Patents Issued in July 22, 2008
  • Patent number: 7401949
    Abstract: A rub-rail assembly that, in some illustrative embodiments, includes a carrier and an insert. The carrier may include, for example, a back support, and first and second legs extending from the back support. The insert may include a main body, and a pair of legs adapted to provide an interference fit with the legs of the carrier when the insert is installed in a seat position with the carrier. The some illustrative embodiments, the main body of the insert may include a lumen extending lengthwise for receiving an elongated light source, and in other embodiments the carrier may include the lumen for receiving an elongated light source. An elongated bumper assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: I3 Ventures
    Inventor: Brian N. Tufte
  • Patent number: 7401950
    Abstract: An assembly for vertically positioning a lamp-shade suspended by a cable comprises a socket member, a swivel cap adapted to engage the upper end of the socket member. The swivel cap has an off-center hole to receive the cable therethrough, the cap being adapted to be swivelled until the socket member has reached a vertical position. The assembly also includes an element for securing the cap and the socket member to one another when a vertical position is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eclairage Contraste
    Inventor: Michael Larouche
  • Patent number: 7401951
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a light housing installed in close proximity to a light source. The light housing has a shield and an attachment arm for securing the shield. The attachment arm allows the shield to be removably attached in close proximity to the light source. The housing optionally has an aperture allowing the housing to be installed over and/or around the light source. The housing at least partially blocks light emanating from a light source, such as an in-ground staked floodlight, and keeps the light from shining directly into the eyes of a person observing the light source. The housing also hides the unsightly components of a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Hubert Carl Burton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7401952
    Abstract: A foldable lamp shade includes a shade body, an upper support ring, a plurality of locking members, a lower support ring, a plurality of hanging hooks, and a plurality of support bars. Thus, the user only needs to hook the hook hole of each of the support bars on the respective hanging hook and to insert the insertion portion of each of the support bars into the locking slot of the respective locking member so as to mount the support bars between the upper support ring and the lower support ring by the respective hanging hook and the respective locking member so that the lamp shade is assembled easily and quickly, thereby facilitating the user assembling the lamp shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Ting-Sheng Lee
  • Patent number: 7401953
    Abstract: A motorcycle wherein it is possible to easily identify the state of a headlight and flasher lamps covered with a common outer lens. A a headlight is disposed in a central portion of a light unit in a transverse direction of the motorcycle. A pair of left and right flasher lamps is disposed on left and right sides of the headlight. A common outer lens covers the left and right flasher lamps and the headlight. An upper edge of a light opening in a handlebar cover has left and right interposed parts extending downward to be interposed between the headlight and the left and right flasher lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Isayama
  • Patent number: 7401954
    Abstract: Control panel architectures, and, specifically, architectures having bulb assemblies as features, particular those in control panels used in motor vehicle applications, are disclosed. By providing restricting means such as for leg features as part of the control panel assay, bulb assemblies are more resistant to damage to the bulb globe or filaments, or other elements, due to the effect of undesired movement or vibration that occurs in motorized vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Callahan, Laurent Lucaora
  • Patent number: 7401955
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror system includes a mirror unit which is held in space and supported above the front fender of the vehicle by support arms, the distal end of which is connected to the vehicle fender by suitable bracketry. The mounting bracketry is also utilized to affix and hold in place a visor which has a portion that extends generally between the headlight of the vehicle and the mirror unit to prevent at least a substantial portion of stray light from the headlight from reaching the mirror unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Rosco Incorporated
    Inventor: Benjamin Englander
  • Patent number: 7401956
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, in particular an automobile, has a trim that constitutes an end section of the motor vehicle on which at least one cooling air opening and one lamp or one lamp cluster are provided. At least one elongated fin is arranged on the at least one cooling air opening. In order to omit additional valves in a kit for installation of the lamp or lamp cluster, the lamp or lamp cluster is arranged within the at least one cooling air opening and is mounted on a fin that extends within the cooling air opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Grant Larson, Manfred Wuerfel, Stefan Eberhardt, Oliver Peters, Stef Scheepers
  • Patent number: 7401957
    Abstract: A bracket allows controlled positioning of a bumper cover relative to a lamp housing (such as a headlamp housing) when the headlamp housing and bumper cover are mounted on a vehicle. The bracket has an elongated body having a first end and a second end, and attaches to the headlamp housing by temporary attachments, such as snap connections. The bracket further has bumper cover receiving slot configured to receive a portion of the bumper cover. The bracket may further include a pin receiving hole, positioned so as to receive a pin protruding from the headlamp housing for additional positioning accuracy. A temporary sub-assembly of the bracket and headlamp housing can be used in an improved vehicle assembly process, in which the sub-assembly is permanently mounted to the vehicle fender, and a portion of the bumper cover slid into bumper receiving slots on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin C. Kroll
  • Patent number: 7401958
    Abstract: A projector-type vehicle headlamp includes a light source which is a line light source extending in a width direction of a vehicle, a reflector, a first auxiliary reflector disposed below the reflector, and a second auxiliary reflector disposed on a front side of the first auxiliary reflector. A sectional shape of a reflecting surface of the first auxiliary reflector taken along a vertical plane that is parallel to an optical axis is a shape of a parabola having an axis line downwardly extending in a forward direction a predetermined downward inclination angle with respect to the optical axis. A sectional shape of a reflecting surface of a second auxiliary reflector taken along the vertical plane is a straight line downwardly extending in a forward direction at a downward inclination angle which is smaller than the predetermined downward inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriko Okada
  • Patent number: 7401959
    Abstract: A turn signal lamp for a vehicle is provided having an improved appearance. In a front blinker including a lamp housing, an LED provided on the lamp housing, a reflector for reflecting light from the LED, and a lens fitted into an opening of the lamp housing, a reflector has a concave curved surface which functions as a reflecting surface and the LED is located in an area invisible from a direction in which light is reflected by the curved surface so that the LED is invisible through the lens from outside the front blinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kogo, Hayato Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7401960
    Abstract: A light emitting diode headlamp capable of low beam and high beam functions. The light emitting diode headlamp assembly comprises high-flux light emitting diodes, a reflector subassembly, a first and second light transmissive member, and a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Truck-Life Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Pond, Philip C. Roller, Chris A. Suckow, Ronald D. Madison, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Patent number: 7401961
    Abstract: In order to improve visibility and hence to reduce the risk of accidents, a load-carrying rope, for example a wire rope, is equipped with a number of luminous elements. A luminous element may in this case assume the position of a wire or of a braid, may be integrated in an insert, or may be guided in the spaces between wires or braids and preferably within the theoretical rope circumference. The luminous element may also itself be composed of luminous elements which are twisted together, spiralled, or laid in so as to form braids. For strain relief, the luminous elements may be equipped with a reinforcement in the form of a strand, or with a mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Fatzer AG, Huber + Schner AG
    Inventors: Bruno Longatti, Thomas Cantz
  • Patent number: 7401962
    Abstract: A surface light source apparatus includes a primary light source (1), an optical guide (3) for guiding light emitted from the primary light source and having a light incoming surface (31) and a light outgoing surface (32), a light deflection element (4) arranged adjacent to the light outgoing surface of the optical guide and having a light incoming surface (41) and a light outgoing surface (42), and a light diffusion element (6) arranged adjacent to the light outgoing surface of the light deflection element. The light incoming surface (41) of the light deflection element has a plurality of prism strings arranged substantially parallel to each other and each having two prism surfaces. At least one of the prism surfaces of these prism strings has a prism surface consisting of at least two planes having different inclination angles. As the plane approaches the light going surface, the inclination becomes larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Yamashita, Issei Chiba
  • Patent number: 7401963
    Abstract: A light assembly disperses light emitted by a light source. The lighting assembly includes a light entry surface for receiving the light emitted by the light source. A direction surface directs the light in a predetermined direction. A stepped region, disposed adjacent the light entry surface receives the light directed by the direction surface and reflects the light. The stepped region includes a plurality of step parts, each defining a light deflection surface, wherein each of the light deflection surfaces is greater in area s step distance between the light deflection surface and the direction surface increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: odelo GmbH
    Inventors: Emil Stefanov, Andreas Erber, Otto Müller
  • Patent number: 7401964
    Abstract: A light-guiding system comprising a plate-like light-emitting element (20) provided with means for emitting light through at least part of its front surface (22). Light is coupled in by a plate-like light-guiding member (21) connected to a lateral side of said lightemitting element (20). One or more interstices (25) are present between said light-emitting element (20) and said light-guiding member (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Ludovicus Johannes Lambertus Haenen, Johannes Petrus Maria Ansems, Nicola Bettina Pfeffer, Edwin Van Lier, Augustinus Gregorius Henricus Meijers
  • Patent number: 7401965
    Abstract: An exemplary backlight module (1) includes a light guide plate (10) and at least one point illuminator (12). The light guide plate includes a first side surface (102), and a protrusion (14) outwardly extending from the first side surface. The protrusion includes at least one second side surface (144) oblique to the first side surface. The at least one point illuminator is adjacent to the least one second side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Yi Xu, Ching-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 7401966
    Abstract: A light guide plate (10) includes a pair of opposite incidence surfaces (101, 103), an emission surface (108) and a bottom surface (109) opposite to the emission surface. A plurality of dots (11) is distributed on the bottom surface, and each dot is shaped as a rectangle or a square. In a pitch of every two adjacent dots, at least one side of one dot has at least one cutout (111), and at least one side of the other dot has at least one corresponding protrusion (119). This ensures that a clearance between adjacent dots is relatively small, thus, the light guide plate can provide emission of light beams with good uniformity. Furthermore, clearances between adjacent columns of dots are discontinuous, and this can avoid bright lines. Thus, the light guide plate can provide improved display quality. Therefore, the light guide plate can be advantageously applied in back light systems of liquid crystal display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Yi Liao
  • Patent number: 7401967
    Abstract: A prism sheet (10) includes a substrate (12) and a plurality of prism structures (14). The substrate includes a plurality of diffusing particles (122) dispersed therein. The prism structures are at a light output side of the substrate. The diffusing particles can diffuse light beams traveling through the substrate. This configuration performs the same function as that of a diffusing sheet of a conventional backlight module. The prism structures can gather light beams to improve a brightness of a backlight module (6) incorporating the prism sheet. Thus, the backlight module can provide bright and uniform light at a low cost and while having a reduced thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Ying Wei, Ching-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 7401968
    Abstract: A backlight assembly having improved strength and a display device having the backlight assembly are provided. The backlight assembly includes a light source supplying light and a fixing member receiving the light source. A deflection preventing portion having a predetermined width is formed on a surface of the fixing member in a direction crossing a diagonal on the surface of the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Yoon Jung, Jeoung-Gwen Lee, Mi-Sook Kim
  • Patent number: 7401969
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locking a discharge chute of a mixing vehicle are disclosed. The locking apparatus can be mounted to existing discharge chutes and frame arrangements and may utilize existing pneumatic systems of the mixing vehicle. The locking apparatus generally include a base having a first arm and a second arm pivotally secured to the base. An airbag may be positioned between the first arm and the second arm to bias a clamping region of the locking apparatus in a locked or a released state depending on the configuration of the locking apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Brian Keith Johnson
  • Patent number: 7401970
    Abstract: A micro device which makes a plurality of fluids mixedly react while circulating these fluids as a thin-film laminar flow by joining these fluids into one microchannel through respective fluid supply passes to induce a velocity fluctuation in a microchannel longitudinal direction of the fluids by propagating infralow frequency vibration at a vibration frequency of 50 Hz or more and 1 kHz or less to the fluids which flow through the inside of the microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Komori, Yasumasa Ito
  • Patent number: 7401971
    Abstract: A method for stirring a liquid, comprising: sucking a part of a liquid from a liquid-containing container which opens at the top thereof; and discharging the sucked liquid into the container at a discharging position which is horizontally different from a sucking position where the liquid has been sucked, and an apparatus used for the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Hisao Hiramatsu, Hironobu Ohta
  • Patent number: 7401972
    Abstract: An on-chip chemical compound dilution system for providing dilution of a chemical compound in a microfluidic application includes at least one sample well for providing a selected chemical compound to be diluted, a dilution well for providing a diluent for diluting the chemical compound, a network of channels for carrying the chemical compound and diluent, a first syringe pump for effecting dilution, a second syringe pump, a detector and a plurality of valves for selectively controlling the flow of liquid through the channels. The dilution system may be a multiple-stage dilution system for precisely mixing a plurality of chemical compounds in a diluent. The dilution system allows for accurate calibration to compensate for variations due to manufacturing, thereby providing precise dilution ratios. The dilution system further enables flushing to allow re-use of the system with another chemical compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
  • Patent number: 7401973
    Abstract: A dust-free mixing system for use with drilling fluids. The dust-free mixing system can have an eductor. The eductor can have a housing with an axial bore for receiving a first suction induction port. The first suction induction port is for receiving a first dry component. The eductor can have a second suction induction port for receiving a second dry component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Vortex Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: William Gerald Lott
  • Patent number: 7401974
    Abstract: An agitator includes a hub for attachment to an agitator shaft, and at least two agitator blades which are connected to the hub and extend in a radial direction for rotation about an axis, with the agitator blade angled in relation to the axis. Each agitator blade has a free end, with a fin being provided in an area of the free end of the agitator blade and extending in a substantial parallel relationship to a direction of the axis away from the agitator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: EKATO Rühr- und Mischtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Himmelsbach
  • Patent number: 7401975
    Abstract: To obtain a degree of freedom in a design of a circumference part of a timepiece armor assembly, and provide a watch whose degree of freedom in a size of a dial is high. A timepiece armor assembly is formed of an armor case of one-piece structure in which a case bottom wall and a case band part provided with a crown have been monolithically molded and of an armor cover which has a transparent member and an edge member supporting a circumference edge of the former member and has been mounted to the case band part. In the armor assembly, a timepiece movement which has a movement main body and a winding stem attached to this main body so as to be capable of being inserted into or detached from it and connected to the crown, and a dial are built, and a winding stem attachment/detachment mechanism which makes an insertion/detachment of the winding stem into/from the main body possible is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Nobukazu Omori
  • Patent number: 7401976
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for detecting a defect in a populated sample having a thickness dimension substantially smaller than the length and width dimensions thereof, the populated sample having a first side and an opposite second side, at least said first side of said populated sample having one or more Surface Mounted Components. The mechanism exploits a standard thermographic image which may be used in a detection method comprising 1) directing a thermal wave at said second side of said populated sample 2) recording a thermographic image of the first side of said populated sample once a surface thereof reaches a predetermined transit temperature or a predetermined transit time period has elapsed; and 3) analysing the obtained thermographic image by comparing the so obtained thermographic image with a standard thermographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Schlagheck, Marc Pastor
  • Patent number: 7401977
    Abstract: An x-ray acquisition apparatus has a spatially adjustable x-ray detector, a spatially adjustable x-ray source, and a control unit with which the x-ray source can be aligned relative to the x-ray detector. The control unit accounts for the position of radio-opaque objects in the examination room and, before an x-ray acquisition, outputs a signal is a radio-opaque object is located in the beam path of the x-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Graumann, Dieter Ritter
  • Patent number: 7401978
    Abstract: A linear guiding device where noise characteristics are improved by reducing traveling noise and operability of a slider body is smoothed, and where movement braking can be improved by reducing rolling body passage vibration. Crowning 24 with a curved surface having a predetermined curvature radius R is provided on an end section of a rolling body raceway groove 11 of a bearing block 24. A crowning amount C of the crowning 24 is set to a value C>Hmax greater that the value of a maximum elastic deformation amount Hmax of a rolling body B elastically deformed in a rolling body rolling path 14 by a preload or an external load. By this, even when a large load acts on a bearing block 2A or a large installation error occurs by skewing etc., the rolling body B smoothly rolls without an elastic deformation amount of the rolling body B rolling on the end section side of the rolling body raceway groove 11 becoming greater than the crowning amount C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., NSK Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Nakano, Ryoichi Sato, Hiroki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7401979
    Abstract: In a wider flow path 4a surrounded with a shaft 3, a thrust plate 6 and an inner circumferential corner portion 1c of a bearing sleeve 1 in a small clearance 4 between a lower side radial bearing section 13 and an upper surface thrust bearing section 14, chamfering is performed at the inner circumferential corner portion 1c of the bearing sleeve 1, wherein a width of the wider flow path 4a in the radial direction in rotation is formed so as to be wider than a width of a communication hole 16 located below the wider flow path 4a in the radial direction in rotation to thereby render a flow of a lubricating fluid 5 flowing into the wider flow path 4a from the communication hole 16 smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Ando, Kentaro Takemura, Kazuto Mikami
  • Patent number: 7401980
    Abstract: A thrust bearing, in particular for a turbo charger, has an essentially disc shaped bearing body (10) with a central through opening (12) for a shaft, at least one bearing surface (14) surrounding the through opening (12) for a collar which is placed on the shaft, and at least one oil supply channel which leads from a radially outer region of the bearing body to the through opening (12). In order to realize a cost effective manufacture of the thrust bearing it is proposed according to the invention that the at least one oil supply channel is designed to be a groove (16?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Krauss, Thomas Weinitschke, Helmut Eggert, Klaus Schappert, Norbert Stoll
  • Patent number: 7401981
    Abstract: A bearing damper includes a coiled wire wrapped around projections formed on an outer race of the bearing, and supported by a casing having projections extending toward the coiled wire. Projections on the outer race are aligned with recesses on the casing, while projections on the casing are aligned with recesses in the outer race so that the coiled wire can flex between the projections that support the wire and provide a damping function. The coiled wire is formed of a plurality of strands. Flexing of the wire causes adjacent strands to rub and dissipate energy from the vibrations. The tension in the coiled wire can be adjusted in order to vary the damping capability of the bearing damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred P. Matheny
  • Patent number: 7401982
    Abstract: A bearing includes an inner race having a rotational axis and an outer race sharing the rotational axis of the inner race. Rolling bearing members are constrained between the inner race and the outer race. A retention lip is provided which is adapted to maintain a peripheral opening of a constant gauge distance between and prevent relative axial movement of the inner race and the outer race. The gauge distance of the peripheral opening is adapted to allow free passage of the rolling bearing members, upon wear on the rolling bearing members reaches a predetermined level. The bearing provides a pass or fail indication, by falling apart when the rolling bearing members have exceeded the predetermined level of wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: QA Bearing Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Thompson
  • Patent number: 7401983
    Abstract: After a wiring plate 30 having a plurality of leads 31 been insert-molded to an edge face 21 of a molded article 20, unwanted portions of the wiring plate 30 are cut, thereby enabling easy three-dimensional wiring. As a result, an electrode terminal section 43 of a photoelectric conversion element 41 disposed opposite an end face 11b of an optical fiber 11 can be electrically coupled to an electrical wiring section 23 of an optical coupling part 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Wataru Sakurai, Kazuhito Saito, Hideo Numata, Chiaki Takubo, Hideto Furuyama, Hiroshi Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 7401984
    Abstract: An optical connector for use with a light separator, the optical connector including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being optically couplable by first optical transmitter to a first input of the light separator and by second optical transmitter to a second input of the light separator. The first and second portions are detachably couplable to couple the first and second optical transmitter to third and fourth optical transmitters, respectively, provided in or coupled to the second portion. The first and second inputs of the light separator can thereby be optically coupled to a first optical instrument coupled to the third optical transmitter and a second optical instrument coupled to the fourth optical transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Hoya Corporation, Optiscan Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Alan Pattie
  • Patent number: 7401985
    Abstract: An active cable that includes an integrated electrical connector at one end and an optical connector at the other end, and one or more optical fibers disposed therebetween to facilitate optical communication over much of the length of the active cable. The communication may be one direction or even duplex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis B. Aronson, Greta Light
  • Patent number: 7401986
    Abstract: Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Achintya K. Bhowmik, Nagesh K. Vodrahalli, Gennady Farber, Hai-Feng Liu, Hamid Eslampour, Ut Tran, William B. Wong, Ruolin Li, Jesper Jayaswal-Arentoft
  • Patent number: 7401987
    Abstract: A photographing lens includes an eccentricity adjusting frame which holds an eccentricity adjusting lens group serving as a part of a photographing optical system of the photographing lens; a lens support frame, an axis of which is coincident with a predetermined optical axis of the photographing optical system, supporting the eccentricity adjusting frame in a manner to allow the eccentricity adjusting frame to move in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined optical axis during an assembly-stage of the photographing lens; and a fixed aperture member having a circular aperture, the fixed aperture member being integrally formed with the lens support frame so that a center of the circular aperture coincides with the axis of the lens support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Sato
  • Patent number: 7401988
    Abstract: On top of respective areas divided by partition plates, that is, a cassette station, a processing station, and an interface section in a coating and developing processing system, gas supply sections for supplying an inert gas into the respective areas are provided. Exhaust pipes for exhausting atmospheres in the respective areas are provided at the bottom of the respective areas. The atmospheres in the respective areas are maintained in a clean condition by supplying the inert gas not containing impurities such as oxygen and fine particles from the respective gas supply sections into the respective areas and exhausting the atmospheres in the respective areas from the exhaust pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takayuki Katano, Hidefumi Matsui, Junichi Kitano, Yo Suzuki, Masami Yamashita, Toru Aoyama, Hiroyuki Iwaki, Satoru Shimura
  • Patent number: 7401989
    Abstract: A printing arrangement includes a driving station configured to drive print media along a path. The driving station includes a pair of opposed pinch rollers between which the print media can be pinched when driven. A printing station is operatively arranged with respect to the path to print upon the print media. The printing station includes a pair of opposed printheads between which the print media can pass to be printed on opposite sides. An adhesive application station is operatively arranged with respect to the path to apply adhesive to the print media. A binding station is operatively arranged with respect to the path to collect the printed media in a stack and press the stack to facilitate adhering of the printed media together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7401990
    Abstract: A plurality of scanner bars is arranged in precisely located holes in the frame of a media handling device to detect the passage of the lead and trail edge of media. The multiplicity of scanner bars, arranged linearly at a right angle to the direction of motion of the media, is sampled at some frequency. The scanner bars give not only arrival and departure time of the media from each scanner bar location, but also making some assumptions about the shape of the media, information about the orientation of the media relative to the direction of motion. This information can be used to diagnose improper media handling mechanisms upstream of the sensor or provide information to downstream corrective mechanisms. Preprinted test media, such as, ladder charts, etc., can be used to extract velocity profiles and other paper path dynamic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Siegel, Ewart O. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7401991
    Abstract: A printer including a frame, a feed roller rotatably supported in the frame for advancing a recording medium, a sheet support plate for supporting said recording medium, a guide rail extending in parallel with an axial direction (Y) of the feed roller, and a carriage guided at the guide rail and carrying a printhead facing the recording medium on the sheet support plate, the frame being composed of a support structure and two plate-like function blocks, which are supported on said support structure at both ends of the feed roller so as to extend in respective planes (X-Z) normal to said axial direction (Y), and which support the guide rail and the sheet support plate, wherein the feed roller is rotatably supported in two bearings, each of which has a bearing case, each bearing case being supported on a member of the support structure, each of the function blocks defining a downwardly open V-shaped notch which is supported on the peripheral surface of one of the bearing cases at exactly two points, and the gui
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Barry B. Goeree, Henk-Jan Zwiers, Frank J. H. Nottelman, Luc G. T. Dircks
  • Patent number: 7401992
    Abstract: A writing instrument has a barrel, a connector and a clip. The barrel has a front end, a rear end and a writing tip. The writing tip is mounted on the first end. The connector is mounted on the barrel. The clip attaches to the connector and has an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, a cavity, memory and an input and output (I/O) interface. The memory is mounted in the cavity and stores data. The I/O interface is connected electronically to the memory and protrudes from the distal end of the connector. A user can bring the writing instrument to write or store date in the memory. Therefore, storing date and writing is combined in a small volume in the writing instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Wei-Jong Lin
  • Patent number: 7401993
    Abstract: To provide an injection molded pipe member having a high quality, the pipe member is integrally provided with a holder portion (20), a pipe portion (30) and ribs (40) arranged in an outer periphery of the pipe portion (30) at a uniform interval in peripheral direction, protruding in radial direction and reaching the holder portion (20) from a middle of the pipe portion (30), and has a resin injecting position (20f) in a surface of a portion except the pipe portion (30) and the ribs (40), so that molten resin flows quickly through the forming space uniformly in peripheral direction without being deflected when injection molding, thereby bend of the pipe portion (30), thickness shrink, and forming die breakage is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Tokiwa Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Tani
  • Patent number: 7401994
    Abstract: A securing clip for securing the first panel member with the second panel member. The securing clip, being shaped like an S-character in cross section, includes a first fitting portion for fitting a holed end portion of the first panel member, and a second fitting portion for fitting a holed end portion of the second panel member. Each of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion is formed with an engaging pawl engaging a hole at the end portion of the corresponding panel member on an inner wall face of its own, and the second fitting portion is formed with an engagement wall engaging a regulation wall provided on the second panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kojima, Takashi Koike, Shinya Takashima
  • Patent number: 7401995
    Abstract: A channel connector comprises a main portion having a connecting portion, a clamping element having at least two opposite ends, and a threaded element threadably connecting the main portion to the clamping element. Each of the two opposite ends are spaced to interfere with walls of an interior portion of a channel during rotation of the clamping element in the interior portion of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Senakiewich, II
  • Patent number: 7401996
    Abstract: A cable-release anchor assembly including a cable mounting plate adapted for removably holding a cable proximate its terminal end and a leveraging member positioned to release the cable from the terminal end when the leveraging member is impacted. The cable may be connected to a safety system such as, but not limited to, a cable barrier system, W-beam guardrail, and/or an energy absorption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Neusch Innovations, LP
    Inventor: William H. Neusch
  • Patent number: 7401997
    Abstract: A protruding road warning device includes a base plate, at least one mounting spike, a cushioned pad and at least one reflector. The base plate has a bottom surface, a top surface and a breakable segment. The bottom surface has multiple fastening recesses, at least one groove and at least one connecting surface. The at least one groove is defined in the bottom surface. The at least one connecting surface corresponds to and is formed respectively inside the at least one groove. The at least one break segment is formed respectively between the at least one groove and the top surface. The at least one mounting spike is connected respectively to the at least one connecting surface on the bottom surface. The cushioned pad is mounted on the top surface of the base plate. The at least one reflector is mounted on the cushioned pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Hsin-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7401998
    Abstract: A stackable polymeric foam adjustment or grade ring is provided for the construction of the adjustment courses or manhole chimney portion of a sewer system. The adjustment ring is circular and may include concentric annular grooves on at least one surface and male portions corresponding in size and shape to the concentric annular grooves on a second surface. The adjustment rings are stacked one on another with the respective male portions being coupled within a corresponding annular groove to provide a manhole construction that is resistant to inflow, chemicals and freeze-thaw cycle damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen K. Wilson, David Wahl