of an opening (13) of the tub and a position in which it is submerged in the tub. A closure element (07) closes the opening in the submerged position of the doctor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: KBA-Giori S.A
    Inventors: Claus-Dieter Barrois, Thomas Hendle, Johannes Georg Schaede
  • Patent number: 7392745
    Abstract: An ammunition unit, for combating targets (10) with or without using shaped charge effect, that incorporates an openable or removable and replaceable hull or outer casing (2). The explosive charge in the ammunition unit comprises a charge section (3) with shaped charge function arranged to be able to assume either of two freely selectable positions in the ammunition unit, the first of which enables the charge to exert its shaped charge function and the second of which disables the shaped charge function and enables a different effect to be triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB
    Inventor: Nils Johansson
  • Patent number: 7392746
    Abstract: A lead free environmentally friendly ammunition which may be tailored within a range of compositions for specific uses, but generally comprises a mixture of metal powder and mineral filler in combination with a water soluble binder plastic resin and a lubricant. For hunting uses and other uses requiring high level accuracy the amount of metal powder is increased, for other uses where precision shooting is less important such as drug dosing of animals, less metal is used along with increased amounts of mineral filler. The bullets are accurate, and can be frangible. Formulations within the overall range may also be used to make shot for shotgun shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Richard D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7392747
    Abstract: A rail guide having first and second guiding rails disposed in a mirror-inverted relationship with regard to one another. At least one pair of spaced leading and following carriages are displaceably mounted to the guiding rails so as to engage and transport a sliding component along a transport path towards a stacking area. While the leading and following carriages are slidably supported by both guiding rails along the main track of the transport path, the leading carnage slides along the first rail, and the trailing carriage slides along the second rail along the transport path downstream from the main track in the stacking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co., KG
    Inventor: Andreas Ksyk
  • Patent number: 7392748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible floor for an intercommunication bellows between two cars which, while they are traveling in a straight line, move in a longitudinal direction, said floor presenting transverse undulations enabling it to follow the relative displacements of said cars as they are going around bends, while also enabling passengers to go between the cars by walking on the top face of the floor, said transverse undulations being reinforced by metal blades extending in a transverse direction of the floor, and said floor being provided with an elastomer reinforcement interposed between the blades of each pair of said metal blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Richard De Antonio, Bruno Dalle Molle
  • Patent number: 7392749
    Abstract: A propulsion skid module useful for refurbishing locomotives is taught. In one embodiment, the propulsion skid module includes a skid base serving as a support for an engine; the skid base including at least two support members extending substantially the length of the module and at least one panel spanning the two support members; with the module further comprising an engine; a blower for delivery of air under pressure, a control device compartment, an auxiliary cab including power connectors, and an air compressor secured onto the skid base; and an air plenum defined in the base. Methods for refurbishing a locomotive are also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John B. Bendig, Alexander G. Grigorian, Joseph J. McQuiston
  • Patent number: 7392750
    Abstract: An internal ceiling cladding for a large vehicle for passenger transport, in particular, a rail vehicle, includes a cladding element, arranged in the vicinity of a door drive and arched elements adjacent thereto. The cladding element is provided as base module and includes a surface on the side thereof facing the vehicle longitudinal centre for the exact matching up of a further cladding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Benno Schiefer
  • Patent number: 7392751
    Abstract: A port rodder assembly for a recovery boiler includes a duct affixed to and in fluid communication with an air port of the boiler, having a hollow interior, and an air inlet opening. A cutting head is slidably mounted within the duct adjacent to the air port and is adapted to clean the air port. An actuator selectively advances the cutting head though the air port to clean the air port. A wing is pivotally mounted within the duct. The wing interacts with the air inlet opening to control the flow of air through the duct and into the air port and is shaped such that incoming air flows smoothly through the duct to the air port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventor: Leif Bergmyren
  • Patent number: 7392752
    Abstract: There is disclosed a solid fuel boiler including: a furnace including a plurality of solid fuel burners and a furnace wall to perform horizontal firing; a duct through which a part of combustion exhaust gas recirculates to a furnace from a downstream side of the furnace; heat exchanger tubes disposed on a furnace wall and in a heat recovery area of the furnace; and recirculation gas ports via which the recirculation gas is supplied to a reducing flame portion of the burners in the furnace without combining the gas with a flame in the vicinity of an outlet of the burner, so that molten ash is prevented from firmly sticking to the furnace wall and thermal NOx, fuel NOx, and unburned carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Babcock Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Okazaki, Masayuki Taniguchi, Kenji Yamamoto, Kenji Kiyama
  • Patent number: 7392753
    Abstract: An apparatus 1 for disposal of wastes comprises a measuring hopper 2 for measuring a charging amount of a waste to be disposed such as domestic wastes, industrial wastes or the like or a charging amount of a solid fuel such as coke, coal or the like, a charging hopper 3 for charging the waste and the solid fuel respectively measured with the measuring hopper 2, a melting furnace 4 for melting the waste charged from the charging hopper 3 at a high temperature to conduct detoxification thereof, and a charging damper 5 arranged between the charging hopper 3 and the melting furnace 4 and having a multistage sluice valve system 9 capable of charging the waste and the solid fuel charged in the charging hopper 3 into the melting furnace 4 without outflowing of a furnace gas to exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Elex Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shouichi Kume
  • Patent number: 7392754
    Abstract: A down pressure adjustment mechanism for a planter provides a self-contained spring cartridge holding a preloaded compression spring that may be moved between a limited number of mounting points to provide for convenient and significant changes in down pressure without the need for specialized tools or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. Flikkema, Chad M. Johnson, Travis Lester Harnetiaux
  • Patent number: 7392755
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing is configured to specify a type of embroidery frame by shooting an embroidery frame placed on an upper surface of the bed by a CCD or a CMOS image sensor disposed in an underside of an arm from an obliquely upward direction and obtaining an X-directional size and a Y-directional size of the embroidery frame, an embroiderable area size, and further a height-directional size of the embroidery frame by calculation based on image data shot by the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruna Kato, Naoki Igushi, Masayuki Iwata, Shinichi Nishida, Eiichi Ito
  • Patent number: 7392756
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming fabrics for use in coverings for architectural openings includes a system for handling single or multi-layered fabrics by suspending the fabric from a lift tower, threading the fabric through various clamp systems, and subsequently forming horizontal rows of hobbles, tunnels, and/or attached rings by gripping and releasing the fabric with a vacuum clamp, upper and lower clamps, and a tucker blade clamp while a reciprocating tucker blade forms horizontal tucks in the fabric. The tucks are selectively treated by forming a tunnel or attaching guide rings. Hobbles can also be formed in one layer of the fabric through use of the vacuum clamp which gathers a portion of one layer of the fabric while the other layer is handled differently. In doing so, hobbles are formed between tucks in the fabric with the hobbles establishing a fabric resembling a Roman shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kovach, Kevin M. Dann, James M. Anthony, Richard E. Rossi
  • Patent number: 7392757
    Abstract: The present invention is a fairlead for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead comprises a fairlead frame, a pivoting latch, and an actuator. The fairlead frame is pivotally mounted to the offshore structure and supports an axle for a chain sheave. The pivoting latch is mounted to pivot on the axle and comprises a tension link with a chain latch and a counterweight for urging the chain latch into engagement with the chain. The pivoting latch is configured to engage the chain only when the chain is traveling in the payout direction. The actuator controls the action of the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hydralift AmClyde, Inc.
    Inventor: Alvin J. Niebur
  • Patent number: 7392758
    Abstract: An attractive wake tower assembly that can be readily pivotally mounted on powerboats of various constructions to enable the wake tower assembly to be pivoted from an upstanding to a lowered position. The wake tower assembly is of a high-strength, simple construction that does not interfere with the visibility of the boat operator. In one form of wake tower assembly, the windshield component and the wake tower component are of a novel unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Metcalf
  • Patent number: 7392759
    Abstract: In a plasma CVD apparatus, a plate formed with a plurality of perforated holes is arranged to separate a plasma generation region and a processing region. The aperture ratio of the perforated holes to the plate is not greater than five percent. Plasma including radicals and excited species is generated from an oxygen (O2) gas in the plasma generation region, then the radicals and excited species flow into the processing region through the perforated holes. A monosilane (SiH4) gas is also supplied into the processing region, but the backward flow of the monosilane gas into the plasma generation region is suppressed by the plate. In the processing region, the radicals and the excited species and the monosilane gas result in a gas phase reaction that yields the silicon dioxide film formed on the substrate or the wafer with high quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Yuda, Hiroshi Nogami
  • Patent number: 7392760
    Abstract: A microwave-excited plasma processing apparatus shows a wide pressure range and a wide applicable electric power range for normal electric discharges as a result of using slits cut through a rectangular waveguide and having a profile that allows the electric field and the magnetic field of microwave to be formed uniformly right below the microwave introducing window below an microwave antenna. The microwave-excited plasma processing apparatus is characterized by having four elliptic slits cut through the wall of the rectangular waveguide that is held in contact with the microwave introducing window of the top wall of the vacuum chamber, the four elliptic slits being arranged respectively along the four sides of a substantial square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: ULVAC, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoji Taguchi, Maiko Yoshida, Kohta Kusaba, Kibatsu Shinohara, Munekazu Matsuo, Kazuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7392761
    Abstract: A pet dish apparatus that includes a spring loaded base unit, on top of which sits a permanent feeding and watering bowl. Multiple disposable bowls are nested in the permanent bowl, which keeps them aligned both vertically and horizontally. A hinged ring like lid that rims the apparatus and clamps down over the disposable bowls and outer top of apparatus to keep bowls in place, keeping them from popping up and keeping them free from food and debris that could be caught in between the disposable bowls and the inner lining of the apparatus. The spring loaded base will allow disposable inserts to rise to top of apparatus as each discarded bowl is removed. The permanent bowl can also be used for feeding when disposable bowls are unavailable. The solid construction of the base, weight of the apparatus and permanent bowl, and rubberized disc at bottom of bowl, will keep the pet dish apparatus stable to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: John Arthur Kujawa, Christine Kujawa
  • Patent number: 7392762
    Abstract: Method for site-specific application of a topical medicant for fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic macroinvertebrates applied in a site-specific manner for the localized treatment of skin wounds, lesions and diseases. The medicant comprises a hydrophilic carrier with an antimicrobial therapeutant formulated as a water-soluble resistant, hydrated gel or dry powder that hydrates and gels on contact with a moistened integument area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aquscience Research Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John Farrell Kuhns
  • Patent number: 7392763
    Abstract: A birdcage feeding device is provided with a seed chamber, seed cup, and method of attachment. The feeding device comprises an opening that may be opened or closed in order to displace seeds from a feeding chamber to fill a seed cup. The seed cup is designed to be shallow such that seeds do not get buried under layers of empty shells and hulls. The seed cup also has high rear and side walls to guard seeds from being scattered outside by birds. The feeding device may be closed to allow a user to remove the seed cup, without removing the device, for cleaning. A method of attachment is also described that allows the device to be on the outside of the birdcage while being secured from the inside of the cage, thus allowing for easy refilling of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: JW Pet Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Willinger, Klaus Woltmann
  • Patent number: 7392764
    Abstract: An animal restraint and carrier is disclosed which comprises a generally rectangular case hinged to permit at least one side to open and an adjoining side having an opening sized to permit an animal enclosed in the case to extend its head and neck. An optional clamping device surrounding the opening may be closed on the neck to restrain the animal's head to facilitate treating or cleaning ears, eyes or teeth and the giving of oral medications. The case is preferably sized such that when closed the animal may stand comfortably, but not turn around within the case. One or more sides of the case may be equipped with hinged openings to permit access to certain areas of an enclosed animal's body—e.g., the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel R. Saavedra, Nancy Fritts-Saavedra
  • Patent number: 7392765
    Abstract: A biodegradable absorbent mat for absorbing and containing moisture including debris from pet feet, consisting of a bottom layer formed of an organic absorbent mesh composite, a top layer affixed and overlying said bottom layer, having an alternating combination of stitched paper ruffles and helically intertwined brush fibers. The organic mesh composite may be burlap or paper, treated with starch for rigidity, and then coated with a natural gum or latex to enhance friction grip and provide a moisture barrier. The configuration of the stitched paper ruffles, provide maximum exposure of the cut linear edges of the ruffles to a pet's feet. The cut linear edges wick away moisture increasing the rate of absorbency. The stitched paper ruffles provide increased capacity for absorbency and debris containment. The helically intertwined brush fibers primarily remove debris from pet feet, and also provide a secondary function of containment of debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Terry R. Lingmann
  • Patent number: 7392766
    Abstract: A liquid heating appliance, representatively a water heater, is provided with protective apparatus for preventing rupture of its liquid storage tank portion caused by overheating of pressurized liquid therein. Illustratively, the protective apparatus includes a length of thermoplastic tubing, preferably polybutylene tubing, whose interior is exposed to the tank interior so as to be pressurized by heated liquid therein. In the event of a liquid overheating condition in the tank, the tubing is heat-softened in a manner reducing its burst pressure and causing it to burst, at a pressure substantially below the tank burst pressure, and thereby form a pressure relief outlet passage for the tank. A shield structure with at least one fluid outlet opening therein extends outwardly around the thermoplastic tubing to diffuse pressurized fluid escaping from the burst tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Barry N. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7392767
    Abstract: A quench column heater and a method for heating a circulating liquid in a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger and an indirect heat exchanger to produce a hot liquid stream for use for heat exchange in a selected process to supply heat to the process. One particularly useful application of the present invention is the revaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Franklin, Martin J. Rosetta
  • Patent number: 7392768
    Abstract: Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, an engine includes a first end wall portion spaced apart from a second end wall portion to at least partially define a combustion chamber therebetween. In this embodiment, the engine further includes a plurality of movable wall portions disposed between the first and second end wall portions. Each movable wall portion includes a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between a distal edge portion and a pivot axis. Upon ignition in the combustion chamber, the distal edge portion of each movable wall portion slides across the cylindrical surface of the adjacent movable wall portion as the movable wall portions pivot outwardly in unison about their respective pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Tendix Development, LLC
    Inventors: Timber Dick, Corban I. Tillemann-Dick, Levi M. Tillemann-Dick, Tomicah S. Tillemann-Dick
  • Patent number: 7392769
    Abstract: A cooling system for a combustion engine having a cooling passage system in an engine block comprising a main cooler HWK which is arranged in a cycle with the cooling passage system of the combustion engine, a water pump and a first thermostat TH1 in said cycle, a hot water heat exchanger HWT which is connected to the water pump 12 through a bypass and a bypass valve, a second thermostat TH2 in the bypass passage, the opening temperature of the thermostat valve of the second thermostat TH2 is significantly lower than the opening temperature of the thermostat valve of the first thermostat TH1, the thermostats being arranged such that upon closed thermostat valve B of the second thermostat TH2 below its opening temperature a minimum amount of water flows through the cooling passage system through the heat exchanger HWT, upon opened thermostat valve B of the second thermostat TH2 a larger amount of water flows through the cooling passage system from its opening temperature on and upon the opening temperature of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Carsten Heldberg
  • Patent number: 7392770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for an engine inside a power generator, in the field of the power generator, which mainly includes a cool air suction hood, an engine housing side cover, an engine housing, a cool air cooling fan, an exhaust pipe; the cool air suction hood is jointed to the engine housing side cover, the left air guide plate and the right air guide plate on the upper of the engine secured to the engine housing, thus form two main cooling and ventilating chambers A and B on the left and right upper portion of the engine. An engine bottom air guide plate is secured to the bottom of engine housing side cover and forms the bottom cooling and ventilating chamber C of the engine with the side cover and an engine crank case rear cover. The engine crank case rear cover, the above-mentioned members, a heat insulation chamber body, a sealing ring and a heat insulation chamber rear hood form a double chamber cooling means of the secondary cooling cycle chamber D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Wuxi Kipor Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Henglin Xiao
  • Patent number: 7392771
    Abstract: A cylinder sleeve for being inserted in a cylinder bore defined in a block body of a cylinder block for an internal combustion engine. The cylinder bore includes a first annular recess and a second annular recess, and projecting walls. The cylinder sleeve comprises a hollow cylindrical body that is inserted into the cylinder block with at least part of an outer circumferential wall thereof adjacent to an inner circumferential wall of the projecting walls of the cylinder block, a larger-diameter portion projecting diametrally outwardly from an upper end of the outer circumferential wall of the hollow cylindrical body, a step disposed on an outer circumferential wall of said larger-diameter portion, by which the larger-diameter portions of adjacent cylinder sleeves are stacked, and a reduced-diameter portion provided by reducing a diameter of an inner circumferential wall of said hollow cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihide Sunada, Yasushi Iseda, Masanori Kosugi, Kazumi Nagao
  • Patent number: 7392772
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include primary and auxiliary rocker arms disposed adjacent to each other on a rocker arm shaft. The primary rocker arm may actuate an engine valve for primary valve actuation motions, such as main exhaust events, in response to an input from a first valve train element, such as a cam. The auxiliary rocker arm may receive one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions, such as for engine braking, exhaust gas recirculation, and/or brake gas recirculation events, from a second valve train element. A hydraulic actuator piston may be disposed between the auxiliary rocker arm and the primary rocker arm. The actuator piston may be selectively locked into an extended position between the primary and auxiliary rocker arms so as to selectively transfer the one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions from the auxiliary rocker arm to the primary rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb Janak, Zdenek S. Meistrick