Patents Issued in August 12, 2008
  • Patent number: PP19082
    Abstract: Hydrangea paniculata, ‘HYPMAD I’ has full glistening white inflorescences that mature to parchment. The habit is compact, rounded with strong, stout stems that hold the flowers upright. The leathery, dark green leaves are heat, drought, insect and disease resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Dirr
  • Patent number: PP19083
    Abstract: A new miniature rose plant that has abundant, pink flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year-round production in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Poulsen Roser A/S
    Inventor: Mogens N. Olesen
  • Patent number: PP19084
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Antirrhinum plant named ‘Keiananzurem’, characterized by its vigorous, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit and short internodes; dense and bushy plant form; numerous soft orange and yellow bi-colored flowers; long flowering period; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Keisei Rose Nurseries
    Inventor: Shinya Miyano
  • Patent number: PP19085
    Abstract: A new and distinct Sutera plant with white colored double flowers and a long flowering season.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Ralf Schräder
  • Patent number: PP19086
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rose plant named ‘4900’, characterized by its upright and rounded plant habit; dark green-colored leaflets; freely branching growth habit; freely flowering habit; large double pink-colored flowers; flowers held upright on strong and erect peduncles; and good postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Roses Forever ApS
    Inventor: Rosa Eskelund
  • Patent number: PP19087
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Antirrhinum plant named ‘Keianmilkwam’, characterized by its vigorous, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit and short internodes; dense and bushy plant form; numerous white and yellow bi-colored flowers; long flowering period; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Keisei Rose Nurseries, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Miyano
  • Patent number: PP19088
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Antirrhinum plant named ‘Keianichigorum’, characterized by its vigorous, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit and short internodes; dense and bushy plant form; numerous red purple and white bi-colored flowers; long flowering period; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Keisei Rose Nurseries, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Miyano
  • Patent number: PP19089
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘USPHLO1M’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant form; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and short internodes; dense and busy plant habit; freely and continuous flowering habit; light purple-colored flowers with white-colored centers; and relative tolerance to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Plant 21 LLC
    Inventor: Ushio Sakazaki
  • Patent number: PP19090
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘HJ-117’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit when pinched; relatively large leaves; large yellow-colored flowers with white-colored centers; and long flower longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Henry Albert Buffinga
  • Patent number: PP19091
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Antirrhinum plant named ‘Keianmomorom’, characterized by its vigorous, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit and short internodes; dense and bushy plant form; numerous pink and yellow bi-colored flowers; long flowering period; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Keisei Rose Nurseries Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Miyano
  • Patent number: PP19092
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Astilbe plant named ‘Diamonds and Pearls’, characterized by its upright and sturdy plant habit; strong and healthy foliage; freely and uniformly flowering habit; large white-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Witteman & Co.
    Inventor: Henricus Gijsbertus Johannes Verduin
  • Patent number: PP19093
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Astilbe plant named ‘Love and Pride’, characterized by its upright and sturdy plant habit; strong and healthy foliage; freely and uniformly flowering habit; red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Witteman & Co.
    Inventor: Henricus Gijsbertus Johannes Verduin
  • Patent number: PP19094
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘Duescandic’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; early flowering habit; inflorescences with dark red-colored flower bracts; and excellent post-production longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Dümmen Jungpflanzen
    Inventor: Tobias Dümmen
  • Patent number: PP19095
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lobelia plant named ‘Wesloblue’, characterized by its semi-upright and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and short internodes; dense and bushy plant form; continuously and freely flowering habit; and dark blue-colored flowers with small white-colored eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: J. + H. Westhoff Interpel
    Inventor: Westhoff Heinrich
  • Patent number: PP19096
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Fort Trailing Light Lavender’, characterized by its outwardly spreading to trailing growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; large lavender-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fides B.V.
    Inventor: Anita Miedema-Jorna
  • Patent number: PP19097
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Fort Trailing White’, characterized by its outwardly spreading to trailing growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; large white-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fides B.V.
    Inventor: Anita Miedema-Jorna
  • Patent number: PP19098
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘USPHLO3M’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant form; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and short internodes; dense and busy plant habit; freely and continuous flowering habit; purple and white bi-colored flowers; and relative tolerance to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Plant 21 LLC
    Inventor: Ushio Sakazaki
  • Patent number: PP19099
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Mayon’, characterized by its compact, upright and uniform growth habit; freely branching plant habit; dark green-colored leaves; uniform, freely and early flowering habit; red and pink bi-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fides B.V.
    Inventor: Ike J. Vlielander
  • Patent number: PP19100
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Gentrebu’ that is characterized by red-purple flowers, medium green foliage without a zonation pattern and an early flower response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Willi Endisch GbR
    Inventor: Gerd Endisch
  • Patent number: PP19101
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Genbored’ that is characterized by large semi-double red flowers, dark green foliage with a zonation pattern and an early flower response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Gerd Endisch
  • Patent number: PP19102
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Cordyline plant named ‘Southern Splendour’, characterized by its upright and outwardly arching growth habit; slender stems with short internodes; long arching linear leaves with pink and brown-colored longitudinal stripes; and good keeping quality and garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Plant Marketing International Ltd.
    Inventor: Arthur George Rendle
  • Patent number: RE40453
    Abstract: In an automated prescription pill dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers are provided each operable to count out and dispense pills from supply hoppers. The dispensers are controlled by a computer which selects up to five of the dispensers to operate and control the selected pill dispensers to count out pills simultaneously. The pill dispensers dispense the pills into the first set of output hoppers, from which the pills can be released into a second output hopper under the control of the computer. The computer will release the pills from the second output hopper corresponding to a selected pill dispenser through a snout into a pill vial in response to sensing the presence of a pill vial at the snout. The computer controls a prescription label printer to print prescription labels for the pill vials. The computer also controls indicator lights to indicate which dispensing cell is selected and ready to have pills released from the second output hopper corresponding thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Michael L. Mahar
  • Patent number: RE40454
    Abstract: A transmission job originating station for controlling transmission of job information, based on the processing of a print job in a printing system, is provided. The control system includes a document generating subsystem for providing at least a portion of the print job to be delivered to a print machine and a user interface for programming a set of information including one or more confirmation destinations with each confirmation destination being disposed remotely of the transmission job originating station. The transmission job originating station further includes a control subsystem which, in response to the processing of at least a portion of the print job at the printing machine, reads the set of information and determines each confirmation destination, programmed with the user interface, to which the job information is to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Nickerson
  • Patent number: RE40455
    Abstract: A method for tooling a pattern of retroreflective microcubes, which pattern can be subdivided into smaller increments within which there are straight line tooling paths, none of which pass through an otherwise solid part of the incremental pattern. The tooling paths within the various increments need not be parallel to a common plane. Various adaptions of the method enable the tooling of a number of specific microcube shapes and for modifying such optical properties of the microcubes as entrance angularity, incidence angularity, orientation angularity, observation angularity, percent active aperture and retroreflectance. Specific techniques govern the pre-selection of cube parameters such as cube axis cant, cube apex decentration, and cube boundary proportions, which parameters can be adjusted independently of each other. Designs tooled by the method can have 100% active aperture at near zero degrees entrance angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Sidney A. Heenan, Liviu A. Coman, Dennis I. Couzin
  • Patent number: RE40456
    Abstract: An acoustic imaging apparatus and method that achieves desired delays with coded signals. Linear, curved linear and sector scanning is provided in 1-D arrays and planar, curved planar and sector scanning is provided in 2-D arrays. Composite and non-linear implementations are presented. Dynamic and discrete dynamic focusing is disclosed for the relevant arrays. The 2-D array makes possible 3-D imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth N. Bates
  • Patent number: RE40457
    Abstract: Enteral compositions containing a mixture of live lactic bacteria consisting of Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium infantis, each at a concentration equal to or greater than 1×1011 CFU per gram, are useful as adjuncts for enteral formulations and as oral nutritional supplements. The compositions can be administered before, during or at the end of an enteral formulation administration. The compositions can be administered separately or mixed with the enteral formulation. The compositions can also be employed at the end of the daily administration in order to prevent the colonization of the enteral tube by the other pathogens. The compositions can also be used as supplement to any liquid, creamy or pasty foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: VSL Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Renata Maria Anna Cavaliere ved. Vesely, Claudio De Simone
  • Patent number: RE40458
    Abstract: Parsing routines extract from a conventional pronunciation dictionary an entry, which includes a dictionary word and dictionary phonemes representing the pronunciation of the dictionary word. A correspondence table is used to compress the pronunciation dictionary. The correspondence table includes correspondence sets for a particular language, each set having a correspondence text entry, a correspondence phoneme entry representing the pronunciation of the correspondence text entry and a unique correspondence set identifying symbol. A matching system compares a dictionary entry with the correspondence sets, and replaces the dictionary entry with the symbols representing the best matches. In the absence of a match, symbols representing silent text or unmatched phonemes can be used. The correspondence symbols representing the best matches provide compressed pronunciation dictionary entries. The matching system also generates decoder code sets for subsequently translating the symbol sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Fredenburg
  • Patent number: RE40459
    Abstract: A system having a distributed web site is described. The web site is distributed between a client, a server and a web server. The client stores a set of predefined applications that correspond to a part of the web site. The applications are formatted according to a first markup language. From the set of predefined applications, the client can generate queries. The server receives the queries and generates new, related queries. The new queries correspond to a second query protocol. The second query protocol is used by the web server. The web server generates responses to the new queries and sends these responses to the server. The responses are formatted according to a second markup language. These responses correspond to the second portion of the web site. The server then converts the responses into new responses that the client can use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: PalmSource, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Joseph K. Sipher, Scott D. Lincke
  • Patent number: 7409723
    Abstract: A multifunctional protection rack for a safety helmet having interchangeability, which is connected to the safety helmet to install a welding mask for performing a welding operation, a shade for preventing a direct ray of light from passing therethrough, or a protective shield for preventing foreign substances from being introduced thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Otos Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon Young Huh
  • Patent number: 7409724
    Abstract: The present invention provides a baseball glove to absorb the impact force received by the thumb from the ball when catching, and the force received by the thumb from a runner when a touch playing, in a state in which the user experiences no strange sensation. A baseball glove, having a thumb pocket disposed inside the glove main body, and a thumb catching member disposed in the interior of the abovementioned thumb pocket, wherein a soft member which is constructed in a substantially tubular shape so as to cover the thumb that is inserted into this thumb pocket is disposed in the space in which the abovementioned thumb catching member is disposed within the internal space of the abovementioned thumb pocket with the dimension of this soft member in the longitudinal direction being set equal to or longer than the length dimension of this thumb catching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: KSK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Murai
  • Patent number: 7409725
    Abstract: A knee protecting apparatus includes a top plate that is rigid and has a top side, a bottom side, a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A panel for receiving a person's knee is attached to and selectively positioned on the top plate. A lower plate is resiliently compressible and has a same shape and size as the top plate. A coupler releasably couples the lower plate to the top plate. A knee strap extends through side edges of the panel. The knee strap is extendable around a leg of the person adjacent to the knee. Securing members releasably secure together free ends of the knee strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Horstman
  • Patent number: 7409726
    Abstract: Methods for securing bibs to garments and related articles of clothing. Various schemes are disclosed for securing a bib to a mating garment using one or more points of attachment employing a respective mating pair of fastener halves at each point of attachment. The schemes include employment of a mating pair of fastener to secure the bib to a shoulder of a garment. Meanwhile, in some embodiments a mating pair of fastener is used to secure the lower portion of the bib to a chest area of the garment. Under other embodiments, a three-point attachment scheme is employed including using a pairs of fasteners to secure the straps of a bib to the shoulders of the garment and another mating pair of fasteners to secure the lower portion of the bib to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Angela B. Bahm, Linda L. Baker, R. Alan Burnett
  • Patent number: 7409727
    Abstract: A nursing cover is described, including a sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a first side edge and a second side edge, and a strap coupled to the top edge of the sheet and a plurality of D-rings are coupled using another strap to the top edge of the sheet, and a stiffener stitched into the top edge of the sheet, the stiffener having a first end cap disposed on a first end of the stiffener and a second end cap disposed on a second end of the stiffener, wherein the stiffener, when worn, bows outward to provide a viewing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Bébé au Lait LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie Ekelund, Claire Ekelund
  • Patent number: 7409728
    Abstract: A “SuiteMate” mock blouse comprising a panel of decorative fabric that spans the chest area and which attaches at its upper corners to a user's bra straps by hook and loop fastener® attachments or fabric clamps, or to the skin by self-adhesive skin attachments. The mock blouse is secured at the lower corners around the upper waist by tie-strings. The mock blouse minimally covers the body in the chest area and ensures much greater breathability and comfort. The convenient attachments and tie-strings hold the mock blouse securely in place, and allow more convenient no-fuss application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Inez Rucker Harry
  • Patent number: 7409729
    Abstract: Methods for securing bibs to garments and related articles of clothing. Various schemes are disclosed for securing a bib to a mating garment using one or more points of attachment employing a respective mating pair of fastener halves at each point of attachment. The schemes include employment of a mating pair of fasteners to secure the lower portion of a bib to the front of a garment. Meanwhile, in some embodiments the neck straps of a bib are secured to the back of the neck area of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Angela B. Bahm, Linda L. Baker
  • Patent number: 7409730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a shirt collar in a desired position and orientation, magnetically, against a shirt front. The apparatus includes a collar stay insertable into a conventional collar stay pocket or attachable to an inside surface of a collar, and a magnet magnetically attachable or couplable to the collar stay through the shirt front, and the pocket, if applicable, for holding the shirt collar in the selected position and orientation. The collar stay and the magnet can be optionally interlockable and/or include detents for preventing undesired relative movements thereof, which can include particularly, relative longitudinal movements, but which can also include twisting and sideward movements. For collars which do not include any collar stay pocket, or where a collar stay pocket is not desired to be used, the collar stay can include an adhesive on an outer surface thereof adapted for adhesive attachment to the inside surface of a collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Boos
  • Patent number: 7409731
    Abstract: A potty training assembly includes a flexible disposable and water-insoluble body that is adaptable between a bowl and a folded shape. The body includes a top fluid-absorbent layer and a bottom fluid-impermeable layer, which are coextensively shaped and lay contiguously against each other. The body has a top lip flanging outwardly and away from a center thereof and has a linear slit formed therein so the body can bifurcate into first and second portions. A mechanism is included for crystallizing human discharged fluids such that the fluids remain trapped within the top layer. A mechanism is included for securing the first and second portions to each other such that the first and second edges can become coupled. The adjustably securing mechanism is permanently affixed to the top lip of the body. A support bench includes an annular cavity formed therein. The body is removably seated within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Jennifer G. Arteaga, Sabrina Marie Arteaga
  • Patent number: 7409732
    Abstract: Invented techniques and associated mechanisms are described for eliminating bi-directional flexure properties of coupled buoyant-slats forming a pool cover while simultaneously increasing the buoyancy of a leading or front portion of the cover and for assuring that the spiraling layers of wound-up layers of a buoyant pool cover are, and remain tightly wound around a submerged, rotatable cover drum at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Harry J. Last
  • Patent number: 7409733
    Abstract: A toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Arm's Reach Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Tharalson, Diana Tharalson, Bruce Martin
  • Patent number: 7409734
    Abstract: A collapsible pneumatically operated ambulance cot having a support frame, a wheeled base, a support mechanism disposed therebetween, and a lift mechanism for pneumatically moving the upper frame relative to the lower frame is disclosed. The lift mechanism permits a single attendant to raise the cot from a lowered position to a raised position, and an infinite number of positions therebetween, and to raise the wheeled base relative to the support frame to situate the cot onto an elevated surface such as the transport deck of an ambulance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Benedict, Robert C. Chinn, Warren D. Sutton, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7409735
    Abstract: A person support surface comprises a multitude of inflatable cells. The cells are inflated and deflated to adjust an interface pressure between the person support surface and a person supported by the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kramer, Marshall S. Dahneke, John P. Biondo, Reed N. Wilcox, David T. Schwanemann, Douglas E. Borgman, John D. Miller, David J. Ulrich, Daniel J. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 7409736
    Abstract: A strip length scale for a wire stripper has a receiving portion, a channel aligned with the receiving portion and gradation markings along the length of the channel. Numerical markings next to the gradation marking correspond with the length of the channel. The channel receives the bare conductor portion of a stripped insulated wire. The receiving portion of the strip length scale receives the insulated wire portion of the stripped insulated wire. An abutment at the junction of the channel and receiving portion locates the end of the insulation accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce P. Konen
  • Patent number: 7409737
    Abstract: Device and method for detecting malfunction of a clutch in a washing machine, the device including a clutch including a coupling for transmission of a power from a motor to a washing shaft or a spinning shaft, a clutch motor (60) for providing a power to the coupling, a switch for controlling the coupling, and a cam (600) fitted to be rotatable with the clutch motor for turning on/off the switch in response to the rotation, a power supplying part for supplying a voltage to the motor and the clutch motor (60), a pulse counting part for counting a number of pulses of a voltage supplied to the clutch motor from the power supplying part, and a microcomputer for repeating a process in which the clutch motor is stopped for a second set time period (S20) and operated again if the switch is not switched for a first set time period from a time the clutch motor is put into operation, and informs to a user that the clutch is in malfunction if the switch is not switched while the process is repeated equal to or more than
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Haeng Cho, Jae Cheol Lyu, Bon Kwon Koo, Kwon Ki Hong, Min Jin Oh, Du Heig Choi
  • Patent number: 7409738
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for predicting an imbalance condition in a rotating device. The rotational imbalance prediction system (100) includes an accelerometer assembly (104), including at least one accelerometer (304), and a processor (306). The at least one accelerometer (304) provides acceleration measurements to the processor (306), the measurements describing the current acceleration of an orbit of the rotational device (102). The processor (306) receives the acceleration measurements and calculates an average radius of the orbit (202) to determine if the average radius is increasing, predictive of an imbalance condition. The processor (306) generates a signal in response to the prediction of an imbalance condition and transmits the signal to a motor control (308) or a remote alarm module (302). The system and method provides for countermeasures to be taken in response to the prediction of an imbalance condition, thereby eliminating the imbalance condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodrigo L. Borras, Michelle A. Clifford, Leticia Gomez
  • Patent number: 7409739
    Abstract: A dock leveler support frame includes an upper frame member and a substantially vertical frame member connected thereto. The substantially vertical frame member includes both a structural member and a height-adjusting leg assembly. The leg assembly is adjustable via a drive member proximate the upper frame member. Rotating the drive member raises or lowers the upper frame member by altering the distance between the upper frame member and a foot at the lower end of the leg assembly. Ramp attachment points are also provided proximate the upper frame member. The support frame is installed by placing it in a pit with the upper frame member adjacent the curb, and adjusting the leg assembly to level the upper frame member to the curb. Once level, the back frame is secured to the dock, and the drive member may be secured to the upper frame member to prevent counter-rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, James C. Alexander, Richard Hoofard, David Saliger, Keith F. Moore
  • Patent number: 7409740
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting individuals in cleaning their pools. The apparatus comprises a cleaning head that is capable of being attached to a shaft or handle. The cleaning head comprises a base and a replaceable mop head that slides into the base. The replaceable mop head can only be removed from the base when from either side of the base. The base also has an attached receptacle for receiving a shaft or handle, which is removably attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Edward Geigan
  • Patent number: 7409741
    Abstract: A toothbrush provides a head with bristles, a neck and a handle. An eccentrically rotational weight is engaged for rotation with a motor, the weight disposed within the head. The motor is disposed within the handle. The head and neck are integrally formed with a natural resonance frequency of vibration approximately equal to the rotational speed of the motor and synchronized therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: William S. Dworzan
  • Patent number: 7409742
    Abstract: A suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner includes jet units for jetting air into positions where air streams collide with each other as air is drawn into a suction port of the nozzle from both side portions thereof, so as to prevent substantially the collision of air streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-gyu Song, Hyun-ju Lee, Dong-houn Yang, Jae-sun You, Jung-hyeon Kim, Jun-young Lee
  • Patent number: 7409743
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the air discharged from an agricultural harvester. A separation housing has inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end includes an upper chute, a lower chute, and a separation wall therebetween. The lower chute extends from the inlet end to a clean air discharge intermediate the inlet and outlet ends. Air entering the lower chute is relatively clean, and is discharged to the atmosphere through the clean air discharge. Air entering the upper chute is relatively dirty, and is routed through the upper chute to a separation chamber having an upper input end, a lower output end, and a downwardly inclined passageway extending therebetween. Small particles and dust precipitate from the air and collect on the floor of the passageway. Harvester movement urges the particles and dust to exit from the output end dropping onto the ground, and clean air exits directly therefrom into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Guiseppe Di Anna
  • Patent number: 7409744
    Abstract: A dust collecting unit for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collecting unit includes a dust separating chamber with an air inlet formed on an outer surface thereof and an air outlet formed on one side thereof, a main dust collecting chamber formed in the dust separating chamber for separating dust and dirt in a cyclonic fashion, an auxiliary dust collecting chamber formed at one side of the main dust collecting chamber, and a partition plate for partitioning the main dust collecting chamber. The dust collecting unit allows an amount of air sucked and the efficiency of collecting dust and dirt to be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Il-Gyeong Go, Young-Gun Min