Patents Issued in July 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7404601
    Abstract: This invention relates to a light-weight foldable chair for leisure with seat and backrest loop capable to be folded once, which can be used in households, outdoors, in a courtyard, in a park and at the beach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Libin Chen
  • Patent number: 7404602
    Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus including a cushion body provided on a frame member, a seat cushion, a gear member, a driving mechanism, an arm, and a link mechanism having a first bracket rotatably supported at the gear member, a second bracket rotatably supported at the first bracket, and a link bracket, a first end of which is rotatably supported at the second bracket, and a second end of which is connected to the arm. The arm is connected to the gear member through the link mechanism, and with an up-and-down operation of a front-end portion of the cushion body relative to the frame member by means of a swing of the arm, a length of the seating surface is variable in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Okada, Yoshitaka Koga
  • Patent number: 7404603
    Abstract: Drive for furniture configured for adjusting a first furniture part in relation to a second furniture part the drive includes a pivot shaft, which is pivotally mounted on the first part and with which a pivot drive is operatively associated. The drive includes at least one supporting element which cooperates with the pivot shaft and supports it on a supporting surface provided on the second furniture part, and in such a way that the inclination of the first furniture part can be adjusted in relation to the second part and/or the distance of the first part from the second furniture part can be adjusted. The drive for furniture has a simple construction, is cost-effective to produce, saves a significant amount of space and is particularly suited for adjusting the seat part of a seat, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Deon AG
    Inventor: Eckhart Dewert
  • Patent number: 7404604
    Abstract: A twin recliner operable manually for permitting selective position of a seat back with respect to the seat cushion through a range of reclined positions to a selected use position. Said twin recliner comprising: a master and a slave recliner, a shaft arm member with a longitudinal cleavage on one side and a plurality of peripheral stepping arrangement on the other side, an external spring means with one end hooked to the lower portion of the activating lever and the other end locked to the longitudinal cleavage of the shaft to facilitate a nominal return rate of the actuating lever, a rotatable cam mounted on the third of said plurality of stepping arrangement having a projection is engaged with the slot of the lower housing to receive a rotary drive directly from the actuating lever to disengage inner sectors, a guiding plate with a central passage mounted on the fourth of the stepping arrangement of the shaft member to provide a synchronized movement of the inner sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: IFB Automotive Private Ltd.
    Inventors: Bijon Nag, Manyam Hemadri Reddy, Muthusamy Ramalingam, Kesavan Rajagopal
  • Patent number: 7404605
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat lock, a striker is mounted to a vehicle body and a hook member is mounted to the seat back. The striker comprises the first and second engagement portions which selectively engage in first and second engagement grooves of the hook member to hold the seat back in two kinds of standing positions. The hook member is pivotally secured on a pivot to open and molded with synthetic resin to buffer impacting of the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Inoue, Shigeo Kakuta, Naoya Seto, Masahito Minoura, Shinji Suzuki, Isao Shinagawa, Toshikazu Araki, Kazunori Tahashi
  • Patent number: 7404606
    Abstract: A device for maintaining height of a headrest relative to a seatback frame includes: a suspension disposed in the seat back frame, configured to be pushed by a passenger during a crash; a linkage rotatably coupled to the seat back frame and rotatably supporting the suspension; and a fixing link inside the seat back frame for maintaining a rotational position of the linkage so as to maintain a height of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seok Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7404607
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a bar stool that is easy to Additionally, certain embodiments of the present invention provide a bar stool that own into a flat disassembled state that is compact and cost effective for shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Vendor Development Group
    Inventor: Dean Crue
  • Patent number: 7404608
    Abstract: An elongated beam assembly for a tracked suspension includes an inverted ā€œUā€ shaped member having a first upper surface disposed at an outwardly descending lateral angle; and a plurality of track wheels coupled to the bottom of the member and disposed inside the member. In another arrangement the assembly includes a curved plate disposed between and fixed to both an inner wall and outer wall of the ā€œUā€ shaped member, with the free edge of the curved plate extending outward over the top edge of the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Sean M. Plante, Edward Wagner
  • Patent number: 7404609
    Abstract: An entertainment center includes a base that expands horizontally to accommodate different width home theater displays;and, a light bridge that rests on top of one or more cabinets placed on either side of the base. The side cabinets provide a vertical column of open space for accommodating wiring among the entertainment system components and ventilation for heat generated by those components. The base includes casters to facilitate moving the base in and out from between the side cabinets. Sliding portions of the base extend horizontally yet continue to transfer all load weight onto the casters. The front woodwork of the base presents a pleasing seamless appearance as a consequence of overlapping trim pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Furniture Designs by Aspen (Mauritius) Limited
    Inventor: Andreas K. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7404610
    Abstract: An improved bezel release mechanism for a computer includes wedges, which move laterally over clips on the bezel and apply a downward force on clips when a button coupled to the wedges is pushed. The downward force releases the clips from features on the chassis, disengaging the bezel. In this manner, the bezel release mechanism is toolless and allow for the efficient removal and recoupling of the bezel. Since the bezel release mechanism resides within the chassis and requires the removal of a side door to access it, it also provides protection against accidental or malicious operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter A. Smith, Susan P. Wise
  • Patent number: 7404611
    Abstract: A drawer slide has a pin and torsion spring lock (28) for securing an intermediate slide member (16) relative to a cabinet member (18). A lock pin (154) has a head (180) and a shank (178). A groove (182) is formed into the shank (178). A torsion spring (156) is secured to the intermediate slide member (14) and engages the groove (182) to urge the lock pin (154) into a first position within a slot (158) formed in the intermediate slide member (16). The head (180) of the lock pin (154) extends on an opposite side of the intermediate slide member (16) from the torsion spring (156). Two stops (162, 164) are disposed on the cabinet slide member (18) for engaging with the head (180) of the lock pin (154). A release member (172) is embossed in the web portion (44) of the chassis member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Central Industrial Supply Company
    Inventor: Jianzhang Que
  • Patent number: 7404612
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method which are capable of stabilizing the amount of ink ejection and of printing a high-definition image by selecting a driving condition with heat conductivity of an electrothermal converter being taken into consideration. The heat conductivity from a heater to ink is classified into heater ranks, and, on the basis of the heater rank, a voltage of a drive pulse to be applied to the heater is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Takamiya, Hitoshi Nishikori, Daisaku Ide, Hiroshi Tajika, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 7404613
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an inkjet print cartridge and an inkjet cartridge produced thereby are disclosed. An inkjet print cartridge in accordance with one aspect includes a component of the inkjet print cartridge and an applied adhesive on at least a portion of the component, wherein the applied adhesive is formed from an adhesive having a rheology viscosity ratio ?i/?min of from 1.0 to less than 2.1. The method in accordance with one aspect includes applying an adhesive onto at least a portion of a component of an inkjet print cartridge at an application temperature, T?, and heating the adhesive from an initial temperature, Ti, to a cure temperature for the adhesive, Tc. The adhesive has a rheology cure profile characterized by at least one of the following parameters: a) a rheology viscosity ratio ?i/?min of from 1.0 to less than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kin Ming Kwan, James Michael Mrvos, Jeanne Marie Saldanha Singh, Mary Claire Smoot
  • Patent number: 7404614
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a droplet discharge device, a method of discharging a droplet, a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, and electronic equipment that can grossly reduce a disposed liquid and effectively utilize more discharging liquid as compared with a related art manner in which a nozzle clogging of a head is recovered by a cleaning suction. The droplet discharge device that discharges a droplet to a workpiece can include a head that has a plurality of nozzles, a suction device for sealing and suctioning a nozzle surface of the head, and a controller by which the nozzle surface is sealed by the suction device and the droplet is discharged to the suction device from the nozzle, and the nozzle surface is kept moist by leaving the nozzle surface sealed by the suction device, if the number of clogged nozzle exceeds a predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenori Usuda
  • Patent number: 7404615
    Abstract: A maintenance and recovery device of a liquid droplet discharge apparatus improves a performance of discharging droplets of a liquid having a high-viscosity. A liquid droplet discharge head (34) discharges droplets of a recording liquid from a nozzle. A suction cap member (92a) caps a nozzle plane of the liquid droplet discharge head (34). An inclined surface (191) provides a slope toward an evacuation port (194) on a bottom of the suction cap member (92a). The inclined surface (191) forms an inclination angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The inclined surface is formed of a material having a contact angle with respect to the recording liquid. A sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle is equal to or larger than 70 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiroh Tokuno, Toshitaka Osanai, Kunihiro Uotani
  • Patent number: 7404616
    Abstract: A replaceable cartridge for installation in a mobile device, the cartridge comprising: a printhead; one or more ink reservoirs for supplying ink to the printhead; and an integrated circuit for enabling validation of the cartridge upon installation of the cartridge into the mobile device, the integrated circuit including non-volatile memory for storing secret information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Richard Thomas Plunkett, Simon Robert Walmsley, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 7404617
    Abstract: A printer assembly includes an ink supply mechanism that incorporates a printhead. A platen is operatively connected to the ink supply mechanism. A capping mechanism is mounted on the platen and has an elongate capping arm for moving towards the printhead into a capped position and away from the printhead into an uncapped position. A biasing arrangement biases the capping arm into the uncapped position. A moving arrangement moves the capping arm into the capped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7404618
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes an ink cartridge including an ink container storing ink and fixed to a body of a printer, a printhead assembly including a plurality of nozzle plates, each including a plurality of nozzles ejecting ink supplied from the ink container, disposed on the bottom of the ink cartridge, and extending in a direction perpendicular to a paper moving direction, a platen disposed a predetermined distance below the printhead assembly, the platen supporting a sheet of paper moving in the paper moving direction, and having a plurality of slits extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper moving direction such that they correspond to the nozzle plates, and a wiping apparatus within the platen, the wiping apparatus protruding through the slits, moving in the direction perpendicular to the paper moving direction, and wiping the nozzle plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gui-taek Lim, Tae-kyun Kim, Kyung-chool Choi
  • Patent number: 7404619
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting drops of recording fluid from a recording head includes a waste tank having a space for containing waste fluid, a part for obtaining a correlation value that has a correlation to a deposited state of the waste fluid in the space within the waste tank, and a part for judging whether or not the correlation value exceeds a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Tamai, Tetsuya Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7404620
    Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided comprising a body, an elongate support member mounted to the body and a plurality of printhead modules detachably mounted in series along the support member. The support member has a structural component for strengthening the member. Each printhead module is mounted to the support member via a mounting component of the support member. The mounting component is connected to the structural component via an elastomeric element which allows relative thermal expansion and contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7404621
    Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided comprising at least one printhead module comprising at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, a support member supporting and carrying the printing fluid for the at least two printhead integrated circuits, and comprising a casing comprising a support frame removably mounting the at least one printhead module and at least one clamping arrangement clamping the at least one printhead module to the support frame. The clamped printhead module and the at least one clamping arrangement are substantially positionally independent of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7404622
    Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes a drop generator having an attached orifice structure forming a jet array adapted to use ink jet fluids with a charge device disposed opposite the jet array forming a gap. The charge device includes a dimensionally stable, non-porous substrate layer having a high load to deflection ratio, one or more electrically conducting leads bonded to the substrate layer, an insulating protective layer disposed over the electrically conducting lead, and a non-wetting polymer coating compatible with the ink jet fluids disposed on the insulating protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Morris, James A. Katerberg
  • Patent number: 7404623
    Abstract: The invention provides for a printhead assembly having a printhead module, printhead controller integrated circuitry and a casing with an integral heatsink. The printhead module has a plurality of modular printhead tiles designed for pagewidth printing applications. The printhead controller integrated circuitry is encased in the casing, which has an integral heatsink. A ducting assembly ducts ink to micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies of the printhead tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Michael Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7404624
    Abstract: An ink-jet printhead using a laser to expel ink includes an ink chamber to be filled with ink and an ink channel to supply the ink chamber with ink, the ink chamber and the ink channel formed in a passageway plate, a cover plate provided on the passageway plate, an ink ejection hole formed through the cover plate at a position corresponding to the ink chamber, a condenser lens provided on a bottom surface of the passageway plate at a position corresponding to the ink chamber, the laser irradiating a laser beam through the condenser lens and directly onto the ink contained in the ink chamber, to generate pressurized waves that vibrate a surface of the ink which causes an ink droplet to be expelled through the ink ejection hole from the surface of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-kee Sohn, Keon Kuk, Seung-joo Shin, Yong-soo Oh
  • Patent number: 7404625
    Abstract: An ink jet nozzle arrangement for a printhead is provided. The nozzle arrangement includes nozzle chamber for storing ink to be ejected, at least one moveable actuator paddle forming at least a portion of a first wall of said nozzle chamber, and an ink ejection nozzle defined in the first wall. Actuation of the actuator paddle causes ejection of ink from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy
  • Patent number: 7404626
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system having a plurality of inkjets, wherein the inkjets are disposed in a row and directed toward a media, wherein the printhead includes a drop generator having an orifice plate, wherein the orifice plate has nozzles with a first and second group forming an inkjet, wherein the first group is in interleaved patterns with the second group, and the geometry of the first group is different from the second group. A stimulating device provides a signal to the continuous inkjets to produce a first and second group of drops with a first and a second breakoff length, wherein the first and second breakoff lengths are different; a charge plate with drop charging electrodes positioned adjacent each inkjet opposite the drop generator. A controller in communication with each drop charging electrode adapted to supply a pulse to each electrode to isolate the first and second group of drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Piatt, Randy L. Fagerquist
  • Patent number: 7404627
    Abstract: A printing system includes a liquid drop ejector that is operable to eject liquid drops having a plurality of volumes along a first path. A fluid passage includes an energy damping structure. A fluid flow source is operable to cause the fluid to flow through the passage along the energy damping structure. Interaction of the fluid flow and the liquid drops causes liquid drops having one of the plurality of volumes to begin moving along a second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Zhanjun Gao, Jinquan Xu
  • Patent number: 7404628
    Abstract: The invention provides a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent to its inside so that the liquid in the inside is delivered to the outside. The liquid container includes a container body which stores the liquid in its inside. The container body includes a pressurized fluid introduction port for introducing the pressurized fluid to the inside and a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside. A detection unit is provided in the container body and outputs an output signal which is changed in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid in the inside of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Naka, Takahiro Katakura, Atsushi Kobayashi, Satoshi Shinada, Toshio Kumagai, Taku Ishizawa, Takeo Seino, Hisashi Miyazawa, Takakazu Fukano, Hitotoshi Kimura, Yasunao Uehara, Masahide Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 7404629
    Abstract: A franking machine including a printer for printing postal indicia on a mail item, a supplier for supplying postage printing ink to allow a refill of the printer with postage printing ink, and a self-obturating connection connected to the postage ink supply by an ink transferor and intended either to place the postage ink supply in communication with the printer in the case of postage ink printing or to isolate the postage ink supply from the printer in other cases of printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventors: RƩgis Desire, HervƩ Duval, Fabien Torche
  • Patent number: 7404630
    Abstract: A buffer tank for use in an inkjet printer wherein the buffer tank is located between one or more ink storage tanks which store one or more sorts of ink, and one or more inkjet recording heads which eject the one or more inks toward a recording medium and thereby perform recording on the recording medium. The buffer tank includes a partition wall which separates an inner space of the buffer tank into a plurality of ink delivery chambers which temporarily store the one or more inks; and a pair of flexible wall portions which are spaced from each other and which cooperate with each other to constitute a portion of the partition wall and partly define a pressure-change absorbing chamber which allows the pair of flexible wall portions to be flexed to absorb the change of pressure of the one or more inks temporarily stored by the ink delivery chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7404631
    Abstract: A UV-setting ink-jet ink containing at least color materials, UV-polymeric compound, and photo-induced polymerization initiator in a water-based medium, wherein the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the ink is 0.1 to 2 ppm at 25° C. This structure of this invention can provide UV-setting ink-jet inks which can always be ejected normally regardless of long continuous uses and an ink-jet recording method using said inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7404632
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink-jet recording ink, containing a pigment and a compound represented by the General formula (I): R—XYnH??General formula (I) wherein R represents a hydrophobic group, or a group derived from a hydrophobic polymer; X represents a bivalent linking group having a hetero bond; Y may be A, C or D, and (Y)n contains 0 to 40% by mole of a structural unit represented by B; and n=10-3500; R1 represents H, or an alkyl group; R2 represents H or an alkyl groups; R3 represents H or a methyl group; and R4 represents H, —CH3, —CH2COOH, or —CN; Z1: H, —COOH, or —CONH2; Z2: —COOH, —SO3H, —OSO3H, —CH2SO3H, —CONHC(CH3)2CH2SO3H, or —CONHCH2CH2CH2N+(CH3)3Cl?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Aono, Kenji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7404633
    Abstract: A print roll unit includes an elongate ink reservoir core defining a plurality of ink chambers which each extend along the core. The chambers are isolated to store respective inks. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A housing includes a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to house the roll of print media. The core includes an elongate part defining the ink chambers and a rubber sealing cap which can be engaged with an end of the molded part to seal the ink chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7404634
    Abstract: A spectacle set includes a primary spectacle and a detachable shelter frame. The primary spectacle includes two lenses, a primary bridge extended between two inner sides of the lenses respectively. The detachable shelter frame includes two shelter lenses, a shelter bridge extended between two inner sides of the shelter lenses, and a mounting arrangement comprising first through third supporting members spacedly and rearwardly extended from the shelter bridge to engage on the primary bridge so as to support the shelter lenses aligning with the lenses respectively, and a retention member rearwardly extending to apply an urging force against the primary bridge to engage with the primary bridge when the detachable shelter frame is mounted in front of the primary spectacle so as to substantially retain the detachable shelter frame in a balance manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Yiling Xie
  • Patent number: 7404635
    Abstract: A method is provided for securely holding a spectacle lens. Without using screwing members such as a screw and a nut, and extra parts such as a bush, a cylindrical pin and a slip-off preventive pin, a spectacle lens can surely be held. A taper pin is provided projecting on a lens holding member for holding a spectacle lens, and a taper hole having approximately the same size as the taper pin is provided on the spectacle lens. The taper pin is directly press-fitted into the taper hole, thereby holding the spectacle lens by a press-contact between an inner circumferential surface of the taper hole and an outer circumferential surface of the taper pin. The taper pin is press-fitted in a thickness direction of the spectacle lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Sakai
  • Patent number: 7404636
    Abstract: An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The spectacle lens comprises a first substrate having a first outer region and first inner region, a first electrode layer disposed adjacent to the first inner region, the first electrode layer including an outer electrode region having a first conductivity and an inner electrode region having a second conductivity, the first conductivity being greater than the second conductivity, a second substrate having a second outer region and second inner region, a second electrode layer disposed adjacent to the second inner region, the second electrode layer having a third conductivity, and an electro-active cell disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the electro-active cell containing an electro-active material. The first outer region and second outer region are configurable for fitting the spectacle lens within a lens frame without altering the electro-active cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: E-Vision, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald D. Blum, William Kokonaski, Dwight P. Duston
  • Patent number: 7404637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient's depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient's eye to increase the depth of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Innovative Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: David Miller, Ernesto Blanco
  • Patent number: 7404638
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient's depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient's eye to increase the depth of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Innovative Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: David Miller, Ernesto Blanco
  • Patent number: 7404639
    Abstract: This invention provides a stereo image displaying method and eyesight recovery apparatus which stimulates the eye muscles and is inexpensive and simple. An image for the left and the right eye are displayed on the screen 50 of an electronic device 2 alternately, an observer wears spectacles 4 which open and close in synchronism with the display of these images to produce a convergence angle and parallax to obtain a 3-D image. A 3-D image display device is used to enable the observer to focus his/her right and left eyes on the images of a 3-D image. A 3-D image 10a is displayed at a position close to the spectacles 4 and then gradually moved away from it. The eyesight recovery apparatus comprises a movement control unit 10 for moving a 3-D image 10b at a distance close to the spectacles 4 and a repetition control unit 23 for repeating the receding and approach movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Visual Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Takashi Nishihira, Hirofumi Tahara
  • Patent number: 7404640
    Abstract: Real time, high-speed image stabilization with a retinal tracking scanning laser ophthalmoscope (TSLO) enables new approaches to established diagnostics. Large frequency range (DC to 19 kHz), wide-field (40-deg) stabilized Doppler flowmetry imaging is described for human subjects. The fundus imaging method is a quasi-confocal line-scanning laser ophthalmoscope (LSLO). The retinal tracking system uses a confocal reflectometer with a closed loop optical servo system to lock onto features in the ocular fundus and automatically re-lock after blinks. By performing a slow scan with the laser line imager, frequency-resolved retinal perfusion and vascular flow images can be obtained free of eye motion artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Physical Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Daniel Ferguson, Daniel X. Hammer
  • Patent number: 7404641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for examining the ocular fundus, according to which images of the ocular fundus are generated by means of a camera and/or an illumination unit and are subjected to an evaluation. The aim of the invention is to further develop said method in such a way that the certainty of a decision is optimized while avoiding subjective assessments. Said aim is achieved by controlling and/or regulating the optimization of the camera position and/or the illumination unit with regard to the certainty of detection following an automatic classification by means of a predefined pattern detection algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering Optische GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Michelson, Dietrich Paulus
  • Patent number: 7404642
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display having an improved 2D/3D mode switchable structure, including a display device to display an image, and a parallax barrier unit to transmit all incident light in a 2D mode and to separate a left-eye image and a right-eye image by forming a barrier in a 3D mode. The parallax barrier unit includes a polarizer to transmit light having a predetermined polarizer polarization direction, a first plane array including first and second birefringent elements, which change a polarization direction of light transmitted through the polarizer into a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, respectively, and a second plane array including third and fourth birefringent elements, which change a polarization direction of light transmitted through the first plane array into a third direction and a fourth direction, that is opposite from the third direction, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sergey Shestak, Dae-sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7404643
    Abstract: A projector has an illumination system, an electro-optical modulator, a projection optical system, and a scanning system. The illumination system has a light source, a first lens array, a second lens array, a polarization conversion element and a superposing lens. The polarization conversion element includes a polarized light separating element and a phase plate. The polarized light separating element includes a plurality of polarized light separating prisms each of which has a polarized light separating surface and a reflection surface. The plurality of polarized light separating prisms are arranged along the one direction, and polarized light separating surfaces in the polarized light separating prisms at both ends of the polarized light separating element in one direction are constituted so as to reflect the luminous flux involving the second polarized light component in a direction approaching the illumination optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7404644
    Abstract: A time-sequential colour projector comprises a pixellated light valve (2), such as a liquid crystal device, and a plurality of light sources (30, 31, 32). The light sources (30, 31, 32) direct light on different sets of pixels of the light valve (2) via an optical system (1), such as a lens array, which focuses the light on pixels of the light valve (2). At least two of the light sources (30, 31, 32) are multiple colour light sources and the multiple colour light sources emit different colour components during each set of frames making up a complete image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Allan Evans, Grant Bourhill, Marina V. Khazova
  • Patent number: 7404645
    Abstract: Image processing enhances display quality by controlling both the image modulator and the light sources. The image processing system utilizes a combination of user inputs, system configuration, design information, sensor feedback, pixel modulation information, and lighting control information to characterize the display environment on a per pixel basis. This per pixel characterization information is combined with one or more frames of the incoming real time display data. The image processing system processes each incoming pixel and produces a modified corresponding output pixel. Each pixel of each frame is processed accordingly. The image processing system also produces control information for the light sources. The light source control information can control individual lamps, tubes or LEDs, or can control a block or subset of the light sources. The resulting display has improved image consistency, enhanced color gamut, higher dynamic range and is better able to portray high motion content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Digital Display Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Neal D. Margulis
  • Patent number: 7404646
    Abstract: A projection lens apparatus includes a plurality of lenses, for enlarging and projecting, onto a screen, an original image displayed on an image generation source. The plurality of lenses are arranged, beginning with the lens nearest the screen, as first to sixth lens groups. The fourth lens group includes one meniscus lens that has a positive refracting power and has a concave lens surface directed toward the screen. The concave lens surface of the meniscus lens included in the fourth group lens has a curvature in the vicinity of an outer portion of the concave lens surface that is smaller than a curvature in a predetermined area of the concave lens surface defined between a light axis of the concave lens surface of the meniscus lens and the smaller curvature of the concave lens surface in the vicinity of the outer portion of the concave lens surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuriko Inadachi, Shuji Kato, Hidehiro Ikeda, Naoyuki Ogura, Koji Hirata
  • Patent number: 7404647
    Abstract: A mirror is disclosed for use in motor system. The mirror includes a composite with at least one of silicon carbide, boron, and boron carbide and an alloying agent that increases the electrical conductivity of the composite sufficient for the composite to be processed by electrical discharge machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: GSI Group Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Brown
  • Patent number: 7404648
    Abstract: A concealable mirror comprises motor housing 110, motor 111, motor shaft 112, pivot arm 131, link arm 140, frame 210, hinge 212, cover deck 220, mirror frame 301, mirror 310, remote control device 400, and clevis assembly 502.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventors: Robert F. Schwarz, Ben Schellhaas
  • Patent number: 7404649
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices configured and adapted to give a fluid stream the appearance of being lighted. Different colors of light, such as those provided from LEDs, may be used to generate an aesthetically pleasing effect of flowing colored fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid illumination may be accomplished by a light source directed towards a fluid stream from an external angle, for example. Alternatively, the light source may be pointed in the direction of the fluid stream, lighting it substantially internally. In yet other embodiments, the fluid illumination may be enhanced with the employment of reflective surfaces that bounce light around and through the fluid stream. To increase the appearance of being lighted, the reflective fluid surface area may be increased by generating turbulent flow. In certain embodiments, turbulent flow is achieved with the use of a separator to separate a single fluid stream into a plurality of micro-streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Gosis, David R. Nowak, Robert Dam, Abram Cervantes, Chuck Esposito
  • Patent number: 7404650
    Abstract: A structural board includes a pair of intermediate members having plural projections. The intermediate members are positioned in parallel, and the projections are in contact with each other between the intermediate members. At least one of the intermediate members are light permeable. An illuminator is provided between the intermediate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Ano, Kaoru Aoyagi, Naoto Ishii, Yasuyuki Tamane, Mitsuhiro Nishizaka